10 Questions: Graham Corcoran

Graham Corcoran is an award winning illustrator based in Dublin, Ireland. His work focuses on editorial illustrations, children’s book art, as well as pop-culture poster art which he has exhibited internationally. With over 20 years experience in illustration, including 15 years as an animation art director,  he has developed his signature style from a love of classic mid-century illustration combined with contemporary themes.

 

Could you define the approach or philosophy of your work? 

My approach to my work is to create something tactile and interesting. I like simple linework with flat colours and texture to give the feeling of old school illustration.

Which piece of work or project have you learned the most from and why?

My poster of The Banshees Of Inisherin went viral when I posted it to social media, people really seemed to respond to the composition together with how I tried to convey the loneliness and estrangement of the two characters in a simple, straightforward way. I really enjoy that type of composition, so I learned to lean into creating work that was pleasing to myself, rather than trying to create compositions I think people will expect to see in a poster.

Above: The Banshees of Inisherin (2022, Dir Martin McDonagh) movie poster

What skills do you think are needed of a good art director and how does it help to improve your work? 

I think the best art directors always have a clear vision of what they would like from you, and trust that you will give them what they are looking for with your own creative spin on it. It's always encouraging when an art director will be familiar with your work so that they can point you in the right direction and will know that their ideas won't be working against your style.

Above: Poster for Ari Aster's 2019 film Midsommar

How important is research to your work and why does it matter?

Research is everything. I need to look at photos, other artwork, before I begin a project, even if it is just to spark inspiration. When I am working on a film poster, or portrait, I will gather as much research matter as possible on the subject, and try my best to get likenesses right, usually having my research images open on one screen, while I work on the other screen.

Above: Poster for Brady Corbet's 2025 film The Brutalist

Which illustrator alive or dead do you most admire and why?

Bob Peak is probably the illustrator I admire most, his linework and use of textures was incredible. His poster illustration for My Fair Lady is one of my all time favourites, the sketchy linework with that bold, vibrant pink paint. If ever I need to find inspiration, I'll open one of his art books and take it all in.

What is one part of your working process that you do well, something you could improve and something you wish you never had to do again?

I think I do well at capturing likenesses. I always want to improve my rendering of tones and contours on faces, especially when I am creating more realistic portraits. And I always hate having to draw hands!

Above: Three Amigos (1987, Dir. John Landis)

What is your favorite film poster and what film do you wish you could have done the poster for?

Bob Peak's poster for Apocalypse Now is probably my favourite, it's so atmospheric and really captures the tone of the film. I would love to do a poster for a Wes Andserson film, particularly The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Above: Poster by Bob Peake for Apocalypse Now

What film do you recommend to others most often and why?

The Taking Of Pelham 123 (1974, Dir. Joseph Sargent) is a really underrated film that more people should see. It has a great cast of character actors, a really tight story that keeps you hooked and really captures the grimey New York of the 1970s. 

What object from a film do you wish you could own and why?

Deckard's gun from Blade Runner, it's just the coolest looking gun in cinema.

The great film critic Roger Ebert described film as an 'empathy machine' suggesting it is a way for us to connect fully with lives and experiences of others that we will never ourselves live. With this in mind, what film have you watched that has had the greatest impact on you emotionally and tell us why if you can?

Home Alone, I saw it in the cinema when it first came out in 1990, I was the same age as Kevin/Macaulay was in the film. I have watched it  pretty much every Christmas Eve since. The aesthetic of Home Alone is very nostalgic for me and is always a very comforting watch that transports me back to my childhood in the 90's.