Cassettes

Following on from the Audio entry comes this piece.

Inspired by my favourite road sign, and favourite on the road moment (as long as you're not going too fast and get to stop and watch the beautiful creatures). The last time a group of Deer stepped out in front of me whilst driving along was about 3 years ago when I worked for the Latitude festival at Henham Park, Suffolk. It was pretty special.



The mixture of modern music and Fauna is a curious one, which I like.

Common Nightingale

Illustration Friday - Wilderness

Not in fitting with my usual look, but on my week off from work (at M&S) I wanted to have a go at Illustration Friday.

The word is 'Wilderness', this is my response. Visually Inspired by Pro Skateboarder Chris Haslam.

Also, as a nod to Bill Bailey in the classic comedy 'Black Books', thats a Subutteo man nestled in there.

Missed

Two pieces here from 2009 that where left unblogged. Mainly due to my not really being into them upon completion, at the time. Now I look back at them, I don't mind them so much.



Both pieces where for the Epoch Times Poetry analysis column.

There are some more of these in other folders, but they'll being staying there forever more.

Check

Latest show piece specifically for my Portfolio. This one took a while, especially due to the Checked Flannel Shirt. I'm glad it's now complete and am well pleased with it.

Largely inspired by this much loved Portrait, the animal can be seen as representativeof the figure's character or quality.



If I were to put a soundtrack to this image, it'd be - Felt Mountain by Goldfrapp
and/or perhaps anything that brings to mind that Grand Outdoors feeling (Songs with 'Mountain' in the title will do).

Ok, its around 5pm and I still havn't put pencil to paper yet today!

Nightingale

Happy New Year to All!!

2009 was a good one for me and I'm optimistic about all that 2010 may have in store.

Heres the latest piece for the Epoch Times UK edition, published today.


An Extract from 'The Nightingale' by Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

(Extract)
"No cloud, no relic of the sunken day
Distinguishes the West, no long thin slip
Of sullen light, no obscure trembling hues.
Come, we will rest on this old mossy bridge!"

A bit of moody Landscape to kick off the year. I tried to focus on the atmosphere as much as possible, its my favourite aspect of scenic environments.


Original Rough.

I was really excited to include the element of reflection in this piece, it's such a beautiful subject in itself. M.C. Escher did it well with this one.


Alternate composition idea.

It's all Snow here in Norwich right now, pretty to look at but very unforgiving to the humble Track Bike rider :(


Posture Study.

You can see the actual newspaper page online here.

Present

I hope your Christmas was Good.
I ate well and did little overall, in a good way.

Now it's over I can post the pieces I was commissioned to create for presents.

The above piece was created for my good pal Thomas. It's an amalgamation of things he likes.


Pencils.



This Portrait was for a very good customer of mine. Hopefully her boyfriend (and his dog) were pleased with it.


First attempt.

Hinterland

I doubt this is good professional practice, but I'm quite excited by this next piece.
Here's just a tiny hint.

Plus! - The Lost Levels (aka - my awesome housemates) will be playing at The Arts Centre this Thursday. Be There!

MaskAlbum

I've set up a little Facebook page to run alongside this here blog. You can become a fan of it if you prefer to be informed of updates that way.

Currently Enjoying - Beruit

Telly

I have nothing much that I'm able to report at the moment, things start getting secretive near Christmas. The Walls have Ears and the Wires have Eyes.

A few sketchbook bits here though.
Above = TV watching drawing.
Below = Good thoughts.

Smooth

Watercolour sketches from a little Vogue magazine that found me whilst on the train home from London the other day.

Brush & Spoke

'Mellor Velo Roma' piece posted on Brush & Spoke - a website built to showcase bicycles, bicycle related art, and anything else bicycles!

Ride

Finally I can upload this piece to this blog and my portfolio site, as it's been published!

The Ride journal is comprised of articles, photography and illustrations from a wide range of contributors, getting wider each issue. I was very pleased to be able to have a piece in their publication and an invite to the launch party in Stoke Newington. It was a good night.



The article I was given told the true story of a cyclist in New York getting knocked down by a car for the second time within 12 months. His life subsequently entered a dark place. Gradually he managed to pull himself through thanks to his memories of better times riding in the sunshine.
Quite a tragic story to try putting a picture to, I went for the pre-impact moment before it all went bad.



P.S - Dark was the Night = :D

Hiawatha

Latest Poetry Analysis piece for the Epoch Times UK, published today.
An Extract from 'The Song of Hiawatha' by Longfellow



Extract
"He had moccasins enchanted,
Magic moccasins of deer-skin;
When he bound them round his ankles,
When upon his feet he tied them,
At each stride a mile he measured"



Second Illustration in recent weeks that uses a low angle shot of a male head ('Awake' was the first). I've had enough of these for now, maybe I should do birds eye view shots next as a remedy.


The aforementioned moccasins, I might get some.

Sendak

'Where The Wild Things Are' won't be released until around the 11th of December here in the UK. Thought I'd use the opportunity to create a illustration in anticipation.



The shading layer pic ^above^ is an accurate depiction of my excitement about this film.