Tag Archives: illustration

The Bones Of You

I love music and the lyrics of songs are really important to me. Deciding to illustrate a song has come out of wanting a project. I didn’t want to write the words myself because I have written a couple of children’s books which have not been successful in capturing the hearts and minds of anyContinue reading “The Bones Of You”

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’”

Frustrated Face-Palm Mum

I’m working on a lovely wee educational picture book with Oxford University Press at the moment. I’ve been busy with the roughs stage, and then its been Christmas – and I’m not sure how much I am allowed to say about the book just yet, so I’ve been a bit quiet on the blog recently. Yet thisContinue reading “Frustrated Face-Palm Mum”

To Pee or not to P

The meeting with Bloomsbury went well – but basically, for the foreseeable future I’m occupied by being a writer for that particular project. So this – I’m not sure how much I can say yet – but these wee-uncomfortable children are part of an initial stage of character development for a project that I hope I’ll be workingContinue reading “To Pee or not to P”

Grotsby in Black and White

I’m experimenting with black and white because Grotsby might appear first as an older children’s chapter book, and in those the illustrations are often black and white or just two colours. Will try the two colour version next. Generally though – it’s been a while since I’ve drawn him (other than line sketches) so it’sContinue reading “Grotsby in Black and White”

Work in Progress

I’m sure I’m not meant to be doing it like this. I just love drawing people (and things) doing stuff, in different poses, with different expressions…  I reckon I’d have made a good old-style animator. You know, back in the day when they animated page by page and line-tested everything first. I say I shouldn’t beContinue reading “Work in Progress”

A Hairy Bean with Dreadlocks

I’ve not blogged for a while. This is mainly due to starting a new teaching job, which I am very much enjoying but is taking a fair bit of my time. I also have a fair few other self-employed jobs which I am also trying to find time for – so poor old Grotsby-Snot frequently getsContinue reading “A Hairy Bean with Dreadlocks”

Reading Gladiators

This is my latest project, for Nikki Gamble’s Just Imagine Year 4 Reading Challenge activity in schools. These illustrations are to help publicise the activity which is an extra-curricular reading group, with competitive team events involving making, performance and quizzes aimed to extend and stretch the most able readers. It’s a programme beginning in September thatContinue reading “Reading Gladiators”

Event Illustration & Being ‘A Jobbing Artist’

The term ‘Jobbing Artist’ is one I first heard mentioned in a lecture by Martin Salisbury during last Semester. He referred to Barbara Jones as having been a ‘jobbing illustrator/artist’ – and really we all are… except, as I’m not yet published, and I got made redundant from my FE Lecturing post last year – IContinue reading “Event Illustration & Being ‘A Jobbing Artist’”