fish in dish

Easing myself back into the blogosphere with a quick illo of a cat, with a fish, in a dish.

sea salt

A tentative dipping of the toes back in the (blogging) water... Mucho happening here but, as a lot of it in 2014 is illustration related, I thought I'd check back in. I've just finished the illustrations for the spring issue of Juno, and met with Gracie Summers (author of the Morse book I'm illustrating for Acair) last Saturday. The layout is well underway - roughs to follow...

Ooh, and I also have a beer label to design, which I'm very excited about! (And I say that as someone who collects illustrated wine labels, believe me, I'm super excited!!!).

Oh, and happy new year! I've missed this!

zombie

Nope, not a description of my current state... The Walking Dead are shambling across our tv screens once again and have reignited my obsession with all things zombie. With the excuse of Halloween looming, a small 'walker' in my kitchen... I'm particularly taken with the exposed ribcage! (And despite some misgivings, vermillion hue doesn't appear to have had any adverse affects on skin!).

the growing boy

Current personal project... right now have gone back to listening to Neko Case, The Fox Confessor, definitely one to have on when working on a kids' book...

poop...

Here's the progress on the rough below - a painstaking process of layer upon layer of watercolour, trying to gauge when it's 'just right' (before I overwork it and end up hating it!). It's my favourite bit though; it's worth taking the time over the roughs and initial drawing out. I love the feeling of having a freshly stretched piece of paper, just waiting for an image to appear on it... making it come to life is immensely gratifying.

My tip for freelancers who work in the evening; keep your painting water and red wine glass in separate spots - not good if you dip your brush in the wrong one... although slightly preferable to the alternative. I will live and learn...