THE ART OF TIME TRAVEL
THE DOCTOR WHO ART & DESIGN OF PETER MCKINSTRY
I’m thrilled to announce that The Art of Time Travel, published by BBC Books, is now available to buy online and in all good bookshops.
This 324-page hardback volume collects the five years of concept art and design work I did for the show itself, along with an archive of illustrations from the many varied Doctor Who projects I’ve had the pleasure of working on since then. I rediscovered sketches and designs I thought were long lost — pieces that have never been shared before — and they’re all gathered together here for the very first time.
Alongside my own commentary, I’ve also included email exchanges between myself and Showrunner, Head Writer and Executive Producer Russell T Davies. These reveal a detailed and unique look at the creative process behind every design.
But this is more than just another ‘art-of’ book - it’s also my own personal story: a young fan who grew up drawing monsters and spaceships, only to find myself doing the same thing on the very television show that inspired me to get creative in the first place.
Packed with artwork, on-set and behind the scenes anecdotes, photographs and reflections, I’ve tried to make it feel like you’re right there beside me in my corner of the Art Department. Which cast member did I discover dancing like no one was watching in the studio café? How did I find myself in front of the camera — as both friend and foe of the Doctor? And exactly how many iterations did it take for the Supreme Dalek to reach it’s final form?
Being part of Production Designer Edward Thomas’s Art Department was a very special chapter of my life, and writing and compiling this book has been an absolute joy. The Art of Time Travel features a foreword by Russell T Davies, and is available online and in all good bookshops. I can’t wait for you to see it! https://lnk.to/ArtOfTimeTravel
Head over to the Official Doctor Who YouTube Channel to watch my interview on The Whoniverse Show, where I talk about my time working on the show and how the book came about.
REVIEWS
DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE
‘A visual treat- a fascinating in-depth look into the making of Doctor Who from a unique perspective…You’ll feel compelled to revisit episodes Peter worked on just to marvel at certain things you may have missed or taken for granted…A rather beautiful book.’
SFX MAGAZINE
‘…Long overdue- we don’t just get the final, approved versions of various creatures, crafts and props. There’s plenty of working-out too, and some unused ideas. Mckinstry’s commentary is accessible, and the inclusion of emails from Russell T Davies provides further insights into how the process works.‘
DAVID J HOWE (DOCTOR WHO AUTHOR, HISTORIAN & PUBLISHER)
‘…A fascinating insight into how a 'world' or 'alien' can be developed in Doctor Who and how every element is considered and thought through to give consistency to their race and culture, whether that be the jewellery they wear, the weaponry they carry, or even how they decorate their spacecraft or buildings…A proper behind the scenes look at the work of the art department.’ link
MATTHEW TOFFOLO (DOCTOR WHO YOUTUBE REVIEWER AND CONTENT CREATOR)
‘A really fun and fresh perspective…where as most Art-Of books just lay out the artwork with a brief summary, Peter takes the time to really explain his process…incredibly insightful.’ link
INGO FÜLLGRAFF (DOCTOR WHO YOUTUBER)
‘McKinstry’s work helped shape the look of Doctor Who during some of it’s most influential years… Through detailed art and thoughtful commentary, the book celebrates the show’s visual identity and invites fans to appreciate the craft that brings the Whoniverse to life…. One of the most captivating books ever released in the Doctor Who universe.’ link
AMAZON
‘A truly outstanding book. Peter’s artwork is gorgeous, and it’s a rare treat to see how some of early NuWho’s most memorable visuals took shape. The behind-the-scenes sketches, notes, and development work are worth the price alone…What elevates it further is Peter’s own story — a childhood love of Doctor Who that grew into a career where he could shape the show’s look with his own creativity. With lots of moments where he's pinching himself with where he's found himself! The book captures both his craft and then the impact the series had on his life.’
CONTINUE TO…
