I really wish I had some new work to post but right now it just ain't happening. I didn't intend posting a page of doodles but it's all I have to offer. I'll be away for some time, and I don't think I'll have access to a scanner. It's really disappointing to leave on this note, with these doodles.
I did intend to do some kind of Christmassy drawing last night. Instead I got drunk. So here's last years.
This drawing is more than a little cheesy. But, you know, I like cheese. A lot. Bread and cheese, cheese on toast, cheese and biscuits, cheese and pickle, cheese and wine. In my opinion, there is no social occasion that couldn't be improved by cheese and pineapple on sticks. My signature dish is cheese pie. I'll have cheese with pasta and chilli, in omelettes and quiches. I like cheesy mash and cheesy Wotsits. Not forgetting the legendary Ploughman's lunch. I love cheddar, mature cheddar, extra mature cheddar and vintage cheddar. Cheshire, Caerphilly, Stilton, Emmental, Camembert, Feta, Chevres, Gruyere, Danish blue and Brie. Oh, and cream cheese. Cows, sheep and goats cheese too. So, yes, I like a bit of cheese. In cheese terms, though, this drawing is a steaming pile of Stinking Bishop. It pongs.
Claire by France Belleville
I've been drawing against the clock. Trying to get this finished before midnight. I had a request for a green Converse. This is the third attempt, and it still isn't right. There are definitely some perspective issues. Still, I'm calling it done. I did try. I gave it my best shot. What more do you want? A unicorn?
This is an old drawing. It may look a little familiar, I reworked it for the earlier pinboard drawing. It's one from the archives. 1993, in fact. The only drawing I have from that period. The only drawing I made in that decade, I believe. I always seem to revisit the same old themes in my drawings. I wonder what that's about? Anyway, this one is for Tim and for the good old days.
Yes, another case. This is the deluxe edition. There are many scale issues with this one, but overall, I am really very happy with it. I spent the entire day drawing this, yesterday. Literally. There are clues to somebody's identity in this drawing, but I think only the Brits would recognize this person. Any ideas?
I can't believe that I've gone and done another cassette drawing as, quite frankly, the first one was a pain in the arse. I was going to make this one more simple, but about 6 hours into it I realised that wasn't going to be the case. No kidding.
Here's another little quiz. I've been listening to a particular album all week and this drawing, unintentionally (at first), became a tribute to that piece of work. I have absolutely no idea whether it is possible for you to figure out which album it is, but I'd love to know. Obviously, you'd need to be familiar with this record too. Every piece on the pinboard is related, or inspired, by it - but that may only be obvious to me. Perhaps you can work it out, perhaps not. It may be too cryptic, but I'd love to know either way. It makes me wonder.
One of the most annoying things about wearing heels, in my opinion, is that you just cannot drive in them. Well, I can't (I do know people who do). This means keeping driving shoes in the car and having to change them every time you get in and out of the vehicle. That whole scenario is made even more annoying when you are wearing boots like these. All that zipping and unzipping. Especially when you are, say, at a retail park driving from outlet to outlet. Getting out at TopShop, Next and NewLook - zip and unzip. Then driving over to Marks and Spencers, Borders and Starbucks - on and off with the boots. Over to Tescos - zip unzip. The Range - zip unzip. Then back to the original park you started in - off and back on. Then, finally, Morrisons - zip and unzip. Annoying enough for you the driver but spare a thought for the poor passenger. Sorry Cla!
Yep this is an oldie. I'm posting it because I haven't drawn anything for a couple of days - well nothing worth posting. Also, my work is now available over at Moo.com. You can get some of my drawings on mini, gift and post cards. This is one of those drawings. You can see the rest here.
I never give up on a drawing. I'll push it to it's limit. It becomes a challenge after a while, and I will not let it get the better of me. There were many points during this one where I considered packing it in; when I felt the handle on the case was too small; when I put the stickers on the case; when I put the colour in; when I spilt some tea over the opposite page; when I put a pair of socks in to try and cover up the tea stain; when I added the rest of the clothes, that were in my case, that STILL need washing.
My first drawing in a week. Haven't even picked up a pen. Sometimes it's good to have a break. Recharge these batteries. And, I'm such a creature of habit. I find it very difficult to draw unless I'm sat in this very armchair. So after the most gorgeous week away - full of laughs, singing, driving, laughs, Top Gear, laughs and love - I got back, crashed into this chair and came up with this.
....and buy a pick-up, take it down to LA".
(Click on image to view) I was absolutely convinced that I had already drawn a pinboard. I'm still surprised that I haven't - I mean, it's so me! This, once again, was going to be a little 'light relief' in between drawing buttons. It's taken me about a week! ALL week. I really don't want to draw those buttons it seems.
A quickie here. I've got a screw loose; I'm starting another buttons drawing. So I may be getting lost in that over the next few days...well nights...late nights....late late nights. See you on the other side.
I was cleaning out the car the other day - well, I say 'cleaning out' actually all I did was gather these tapes together - which got me reminiscing. I think I probably spent the entire of my teenage years compiling play lists on cassettes. I loved making compilations, always trying to get all of my very favourite tracks onto one tape. But favourites come and go just like lovers and styles of clothes (sorry, I had to do it. I had been working up to that line) and, of course, the way we listen to our music. I am sad to let go of some of these old friends but we've come to the end of the road. It's over.
This was one of the drawings that I got really frustrated with last weekend. It was originally meant to be three pencils, and was going to be for Illustration Friday's 'the Blues' theme. Anyway one of the pencils went wrong which explains the pretty bad crop.
Tubes of stuff (click on image to enlarge).
This is the mother of the Russian doll family that my late grandpa bought for me, from a trip to Moscow, many years ago. Unfortunately the rest of her family is a little fractured. Some are half the people they used to be while others have completely lost their heads. Families, eh?
...and the stars in your eyes. 
1 year, 186 posts, 40,000(ish) visits, 7 sketchbooks, 2 Moleskines, 7 Pilot G-tec pens, 40 Everyday Matters challenges, 15 shoes, 12 purses, a squillion buttons and lots and lots of lovely friends. Thanks everyone for making this first year of blogging so amazing. I appreciate each and every visit and comment.
Well, finally something to post! Phew, it's been a while. I've had a week of driving, hotels and trains. Yesterday, I had to go to Wales to pick up a picture. Thought I'd get some time to draw on the train. However, I found that I'd picked up my Moleskine diary instead of sketchbook, so I had to use the little paper that was strong enough to take all the hatching I would throw at it. So above is a drawing from the pocket at the back of the book.
Oh well, I haven't gone any drawing done over the last few days. I had lots of good intentions but you know how it goes sometimes. Also I'm away for the next few days. So I thought I'd bore you with a couple more of my Moo cards until I get back.
This cat toy card is probably my favourite of all the Moos I've had printed, although my model for the photo was very temperamental! You can see the rest of the set HERE.
Bear with me guys while I get these buttons out of my system. I wanted to rework them for an idea I have - tell you more about that some other time.
I NEVER expected to post this. I was starting a drawing the other day and my hand was quite shaky. So I did a little 'warming up' exercise which turned into this drawing. I often feel the pressure to make my next drawing 'better' than the last. I know this is pressure that I put on myself. I also know that I love this drawing and that if I saw it on somebody else's blog I would be gushing about it. So I am going to post it. Now. Before I change my mind.
I can't believe that in all this time of blogging I've never drawn, or mentioned, pyjamas. Pyjamas are without doubt my favourite item of clothing. Nothing comes close on my 'favourite item of clothing' list. And, I didn't even know I had a 'favourite item of clothing list' until now. But seriously (?), I'm never happier than when I'm in pyjamas. I've got loads of pairs and so this could very well be the start of a new series.
A bit of a lazy one. I've got some new colour pencils. Just trying them out. An old (ish) drawing, printed and coloured in.
Click on drawing to view.
Click on image to view.
It's my friend Tim's birthday today - his 40th birthday! So I thought I'd get a little post in even though he's celebrating in Paris. Tim is not just my friend, he's my best friend. I have known him all my life, literally. We grew up in the same street. He lived in number 10 and I lived in number 20. I was hoping to post a drawing that I've been working on, for his birthday present, but didn't get it finished in time. So these are some real oldies from a time when we shared a house in Wordsworth Street (great name for a street). Even back then I was drawing everything in sight.
Here's an old pic of us too. Happy Birthday my friend.
Why would you let your bag get to the point where it's bursting at the seams? Full of old sweet wrappers, chewy, bits of paper, receipts, letters, vouchers, used train tickets etc? Why would you do that? Why do I do that? Why do I carry all this rubbish around with me? On so many levels.
This rear view mirror has been the 'bain marie of my life' over the past few months. It got knocked off the windscreen by somebody trying to shove an Ikea bed in the car (naming no names, Andy) and now refuses to go back on. I've tried to stick it on with all sorts of stuff but it's just not having it. So far I've tried the sticky pads, windscreen mirror glue, masking tape, super glue, parcel tape and now it's got a kind of industrial strength double sided sticky tape. And, it's still on the floor every time I get into the car. If I use a combination of these things I can usually make it stay on for a short journey, but that's it. It can be quite a scary experience when it drops off mid drive. Today it stayed in place, it even posed for this drawing.
Purse #8. This one is drawn from memory. It's the one that got away. The one I didn't buy. I have a list of purchases that I wish I'd made. Missed opportunities that'll probably annoy me for the rest of my days; that mirror with a beautiful carved frame from a charity shop in Didsbury, a gorgeous green tweed jacket I saw in Manchester, an automaton from an antique shop in Canada, and those Converse (that were the exact same colour as my sepia drawing) from a shop in Norwich. AND they were half price in the sale. Damn. Funny, the things that make it through to the long term memory, don't you think?
A couple of sketches from around the house. I've not been feeling too well this week and have hardly stepped outside the door. Luckily I have no problem entertaining myself at home. Everywhere I look I see a new drawing. So I went back to the Everyday Matters list. Above is challenge 58 draw a hat. I really hate this drawing. It just doesn't look right, to me, and lacks any...erm...soul?
I prefer this one. Also, I want to give a little shout out to Atticus Boo, in Buxton, which is one of my favourite shops. I'm guessing it's named after characters from the classic book - and a great film to boot. It's rare that a film lives up to a favourite book, I think, but Too Kill A Mockingbird manages it.
Anyway, Atticus Boo is a tiny gift shop. You can probably get about 5 people in there, at the most, at one time. It is filled choc-a-bloc full of gorgeousness including cards by my fave children's illustrator Lauren Child, fabulous purses and handbags by Orla Kiely (that I drool over and long for the day I can afford) and it even stocks Moleskines. Not only that but it smells wonderful AND it's opposite a handmade chocolate shop. If all that's not enough, you can bet your bottom dollar, that without fail, they'll be playing Rufus Wainwright.
