Sketchbook Antics

Every now and then I jot down ideas for future paintings in my small 15x15cm sketchbook. I've been wanting to work on a straight portrait for some time but haven't been able to pick a suitable subject in which I can provide a narrative in the painting of things to occur in their future.

After some very quick sketches I decided upon Boudicca (not Bodicca as I have written) as my subject, via Eowyn in The Lord Of the Rings. I'm hoping that in the future I'll be able to make a start on this historical portrait and experiment with under-paintings and concentrated watercolour inks. Also I want to super impose images of war and poison as if the viewer can read Boudicca future in the painting. Note I have also given Boudicca 'nose room' which I decided to do after reading James Gurney's post on the subject.

For those that do not know of Boudicca here's a short history from the BBC website.

I haven't fallen down a hole...

 
I've been drawing a painting solidly for the past two weeks but for now I still can't post the fruits of my labour on this blog. As consolation I've posted a photo of my drawing board in it's current state, swamped with Momo & The Totobrats illustrations.

New Gallery Addition

Just a quick note to say I've now created a gallery page for some of my Editorial illustrations ('Editorial' tab at the top). The eagle-eyed may have spied it already but if you haven't please have a browse and leave comments.

Momo & The Totobrats Update - I've now finished another two double page spreads, 6 more illustrations to go.

Swindon Open Studios

 Sea Of Ideas

Watercolour / Drypoint / Pen

This year I have been invited to take part in the Swindon Open Studios at Artsite. Artsite is a contemporary art space and community based in the Wyvern Theatre square in Swindon. At the moment I don't know any details, but what I can tell you is the second half of 'Sea Of Ideas' is currently on show in Artsite's window gallery alongside other well known local artists to promote the event this Summer. If you're in Swindon why not root it out? If you have no intention of visiting Swindon click here instead to view the Open Studios Blog.

My Blog Evolves

Some of you may have noticed how much my blog has changed in the last two weeks. If you haven't had chance to, please browse the new gallery page. I'm planning to expand on the pages element in blogger so I can have editorial and children's book galleries just a click away. For now I hope you like the new look.

I'm still plowing the the Momo & The Totobrats furrow and it's incredibly tempting to show you the shoots and in other cases the finished crop of illustrations but alas I am legally obliged to keep them hidden. At the moment I'm on illustration number 22, so over half way but still lots to tend to.

I'm In Spectrum 19!!

Jacques' Rest

In literally the last half an hour I've just found out Jacques' Rest has been accepted for the Spectrum 19 Annual. WOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!

If you've never heard of Spectrum (where have you been!?) then get hold of their past publications and loose track of time flicking through their pages.

Tentative Steps Into The World Of eBay

These past two weeks I've had two originals up for sale on eBay. Unfortunately they didn't sell so I've re-listed 'The Doorway' and I thought I would do a short post just to give you a heads up in case you, dear blog reader, were interested. To view the item click here.

'Cracked Matador' Receives Young Artist Prize At Bath Artists Society 2012

I'm sorry if you're getting a bit fed up of seeing this painting. Hopefully this will be the last post about 'Cracked Matador' for a while.

I'm very pleased to tell you that my painting won the Young Artist Prize at this years Bath Artists Society Open Exhibition. I actually shared the prize with a young sculptor named Max Brigden.

The stand out artist for me this year not surprisingly the winner of the watercolour prize. Peter Kellow's dense wood scenes (as in a very small forest) possessed a wonderful atmosphere. The technique was such that at first glance the small paintings seemed overly detailed (much like my work) but on closer inspection the leaves and branches were more impressionistic. Another I had to doff my cap to Peter was how well he handled the varied greens. They looked rich and damp, I could almost smell the moss and decaying undergrowth.

Introvert Illustration

Above you can see a recent illustration I worked on for Management Today Magazine. The accompanying article discussed introverts in the workplace and how they are not necessarily shy to a fault. As I read it I quickly realised I was an 'introvert' - I like my own company, mostly keep my emotions in check, can easily have long conversations with a single person without becoming bored and at parties I don't bounce around the room like some kind of amateur dramatic headless chicken.

The finished illustration consists of watercolor and pencil crayon for the characters and digital wizardry for the floor and background. A thought bubble and blurb was then placed above the characters by the MT designer.

'Short Stay In Whitby' and 'Some Pleasant News'

Suzanne and I visited arguably our most favourite haunt (being the appropriate word) earlier this week, Whitby. The seaside town was the literary birthplace of Dracula and now is associated with all things vampire, ghostly and Gothic. However, if that's not your cup of tea then you can always visit the Sherlock Tea Rooms for a proper hot beverage.

In other news I found out recently I am a joint winner of this years 'Young Artist Award' in the Bath Artists Society annual exhibition. I'm exceptionally pleased but as yet have not managed to visit the show to find out how it all came about, so keep your eyes peeled for more news.