I'm off to sunny, sunny (hopefully) France!

Just drawn this to use as my autoresponder- so you'll be seeing this if you email tomorrow as I'm up and away! Back at my desk on June 2nd, have a lovely half term everyone!

In the holiday spirit

Despite the Scottish weather I'm starting to feel summery as I pack for my holiday. I'm not actually going to Spain this time but it's close enough.

Fox on a bicycle

Playing with a fox character I created a while ago that I've rediscovered!

I've been reading the BBC News website again

And this one caught my eye. Apparently the lady is question had the knitting patterns for various Dr Who characters online.

Using the texture as a background

British Beach Scene

To celebrate the flood of Brits who headed for the coast on the weekend. Edinburgh was sat under its own personal cloud bank so we saw the sunshine for about five minutes.

Playing with texture

I wanted to make this look like an old postcard and I think I acheived the effect I was after. I then got a bit excited and tried it out on a piece I did last week.

I think it looks quite interesting and might mess around with this a bit more. In other news- my shiny new PC has arrived and is sitting in its box waiting for me to find the time to tranfer everything over and install various bits of software.

Encounters with bees

Whenever I got scared of buzzing bees in my Grandad's garden he'd say "don't worry, they are only sniffing". This has stayed with me to this day and when a bee comes up close I just stand still and wait for them to sniff me and leave!

Missing People

I was looking at the new missing people website and found it incredibly sad that so many people could be unaccounted for and so many are waiting for any word on their loved ones. All of those names and all of those pictures.

A Cat for Friday

I have a kitty already, but he's a blue and I'd love a little chocolate point friend for him. I think we're going to need a bigger flat!

Another book jacket idea

I saw this book on Amazon and fancied having a quick go at it myself using their main idea for the cover (the L plate) and putting my own spin on it.

A Police Horse

New Pete image

Playground battles!

I'm still working on my children's book but inbetween I'm doing something completely different to keep myself fresh.

The Dog Version

Guinea Pig Greeting Card

Our New Addition

I have a new companion in my studio, a little Phalene (a type of Papillon). I've always wanted a dog and I'm over the moon to finally have one of my own.

How great is this?

Pete visits Karl Koala

Dog with sweater

Pete meets Ping Panda

Grecian Art

After doing the quick illo from The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency I've been looking at various types of folk art. I'm enjoying creating patterns and trying to use these more in my work.

An idea for a bookjacket

A Tribute

Big Ears and Little Ears

Spot the Difference

Yes I know, another book idea and I haven't finished the others yet. This is basically an excuse for me to draw some funny animals and use polka dots. The idea is that is teaches children that the same creature can come in all different shapes and sizes (a good message overall I feel and one some adults could do with noting too). The Animal Kingdom is a wonderful place full of variety and colour.

Another page for Things we Thought were True when we were Kids

If you want to see the rest check them out here.

Another one for Pocket Mountains

Polar Bear Pete and the Scientist have tea

Pete takes a dip

First in a series for kids encouraging proper pet care

Personally I'm not that keen on swans

Today's offering...

Polar Bear Pete

Polar Bear Pete lived in the Arctic where everything was covered in snow and ice. It was very very cold but Pete didn’t mind. He had thick white fur to keep him cosy and warm and four big paws with five big toes on them to walk around on. He liked to swim in the sea and catch his dinner and play tag in the snow with his Polar Bear friends.

One day a scientist came for tea. He told Pete that he had bad news. The ice Pete lived on was starting to melt and Pete might have to find a new home. The scientist had a friend in Australia who said it was a great place to live. Pete decided to go and visit Australia and see what it was like.

So begin the adventures of Pete.

More Polar Bear Pete!

Introducing Polar Bear Pete...I'm going to think up some stories for this guy

Playing with lettering

On a roll today...

Another greetings card idea...

I'm hoping to find a greetings card company who like quirkier cards because my designs don't seem to be particularly mainstream. I'm experimenting with restricted palettes and I think it is working quite well.

A new book jacket for Pocket Mountains

This is the first in a new series I'm illustrating for Robbie at Pocket Mountains. Titled 'Coast and Country Walks', these books are aimed at walkers of all ages and abilities- well worth a look!

On another note the sun finally came out today and a squirrel came and sunned himself on my kitchen window ledge! Come on Spring!

Cards & postcards

I've been working on some nice Scottish designs for postcards and on some slightly quirkier birthday cards. Currently the designs are available for purchase if anyone fancies them- get in touch!

Hooray it's 2008

Hello everyone, I hope you had a pleasant Christmas and New Year. I've been working away on various projects and have slightly neglected this blog so I'm here to do an update!

I now have my Master of Design degree and I'm available for commission. At the moment I'm spending my spare time working on my Dear Penpal book. I've decided to research each of the countries I have drawn and include a letter from each child. It is coming together rather nicely and I'm going to send it out to some publishers soon (if anyone is interested please let me know!).

eca Centenary Masters of Design 2007

As a culmination of my Master of Design Degree I will be exhibiting in the eca Masters of Design Show running from December 6th-12th at Edinburgh College of Art, Lauriston Place. It'd be great to see you there so please pop along and take a look if you can!

Another sketch for Big Little Brother