HORRIBLE ABC
• HORRIBLE ABC
Regular readers of my blog (sic!) will already know that my abiding passion is children’s picture books. I’ve had a couple of story ideas going around publishers with no luck to date, and, despite me being able to claim that I illustrated 52 picture books last year alone, I still feel unfulfilled in this field. However, I have just finished a short picture book for a writer in the States – Susie Ramsey. Susie approached me with an idea for a board book featuring two frogs who fall in love one moonlit night. As you can imagine dear reader, I was hooked from the start.
During the illustration of those froggy pictures Susie also asked me to squeeze in illustrations for another book project which revolved around revolting dishes, again, it appealed to my tastes, so here are a few details of some of those pictures.
The final title has not yet been resolved.
In my next posting I’m planning to include some of he froggy images so watch this space!
TONY TIGER
• TONY TIGER
Another totally enjoyable commission, this time from Navy Blue up in Edinburgh.
Tony needed a pack for his new cereal bars which will only be on sale in duty free outlets.
So I can now add his portrait to my list of celebrity characters I’ve worked withh.
Please double click an image to supersize it, but remember that all images are strictly copyright. ©
POP-UP PIRATES
• POP-UP PIRATES
I’m not sure if these little pirates have been anywhere near the Caribbean, but they were certainly fun to illustrate.
The electronic version was particularly wacky though that was probably due to it being a Japanese prototype that I received to photograph! The screaming instructions were hilarious.
Please double click any pic to supersize and remember that these images are strictly copyright. ©.
QUACKSHOTS
•QUACKSHOTS
More games designs produced in collaboration with Round Peg who seem to come up with some excellent concepts which I thoroughly enjoy bringing to fruition. That’s my second reference to fruit so I wouldn’t blame you for thinking that there’s some big fruity themed game coming up next – but there isn’t, so don’t know why I mentioned it really!
The visualiser that Round Peg employ, his name is Andy, is the best I’ve ever worked with. His marker visuals almost leap of the page and make my job of realising the illustration all that much easier.
Please click on an image to supersize it but remember that all images are strictly copyright. Did I say that before? ©.
TUMBLIN’ MONKEYS
• TUMBLIN’ MONKEYS
At last I can display some of the children’s board games that I was working on towards the end of last year.
This first one was particularly tricky with monkeys cascading inside and outside the translucent plastic tree whilst skewers wizzed in front of, and behind them. Consequently the illustration ran to well over 100 layers in Photoshop.
The artwork for this game was developed from an original concept and design from Tomy’s long-standing packaging
specialists Round Peg based in Leicester.
It’s been a very fruitful partnership as you will see in future posts.
Please click on an image to supersize it but remember that all images are strictly copyright and monitored. ©.
MAGIC CHARACTERS
•MAGIC CHARACTERS
here’s a bunch of new faces that you might see a lot more of in future.
They form part of a set of magic cards for a very successful magic company called Razamatazz.
Now my little friends can be treated to something better than ‘the coin out of the ear’ trick at future parties.
These images are strictly copyright © and can be enlarged by double clicking on them.
LOVE HEARTS
•LOVE HEARTS
With the strains of the classic Scott McKenzie ringing in my ears I created a new series of mobile wallpaper downloads. Psychedelia never goes out of fashion!
REJUVINATED RETRIEVER
• REJUVINATED RETRIEVER
Again another nice job to work on. Give an old dog a new life with either ArthriAid, or even easier using Photoshop.
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DIAGNOSTIC HEALTH KITS
DIAGNOSTIC HEALTH KITS
These are details from illustrations for a series of diagnostic health kits for a major supermarket.
I have been extraordinarily busy recently so there will be lots more work up here very soon. Watch this (cyber) space!
Not much else to say really, so please double click an image to supersize it but remember that they are strictly copyrighted. ©
AIRWICK BUNNIES
•AIRWICK BUNNIES
Little bunnies now added (May ’08)
The two game boxes completed since I returned to the studio this year are still embargoed until they have featured in the various toy fairs. It’s a bit annoying not being able to post my latest work but as soon as I can show them off I will certainly be doing so.
Similarly with this recent job for Airwick – although I’m not going to show the full illustration (which included 20 little bunnies too), I don’t see anything wrong with posting this close up of mummy rabbit.
I’m very pleased with this as it’s one of my first serious attmpts at using custom brushes in Photoshop.
I know I could have modelled the whole creature in Cinema 4D (if I possessed such skills) but I feel I’ve come close to that kind of finish just withinin Photoshop.
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BOB THE BUILDER and …
• BOB THE BUILDER
Guess who I bumped into just before christmas?
No, go on, just a guess.
It’s just a bit of fun really, just make a guess.
I was in B&Q;, trying to find a roll of duct tape for under a tenner, when right there, rummaging through the reduced section, was none other than the great man himself – Bob the Builder!
Amazing I know, he looked a lot smaller in real life and I summoned up the courage to say hello. I told him that I liked his work and he was a really nice bloke. Down to earth and everything. Told me he was looking for a late pressie for Wendy, and then interestingly proceeded to list all the tools he’d bought her previously.
Then he mentioned all the tools he was using at the moment, demonstrating by showing me his impressive tool belt, and then moved onto his own tool wish list, this included the latest Japanese pull saw and a new sander from Germany that reduced clogging and incorporated revolutionary dust proofing filters.
To be honest he became a bit of a bore and I wished him a merry christmas as he was reaching for a new straight air drill with remote keyless chuck.
I hope Wendy likes it!
So, my final three jobs of 2007 were a homage to Bob for Egmont Publishers.
A children’s car-journey-cd of singalong ditties for an American publisher, and a brand new children’s game box cover which unfortunately is still under wraps until the spring.
Co-incidentally my first two jobs for this new year are also children’s games, so more of these later.
All the best for 2008.
CHRISTMAS MONTAGE
• CHRISTMAS MONTAGE
I thought this would be a fitting image to display over the holiday period.
I was commissioned to produce a montage with over 2 dozen ‘hidden’ christmas songs and carols.
It’s curently ‘live’ online at a top insurer’s website but I’d better not reveal the name since there’s a competition involved.
Maybe after the winners have claimed their prizes I’ll be able to show it in full.
Also hidden in the picture are my good friends Dave and Julie and starring Koray on the drums!
Thanks to Zeppellina for the comments on a previous post – hey, someone out there does read this!
Please click on Elvis to supersize the image but remember that it is strictly copyright. ©
Here’s hoping for a great christmas, (slim chance for Peace on Earth – but one may as well wish for it) – and a wonderful 2008. : )