What's Your Secret?

This is a series of images produced as a fold-out book as part of my Masters degree studies. I'm particularly proud of Lassie.

The Secret Thought Fox

I've become interested in the area of children's books and my fox character is in need of a story. This was a test page to try and create a whole scene using my lettering and images. I'm going to have to tuck him in the back of my mind for now though as I've set myself the challenge of writing and illustrating my book 'The Crocodile Fence'. At the moment I'm reading everything I can about children's books and the old 'page turners'. So if I don't post here you know why!

Another Horse

This is the last one I will post. I'm particularly happy with the coat of the dapple grey- all done using my new Wacom tablet. I'm getting into shading and trying out new textures in my work. I still love my vast bold colours but I'd like to contrast this with tone and shadow.

The History of the Horse

These images are in response to a competition brief and the full pages have lettering included, I'll post these later when I have the full set. Consider this a sneak preview!

Happy New Year Folks...

Hope you've had a good one. I've been doing a bit of writing and thinking about the children's market. The images below are of my central character, The Secret Thought Fox, who will be starring in his own book shortly!

On the off chance that any children's book-type people are reading this (well you never know do you) I'm going to start posting out to publishers in the near future (i.e. when I've finished drawing the pictures!).

Front Cover for An A-Z of Man's Best Friend

It is starting to look like I have an obsession with dogs but this really isn't the case! This is my proposed front cover for my dog alphabet. It is in the final stages I'm just waiting on delivery of my spanking new printer (an HP Photosmart D7160) and I'll be making up a hardback copy to show to publishers.

'Walkies'

This book has been printed as an accordian/ foldout book and looks pretty neat on paper. I've used Illustrator to get the simple flat lines and neatened things up in Photoshop. Due to the lack of need for words I think this book has universal appeal and would be suitable for most ages.

'Walkies' book

An illustration of Jason Webley and Jay Thompson's song 'Eleven Saints'

A little project I've been playing around with. Sadly I've only got up to five saints so far, but they were great fun to draw. I spent a while looking through religious texts and looking at various dramatic scenes, most involving an animal of some kind and a painful death.

And now for something completely different...

I've been experimenting with using Photoshop textures within my work for a while now and decided to go all out on an idea I had for a Christmas card. This is based on the iconic painting 'Revd Dr Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch' by Sir Henry Raeburn.

Nul Points cover re-release

Arrived in the post this morning. The bright yellow was initially shocking but its really growing on me and I love the new size. This won't be in the shops until next year though...

Angry this morning

As a freelancer I rely on prompt payment from clients and my bank being efficient to keep my balance in a healthy state. Yes I've been paid but does it show up on my online bank statement? No. Why is it not updated over the weekend? Or even by Monday morning? Why does is take three working days to input a piece of data into a computer that should work instantaneously?

The shops open on weekends, the electricity and water works on the weekends and even I work on the weekends (hey I'm committed to my job what can I say?). Isn't it about time my bank did too?

Having fun with my new font

Its official. I'm going to be adding my swirly typeface to my library of favourites. This image is the first in a line I'm working on to do with 'Guides to Life' or hints or something. Its all in the air at the moment but I'm excited about it.

As to why buy expensive shampoo? Well because it works better. I have long hair and spend hours gazing at all the pretty bottles in Boots and Superdrug.

More News for November

Another reason to avoid Starbucks...

Although they have just released their new hot chocolate and man is it good.

Partyyyyy!

For those of you who live locally, I will be having a little gathering at the Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh College of Art, to celebrate the completion of my book 'Dae Ye Ken?'. All are welcome so feel free to pop along from 7-10pm on Saturday 25th November and say hello!

Second instalment of a Month of News for November

November 9th to 11th. This project is turning out to be quite a challenge. It is very difficult to illustrate a story every day, particularly one that may not even have a humorous angle. I'm sure it is good for me though...

Sunday Times

One of my Business Gateway ads was in the Sunday Times today. Thanks to Jill for spotting it! This design is also currently appearing on the Scotsman website as a banner.

First instalment of my new series, a news article every day for the month of November

News for November 1st to 8th 2006.

Diet time for ponies...

Now this irritates me. Ponies are generally quite round and robust, it is part of their charm. My Little Ponies used to be cute, round little beasties with big eyes. These days they have legs up to their armpits and a nipped in waistline. They look more like gangly foals than ponies, why oh why? Is it not even acceptable for a toy to be curvaceous?

Dae Ye Ken? Blog

I've just finished creating a blog for my book Dae Ye Ken?. You can view it here...

Experimenting with lettering...

This week I have been looking at lettering (one of my passions) and trying out some new fonts. Here is one of my favourites so far. My Hand Lettered text has appeared on bookjackets, billboards and taxis. I'm a huge fan of hand lettered text in general and many of the illustrators that I admire also use lettering in their work.

Oh and Happy Birthday Alex!

My little brother is 22 today!

Fifty-three days until Christmas!

Hello All. I'm back and ready to get creating. Yesterday I had a sudden compulsion to design and make an advent calendar and here is the result. The image to the left is the front and the image to the right contains the little pictures under the flaps.


And here are some photos of the finished thing...