Healthy Living Booklet

I started a project last year to test my basic layout skills and digital illustration/ infographic skills but only recently got it printed. I had loads of fun thinking up ideas for the photography and illustrations, one of my particular favourites is the fizzy and fruit juice police line up.

York on a Fork Issue 4

This is the York on a Fork issue 4 illustration which came out in September last year. It was originally an inside illustration but since it was very well received it got put on the cover instead, which of course I was over the moon about!

Marshmallow Illustrations

I realised I never uploaded these on here. They are illustrations for marshmallows (yes there is a such thing).

Website Maintenance

I'm going to be working on my website between January 5th - 12th. The interruption should be minimal and the website should be up and running for most of this time. The work will hopefully be finished well before the 12th.

Butterfly Illustrations

I was doing a butterfly illustration for something else (which I will upload soon) and somehow got sidetracked painting another 6.

York on a Fork

A couple of weeks ago I got commissioned to do an illustration for York on a Fork magazine. It's a new magazine (only on its third edition) started by art director Grace Neal all about York and food, though you probably could have guessed that by the title. Grace is great to work with as she is so open minded when it comes to illustration and what I could contribute. Unfortunately it took a couple of attempts at the final illustration, I spent a couple of days painting very slowly which is a sure sign that the illustration is doomed to fail. I decided to start again and completed a painting which I was much happier with that night. I've always found painting quickly is essential to creating something worthwhile, so getting stuck for days in one tiny corner of that first painting was a nightmare. Silly illustration woes aside, here is the magazine and my contribution to it.

Scentual Scented Candles

If you've been on my website within the last month you may have noticed I have a new packaging project. It's candle and incense packaging which meant getting to play with 2 very different formats. I also got to play with hand type and calligraphy for the logo. I still have a pile of mock up ideas on my desk which haven't quite made it to the recycling bin yet. I'm sure when they start to get too in the way I'll get annoyed enough to bin them, but for now they have become a decorative part of my work space. If you haven't had a look at the new Scentual project then here it is along side a bit of sketchbook work.

Watermelon

Here is a little preview of what I've been up to recently. It's part of a packaging project for incense sticks. It was very difficult to illustrate due to the fact I love watermelon and couldn't stop eating it, but luckily I still had a slice left to paint from.

Bee

My first post in 2015! I love bees and so far I've never been stung by one. I was a bit put off for a while when a few of them started coming down my chimney but I can't hold a grudge against something that is disappearing so quickly.

The 'Christmas Look'

Last year and this year I've been paying more attention to what kind of things are considered 'Christmasy'. I tend to still think of Christmas colours as green, red, gold and silver, and in addition to Christmas colours there are winter colours like icy blue and white. It's strange to still have that idea considering how long that's not actually been the case. At the risk of sounding old, it's probably due to what I was used to seeing as a child. A lot of Christmas wrapping paper has floral patterns instead of snowflakes and is bright pink instead of red.
Something in particular stood out to me though and that's the use of owls, usually in hats and scarves, on wrapping paper and Christmas cards. Its a fun little idea and not that surprising really, considering how owls became quite trendy. That and Russian dolls (which when I first glanced at them I thought they were wise men) seem to be trying to edge their way in next to snowmen, robbins and snowflakes. And of course Scottie Dogs in hats- great news for all dog lovers.
Christmas has long since moved away from its original purpose for many to make way for Santa, Christmas trees and reindeer and as long as its making money, it will continue to grow into something different. Its great news for artists who want to try new colours and ideas and generally just want to keep ideas fresh and fluid. For me, I will always try to keep in mind what Christmas is actually about and simply enjoy all the different looks its bound to have and take full advantage of any creative avenues it may go down.