Printmaking

Ah, the alluring nostalgia of the 1980s—a decade rich with flamboyant fashion, vibrant music, and bold creativity that bubbles up not just in pop culture but in the personal narratives we hold dear. Revisiting this dynamic era feels like flipping through a kaleidoscopic collage of oversized shoulder pads, electric hues, and whimsical designs. Annabel Iwegbue’s photographic tour delves into this vivid tableau, where fashion was not just attire but a statement. Take inspiration from figures like Princess Diana and Grace Jones, who wore trends like badges of audacious identity, paving the way for today’s eclectic ensembles.

In the realm of linocut printmaking, Kester Hackney channels this nostalgic flair into playful artwork crafted in the isolation of his coastal cabin. His creations stir the imagination with robots and mermaids, merging midcentury aesthetics with a dash of humorous whimsy. This tactile transition off the digital screen breathes a refreshing analog breath into the sea of retro-inspiration, steering clear of clichés while anchoring in mid-century mastery.

And, for those of us exploring the artistic archives of yore, why not marry fashion with pencil and paper? Drawing tutorials that walk us through capturing the essence of the era—whether through a character like Boombox or the humble mixtape—are valuable portals into the tangible simplicity of personal expression. Mix tapes in particular, those fragile artifacts of the past, resonate with authenticity and creativity that defy the digital.

Even as interior spaces like Kate Hudson’s chic bathroom embrace 80s maximalism, enriched with chintz and pastel palettes, the art world follows suit by unbridling its creativity in a cascade of retro charm. Digital artists too find avenues to revel in this romanticized past with digital tools like Procreate, crafting vibrant visual throwbacks with vintage-inspired brushes and colors.

Whether inked on linoleum or framed in pixels, the 1980s remain a vital muse—a celebration of style, creativity, and the unrestrained boldness that continues to inspire generations. Let’s hold onto the audacity of that design era, ever intertwining it with our fresh narratives, creating a seamless dance across time.

1980s Fashion Flashback Icons
Annabel Iwegbue’s article presents a vibrant collection of 38 iconic fashion photos that encapsulate the essence of 1980s style. The gallery highlights key trends like bold shoulder pads, oversized sleeves, statement belts, biker shorts, and puff-sleeve dresses. Celebrating the era’s distinct flair, the piece features famous personalities such as Princess Diana, Diana Ross, Heather Locklear, Iman, Cyndi Lauper, and Grace Jones, among others. Each image captures the defining styles and unforgettable fashion moments of the decade, offering inspiration for a nostalgic throwback mood board.
Credit: Cosmopolitan

Linocut Liberation Coastal Creativity
Kester Hackney, known for his creative venture Tigerlino, seamlessly transitions from web design and graphic artistry to linocut printmaking. Working from his cabin on the Kent coast, Hackney crafts playful pieces featuring subjects like robots, mermaids, and whimsical birds, heavily inspired by midcentury masters like Cliff Roberts and Jim Flora. A love for coastal themes initially guided his printmaking, but now he embraces more experimental and humorous designs. Hackney relishes the tactile relief from digital screens through printmaking and plans on creating more intricate, colorful reduction prints influenced by mid-century aesthetics.

Artist: Kester Hackney
Medium: Linocut Printmaking
Themes: Robots, mermaids, rock heroes, whimsical birds, midcentury-inspired designs
Credit: Fishinkblog

Drawing Boombox Step By Step
This article offers a detailed, illustrated guide to drawing Boombox, a character from the web series “Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared.” It includes eight steps with images for each stage, making it easy to follow. Additionally, it provides links to more tutorials for drawing other characters from the series, making it a valuable resource for fans and aspiring artists.

Artist: Not specified
Medium: Drawing Tutorial
Themes: Character Illustration
Credit: DrawingTutorials101.com

Maximalist Design Revival Insights
Kate Hudson’s bathroom is a showcase of 80s maximalism, featuring bold chintz prints, pastel colors, and ornate fixtures in her Pacific Palisades home. This interior design trend, which merges modern and vintage elements, is making a comeback according to trend forecasters. Hudson’s space perfectly illustrates how vibrant decoration and abundant patterns from the 1980s are being revived and embraced in contemporary home design.
Credit: Homes & Gardens

Mix Tape Drawing Tutorial
Artist: Not specified
Medium: Drawing
Themes: Nostalgia, Retro Objects

Learn to draw a charming mix tape in a simple six-step process. Although mix tapes belong to a bygone era, they carry a nostalgic and personal charm that mix CDs don’t quite capture. Transform your mix tape drawing into fun stickers or use it for other creative projects to celebrate its classic appeal.
Credit: Learn To Draw

Celebrating 1980s Pop Culture Influence
The 1980s was a vibrant decade that significantly influenced pop culture, leaving a lasting impact through bold fashion, iconic music, blockbuster films, and groundbreaking technology. Fashion featured flamboyant styles like shoulder pads and acid-washed jeans, while music saw revolutionary contributions from artists like Prince and Whitney Houston alongside the rise of MTV. Blockbuster films like “E.T.” and “Back to the Future” captivated audiences, and television offered memorable series like “Cheers” and “The Simpsons.” The decade also marked the rise of video games, with arcade and home gaming systems setting the stage for today’s gaming industry.

Artist: None explicitly
Medium: Pop Culture
Themes: 1980s Fashion, Music, Film, Television, Technology
Credit: Medium

Retro 80s Art In Procreate
Here’s a delightful guide to creating retro 80s style art using Procreate on an iPad. Embrace nostalgia with insights into key techniques like TransferTone Dry Transfer Brushes, essential for achieving that iconic vintage vibe. The process includes setting up your project, sketching, using grids, and the strategic application of brushes and colors. Adding pattern brushes is pivotal to capturing the vibrant essence of the era. Perfect for those yearning to recreate art influenced by the dynamic technology and cultural trends of the 1980s.

Artist: Not specified
Medium: Digital Illustration
Themes: 1980s Retro Style
Credit: RetroSupply Co.

Recently, I’ve been exploring the delightful world of maximalism—a style that resonates with my love for printmaking, where more is indeed more. It’s a celebration of the 1980s maximalism revival, with bold chintz prints, playful pastel tones, and vintage decor. It’s a bit like stepping into an exuberant painting where every corner tells a story. Kate Hudson’s bathroom, for instance, is a masterful dance of ornate window dressings, a glistening gold chandelier, and a striking blue freestanding tub. This design philosophy invites us to mix retro and contemporary elements, echoing the rhythmic balance I aim to achieve in my block prints. Such spaces capture nostalgia with a modern twist, creating visual symphonies that are both timeless and timely. As we approach 2023, this trend doesn’t just beckon interior enthusiasts but inspires artists like us to blend the old with the new, both on the canvas and in our homes. It’s a fascinating dialogue between what was and what can be, and in that sweet spot, true creativity thrives.

Vintage Maximalism Revival in Decor
Kate Hudson’s bathroom embraces ’80s maximalism with chintz prints, pastel tones, and vintage decor, featuring ornate window dressings, a gold chandelier, and a blue freestanding tub. This design reflects a resurgence of 1980s decor trends, which design forecasters predict will gain popularity in 2023. Hudson’s style exemplifies a growing trend of mixing retro and contemporary elements in home design, capturing a nostalgic yet modern aesthetic.

Artist: Kate Hudson (indicative through decor)
Medium: Interior Design
Themes: 1980s Maximalism, Vintage-Modern Blend
Credit: Homes & Gardens