Some new illustrations I've created to promote the Sussex Research Hive, the dedicated doctoral research space at the University of Sussex Library! Should hopefully be winging their way on to some snazzy postcards, etc soon.
Château de Selles sur Cher
2014 round up...
Hey, Happy New Year! Hope you had a great Christmas. It's been a bit quiet on here recently but all for good reason - 2014 was pretty busy... Firstly, there was Better Beasts, a graphic novel proposal written by the multitalented Mark Pembrey and illustrated by moi. Based on the lives of early palaeontologists Gideon Mantell and Richard Owen, Beasts was well received by those who read it and even got on the long list of the Myriad Editions First Graphic Novel Competition! Mark is currently sprucing up the script for the next few chapters ready for me to resume artwork duties in early 2015!
Following hot on the heels of Better Beasts there came a commission for Llangorse's favourite son, the Afanc. The lovely people who organised the first Llangorse Lake Big Swim and Triathlon needed a mascot to feature on their racing t-shirts and prize medals, I was honoured when they chose my interpretation of their local legend for the job. Here are the two designs I submitted featuring our furry friend in action and below the final t-shirt (sorry about the creases) and medal!
Next up, character illustrations for crime writer extraordinaire Phil Viner. Earlier this year Phil launched a new website to coincide with the release of his second novel, Summer of Ghosts. He wanted the site to feature his lead characters drawn in a pulp, noir comics style. Here you can see Tom and Patty. The website in all its glory is here. And do check out Phil's fantastic books, including The Last Winter of Dani Lancing.
And then the biggy, Think Like Churchill; an app that takes the form of a graphic narrative from the clever people at Touchpress (who hired me for the job of illustrator) and Hodder & Stoughton. If you own an iPad or iPhone, do give this thing a look. Using a mixture of comics and animation, the reader is taken through some of the biggest decisions Winston Churchill made throughout his life. At crucial points within the narrative the reader/user is asked what they would do in Churchill's shoes! Some of my favourite illustrations from the app below. A big thank you to Touchpress for commissioning me and big shout out to all the great people I worked with over the past 5 months: Josie Gardiner (Producer), Ned Pennant-Rea (Writer/Researcher), Matt Aitken (Designer), Matt Gibbs (Editor), Warren Dockter (Historical Consultant) - you're all amazing.
Think Like Churchill images © Touchpress
So what's coming in 2015? Well, I've just completed two extra chapters for Think Like Churchill so hopefully you'll be seeing them soon. Then there's more Better Beasts to come and possibly some other projects with Mark too! Oh...and I think it's about time the Afanc made a come back...
...watch this space for updates!
I'm still here!
So it feels like I've been off radar again recently. I'm working on something top secret at the moment (hence the silence) but whilst that's going on I thought I'd share some of my last commission: a series of illustrations for amazing Brighton based crime thriller author P.D. Viner.
Phil wanted some portraits of the major players in his stories, the most recent volume being Summer of Ghosts (out now!). These portraits are then going to feature on his website. They're not up there yet so I thought I just a show these two for now, Dani and Jim.. hope you don't mind Phil!
Blockbuster 3000
Sorry about the long patch of silence...been working hard. More on that to come. In the meantime, here's a recent cartoon I did for Electric Sheep Magazine, the theme being convoluted film titles...
Robots at Caption Fest
If you went to the awesome Caption Comics Festival in Oxford this weekend you might have seen this comic I did inside the programme. You guessed it - the theme for the festival was 'robots'. Unfortunately I couldn't make it but a copy of the programme that has been kept for me..will post a photo when I get my hands on it!
Some more Brighton Graphic Novel peeks
I've had some really encouraging comments about my work on this project (thank you!) so thought I'd post some more of my favourite panels while we wait for the official launch (October the 2nd!). Might even see some lettered pages soon, I believe the guys at QueenSpark are working on that as I write...
Recent scrawls
Two bits of recent stuff. The first is a preview panel for a collaborative project I've just helped with called Score and Script. The project is the brainchild of very talented illustrator and comic book maker John Miers. Check out his work! It was a very unusual and exciting piece as I had to create a comic from a visual 'score' with no narrative clues (rather than using a script). You can find out more by following the link above. All contributions will be compiled together as an anthology comic due to be released later this year!
The second image is a quick logo I made for a colleague. He needed something to advertise a home delivery library service for an MA project he's currently working on. The parachute was his idea...
Brighton - The Graphic Novel... another quick peek.
Another quick progress report on Brighton - The Graphic Novel. All scanned and on the colour work now - the end is in sight!
It's just not cricket?
A somewhat dodgy photo of a recent commission. Ink and water colour on board. Concept is client's idea.
I'm always up for commissions so email me if you have something in mind! And I ain't that pricey either.