The Last of Us (HBO Series) - Poster illustration

Painted in Procreate

Originally created as a pencil drawing at the end of 2022, I decided to develop the concept further into a full digital illustration.

Joel's cracked watch looms over him, representing the death of Sarah and how that lingers heavily over his life. Ellie and Joel fade into each other, showing the interwoven nature of their relationship.

Silhouetted by light and positioned in Joel's heart is him and Ellie – the relationship that provides him with a very literal light in his life and the hope to go forward.

The plants surrounding them ties into the overgrowth that the world is faced with after the outbreak, with the fireflies buzzing around them representing the group of the same name. Nestled amongst the overgrowth is Ellie’s switchblade, as well as a couple of other small nods. Small pieces of cordyceps can be seen amongst the leaves, with a large mass of it taking hold on the face of Joel’s watch – showing the spread of the virus over time.

Finally, creeping in from the negative space is the shape of the cordyceps virus, creating the shape of the map of the USA, where Joel and Ellie’s journey takes place. That very journey is shown with a tendril of the virus creeping in from the east coast, following the route across the map that they take over the course of the show.

Original pencil sketch version.

Pencil and white ink on Strathmore toned tan paper. A4 size.

Detail crop - Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller and Bella Ramsey as Ellie Williams

Detail crop - Original pencil sketch.
Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller and Bella Ramsey as Ellie Williams

Detail crop - The journey

Detail crop - Original pencil sketch - The journey

Detail crop - Ellie and her trademark switchblade amongst the overgrowth

Detail crop - Joel closeup with fireflies

The Last of Us - From pencil to digital 🌿