A Hoopoe wearing a tie

From a commission by Leckie & Leckie Educational Publishers. I'll post the whole thing here once it is finished and in print.

Busy busy- but here is something to keep you going!

The Falkirk Wheel

Hi folks, it has been a while since I posted on here but I've been incredibly busy (which is always good news). At the moment I'm working on a cover featuring Stirling for Pocket Mountains and images for a Drama Course Notes book for Leckie & Leckie.

I'm hoping for some free time soon to continue with my personal work, the Penpals series, which has had some really positive feedback from friends and clients. Watch this space for the next instalment.

Venice

The third in the Penpal series.

Sumo Wrestling

And here is the finished image. I've added more people to the crowd and posters at the back.

In progress, an image of sumo wrestlers in battle. An impulse draw!

Spot the Difference

Further work on the image below. I've added lamposts, a few more people, a bar in the Tabac- well I'll let you find them!

En France

Salut! This is the first image in a series I'm planning showing street scenes from all over the world. This one is, as I hope you can see, France. This is also the product of my entire weekend as the weather is apalling so I've sat at my desk colouring away. Please note- this is an A3 piece! It is officially the largest piece of work I've ever done!

The Lion & The Unicorn

While I'm here, this is another piece I've just finished. It is a modern illustration for the children's nursery rhyme 'The Lion & The Unicorn'. Many nursery rhymes have their roots in politics or historical events and this one is no different. It refers to the joining of Scotland and England by King James and his decision to create a new heraldic crest representing both countries. The unicorn stands for Scotland (and is chained by the crown around its neck!) and the lion for England. In the rhyme the lion 'beats' the unicorn all around town, referring to the not-quite-so-happy union. I've updated this scene with a drawing of the new Scottish Parliament building, relating it to current events and progress.

StoryLab

This is one of the images I produced for the Scottish Storytelling Centre. They went with a white version of this in the end. At the moment I'm working on my Crocodile Fence story and writing my dissertation. The two go side by side as I'm writing about hand lettering in children's books and I've just reached the point where I need to think about what I'm doing text-wise with the book. I've researched how children learn to read and have come to the conclusion that hand lettering is a valuable resource when used in the right circumstances. There needs to be a high level of legibility and consideration for the expected audience but overall children seem to be very capable of transferring reading skills to any font or letterform (once confident in their reading skills that is).

Bookmark for Pocket Mountains

Yey a deer. Thought I'd post a quick update on what I've been up to. I'm currently doing some work for the Scottish Storytelling Centre which I will post here eventually. I also gave a talk as part of the Edinburgh Libraries Festival of Scottish Writing. Thanks to all who attended, it was a great group and helped me through my first big public appearance! (well it was big for me anyway). At the moment I am still really excited about my Jive Bunnies and looking to do something with them as well as working on my ideas for children's books (as part of my Masters degree and personal interest).

Knights in armour...

These images are for a client but I thought I'd share them with you. Busy at the moment as I'm helping my partner prepare for his exhibition.

Boats and interviews

The image above is for this months Rowing & Regatta Magazine. Anybody notice the subtle use of photography? I'm currently working on a series of exciting new projects that I will update on in the near future. Busy busy busy!

Yesterday I was interviewed as part of the Six Cities Design Festival giving my opinions on the use of illustration in album artwork.

Pride & Prejudice with bunnies

The rabbit obsession continues...

New Look Website

Hello All! Hope you like the look of my new website. If you arrived here from somewhere else go to www.vickigausden.co.uk and take a wee peek. As ever comments and suggestions are most welcome.

Pocket Mountains

This is an image of Edinburgh completed for a new walking guide by 'Pocket Mountains'. Sorry I haven't posted recently but I've been busy (as ever).

Rowing & Regatta Magazine

An image for the Amateur Rowing Association's magazine.

Nationwide Mercury Art Prize 2007

I'm through to the finalists so my work will be on display at The Hospital, Covent Garden for the next two weeks or so.

The Counting Fox

My beloved red fox has undergone a brief makeover and is now starring in his own book- 'The Counting Fox'. This will be a simple One to Ten journey through the British Countryside and involve some of its cutest inhabitants. I'm doing it as part of my Master of Design degree but there is something very publishable about this one!

Felt tip pens...

I had a headache today and so thought I'd try out some drawing the manual way! I found a bunch of felt tip pens and doodled this...a little different from my normal stuff but it is nice to play around.