Banners for Devil & Co

A homepage, spooky churchyard themed banner AND Alice (as in Alice In Wonderland) specifically for Alice themed merchandise. What am I talking about? Devil & Co. of course! Go there: LINK

Also, if you like H.P. Lovecraft, this should be your Graceland.

After Eden

Promotional work for music group "After Eden."

Involved creating a logo and turning a photograph into a comic-book style image. Tools used: ink and pencils including some tracing. The group have a Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/weareaftereden

 The band with logo...

...And the logo on it's own.

Keyman Vs Death

A mock-comic book cover for a corporate insurance company. 

The "Death" concept was mine; the brief originally was that a businessman was ill so "Keyman" was to save the day (...essentially wrestling the company profits from all the red tape). I felt I needed to draft in a villain in order to make it work as a single comic book cover.

Tools used: pencil, paper, brush pen, photoshop. ...That is all. So, if you own a business or corporate enterprise, check them out http://www.life-finder.co.uk/. In fact if you're rich and powerful, commission me whilst you're at it!

Keyman punches Death in the face.

One can't help but think of He-Man  

(because Keyman sounds like He-Man)

and Skeletor (because he looks like Death).

Alice and the Invaders from Wonderland

Tres important announcement!

Alice discovered Wonderland as we all know, but what would happen if its kooky inhabitants found the rabbit hole and invaded Earth?


Intrigued?

Myself and author, Bret M. Herholz are currently "crowd funding" to support the creation and publication of a graphic novel. It will be drawn by me! Click ---> HERE <----to go straight to the Indiegogo page. For the uninitiated crowd funding is a way of sourcing funds from you, the interested public. Donating can lead not only to the product being made but also exclusive rewards.

The Graphic Novel "Alice and the Invaders From Wonderland" is a great concept and I'm keen to get stuck into something of this scale. IMPORTANTLY you can not only donate to the project but also purchase some artwork along the way. Prints and postcards featuring character designs by both myself and Bret (he's a fellow scribbler in his own right). All proceeds will be piled into the production costs.

Here is an example of one of my original character designs currently up for grabs:

Original art. Ink on A4 paper.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! 

Click HERE to view the page.

Wreck It Rock

I was asked by Starburst magazine (The UK's longest running Sci-Fi, fantasy and Horror magazine), to come up with a poster featuring one or more characters from Guardians of the Galaxy. I opted for Rocket Raccoon.

Here's the blurb from the official page.

To celebrate the release of our new Movie/TV Preview issue, we're pleased to unveil a set of free Limited Edition Collectors Prints, each dedicated to one of our specially selected Icons of 2014!

There are 3 to choose from, and they’re available exclusively from TESCO stores when you purchase Starburst #395. Pick your favourite below and get down to your local TESCO while stocks last!

Here's the original line drawing:

For those not in the know Rocket Raccoon is a Marvel character and will feature in next year's Guardians of the Galaxy movie. I won't pretend that I knew much about this particular Marvel strain until recently, however funnily enough I was reading "The Thanos Imperative" when I got this commission. That particular book features not only the Guardians of the Galaxy but an overwhelming ton of Marvel characters so start there at your own risk.

Here's the colour version:

Big thanks to "Starburst Shauna" for finally getting me into the magazine and to the others for agreeing. As Stan Lee would say "Excelsior!!"

Video Killed the "Illustratar"

I made a youtube video. It has most of my best work on it, though annoyingly there are a few things I forgot to add. Ah well, gives me scope for a sequel. I'd be interested to know from other illustrators and arty types if they've made portfolio videos. ...Leave comments below.

Long Division with Remainders Part 2

And the rest... Here's a link to part 1

From the official site:

"Collision/Detection is the second experimental audio project from Long Division with Remainders (LDWR) which sees invited artists submit audio clips into a central pot, which is then distributed around the group for them to do with as they see fit, resulting in a series of digital EPs released across 2012 and 2013.
These EPs are now collected together for this 2 CD box set, presented in a bespoke package, letter pressed by Red Plate Press (www.redplatepress.tumblr.com) with artwork from Paul Loudon (www.paulloudon.com).

The limited first edition also includes a bonus digital album containing new tracks by Collision/Detection contributors and the original sound clips which started the series (if you order from our shop, we will email a download code to you)."

 BLK TAG

 Kemper Norton

 The Doomed Bird of Providence

 Isnaj Dui

Sone Institute

The album is available on pre-order now. LINK

From the website: "We are delighted to announce the release of the Collision/Detection box set – collecting together 9 EPs from a whole host of incredible artists, creating exclusively for the Collision/Detection project. The box set will be in shops on Monday 10th June, but you can pre-order it below."

Long Division with Remainders Part 1

Back at the end of 2011, I started creating images for a unique husband and wife music experiment called Long Division With Remainders. More specifically I provided nine illustrations for their current production; Collision Detection.

In a nutshell, the project asks various musicians to make use of a limited "pot" of sound effects in their own respective and creative ways and to come up with a couple of tracks. These monthly downloadable releases are to cumulate in a final collaborative 2-disk album, due for release soon (link below).

Here for your viewing pleasure are the first four of those images and the artists whose tracks they represent.

Psychological Strategy Board

West Norwood Cassette Library

 The Lord

Hong Kong in the 60s

 

The project really allowed me to get my creative juices flowing during a time when other commissions seemed incredibly specific and creatively constricting - literally all ideas are mine this time. Despite an entirely surreal first image, a narrative seems to develop in which a small boy builds a robot. I won't say more than that, interpret it however you like... whilst of course ideally getting lost in this fine album. Big shout out to Justin Watson for getting me involved in this.


Order away you lucky people...

Long Division with Remainders: Collision/Detection Box Set - PRE-ORDER NOW: We are delighted to announce the release of the Collision/Detection box set – collecting together 9 EPs from a whole host of incred...

Let's burn rubber!: GT Radial Tyres concept sketches

Last year, I helped Manchester-based Creative Agency "Contrast Creative" visualise a tyre ad.
Click here to see the tumblr feed...

Here is the main site... http://www.contrastcreative.co.uk/

....I thought it was time to share these with you.

Sketches like this were added to a simple template provided by

Contrast Creative before approval.



Once approved, I coloured my sketches digitally,

added a couple of gradients and tweaks. Contrast

Creative then added them to a more accurate template

complete with slogan and in the case of the above

example, a more exaggerated blur effect.

Inks for Manchester Art Gallery's Interactive Machine!

The title says it all really. For those that don't know, as well as working freelance I also have a job working at Manchester Art Gallery. Earlier this year I was asked if I'd like to have a crack at doing illustrated interpretations of some of the paintings for their then new Balcony Project. In which gallery decided to fill the balcony space full of paintings and statues; that particular area had been devoid of artworks since Manchester Art Gallery's huge makeover completed in 2002.

Manchester Art Gallery

My interpretations along with written interpretations from other people are availiable to view on a an interactive console in the gallery foyer, situated just below the balcony in question.

Here are my images compliled into one.

Click to enlarge!

The paintings I chose (in descending order) were:
Pymalion and Galatea (1797 Louis Gauffier), Essentially a painting about a sculpture being brought to life in front of it's adoring creator.
Battledore (1906 Leonard Campbell Taylor) In which two middle class women are playing badminton indoors
and The Victory of Appollo (1716 Sir James Thornhill) - image available!! The Greek God Apollo kicking some mythical butt.

I'll leave you to interpret as to just why I came up with those images but suffice to say, I like drawing robots, comics and I've seen Rocky IV more times than anyone has a right to. Though I will be honest about that last one, I knew what I was going to draw after seeing the title alone.

Interesting factoid: The images are actually my first attempt at inking with a brush and I've been doing it ever since.