More Sheep!

I've had a very busy last few weeks, working on some very exciting new stuff. It's all top secret for now, and I don't want to show anything until I have a physical (published) copy of the illustration in my hands!
I'm working on new samples, and project goat is a little closer to being finished. Hopefully next update I'll be able to share what I've been up to!

New Sample!

A new sample for my portfolio of fairytale characters waiting at an airport. I've tried to make the scene as busy and fun as possible, though I especially like the little pigs. Turn around from sketch to final was around a week; but a week very well spent.
I'm currently working on a new sample piece based on two of my favourite things- bears and camping! I'll upload some bear character sketches when I get a new scanner. In other news, I'm still working on 'The Wolf and the Seven Kids', and have started colouring pages, whilst tightening up some of the roughs.

Goodbye Lincoln!

Wow! It's been so long since my last update, and so much has happened. I've had my final show, which went really well, and received my final result of a FIRST!!
I'm so pleased all the work has paid off (and that I'll never have to see that dissertation again!). I'll miss Chad Varah House, and all the people I've met- it's been a great three years.

In the meantime I've moved away from Lincoln, and England altogether, as I now live in Scotland! I live opposite an old church, five minutes from open countryside and footpaths, with views of all the hills. And best of all, I'm on a bus route to Edinburgh! Already planning on going to the International Book Fair, as I'm eager to check out the Children's book sections. However, the plan for tomorrow is the Zoo, so I can get an annual membership card- so expect many animal drawings!

I'm currently illustrating an updated version of 'The Wolf and the Seven Kids', due to be published later this year; and progress is good- with the characters designed, and halfway through the roughs. I wont post anything here until its finished! Now Im settled in my new place, I can get on with updating my portfolio and more sample pieces! I think I'm set for a busy year...
Here's a teaser of what I'm working on for my portfolio;

(For anyone in doubt at the photo, I'm the central one in the Morbid Angel shirt)

FMP: Cooking with Little Fox!

I've just completed my last final piece- Cooking with Little Fox!
Above you can see just a very small section of the finished double page spread. Sadly, the file size is so large you'd see no details on here. The DPS is based on the brilliant 'They Draw & Cook', a site of illustrated recipes uploaded from all around the world...so I've created my own version! I researched many Norwegian dishes, but decided that Pancakes were the most fun.

Wow, so that's my last uni final piece completed! That leaves the remaining weeks for printing out work, compiling all my research and tidying the studio! Fingers crossed, my postcards from MOO will arrive tomorrow.

The last editorial!
Yes, this is my last editorial, taking it up to six in total. I feel as if they make a fairly good collection. This one is for a Guardian article about protecting gadgets. I feel as if the screen could do with a few icons or more scratches on it, so might try a few different variations before submission.

Stickers!

Not long left until the deadline now! How has it gone so fast? This is my last week of doing final piece work, meaning more FMP stuff.I've just completed a set of illustrations based on the tale 'The Fox as Shepherd'. I plan to get these printed as badges and circular stickers! Suitable as prints, cards or postcards.
Next I'm working on my last piece: Cooking with Little Fox! (and another editorial if I have time).

FMP: True and Untrue

This is another Children's Book DPS based on Norske Folkeeventyr's 'True and Untrue' (Norwegian: Tro og utro). Despite having this near finished last month, I decided to return to it and completely redraw several areas of it. The story itself follows 'True' who climbs into a lime tree and overhears animals talking about the King and his dilemmas. True uses the knowledge to help the king, and eventually gain the hand of the Kings daughter.
I wanted to summarize several aspects of the story in one piece, rather than being a literal depiction of the text.

Bruin (bear) and Longears (rabbit) are two of the characters in the story, alongside a wolf and fox. Previous versions contained all the characters however I felt this version, with less characters, was stronger. The illustration includes other things mentioned within the story- such as chickens, a hawk, a toad, a castle and a lime tree with magical dew. If you look carefully you'll notice True's eyes in the top corner.
The story itself is set on St. Johns Eve (also known as Midsummer festival/ Sankt hans), further research into the day found Norwegians typically eat cooked meats, cured ham, polse (hot dogs) and Rømmergrøt- a sour cream porridge...so that is what the characters are eating! The story implies use of Alcohol, but seeing as this is intended for Children, thought I'd stay away from that.

Annoyingly, the file size is so big its hard to see it all on screen. I'm hoping printed out it will be clearer, and you'll be able to see all the details. In the meantime, Im finishing off the Hawkwood Book entry, and moving onto new work. Ideally, I'd like to get another few DPS's done before the deadline. Due to True and Untrue's large background, I hope to use parts of it to develop 4 postcards/iphone covers.
Close ups: