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Dave Clamp is here to prove that a single panel is all you need to tell a story and even make people laugh. Known for his minimalistic yet impactful humor, Clamp's illustrations blend silliness with absurdity. And sometimes, they can even get a bit surreal. As Dave himself wrote: "If something makes me laugh, I'll draw it." 

Drawing came into Dave's life quite recently. He shared that, due to being a procrastinator, in 2021, he bought a whiteboard to help him organize his life better. However, instead of to-do lists, he started drawing. As Dave also creates music, he found that drawing was a great way to unwind after long recording sessions. "I switched to digital art when I got tired of replacing pens, and my friends encouraged me to set up an Instagram. So I did - and just like that, I became an *artist*," wrote Dave.

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#1

Funny minimalistic illustration of three judges, two holding "10" signs, the third reading "I wasn't watching."

youngpoorandhappy Report

In an interview with Bored Panda, Dave shared: “I'm a self-taught digital artist and songwriter from the UK. I draw under the moniker youngpoorandhappy.” 

Dave also told us more about his drawings: “I try to keep it simple. I don't even use backgrounds or shading for the most part. The most important thing for me is to tell a short story with every drawing. I also love wordplay. You can tell a joke with a single word if you know what you're doing - or you can do it with no words at all! It's all about the idea!”

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    We were wondering about Dave’s creative process, to which he replied: “My ideas usually come when I'm not concentrating. I'll overhear part of a conversation or something, and my subconscious will give me a nudge and say "Hey, there's something funny about what you just heard", so I have to walk away and think about it. I've also had ideas in my sleep, in the car, watching TV - everywhere! 

    This goes the same for songwriting too - I'll hear a car alarm or something and think ‘Oh, that's an interesting rhythm’, and then I have to find an instrument as soon as I can. I think the best way to be creative is to always be switched on. My brain never shuts up - it's constantly nagging at me to create something, whether I want to or not!”

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    #5

    Minimalistic illustration by Dave Clamp featuring a humorous scene with mice using a pulley to grab cheese.

    youngpoorandhappy Report

    XenoMurph
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    De na naaaaah, de na naaaaah, de na naaaaaaaaaaaah, du nuh

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    As for the audience’s takeaway, Dave wrote: “I hope people take away the fact that everyone's allowed to make art. I think a lot of people see artists and musicians as a different breed, as a talent you're born with, and that if you're not great you're terrible. But in my opinion, it's not all about technical ability. If you've got an idea, then you can communicate it, and you can say something original. I can't draw realistic faces to save my life, but anyone can draw a cartoon face, and that's enough. You don't have to do five years at art school - a pen and paper will do!”

    #6

    Funny minimalistic illustration by Dave Clamp showing a house, a ball, and a tiny dot labeled "very small tiger."

    youngpoorandhappy Report

    WindySwede
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Draw me like one of your very small tigers" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMiKyfd6hA0

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    #7

    Funny minimalistic illustration by Dave Clamp of two witches on a broom and mop, with humorous dialogue.

    youngpoorandhappy Report

    Apatheist Account2
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think the one on the right would wipe the floor with her.

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    Lastly, the artist added: “As well as drawing comics, I'm also a songwriter and aspiring animator. I made this song and animation in my bedroom! Bit cheeky, but this was my first animation and it went semi-viral a couple of years ago.”

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    #8

    Funny minimalistic illustration by Dave Clamp showing eggs in a humorous scenario with text: "Guess who just got laid?!"

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    #10

    Funny minimalistic illustration of a hamster next to a wheel, holding a microphone, delivering a humorous message.

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I thought is was about the journey? 🙃

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    #11

    Minimalistic illustration of a confused penguin and elephant with text "Ok one of us is lost."

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    XenoMurph
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There are Penguins in South Africa. The Cape Penguin

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    #12

    Funny minimalistic illustration of two snails, one with half a shell, captioned "She got half the house."

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    #15

    Minimalistic illustration by Dave Clamp featuring penguins welcoming a "Featherless Thumb Mammal."

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    *Throws 16 sardines as welcome gift*

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    #17

    Two minimalistic elephants with one saying, "I won't forget you," showcasing humorous illustration.

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    #18

    Illustration of a ship with colorful Tetris blocks, showcasing a funny minimalistic design by Dave Clamp.

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    WindySwede
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So that's why my package got lost in transit!

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    #24

    Funny minimalistic illustration of a snail with "Your Ad Here" on its shell by Dave Clamp.

    youngpoorandhappy Report

    Harriss Warman
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Would cost a fortune for that long advertisement

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    #25

    Minimalistic illustration by Dave Clamp depicting snowmen waiting for contractors with a humorous touch.

    youngpoorandhappy Report

    WindySwede
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Good luck with that, and do get an inspector to see if anything is at fault!

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    #26

    Funny minimalistic illustration by Dave Clamp featuring a striped snake below a "beware of the snek" sign.

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    ggus44
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Reminds me of that movie, "Sneks on a Plan".

    #27

    Minimalistic illustration by Dave Clamp showing a commentator at Qatar 2022 making a humorous slip of the tongue.

    youngpoorandhappy Report

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    #28

    Funny minimalistic illustration of two socks engaging in humorous dialogue.

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    Anne Albert
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh so that's why none of my socks match

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    #31

    Funny minimalistic illustration of two ghosts with the quote "Do not go outside, there are ghosts" underneath.

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    Floeckchen
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Do not go outside - there is the outside!"

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    #35

    Minimalistic illustration of a bird struggling to fly, with a humorous touch, by Dave Clamp.

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    Lexi
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One of my sister's walked face first into a street light, I can still hear the clang and it still makes me laugh till I can't breath

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    #36

    Minimalistic illustration by Dave Clamp showing green, yellow, and red people inside traffic lights.

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    #37

    Minimalistic illustration of a yellow balloon dog with a muzzle, designed humorously by Dave Clamp.

    youngpoorandhappy Report

    WindySwede
    Community Member
    11 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "A net?" - Italian Job (1969)