There goes the Bride...

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I realised the other day that I've been so busy with picture books recently, I haven't kept my adult work up to date. So whilst waiting for things to save etc on other jobs this week, I did this for my editorial/ book cover portfolio.

This isn't a real book, I made it up. And Alice Stapleton was my lovely Irish grandmother. She never wrote any books, by my word could she tell a tale!

Lagoon Lullaby

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Happy Halloween!

 I hope you all have a super spooky time!

Bunny Hug

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Inspired by the little rabbit toy my big brother bought for me the day I was born. 

He's quite tatty now and lives a quiet life on my book shelf.

The Patisserie

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"Will you come to my party?"

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What on earth would you wear to a monster party?

 I think a bowtie would be in order...

Ready for Rain...

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A Quiet Moment...

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Hello!

I'm back from a week in the sun, splashing about in the sea and messing about on boats!
(Pictures from my holiday sketchbook  to follow soon!)
I don't know whether it's because I've come back from roasting hot weather, but I can't help but thinking that England is chillier than usual. Almost autumnal... So here is an autumnal picture for you all. I'm thinking about getting some little prints done of this. Would anyone be interested??

Mermaid

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A few weeks ago I was thinking about fairytales and drew some character designs and scenes from Little Red Riding Hood. To continue this mini occasional series, I was thinking about the Little Mermaid yesterday and painted this.
I have to say I do much prefer the Disney version to the original. Probably because when I was a child I had a copy of the original text and it was utterly terrifying. The illustrations were horrible ( and scary!) and the text included a bit about how when the newly human mermaid started to walk it felt like knives stabbing her feet...

<< Shudder>>>

Needless to say, the all singing, all dancing, comedy crab including Disney version was altogether more cheerful!

Contents of my head...

Wowee I am busy at the moment!
 I've just finished my first completely painted-and-not-gone-near-a-computer book ( a board book for a lovely Swiss publisher) and am now in the process of doing the final art work ( a mixture of digital and traditional) for one publisher and thinking about the story for my next picture book with another. The contents of my head at the moment is a bit random to say the least.
On the one hand I have a sly little fox, a cross-dressing alligator and some very jazzy, feathery ballroom dancers and on the other I have this little madam - more about all of this soon I hope!

Introducing BRAND NEW ILLUSTRATOR: THOMAS SMITH

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These pictures are nice aren't they?! The top one shows a brave knight battling a FEROCIOUS dragon and below is a very grand castle. They are the work of brand new illustrator Thomas Smith (aged just 6 years old).

Some need to know facts about Thomas:

1. He can rustle up a full colour, stapled together picture books in next to no time especially if you are feeling poorly and need cheering up or if you just seem a long way away. ( My wife and I are both proud owners of some of these masterpieces.)

2. He is an EXPERT on Star Wars, Castles, Knights, aliens and Indianna Jones.

3. He enjoys bouncing on beds and having water fights.

4. He's my Big Nephew*

These pictures were mailed to me on Friday after I asked for something to brighten up my new studio. Watch out publishers and bookstores - there's a new kid in town!

*I have two hilarious nephews and a very lovely, getting-quite-grown-up-now niece. I am a VERY (embarrassingly) proud uncle! Sorry!

Bear and Bunny play Detectives

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Once again I have no real idea what is going on here...

Grandma to the Rescue

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Sorry for a another post featuring a bike - I've just worked out how to draw them and am making up for lost time!

Diary: Saturday 14th May 2011

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More Little Red Riding Hood

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A few posts back I uploaded some character designs for Little Red Riding Hood- a story I've always wanted to illustrate. I couldn't resist doing another picture (and adding a bowtie and bowler hat to Mr. Wolf!)

Sleeping Bunny

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My Saturday Morning

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On Saturday morning Jemma went to have her haircut so I decided to go for a mooch up the road and have a look in the shops. Above is what I saw.

(I also bought two really delicious sandwiches from the deli for our lunch. I wasn't allowed to buy two exactly the same - they had to be different - Deli rules according to the very happy, very friendly,very chatty owner!)

Fairy Tales: Little Red Riding Hood

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I've always wanted to illustrate some fairy tales. If I did I would start with Little Red Riding Hood. Here she is with the Big Bad Wolf and below is how I imagine her house*

* another of my dream houses...)

On your bike Mr. Bear!

Ink, pencil, dip pen, and pencil crayon.

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Oh Mr. Bear! Where are you going, you crazy furry fool?!

Hoppy Easter!

Have a great spring break!