The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work. - Emile Zola
James McLean has been an artist and illustrator for video-games, books, television, newspapers and multimedia.
Working primarily in pen and ink, and employing digital colouring when requested, James’ work remains flexible to requirements.
James is available as a storyboard artist for film, video-game and TV commercials. His work in the video-game industry has expanded beyond storyboards to working digitally in art production. He has worked for the art department on a variety of games such as Horrid Henry, Star Wars: Jedi Trials, High School Musical, 'Garden Party', 'Tracey Beaker' and 'Peppa Pig'.
For the children’s market, he has brought to life the characters of the classic story 'Beowulf' (Kingfisher Epics); created a community of quirky insects for Clive Tandy’s series ‘Quarry Grove’; and drawn a wealth of ecological cartoons for Blackpool Council and the environmental exhibitions at the award winning Solaris Centre. He is the continuing cover artist for the DVD releases of the children’s cartoon, M.A.S.K.
James has also produced officially endorsed artwork to promote the rock groups ‘Red Hot Chili Peppers’ and ‘My Chemical Romance’ (Sabian Promotions). His detailed illustrations of Oscar Wilde and Noel Coward were part of the line up in Channel 4’s historical documentary ‘Checking Into History’ and he has contributed a host of satirical caricatures for the London broadsheet, The Times.
