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."

Busty Teela

Not so much an illustration project as a mindless bit of fun. Most people of my generation grew up watching He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. They may also remember his female ally Teela, helping defend Eternia from the likes of Skeletor and his evil cronies.
 
What my contemporaries may not recall is just how curvy Teela was; either that or artistic license can be a dangerous thing. 

Wait, there's more: For those not in the know “Battleground Teela” is a character from the range of "classic" Masters of the Universe toys. Her outfit is based not on that of regular Teela, from the He-Man cartoon and toyline, but rather from the limited run of DC comics from back in the 80's (get’s complicated doesn’t it?)
Essentially for some reason the makers of the comic decided to put her in a gold bikini. Going one-step further, I made her outrageously curvy… just for the fans.

 

Both of these images are now available to purchase from my Esty shop http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/LoudArt  

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...

Arsing About

...Continuing the theme of shapely women. I illustrated this article about bums. http://www.squidoo.com/build-a-bum

 

She was created on smooth photocopy 

paper with a "Pentel Colour Brush."

Come Where?

Just a quick post today as I am due to go running in about 20 mins (go Chorlton Runners!).

...Anyway, mid-last year I was called upon to create a music single cover for a guy called Roy Fisher. Though whether it has been printed out and distributed, or remains as an itunes exclusive, I am not sure (nor do I care that much if I'm honest). The band is "One Dark Horse."

Pretty standard process; series of sketches to make sure I was on the right track. He wanted a woman in front of a ship. Hopefully I will post the youtube video below, so you will see why.

Often, as was the case here, it's worth doing a colour sample. I personally like the triangle cleavage cut-out which mirrors the triangular belt buckle. Blue hair is always very sci-fi. Possibly a combination of the above made this gal the winner.

Roy was adamant that she needed to be beckoning towards the viewer. This was a challenge and a nightmare of foreshortening. I'm still not sure that it's 100% right. I was also uncharacteristically reserved on the text. Final lines were drawn with a brush pen. Added a few textures and voilà. ...Enjoy...

 

Fact or Fiction: The Paris and M6 Crashes

I'm published: fact. Not quite for the first time, but this time could be interesting. I was contacted some year-and-a-half ago by a man called Colin Hall. Colin claims to be a security consultant whose job has taken him literally around the world. A paranormal enthusiast, he has become meticulously embroiled in intently investigating some online rumours about mysterious crashes, disappearing bodies and some curiously related blog posts.

Cover of Colin Hall's book.

To cut a long story short. It was my job to illustrate, layout and compile the book; this was no mean feat. It was very much a grubby hands-on affair. I had access to hundreds of photos, hundreds of sketches (Colin Hall cannot draw too well, so I was in the position of re-drawing and making sense of his sketches), stills from a truly baffling youtube video and a ton of text to weave through it all. 

Sample page featuring sketches on lined paper

and stuck-on snippets of reports.

Colin's approach to investigative journalism is holistic; the book is chock full of references to a plethora of conspiracies and spooky mysteries worldwide as he wanted to put the whole thing in context (see the above sample page) as well as drawing possible connections between those more "established" mysteries and this relatively recent one. I use the word "established" tentatively; it's worth noting that a large chunk of the internet now seems transfixed on these happenings, as well as articles in such long-running conspiratorial magazines as The Fortean Times.

Close-up featuring Colin's trip to Paris and polaroids.

Colin Hall's book has certainly been a unique challenge for me and my burgeoning layout skills, I wish him well on his quest. It's a quest which does not end with the book; the reader is encouraged not only to get involved but to report his/her findings to Colin directly. So if the thought of helping unravel a unique and genuine real-time mystery appeals to you, then they may not come much better than this. Will there be a sequel and will you be part of it? Maybe the question ought to be, how many sketches and wine-stained Parisian place mats can I deal with in a lifetime?!

Buy or download the book on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fact-Fiction-The-Paris-Crashes/dp/1905692986