Make Good Art!

While surfing the net, randomly you will come across gems when you need them the most. Via Drawn I came across a video of Neil Gaiman addressing some graduates on an "Artist's Life" I believe every creative just starting out should watch it. Neil Gaiman gives an intelligent, witty and funny speech but he knows his stuff!
Really wished we had him to speak at our graduation!


I just hope I am making "Good Art"... Here's a sneak peek of a sketch for a painting.

Wild thing... I think I love you!

Sadly last week we lost a great Children's book illustrator Maurice Sendak. His most famous piece of work was "Where the Wild Things are" published in 1963. It's a story about a young boy called Max who causes mischief in his wolf costume. For being naughty Max is punished by his mother and sent to bed without any dinner. It is then that Max begins his adventure to the land where the wild things and eventually become king of them all.

 Did you know that he loved opera and collaborated a few times to produce some lovely studies as well as his lifetime admiration and fascination with the illustrator/poet William Blake?

I have always love the detail and compositions of his images and ultimately this story. When the news broke about his passing my friend L said "I hope he has gone to live where the wild things are." Which I am sure that is where he has gone. 

So Mr Sendak I hope you will like this little tribute art wherever you are.

Boff's Tale - Sketchbook Project 2012

This tale comes courtesy of my friend Beth. Just simple ink or papercut illustrations and very much inspired by silhouettes.

Close up of final image

Teddy Rabbits goes to Convent School - Sketchbook Project

This story is from my lovely friend Pilar. Another story but just wished I could have given it more time than I had. Would have liked to have worked on the images more and done them in colour.

Forest/Pond Mural

Recently I have been drawing up designs for a job that unfortunately fell through. However I thought I would share the designs with you. I may select one to turn into prints for my shop... What do you guys think? Which would you like to see as a print?

Two Little Boys on the Bus - Sketchbook Project

Second installment of Sketchbook project...

Lola and the Dancing Poodle

1st illustrated Story - sketchbook project 2012

Sketchbook project - Fill me with Stories

Yoo Hoo! I was excited to receive my Sketchbook from the Sketchbook project back in November to take part in 2012 version. I much preferred this year's theme compared to last year's "Boys and Girls". You can see some of the pages from the previous year, here, via the Art house co-op.

With "Fill me with stories" I wanted to use stories that were personal and from family and friends. So a little shout out of help circulated around to loved ones and they came to my aid. The next few posts will be of the stories that I'd illustrated for this project. But for now here is the front cover, cover page and back cover.

Hello 2012!

Dear me! It has been a while since I've visited these waters. Reflecting on the last year or so I realised that so much as happened that I've never updated or blogged about. Don't worry I haven't given up on my creative endeavours and seek to follow them with even more zeal and devotion than before. I will over the next week or so post up some old projects that are worthy of a shout out.

This was a private commission where the client wanted a piece that fitted within a 8" x 10" sized frame, had the name "Oliver" included and an image of a squirrel. I chose to draw an adult squirrel and a baby one to reflect the relationship of the client and receiver. The final image was a mixture of papercut, collage and ink/watercolour drawing.

In my absent mindedness I completely forgot to mention my Etsy store which I had listed some lovely items back in November (all Christmas related.) It was quite exciting to sell pieces to people all over the world. To be honest I wasn't expecting to sell anything as fast as it did. Below is a picture of my first order.

At the moment I need to clear old stock and put up some new items. I'm hoping to do so this coming week, so hold tight folks. However you can check out the ma petite boutique here.

Dylan Thomas and the plump bald man

Dear me! I have meant to post photos of my life drawing for weeks but you know how easily I get distracted. So here are the fruits of my labour:

Recently I've strayed from the normal classes and with my friend Laura Harvey we checked out the National portrait gallery's "Late shift" session on the Friday. This is where we participated in the drawing sessions they hold there. That evening was all about caricatures. We were lucky to be able to have a hold room full of exciting portraits to sketch from. Lots of fun and a brilliant way to finish off the week!

Happy Halloween!

Trick or treat... you decide.

Mermaids...

Need to get this idea out of my mind and onto paper... Just some initial sketches. Not really sure how I want the final piece to look.

Close up of sketch one

early stages of sketch 2

More details added to sketch2

In the same week I did a quick birthday sign for my roomie. She was going to let her birthday sneak by under my nose but "not on my watch!" This lead to a surprise birthday meal of pizza and beer! Result... she was surprised and very pleased!

Sorry for the poorly cropped photo but didn't want to include her name. Playing around with curly writing... not sure I can pull off that kind of script. Practice makes perfect...

Tweet tweet!

Yellow Panda Draws has finally joined the world of Twitter. Follow me via this link!

Everything will work out because it has to...

Another papercut commission. This was on gold card with bright orange highlights.