Ashley Percival’s Collections of Playful Creatures

All images by Ashley Percival

In Ashley Percival’s world, a leopard can, in fact, change its spots. The Cornwall-based illustrator is behind a fanciful menagerie in which poodles, rotund birds, and boot-wearing insects try on a vast array of vibrant costumes. Using a mix of colored pencil, pen, paint, and digital tools, he dreams up cheeky patterns and palettes for common animals, presenting collections of the same species in endlessly alluring grids.

Percival recently spent three months in Spain and France immersed in nature, which inspired his latest flocks of birds. “I don’t think about the colors I use. It’s all free flow. I sometimes look at an animal once to get an idea and then draw from my imagination,”

In addition to his personal projects, Percival frequently collaborates with brands like Ikea and Gucci, among others. Follow his work on Instagramand purchase prints on Etsy

Meerkat (Suricata suricatta)

How does a meerkat (Suricata suricatta) keep the Sun’s glare at bay? The black rings around its eyes act like built-in sunglasses, helping to reduce the harsh sunlight in its African habitat. This mammal might be spotted in parts of Angola, Botswana, and South Africa, where it tends to live in arid and open areas. This carnivore mainly preys on insects but will also feed on birds, reptiles, or small mammals should the opportunity arise. It can even tolerate some types of venom, allowing it to eat certain scorpions and snakes!