Mince Pies, Ink, Wrapping Paper and Treacle

I have wrapped pretty, little presents and spent the afternoon making some sweet, felt decorations for the tree. Tomorrow is mince pie making day but i'll opt for a modern recipe, rather than a nostalgic 1940s one! Wartime baking had restrictions due to rationing so substitutions were made. My latest illustrated recipe, a wartime Christmas cake, for They Draw They Cook is featured on The Dig for Victory Show Blog. Merry Christmas to you all!

Births, Baptisms and Beyond....

I love creating artwork for a new baby!

Christmas Carols, Mulled Wine and Mince Pies…in Brighton

It's December, it's colder and it's getting nearer to Christmas! I have ordered my turkey, made the Christmas pudding and I have a new hat with ears on that bounce as I walk. 

Here is the Community Christmas poster that I produced for Exeter Street Hall, Prestonville Community Association and St. Luke's Prestonville. The community-owned hall is a wonderful local asset and I am looking forward to the party! 

Take your time… but you only have a week : 'The Tortoise and the Hare'

This week MATS has been all about children's book illustration. It was the section of the course that I had been most looking forward to. 

Having said that, by the time I had read all the literature that was provided I felt somewhat numb. It was enormously helpful and indeed inspiring, but also quite overwhelming in its sheer quantity! I did not initially feel hugely inspired to draw a tortoise; however, once I started sketching, a small girl character evolved, riding a micro-scooter and called Tilly. 

Benedict on Zaffy

Soon enough, Tilly had won me over and I regained my earlier excitement as her race with Horace the Hare began to take shape.

I have put a lot of hours in this week and I feel I've learnt a lot about the industry and about my own technique.

The Hare is depicted riding our much loved orange Vespa, Zaffy. The words were kindly composed by Benedict Protheroe.

Anyway, here is my double page spread of The Tortoise and the Hare. 

It's my Birthday and I'll Cook if I want to...

I have gone back to school. I signed up for Lilla Rogers' Make Art That Sells to build my portfolio, strengthen my illustration skills and learn about a variety of different art markets. 

The first week is now coming to an end, and I am thrilled to have completed my first assignment: my 'vintage kitchen' bolt fabric design includes cheerful root vegetables, kitschy casseroles and a pair of long-eared bunnies...

Line layout

Watercolour and pen sketches

MATS Part A - BOLT FABRIC - Week 1 Assignment 

P.S. Today is my birthday.

Autumn is here

I have a cold. Autumn is playing with the leaves outside. This calls for hot honey and lemon, a sugar hit and a quick sketch or two in between sneezes. Right now I have a pumpkin on my desk, surrounded by an assortment of skulls and my favourite Lyle's Trick or Treacle tin.  Along with the autumnal drawbacks of colds, shortening days and the like, come the fast-approaching twin delights of Halloween and Guy Fawkes' Night...

Beetle Bookworms : Beauty and the Beetle, A Cockroach Orange, and Lawrence of Scarabia

I had such fun drawing these intellectual little beetles and creating a repeating pattern. Hopefully the book titles will make you smile!