Prakash Thombre is an artist, former design leader, and founder of The Odyssey Tales. After a long and fulfilling career as a creative director—shaping digital experiences, building brands, and leading creative teams—he chose to step away from the screen and return to something far more elemental: a sketchbook, a pen, and the quiet act of observation.

We spoke to him about his work on our forthcoming titles, THE BARE BONES BOOK OF HUMOUR and THE BARE BONES BOOK OF SPECULATIVE FICTION.

How did you approach these projects? 

I had created a concept presentation using the crow as a character.

What is your favourite type of design work?

I enjoy doing branding projects … especially the end-to-end brand identity system.

What is your favourite design tech?

For design I primarily use Adobe Illustrator and InDesign. For digital art and illustrations, I sometime use Procreate.

How do you adapt to new styles or techniques? 

I adapt by observing, experimenting, and allowing the process to reshape my understanding. I usually try a new technique on small sketches first, letting it merge naturally with my own line and rhythm before using it in a larger piece.

A design book you would like to recommend?

There are many but one that come to my mind is THE SHAPE OF DESIGN by Frank Chimero.

What is your greatest career accomplishment?

After four decades in design, my greatest accomplishment was transitioning from a design leadership career to becoming a full-time artist. Building The Odyssey Tales from the ground up, turning sketches into a brand, and reaching people across countries through my art feels like the most fulfilling milestone of my journey.

Is there a question you would have liked us to ask you but we didn’t?

Maybe a question about why I chose to shift from design to art. It’s a story of returning to something deeply personal, the joy of drawing by hand, the silence of ink, and the rediscovery of purpose through creation.