A Modern Antique: The Pedersen Bicycle Poster Project

I was asked to design a most special poster for a most special bike. The original Dursley was conceived in 1893 in England, by a Dane named Pedersen.

The unique truss frame design is currently being reproduced in the Czech Republic for a German importer and distributed here in the States by Dave Ductor. Dave wanted a poster to promote the bike and together, we came up with the idea of producing art in the style of a turn-of-the-19th century advertising poster.

The first idea was rather conservative, with two riders on their bikes.  I wasn’t too enthusiastic about this one.

At one time, I was an avid collector of Victorian era bikes and had the opportunity to ride an original Dursley Pedersen in France, in the mid 1990s. I was familiar with the upright, comfortable riding position.

I was enthusiastic about the poster project, but wanted to produce an image that would be fun not only for those interested in bicycles.  Much of my work is focussed on wildlife and humorous illustration, so the concept of using animals instead of people felt right. Lions are wonderful subjects, so I invented a headline to tie in with the main subject. Here is the initial pencil sketch and subsequent developmental notes. Pretty sloppy.

As the idea progressed, I wanted loyal subjects to admire the Pedersen while holding onto their inferior bicycles. I included bicycles that represented milestones in the evolution of 19th century bicycle technology including a velocipede, a couple ordinaries (high wheel bikes) and an early pneumatic safety bike with an enclosed chain guard.

As the characters developed, I worked them in layers in Photoshop.

Dave provided wonderful photographic reference, because accurate details on the modern Pedersen bike were important.

For those who know modern bikes, they will recognize the modern components including brakes, front hub driven lights, a rear derailleur and even a kickstand.  They are depicted in the poster because this is how many outfit their modern replicas today.

I produced the entire piece on my iMac using a WACOM tablet and stylus in Photoshop.  I’m as comfortable drawing on the tablet as I am on a piece of paper. I was hoping for the look of a stone lithograph, without denying the fact that the poster, like the bike itself, is a recreation of something from the past.

Here is how I outfitted my version of the Pedersen. A second generation is in the works, minus the rear derailleur hanger. This next bike will be slightly smaller with a higher saddle position. I am going for a more authentic appearance. The second frame will probably be a traditional dark green or claret! My wife and I have a couple of original circa 1900 posters. They serve as both inspiration and reference.