About the Maltings Studio and how we work…

We are not typical of the profession – we do not confine ourselves to a given way of working or specialise in a particular media or genre. Instead we regard ourselves as ‘image makers’, offering just about any subject and stylistic approach a client may require. Our unique approach means that we can liaise with our clients to develop an illustrative solution that is exactly right for their commission. We do not aim to replicate the style of other illustrators, but we do aim to develop illustration approaches that specifically suit the creative brief, context, and purpose.

A small selection of our past work – created entirely in-house – is presented on our Illustration Wall. This is by no means representative of all that we have done or, indeed, the new work we will create into the future – but we trust it demonstrates our unique offer within the creative industry, sampling the broad range of illustrative styles we have developed over recent years.

We trained and honed our craft in the days before digital technology was a viable tool, learning to observe, draw accurately with pencil and pen, and acquire skills in watercolour, gouache and airbrush. However, we enthusiastically embraced the digital revolution when it came. Throughout these transitions our focus has always been to create beautiful illustration which embraces and meets a brief, delivered on time and on budget.

Quite simply, The Maltings allow our clients the freedom to imagine – we become an intrinsic part of the wider creative process and deliver exactly what each commission needs.

 

So how do we do this? 

As every commission is unique, in the first instance we would encourage all clients to pick up the phone and talk to us. We charge nothing for advice and consultation, and a little time spent discussing your project will always prove worthwhile.

Our combined 80 years professional experience mean we thoroughly understand illustration, print and multimedia processes, the varied markets we work within, and how careful consideration of approach, context and application can mean significant time - and therefore cost - savings.

Sometimes a few minor tweaks to a preferred style, or a considered look at how an illustration may be utilised or created, can result in a much smaller fee - particularly useful when budgets are defined prior to commission. We know that meaningful, robust dialogue and regular contact throughout a project builds trust, mutual respect, and benefits process, price and outcome. 

We have no sales staff or junior creatives, we are not an illustration agency who take a percentage of the fee - the Maltings studio is just Mike and Steve, and our clients deal directly with the partner working on their project. Every penny of your budget translates directly into creative work on your behalf.

And because we know that price is invariably important, wherever possible we supply a firm quotation prior to beginning any commission - detailing what the client can expect of us, rights of use, appropriate approval stages, and the timeframe for delivery. We encourage our clients to contact us as and when they feel it necessary, and email regular progress updates during larger commissions to assure clients that schedules are being adhered to.

One final point worth making - but possibly more difficult to define - is the wider experience of working with The Maltings. The quality of our output should be clear from our samples on the Illustration Wall, but beautiful illustration is only part of the story. We feel much of our exceptional reputation is built on the relationships we encourage with our clients. We pride ourselves on being friendly and approachable, honest and reliable. We genuinely love what we do and give all that we can to each and every commission, large or small.

Our ultimate aim is always the same: When the work is complete and we deliver the artwork, our client's expectations will not just have been met... they will have been surpassed.

We have built an international, blue-chip client list across all sectors – book and magazine publishers, industrials, architects, advertising agencies, design studios, television and film, packaging, museums, heritage and natural history. We have created artwork for print, web, television and film – our largest ever commission being in excess of 1000 square meters and consequently entering the record books!

Below are just a small number of the diverse range of clients Maltings have had the pleasure of working with…