It's Guy Love...

There has been a lamentable lack of portraits over the last few days, and for this I am truly sorry... but here is something to brighten up even the gloomiest of Mondays - a little bit of bromance :D The lovely Tim Winward pictured in the scenario of his dreams (ie hanging out with Simon Webbe from Blue) 

I do aim to keep up with my challenge by doing two a day for a while, so at the end of the month I should have my quota!

The 1 U wanna C

Just a quick one! :D

I'm writing a letter to daddy...

Ok because I was naughty yesterday (:-S) and I didn't do my homework, I have made up for it by giving you a double treat today! :D

The very creepy Joan Crawford and even creepier Bette Davis in 'Whatever Happened to Baby Jane' - I suggest you get hold of a copy and give it a watch if you have a spare afternoon.  Shudder...

I hope life on Earth is everything you remember it to be...

Monday's portrait for the lovely Laura Anderson :) Go and see her blog here: 

www.lauraellenanderson.blogspot.com

Job's a Good'un! :D

Again, just in the nick of time is today's portrait - my esteemed acquaintance the Incomparible Ralph Perriman (Animator Esq). I know that he has his own blog somewhere around here... 

This particular piece is also part of a trade-off between Ralph and myself, I eagerly await what treasure awaits me in pixelated form!

Ok it's the girls' turn today :)

And something for the gentlemen...

My first request from the lovely Doug Dunn - Marion Cotillard.  I realised I have rather a long list of male celebrities to draw, so if anyone has SENSIBLE suggestions for ladies I will take them :)  (Please note I veto Megan Fox)

Off to London now to have a lovely day with uni friends! :D

Pencils and Guitars

Today's Portrait Challenge contribution - and not a minute too soon! :-S

The lovely Kylie Bromwich came round this evening to play some badass boyband tunes with me.  I fed her dinner in the form of red thai curry and in return she let me draw her - managing to keep her upper body incredibly still whilst she played the guitar... ?! Amazing.  Thank you Kylie!

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.

Amble by the Park

So, you should all come to this! Everything it says there on the poster is true. Apart from maybe the squirrel with a lightning strike on it's face...

PLUS - I will be doing facepainting! :D What's not to love? There may even be some lovely prints of my work you can purchase at a very reasonable price...



Also, feast your eyes on this lovely thing here! The very first official logo design of CloudCat Music - of which I am official Illustrator. Meow!

By the Hammer of Thor, it's another Open Mic!

Time well spent, I think.

Sketchies!

Come and meet my new friend! She's basically a Hispanic version of me, with actual curves... cursed boy figure of mine... I was just doodling away and she sort of popped out! I think she was getting bored of sitting in my head. Any suggestions for a name will be very welcome :D

Hidden Talent?

My poster design for the second 'Satellites' open mic night at the Amble Inn - inspired by the retro designs of Eric Tan. Although admittedly far more 80s :D



The first open mic is TOMORROW! If you're in the Hertfordshire area and need something to do, then come check it out!

I've been working on the logo for an up-and-coming theatre company recently, and whilst I can't show you the final I can show you this - a little play around I had with colour and texture.



We were going for a Baz Lurmann, Red Curtain Trilogy type of deal, but I think this looks more Tarantino-esque...?

Well, as the drawing juices don't seem to be running yet today, I thought I may as well blog something.

A little revamp of a Primary School logo I did for a friend - your daily dose of cute! :D

Year of the Metal Rabbit

Before my next big project, I decided some exploration was required with regards to rendering techniques... I've gone back to the old-school with a bit of texture and even some Photoshop brushes (eek!!) I haven't quite made my mind up yet, it's very difficult for me to stray away from the the pancake-flat without feeling out of my depth, but you never know...

Oh yes, and apparently this year is indeed the Chinese year of the 'Metal Rabbit', when we are supposed to support our families and loved ones through deeds and not words - i.e. by keeping our mouths shut and our heads down! Good advice if I ever heard it :)

Logos a Go-go

Another logo design for Hertfordshire based company 'Custom Made Carpentry and Joinery Ltd'. They do pretty much everything from wardrobes to whole staff kitchen re-fittings... It was pretty hard to come up with a logo that told you all this! So I just drew a lovely dovetail joint instead :) Custom Made's new website isn't up yet, but if you feel like a look at what they do, visit www.custommadecarpentryjoinery.co.uk
I did a leaflet design too, which should be winging its way around the area pretty soon...

Elevating Solid Ideas...

...is the tagline of the company I designed this logo for! 'Flying Anvil' are web consultants specialising in SEO and Accessability - their website is currently under construction but hopefully will be up soon. In the meantime, here is a preview :)

And a rectangle-friendly version:

Some of you may have noticed I also have a new fancy header! And no, the visual pun was not intended...