carnet de voyages immobiles

So here's another thing that's been happening for me recently.

Here are some photos from the printers who are printing a new book. My book.

 When I went to Clermont Ferrand's wonderful 'Rendez-vous Carnet de Voyage' exhibition last year I got to meet some publishers.

And one of them took a shine to me - well, took a shine to my work.

 These photos tell the tale of what's been happening since then.

 Next week the books will be at the publishers and I'll be back in France in November to promote it.

It's insane really. When I started drawing a few years ago, this would have been one of those things I would have dreamt of happening whilst not really believing it actually would. It still seems a bit odd. But that is indeed a book about my work and I really will be going to France to promote it. As I said, insane.

something's happening here...

But what?

the barmpot has landed

So finally, here he is; Barmpot. Or, How To Draw 3. Above is the original artwork created for this new zine. I can't believe that the second in the How To Draw series (Loon) was made in 2011. Where did those two years go? And, how did it take so long to come up with the third? I love making this kind of work. It's probably my favourite thing to do; write and draw all the craziness, that would otherwise be filling my head, onto the paper. And, that's what Barmpot is about; drawing with your imagination.

As with the other two in the series it was created with nothing more than ballpoint pens, paper and too much time on ones hands. There are lots of ideas for you, too, to get your imagination and pen working.

How To Draw Like A Barmpot available HERE.

Now, I need to lie down in a dark room.

Barmpot

Forget Grand Theft Auto V this is the release that you've all really been waiting for. Yes, folks, in an hours time How To Draw Like A Barmpot will be on sale HERE . This zine has been years in the making (ish). Do you see how I'm building up the excitement here guys? Impressive isn't it? And, noooo, I'm not just buying some time while I'm just take some pics and write up the shop listing. Definitely not. No, this is how us in the advertising world  build the tension so that you all want to buy buy buy (that's what I'm hoping anyway, I sunk my wages into this bad boy)!!

Look and learn, folks. Look and learn.

na na na na na na naaaa

On Monday night we went to draw our local male voice choir in rehearsals.

Twas a lot of fun.

could be in a dream

Here's another sketchbook that I've just about finished. I'm not sure of the brand, I bought it because I wanted a different page shape and size from the Moleskine and this had nice thick paper too. I've really enjoyed working on a more panoramic (?) page and will need to replace it with something similar if I can't find another of these.

I made the top drawing at a field day that had all sorts of events going on. I'm really happy with some of the lines I achieved in this drawing. I used a fine liner and a calligraphy pen to get them. And, the one below is from one of our Dr Sketchy events.

The rest of the drawings from this book can be viewed HERE.

four drawings, three places, one sketchbook

Four drawings, three places in one sketchbook.

And, a shedload of different pens and pencils.

Edale

Red marker pen, two red ballpoints and two red pencils.

Various green pencils.

Sheffield

Blue fine liner and blue brush pen.

Whaley Bridge

 (above)

Black fine liner, 3B pencil and various colour pencils

(below)

Blue, pink and yellow fine liners.

Blue, pink and yellow pencils.

All made in the small Moleskine sketchbook. I was never that interested in using such a small sketchbook before I got this. It took a few years of drawing before I bought it and I still wasn't convinced. It sat on my shelf for another year or so. Now I'm coming close to finishing this sketchbook - just a few pages left. I really must get a new one in because it's become one of my favourites. A sketchbook I wouldn't be without.

what's in the box?

Stay tuned to find out. 'Citing!

here is a song for you

Here's a new drawing. Well, it's a new old drawing. You may well have seen it before. Quite recently actually.

I have a string of half finished drawings hanging around the house. I come across them all the time. In the strangest of places. Drawings that I've given up on for various reasons. Now and again though I'll try and breathe new life into them. This is what happened here.

This drawing must be at least three years old. It actually had a shoe print on it that I had to erase (I really do find them in strange places). I remember that I'd had this great idea of drawing each and every one of my pencil cases. I got half way through this before realising what a rubbish idea that was.

There was, however, another reason that I resumed this drawing; for a long time now people have been asking me if I'd considered making a film of me in action (drawing that is). When I came across this drawing I felt it could be used to show how I go about cross hatching. So, that's what I did - I say that's what 'I' did but I actually mean that's what a friend with the technology and know-how did.  Thanks Tim!

You can see the film in my last blog post or HERE.

Plus, you can get your hands on this drawing, and film star (haven't you always wanted to get your hands on a film star?),  as it is for sale in my little Etsy shop HERE.