Category Archives: Experiments

Owning a ‘Pet’

I really enjoyed this ‘homework’ brief. It was set by Jo Byatt, a member of our local illustration group – we set ourselves small illustration briefs each month, the members take turns to set them. As Jo indicated when she set the brief, anything can be a ‘pet’. Hence the plants. I found this toContinue reading “Owning a ‘Pet’”

The Decline of White Plastic Chairs

During my MA Conceived of a project I called the ‘White Plastic Chair Project‘. It was about drawing in the kind of places and spaces that you might find white plastic chairs. Interestingly they are rather more difficult to find these days. Most seem to have been replaced by aluminium chairs: much stronger, less mucky-lookingContinue reading “The Decline of White Plastic Chairs”

#Colour_Collective

So here she is – my favourite Left Hand Large Lady… updated for #colour_collective – a Twitter event (is that the expression?) – You post work at 19.30 each Friday, made using a colour that is specified on the previous Saturday. I had so much fun, I’ll probably do it again… so watch out for moreContinue reading “#Colour_Collective”

Large ladies drawn with my left hand

Because, well – why not? I might try some reportage work using my left hand. I think this would be the first time I’ve drawn from my imagination using my left hand. I will definitely be doing it some more. Any suggestions for subject matter?

Sketchbook: Alpacas and a Caravan

A few recent sketches from the Shottisham Campsite in Suffolk. It’s a lovely place to stay. You can see alpacas for a start, but also chickens and a vintage caravan or two – amongst much else. The campsite owners run a smallholding and here you can read the very excellent blog about their exploits managing a smallholding and campsite. You’llContinue reading “Sketchbook: Alpacas and a Caravan”

Quite Good for a Doodle

Further to the ‘monsters and dogs’ post, I have been doodling the character of Monster – who I think is a little girl canine, some sort of scruffy terrier-whippet mix. I’ve been enjoying creating a form, a character on the page, WITHOUT using line. The form emerging out of tone. I’ve been exploring what IContinue reading “Quite Good for a Doodle”

Monsters and Dogs

My local illustrator’s group meets about once a month and we set each other briefs. Due to being on the MA I’ve been spectacularly bad at completing any of these mini-projects but I am determined to try now that the MA is finished (I got a distinction by the way, I’m pretty chuffed). Anyway ourContinue reading “Monsters and Dogs”

Sketchbook: Café Drawing Again

So today I took some time out (I had to go to the bank) to draw in a cafe again. I tried out a new medium I came across in an art shop in Bologna – a lovely pastel stuff that comes in a flat palette and can be applied very smoothly if you wish. IContinue reading “Sketchbook: Café Drawing Again”

Babies: Spot the difference

Basically this is the same drawing rendered very slightly differently each time. This is the finicky kind of detail that illustrators spend hours obsessing about. I feel line drawing, in the context of book illustration anyway,  is a bit unfashionable at the moment. Unfortunately it’s my strength. Well, not unfortunately; I love line and I am not preparedContinue reading “Babies: Spot the difference”