I Can Discuss My Emotions

A teacher friend of mine used The Princess and the Fog as a teaching resource recently to introduce her pupils to the idea of writing about their feelings. The culmination of this process was, apparently, to have them write letters to me, personally, about what makes them sad and what can cheer them up again.

Some very excellent highlights:

Pearla and her Unpredictably Perfect Day

Last month I teased some images from an upcoming book that I illustrated. I'm pleased to tell you that this book now has an official listing on the publishers' website and will be available for purchase come December: http://www.jkp.com/uk/pearla-and-her-unpredictably-perfect-day-34528.html

Who Are You

Some concept sketches I made for Jessica Kingsley Publishers' upcoming book about gender identity Who Are You. They ultimately went in another direction with another illustrator but I'm blogging about it anyway to prove I'm not even bitter or anything! What a class act.

New Commission Portraits

A couple recent portrait commissions, both on 8 x 8" canvases. One is of alcoholic chainsmoking poet Dylan Thomas, the other is based on this classic Simpsons bit. As well as just general collagey nonsense, you can actually see some thematically appropriate stuff hidden away in the backgrounds of each if you look closely.

God of War II, Ratchet and Clank 2016

Some more Let's Play banner art, this time for KalonZombie's God of War II and upcoming Ratchet and Clank (2016) series'.

Pearla Sneak Peek

I worked on the illustrations for a new book by Rochel Lieberman, which will be released later this year from Jessica Kingsley Publishers. It is called Pearla and the Unpredictably Perfect Day and it is about recovering from your mistakes, and happy accidents. Here are a few of my favourite pieces (that won't give away the story and get me in trouble) :

Fanny Gallops

An illustration of artist friend Fanny Gallops/Lee Rey of The Sacred Obscene.

Let's Play Dead Space cont.

The on-going Let's Play of Dead Space is still on-going! Please enjoy this recent video thumbnail I really enjoyed doing for one of the terrible Dead Space movies, and a "technical difficulties" card based off this one: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zmEozXXEF8o/maxresdefault.jpg but made appropriately, Dead Space-ily broken and gory.

Another Sneak Peek

Here's another one from the book I'm currently preparing to pitch. Later on in the year, Fran (as she's currently known) is still not having any luck finding somewhere to hibernate that isn't impractical, totally physically impossible, or already taken.

I think gouache and pencil is probably the way to go for this after all. Even if it's going to take AGES.

Somewhere to Sleep (working title) Sneak Peek

Some more experiments with gouache for the book idea I'm currently developing. I need some solid concepts and example illustrations to go with the pitch I'm putting together. I love how clean and solid the colours are, and it's real easy to draw over the top because it spreads so smoothly. Haven't tried illustrating a full page or double-page spread yet though, just these spots.

Spooky Skull Paintings

I painted some spooky skulls for my Etsy. I was supposed to be working on something else but then some spooky skulls popped into my head and I was like "Well, I guess I have no choice now but to paint some spooky skulls." You ever get that?

Don't look for any deeper meaning in these paintings. They are just cute and spooky for the sake of being cute and spooky.

More Pixel Art

Been getting real into painted recreations of pixel art lately, for some reason. Had a bash at some Sonic 3 characters and Mario 3 powerups.

The Starman piece is actually made using genuine imitation gold leaf in only my second ever attempt at gilding. It is extremely shiny and they are ALL very darling. You can see and buy them on my Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SuperGraffiti?ref=hdr_shop_menu GOD, I've missed saying that.

Second Book

I'm trying to figure out my second book at the moment. I want it to look a fair bit "cleaner" than The Princess and the Fog which was deliberately quite scattered, ever-changing and a little confusing, to match with the theme. This one should be a lot "quieter".

This is what the protagonist looks like:

I've been writing her as "Fran" but I'm not married to that name. It doesn't have a title either. I am not good at naming things. My children are all going to be named Lloyd Jr.
I literally just this second was given the suggestion Ursula, which I like quite a lot.

I was thinking at first I was going to do the whole thing in watersoluble crayons like this, mostly because they're kina "fuzzy," which goes nicely with the gentle Autumn theme and the whole bear thing, and the colours easily variable. But now I'm not so sure.

Fran's had a very subtle redesign since the first draft of the book after feedback that some kids thought she was supposed to be a hippo (!)

Here's two of her, coloured on the left with gouache and on the right with very thickly applied watersoluble crayon, as opposed to the above image which was quite thinly drawn. Can't decide which I prefer. Results inconclusive! More testing needed!

Custom Birds!

Custom birds made on commission from this Etsy listing: https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/265213696/bespoke-birds?ref=shop_home_active_1

 It didn't replicate so well when I scanned it (obviously) but this one has imitation silver leaf gilded onto the design!

Four beloved rescue birds whose personalities I feel lucky to get to know while making these.

These were made for Jill Strong, who is also a fabulous designer herself. Check her out: http://www.jillstrong.com/

Mario Blocks - Etsy

New products that have gone all up in my Etsy since I reopened it include a decorative frame and two different moneyboxes, all inspired by Mario blocks.

I had a lot of fun photographing them, if you couldn't tell.

These, and plenty more cool things, available here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SuperGraffiti?ref=hdr_shop_menu

Also, this is the 100th post on this blog! Wow! Happy 100, everybody! I'm surprised and delighted that I've been doing this for so long!

Ride Free

Recent Xmas commission for a dude's biker parents which was reportedly very well received. Inspired by American highways I've never been to. On a huge sheet of watercolour paper in acrylic paint, ink and watersoluble wax crayon.

Etsy reopen!

Hello friends!

Good news. I am pleased to announce that I am reopening my Etsy store over here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SuperGraffiti?ref=hdr_shop_menu and will be populating it with both old sell-thru stock and with brand new items going forward. Go have a browse for zines, paintings, gifts and other great things like these: