The PennyLickers
Development Phases Experiments with anatomy, dimensions, function, and colour were invaluable. Still, the core element of these characters needed to be consistent eye sizes and shapes and incorporate classic elements of graffiti writing—notably drips and runs.
Initially experimenting with round white, adhesive stickers for eyes, HBP says, "Trying to do this on cold winter nights, on street surfaces around east London, wasn't realistic. My fingers would freeze, stickers wouldn't stick due to damp surfaces, and they were too fiddly. Also, it never felt right. So, I ditched the mixed-media approach and developed a far more effective process."
"My fingers would freeze, stickers wouldn't stick due to damp surfaces, and they were too fiddly. Also, it never felt right. So, I ditched the mixed-media approach and developed a far more effective process," recalls creator HolyBatPants.
With the process locked, they needed a name, and they drew their name from the most nefarious ice cream paraphernalia of the Victorian era, a small glass vessel which customers would pay a penny to 'lick'.
Attention Seeking
The street art and graffiti scene is crowded, and getting noticed can be challenging. "Standing out was super important. I wanted to capture people's attention by combining ridiculously bright, riotous colourways to draw the public closer to my characters," says HolyBatPants.