Online Security

Here's a spot illustration I did last month for Public Finance. It was to feature alongside an article about the ever changing battlefront that is online security.

It's completely different to my usual style but with it's retro feel I quite like it. The texture was actually taken from an older illustration of mine - reduce, re-use, recycle!

The Actuary Cover 'Planning A Prosperous Retirement'

Last month I worked on the cover for The Actuary magazine. The brief was to draw a man in his mid forties with the top of his head taken off so you could see all the wonderful things he is planning to do in his retirement. These activities include sailing, cycling, drinking champagne, throwing money in the air, all the things we hope for but might not necessarily achieve. I suppose showing pensioners with bad backs and arthritis isn't so inspiring.

I'm really chuffed to say that cover junkie picked up on this illustration, click here to view it as it's supposed to be seen.

Spectrum 20

A list of successful entrants into Spectrum 20 has been revealed. I'm incredibly pleased to announce that this year my watercolour 'Autumn Scribe' will be one of the hundreds of images in the pages of the annual.

For those new to Spectrum visit the website. If you're a fan of fantastic art (Fantasy, Science-Fiction, Historical, Surrealism) then the annuals are a must for your bookshelf.

Brave New World Competition Entires Pt.2

I have previously posted two pieces of artwork I created for the House Of Illustration 'Brave New World' Competition. Below you can see the other two images that went with my full entry. The first is a watercolour showing Linda as she succumbs to a soma induced oblivion. The vast majority of this painting was done in Paynes Grey to maintain a blue cast to the painting. The other image is dominated by Cadmium Red to suggest the red lighting used in the Solidarity Services.

Two Hedgehogs And A Badger

No the post title is not the opening line of joke, it is simply a description of the next two watercolours I will be working on. I have recently received a very exciting commission for five watercolours that depict whimsical scenes involving animal characters. The brief was to base them on the world of 'The Wind In The Willows'. Below you can see the first two approved sketches.

All the paintings will be 24x31cm. So far I have the final pencil work completed and I'm now ready to move in with the paint.

Royal Crescent Progress Pt.4

I'm still going but I think I'm on the bend just before the final straight. There's not much more I can say apart from I'll keep you posted.

Illustration For Financial Director

Here's a small spot illustration I completed recently for Financial Director magazine. It suggests the financial cost of absent employees to employers.

The final artwork was produced with watercolour and pencil crayon.

Royal Crescent Progress Pt.3

 

The painting has been put aside this week due to other illustration commitments but I hope to be picking up a brush next week and starting to work into the mass of grass. I'll then be able to view the painting as a whole and start adjusting contrasts and colours.

Brave New World Competition Entries

I received an email in the last few days informing me that my entries for the House Of Illustration & Folio Society Competition to illustrate 'Brave New World' by Aldous Huxley were unsuccessful. You win some, you lose some.

House Of Illustration had over 500 entries, they have picked a top 25 which can be seen on their website here. It's certainly very interesting to browse, the standard is very impressive and most of the illustrations are a mixture of traditional and digital media which is fitting for the story.

Below you can see two of my entries (two more to come). The first is a rough book binding design, created with ink spatters and pencil put together in Photoshop. The bleeding ink in the baby's head is a photograph I took using a full water jug and ink dropper. The second illustration is a watercolour painting based on John's encounter with a reporter.

Interview for HOW Magazine

I would have posted this much earlier but I didn't know the interview was published, I must check earlier next time. To read the short interview click here.