Comic Art Ltd by John Patrick Reynolds

Every so often a body of work comes along that makes us grin before we have even worked out why. That was our reaction to the prints of John Patrick Reynolds, a London-based artist and screenprinter whose comic art prints take the characters many of us grew up with and give them a place on the wall rather than the bottom of the toy box.

Reynolds works under licence from the publishers who own these characters, so the images are drawn from the original comic artwork itself. The result sits somewhere between nostalgia and serious printmaking: bold, flat colour, crisp line and a sense of humour that never tips into kitsch.

Who is John Patrick Reynolds?

Patrick Reynolds the artist is best known for screenprints of classic British comic characters. He has worked with DC Thomson, the publisher behind The Beano and The Dandy, on prints of figures such as Dennis the Menace and Desperate Dan, and has also produced Asterix prints in partnership with the French publisher of those books. His editions are limited in number and signed and numbered by hand in pencil, which is exactly what you would hope for from a printmaker who takes the medium seriously.

What we like most is the respect he shows the source material. Rather than redrawing or remixing the characters, he lets the original cartoonists' work speak, enlarging a panel or a single figure so that you notice the confidence of the line and the economy of the drawing. Seen at that scale, a strip you once read in thirty seconds turns out to be a small masterclass in composition.

Comic art on the wall is a reminder that a home does not have to be solemn to be beautiful.

Why comic art prints work in interiors

There is a long tradition of pop art borrowing from comics, and the appeal is easy to understand. Comic imagery is graphic by design: strong outlines, limited palettes and clear focal points. Those are the same qualities that make a picture read well across a room, which is why a single comic art print can anchor a wall in a way that a fussier image cannot.

They also bring something many carefully styled rooms lack, which is personality. A muted living room of linen, oak and stone can feel calm, but it can also feel anonymous. Hang one bright, witty print above the sofa and the whole space relaxes. Guests have something to talk about, and you have a daily reminder not to take everything quite so seriously.

How to hang comic and pop art at home

A few principles we have learnt from living with graphic art:

• Go big or go grouped. One large print makes a statement; a tight grid of three or four smaller ones tells a story. Avoid a single small print floating on a big wall.
• Let the colour lead. Pick out one shade from the print, perhaps the red of a jumper or the yellow of a speech bubble, and repeat it in a cushion or a vase.
• Keep frames simple. A plain black or white frame suits the flat colour and crisp outlines of screenprinted comic art better than anything ornate.
• Mix the high and the low. Comic prints look brilliant next to serious design pieces, a mid-century chair or a good lamp. The contrast is the point.
• Think beyond the living room. A playful print is a natural fit for a hallway, a home office or a child's room that needs to grow up gracefully.

If you enjoy the idea of building a wall of graphic work, take a look at our piece on Outline Editions and Noma Bar prints, which shares a similar wit, or our memories of the Pick Me Up graphic arts festival.

Collecting limited edition comic art prints

Buying a limited edition print is a lovely way to start collecting, because the commitment is modest compared with an original painting and you still own something made by hand. A few things are worth checking before you buy:

1. Is the edition size stated clearly, and is the print signed and numbered?
2. Is the work officially licensed? With well-known characters, a licence shows the artist has worked properly with the rights holder.
3. What paper and printing method have been used? Screenprinting lays down rich, flat layers of ink that suit comic artwork particularly well.
4. How will you frame it? Budget for good framing with acid-free mounts so the print lasts.

Above all, buy what makes you smile. Comic art is meant to be enjoyed, and a print you love will outlast any trend.

Looking back

When we first wrote about this work in 2014, it was one of the posts our readers returned to most often, and we can see why. Our original post took its title from the Comic Art name under which his prints were sold. Reynolds has continued releasing new editions since then, so if this has whetted your appetite, look up his current releases directly rather than relying on anything we noted at the time.

Questions readers ask

Who is John Patrick Reynolds?

John Patrick Reynolds is a London-based artist and screenprinter who makes limited edition prints of classic British comic characters, working under licence from the publishers who own them.

What kind of comic art prints does Patrick Reynolds make?

He is best known for screenprints of characters from comics such as The Beano and The Dandy, as well as Asterix, produced in signed and numbered limited editions.

How should I frame a comic art print?

Keep it simple. A plain black or white frame with an acid-free mount suits the flat colour and bold line of screenprinted comic art and helps the print last.