week 8 whatevs

Might seem a slow week, but although visible "output" seems to be sparse, I actually made a lot of progress with experimentation behind the scenes. Yippeee! 

week 5 in sketches - FB sketch challenge

seed pod of some sort. I drew it from a photo I'd taken years ago, but I still can't figure out exactly what it is.

Came up with the idea the other day to ask my FB friends to pick some animals for me to draw, and it seems it's something people want to do! So, above is the result of the first challenge. I had to do: pangolin, ladybird, chicken, rhino and Bostie. The Bostie became an alien. Let's just call it artistic licence. Overall, pretty happy with it. :)

The second challenge gave me saddleback pig (a la wheelie), bumblebee, lemur, bongo and giraffe. If anyone wants to play,  I'll probably be doing them quite a lot. Just go to my BBE Facebook page to see what's up. There's usually going to be a pretty tight time frame in which I'm collecting 'subjects' ... so get in early!

My friend Victor wanted an axelotl. Couldn't resist that even though he missed the cut. Need to work on it, it's simply not nearly as cute as the real thing... although I do have a soft spot for the little fella on the right.

week 4 in sketches 2014

26-01-14

27-01-14 

28-01-14

29-01-14

30-01-14

31-01-14

01-02-14

A day late, but not a dollar short. I was very occupied yesterday trying to get more of my space in order, which still isn't complete, but is looking pretty good. The most important part is that I feel motivated and inspired to draw and paint while here, so that's a huge plus. Apologies for the massive blue clip in the photos of the sketches. It seems my sketchbook is having difficulty keeping itself opened for photo taking! 

A little peek of 'work'space progress:

Week 2 in Sketches 2014

This will get me all caught up then. From here on, I'll post the week's sketches on each Saturday evening. As always, comments are welcomed. 

12th January 2014

13th January 2014

14th January 2014

15th January 2014

16th January 2014

17th January 2014

18th January 2014

Don't You Believe It! / Week 1 in Sketches 2014

So it's January, and although I'm a couple of weeks later than anticipated, I'd like to announce that I'm back in the saddle again - artistically, creatively, socially and as visibly as you will allow. The last year and a half or so has been incredibly difficult, and at some point I might even share the complicated details publicly. This would be an attempt to throw myself out there, warts and all, but hey ... not quite up to that warty reality yet, if I'll ever be. Those of you who know me might say I hold my cards close... and so I will continue to do with matters I deem unsuitable for public consumption. But see, I'm also learning that sharing is an awfully good thing, even when you perceive you're putting yourself at risk to do so. I think... I think I've learnt, that often the opposite happens ... connectedness, help, support, encouragement. So suffice it to say, for now, that I've tasted a little bit of hell, if not danced with the devil. And though I'd like to say I've been to hell and back, those lines are often blurred. Still.

Fortunately, for me, a cornered mouse DOES fight.

  (click this link and it will make more sense) http://youtu.be/U5tveO2nRSk

Soooo ... I'm not usually one for New Year's Resolutions, but I made one this year, and it is one I intend to keep. I will make a sketch or some sort of drawing or artistic idea in a book -- one for each day of the year. It goes without saying that sometimes I'll love them, and sometimes I'll hate them enough to want to rip the pages out. I mean, who will know anyhow? Well you will, because I'm going to post them here...love 'em or hate 'em.

So here goes! -- Sketches from 1st January to 11th January 2014. I'll post sketches from this week tomorrow night.

1st January 2014

2nd January 2014

3rd January 2014

4th January 2014

5th January 2014

6th January 2014

7th January 2014

8th January 2014

9th January 2014 

10th January 2014 

11th January 2014

Birdy Sketch

ideas...

The Bee's Knees

A bit over a week ago I was asked by Bok Theatre Bournemouth to create an illustration for their theatrical adaptation of The Queen Bee, a fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. Bok Theatre Bournemouth is "an informative, interactive, inclusive theatre company" created by the uber talented Mr. and Mrs. Parkin. I was happy to accept the project because it seemed like good fun (bees? ducks? ants? ... why ever not?) and also because Aaron and Charmaine easily inspire with their obvious passion for theatre, their unique creativity and their enlightened goal to "use the powerful tool of theatre to benefit society". Do support them if you are able! If you're unfamiliar with the fairy tale, you can make up for that HERE. Well worth two minutes of your time, I'm certain.

Some sketches below: 

Prelim ideas of the personified bee and other characters
- not far off the final results. 

Kind of like this very simplified version ... but not sure she could command the role of "Queen". Below the bee, a note about Charmaine's suggestion to include a key, pearls and honeycomb after I mentioned I'd like to include the King Ant and ducks. 

Working sketch of the queen before being "transferred" to watercolour for the final illustration. The bit cut out to the left was for gauging how close to the bee I should place the ducks.

 For some reason, when I drew this version and decided it was the best, I forgot to include the wings. So, amazingly without realising it, I thought I had completed the illustration when the Queen still didn't have her wings. Thinking I was nearly finished,  I showed it to Dan and he said "I like it, but it looks kind of like an ant without the wings". WITHOUT THE WINGS?? I actually hadn't noticed!! So these wings here were sketched on the above bee the next morning as practice. I cut out a piece of paper into the shape I thought would be best and traced around it on either side to make sure the wings were uniform and to decrease room for error. At this point, I didn't want risk drawing them freehand. I then (very nervously) added the wings to the final illustration using the same method. Voila! I added the little third and fourth wings (yes, Queen Bees have four wings!), and it was a go! PHEW!

Oh! And the tiny ants (some of the 5,000 helpers) around the King Ant were a last minute addition and the idea of my Dad. Thanks Dad! :)

the sloth bear

This sloth bear made his way onto some watercolour paper I had prepared earlier in a green shade. Just when I thought I needed to get to sleep he wouldn't let me go...

...and the two designs above have been prepared for greeting cards 

to be listed on Etsy very soon.

(let's hope the first experimental batch ordered is exceptional!)