Lost in a world of shapes, colours, graphics and ghosts at @dumgalaviation at easter. Part 1.
All shot on camera with manual lens.
#aviation
#graphicdesign
#fujifilm
Wheel love ❤️ Had some good van camps and riding sessions at Glenlivet bike trails with Kit lately. Grateful for these times. And for the bikes that keep us rollin. 🙏
The LOCH DOON SPITFIRE!
At easter we went to see this beautiful SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE MKIIA at @dumgalaviation and got a few photos
Built at Castle Bromwich in Birmingham it was lost in a training accident in Loch Doon, East Ayrshire, on the 25th October 1941 while flown by Czech pilot František Hekl who sadly didn't survive.
After many years at the bottom of the loch, it was recovered, amazingly restored and unveiled to the public in 2017.
I highly recommend a visit to see this wonderful Spitfire, the other aircraft and amazing displays at the volunteer run museum in Dumfries. Rumour has it they may soon stock my new Spitfire book in the gift shop 😉.
#spitfire
#dumfriesaviationmuseum
#lochdoon
Our beautiful new hardback book is officially available from today!
"How To Fly A Spitfire: A Nut-and-Bolt Guide to the World's Greatest Aircraft" written by Hattie Hearn, and illustrated by me Adi Gilbert. Out now through @quartobooksuk . Link in bio to buy online or ask your local book shops!
I drew around 100 illustrations for this book during 2025. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed creating them. I’ve always loved aircraft, especially the Spitfire so this was a real honour. And amazingly this week marks the 90th anniversary of the Spitfires first flight (5 March 1936)!
“Step into the cockpit of the legendary Supermarine Spitfire and discover what it really takes to fly Britain’s most iconic fighter. How to Fly a Spitfire takes you on a fascinating, hands‑on tour of this remarkable machine. Much more fun than an overly technical manual, it offers a readable, richly illustrated and step‑by‑step walkthrough of the Spitfire’s controls and systems, giving a unique impression of what it was like to actually pilot one”.
There’s also lots of history and stories from the Battle of Britain and beyond. Tales of important folk and their involvement.
So much thanks to Hattie for her expertise and captivating writing. Alex Coco for the elegant design, Rosie Fairhead and Charlotte Frost for editing and John Parton for commissioning it into being! Go team. Massive thanks and love to my family and friends for putting up with me while working on these projects. Of course, huge appreciation to the women and men who designed, built, flew and maintain(ed) Spitfires throughout the war and to this day. Often in sacrifice for our freedom and in the fight AGAINST fascism.
#spitfire
#howtoflyaspitfirebook
#bookillustration
#illustration
#thebattleofbritain
It was a good laugh to go and see @victoriamelody_ 's excellent new show the other week with @em___artist in Shildon, England. She's still on tour so catch a show (in the US too soon) if you can. #troublestrugglebubbleandsqueak
Took a spooky trip to Whitby back in November with @em___artist for my birthday. We searched for Bram, Mina, Lucy and The Count, finding many a cosy pub and graveyard along the way. Stayed at the amazing @larosawhitby and had the great fortune of it being @whitbygothweekend .
Here's the latest poster I've drawn for the 2026 @drivewayseries . Hope you like it. A pleasure to work with Chris Tolley on this again. Thanks for the commission! Thanks also to the riders, sponsors and the photographers, creatures etc. that make these things possible. Ta - Adi.
Reference images mostly @gvngld , cheers!
“The biggest, longest running weekly bike race in the country that takes place on a 1.6 mile, 44ft wide asphalt track under 4 miles from downtown Austin, Texas!”
So hard to believe its already 3 years since Craig tragically left this mortal coil. I still havent found the words for my own feelings about it (which he'd probably find funny cos he knew well we both liked to share a tale or two). This is the drawing I did at the time as tribute, commissioned by his pals at @profile_racing . Probably the hardest thing I've ever had to draw. Every line was painful and joyous at the same time. Much love to Caig, Lucy, the kids, his family and many friends. Thinking of you. Ride the lightning where ever you are buddy! ❤️ - adi
Tally ho! I recently finished a pretty big / fun illustration project and here's a preview of one of the 80+ drawings for it. No prizes for guessing what it's about! 😂. I'll reveal more soon but for now I'd best get back to the drawing board. Got one more poster to draw before I finish for the year.
I've not posted much on here lately. Been pretty busy though! Thankfully, despite the swamp of Ai it's been a good year for work created by humans. Very grateful to all my clients and supporters. Thank you 🙏.
If you're interested in commissioning my work for commercial or private projects please get in touch. I'm now taking bookings for 2026 and beyond. I recently rebuilt my portfolio site 99seconds.com. Still needs some tweaking but pleased to replace my clunky old one. Please check it out if you're interested. Ta! - Adi
#spitfire #illustration #99secondsstudio #bookillustration #thebattleofbritain
