Island-Skulls, sharpie marker on paper

Artist Sean Bernhardt creates simple works of ink line art with a lighthearted, spooky surf aesthetic. Often using sharpie marker on paper, Sean’s works have an underground, street-art-esque feel that sits in contrast to the level of technical skill and thinking in each piece.

Pumping, Sharpie marker on paper

I really enjoy how cohesive Sean’s overall portfolio is. Though he works both in illustration, and collaged, mixed-media formats, the artist always adheres to a sunny, surf atmosphere, with a dark undertone that’s rarely forgotten. In his works of digital collage, Sean combines images that speak to a 1960’s beachside advertisement tone with land and seascape elements to create finished works that compare natural oceanic beauty to idealized and overtly sexual commercial imagery.

www.seanbernhardt.com

Classic horror elements like wolves and skulls feature prominently in the artist’s black and white illustrations, which makes for an invitingly campy atmosphere throughout Sean’s portfolio. As we discussed in our previous feature of Sean’s camp-horror aesthetic, these designs are especially at home on band posters and T-shirts.

Surfer's Suck, digital collage