We need to go to the dream within the dream...

Ok so everyone seems to be fairly busy this month, setting themselves challenges and being uber-productive...

Somebody once told me that I should do portraits.  I don't know why I didn't take much notice at the time, as it's pretty much something I've always enjoyed doing (drawing people) and I guess I'm pretty good at it too - which may be a result of the enjoyment, I'm not quite sure...

Anyway, the combination of these 2 thoughts has resulted in my decision to set myself the grand

PORTRAIT CHALLENGE!!

In which I complete one portrait a day for the rest of the month! (I know, I've missed a few days already but who knows? I might catch up)

These will probably vary from celebrities to people I know very well (don't worry, I will ask you first), hence my first attempt being the lovely Leonardo Dicaprio from the film Inception.

I will try to use my brain to think up my own ideas for portraits, probably inspired by films that I see etc. but all suggestions are welcome! So far I have a request for Tom Cruise - Top Gun era.  Anyone who knows me/ my family will know where that one came from...

Anyway wish me luck - hopefully we will all see some steady improvement as the month progresses! :D

It's just a jump to the left...

Oooh, so it seems I haven't posted anything up in a while... here are the last of my Halloween-based doodlings! (Not including the bucket-load of facepainting I did over the weekend - great fun :D)

Obviously, the part of this design I enjoyed most was the Rocky Horror Picture Show portraits - I was thinking of making a retro t-shirt design out them, what do you think?

And here's the poster for the kid's event - not quite as epic as the one I did for the Amble Inn, but still pretty fun I think... gotta love a good dark purple/ glowing green combo! It was harder than I thought to think of sweets that are both recognisable and easy to draw - almost forgot about the marshmallow fangs! :O But got them in there in the end :)

Anyway, hope everyone had a lovely weekend and enjoys the actual day today! Is it just me, or does it feel like it's been Halloween for about 3 weeks?? Oooh and if you want to see an example of my facepainting from Saturday, take a looky here: 
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=505436252#!/photo.php?fbid=10150359471451921&set=t.505436252&type=1&theater

And So They Set Off...

Inspired by 80s family films and fueled by various John Williams soundtracks, I produced this! Probably one of the most rewarding illustrations I've done :D It fills me with childlike glee... Unfortunately I don't think the colours show up too brightly on the web :-/

Fright Night!

2nd installment of the Halloween Poster series :D I'm really looking forward to this one, as I shall be taking part in the 'Thriller' flash mob. Woohoo!

Time to put the Raybans on...

Look! I used LOADS OF SATURATED COLOURS! :D 

Poster for a friend's dance school (ADA) starting classes at Parmiters School in September. I don't usually do this sort of thing, so I'm fairly pleased with the way it turned out - I was going for a 'club flier' feel to catch kids' attention in the corridor!

But He's ....H-h-headless!

'The Hare and Hounds Halloween Beer Festival' (featuring the Headless Horseman) - the first of many Halloween poster commissions I have lined up over the next few days, so watch this space! 

Who can complain about being busy when drawing spooky things is so much fun?

Pure Class

Fred and Ginger in 'Swing Time' 1936

Those of you who haven't yet gone to 'Glamour of the Gods: Hollywood Portraits' at the National Portrait Gallery, I urge you to go as soon possible! The exhibition runs until 23rd October and is full of beautiful photographs like this one :) Anybody who is a fan of Rita Hayworth, Elizabeth Taylor, or the terrifying Joan Crawford should definitely pay a visit.

Oh and if you didn't know this already, Grace Kelly beats Audrey Hepburn EVERY time.