Traveling Illustrator Skillfully Sketches Postcards of Cities He Visits in Europe

maxwell tilse maxwell illustration illustrated postcards backpacking travel

Krakow, Poland

Artist Maxwell Tilse has come up with a creative project that combines two of his passions: illustration and traveling. Originally from Sydney, Australia, the 23-year-old now calls London home, and has taken full advantage of his time abroad by backpacking throughout Europe. To document his travels and keep up with his artistic practice, Tilse creates detailed sketches of each city he visits, resulting in a stunning and seemingly never-ending series of illustrated postcards.

Described as a “comic diary,” his collection of drawings features the historic landmarks and iconic architecture that characterize each city. From the sloped and snow-covered rooftops found in cities across the Czech Republic to the glimmering gold towers of Parliament in London, Tilse captures the feel and look of each destination through his minutely detailed illustrations.

The artist begins each piece with a preliminary, on-the-spot drawing, which he perfects later in the day. “I've mostly done quick pencil sketches outside,” he explained on Bored Panda. “Then, I'll find a warm cozy place to finish the drawing with a hot meal and a cold beer.” Sounds like a great way to work!

Tilse posts his series of travel drawings on his Instagram, where you can keep up with his jet-setting lifestyle and European adventures.

See some of his skillfully-sketched illustrated postcards below.

maxwell tilse maxwell illustration illustrated postcards backpacking travel

Crumlaw, Czech Republic

maxwell tilse maxwell illustration illustrated postcards backpacking travel

Budapest, Hungary

maxwell tilse maxwell illustration illustrated postcards backpacking travel

Berlin, Germany

maxwell tilse maxwell illustration illustrated postcards backpacking travel

London, United Kingdom

maxwell tilse maxwell illustration illustrated postcards backpacking travel

Teltsch, Czech Republic

maxwell tilse maxwell illustration illustrated postcards backpacking travel

Bardejov, Slovakia

maxwell tilse maxwell illustration illustrated postcards backpacking travel

Gdándsk, Poland

maxwell tilse maxwell illustration illustrated postcards backpacking travel

Krakow, Poland

maxwell tilse maxwell illustration illustrated postcards backpacking travel

Warsaw, Poland

maxwell tilse maxwell illustration illustrated postcards backpacking travel

Cesky Krumlov, Czech Republic

Maxwell Illustration: Instagram | Facebook 
h/t: [Bored Panda]

All images via Maxwell Illustration.

Kelly Richman-Abdou

Kelly Richman-Abdou is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. An art historian living in Paris, Kelly was born and raised in San Francisco and holds a BA in Art History from the University of San Francisco and an MA in Art and Museum Studies from Georgetown University. When she’s not writing, you can find Kelly wandering around Paris, whether she’s leading a tour (as a guide, she has been interviewed by BBC World News America and France 24) or simply taking a stroll with her husband and two tiny daughters.
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