Steve Millington Contemporary-Retro Illustrator
It was two years ago this month that we lost the talented Illustrator Steve Millington. Originally born in Horwich, Greater Manchester, he studied at Bolton College of Art in the late 1980s, then trained as a glass engraver and designer at Lancashire Crystal; before learning the craft of traditional sign painting. Here’s a Fishmongers shop front he painted.
Steve worked under the names Dry British, Lord Dunsby and Hisknibs, creating textile prints, book illustrations and T-shirt designs for a range of different clients.
He created very sucessful campains for the likes of RAC, Virgin…
and Fortnum and Mason.
He was also as well renown for his work characterising the Beatnik era and Jazz Icons, as he is for his retro style cards and posters which he sold from his personal website.
He also worked with Robert O’Byrne on a series of books about the well dressed Gentleman.
In his spare time he was also a keen cyclist.
His influences were many and varied, from Peter Blake to Quentin Blake, Carnaby kitsch to the dadaists. His work managed to be both current and yet regain a sense of timelessness.
He even animated an informative video about the perils of Fracking !!
Such a loss to the world in general and specifically the world of illustration, long may his joyful work live on. If you liked Steve’s work you may also like these past posts about the work of Derek Yaniger and Cliff Roberts. Enjoy
fishinkblog.com 
Hi, I’m Steve’s son. It’s so amazing to still have my dads work appreciated and it’s clear to see that people are still making kind comments about his artistic skill and sharing his work. I would just like to note that he passed away in January 2020, so it would be nearly two years ago from the time this was posted. Thanks so much for this article.
Hi Beau, many thanks for your comments. Firstly, so sorry to hear of his passing and secondly his work was amazing and must have influenced so many other designers and artists during the years that he was creating his illustrations. If there is anything else you feel is missing from this article, like sketchbooks or ideas that you would like to add then I would happily extend it to do that. I hope this finds you well and thanks again for saying hi. All the best Craig
Loving this! Steve was the best “drawer” in our class at Lord Street Primary School and went on to become a highly respected and incredible illustrator. I adore his artwork and have it around our home. Wonderful to see this page highlighting his phenomenal talent and the love he had for his art.
Always remembered and taken way too soon. X
I lived just a few doirs down from Steven on Lever park avenue , So sorry to hear this sad news , I have some great memories of playing cricket in his back garden and we used his parents caravan as wickets and the family dog was a cracking fielder , I also remember the Vespa scooter that he absolutely loved . One of the first pieces of paid work Steven completed was the hand painted sign above the laundrette on Lee lane . RIP Xx
Thank you for keeping this page. Steve’s was one of the first accounts I followed on Instagram when I joined in…I don’t even know when–2010? I’ve been a fan ever since. His comments on my work over the years––I was just getting started in Illustration––always meant the world to me and were so validating. I’m so glad I saved them before archiving and deleting the posts.
A few years ago, I started wondering why I hadn’t seen his work in a while, visited his instagram profile and saw he hadn’t posted in years and his site was no more. I chocked it up to maybe pandemic fatigue (which I experienced myself) and hoped he’d return. I’ve thought about him every once in a while since, checking in to see if maybe his site was back up or if anything new was out there. It never occurred to me he might no longer be with us.
Just the other night, my husband came home from the recording studio (he’s a musician), where he was recording with a band from the UK, one member of which is also an illustrator knew Steve. I was CRUSHED when my husband delivered the news. I couldn’t believe five whole years has passed and I had no idea. If I hadn’t been so damned broke at the time, I’d have bought everything Steve ever made (I recall practically crying over the Can Can & Luchadores scarves), I was such an admirer. There really isn’t a modern day illustrator who can capture the retro-Brit, Searle-ish Mod look and feeling the way Steve did, with such warmth and coolness.
I’m so glad his instagram account is still up so I can visit his wonderful work. I wish the full scope of his work was available outside of the platform, but I know what an undertaking that would be for his family. Thank you so much for keeping his work alive on this page. I’m gutted he’s gone, but so grateful his fabulous creations and inspiration remain.
Thanks for your message Anika, his work, as you say, was really special.