andrea joseph's sketchblog

i can't be left to my imagination

2012-01-27T19:19:00.006Z

As mentioned in the previous couple of posts, last week we had a sketching party at Lynne's place. We were all required to take some food for the group to sketch and eat. One of the items I took was this lovely Allotment Antipasti by Alberto Arkwright. I first heard about his range of preserves and antipastos in this advertisement (above) that I saw in The Bugle. I knew I had to try them out and felt that they would be a great contribution to the sketching party. So I popped down to Doris Dishwater's Deli and purchased a couple.

To prove that I'm not making any of this up I took a some photos. Here's one.

For those, who have been waiting with bated breath (and, lets face it, who wouldn't be?) I'll share the recipe for the other treat I took (Eyeball Chutney) shortly.

like a tea tray in the sky

2012-01-24T23:27:00.003Z

Last Saturday we held our monthly meeting of the Sketchcrawl North group. Well, actually Lynne held it at her house. To keep out of the Sheffield cold and rain we had a sketching tea party. A Mad Hatter's Sketching Tea Party to be precise. There were a few rules. Everyone was to
a) wear a hat
b) bring some interesting crockery
c) make some food for the party.

A great effort was made by everyone. Specifically Lynne's husband, John, who kept us in cups of tea all day. The biscuits below were made by our newest member of the group, 9 year old Josh.

I went the French route with my hat, and took my spotty and stripey tea pots. For food, well, I focused on the word 'Mad'. So, if you'd like my recipes for Eyeball Chutney and Allotment Antipasto I'll be sharing them in my next post.

For now, go check out Lynne's fabulous drawings and photos of this magical day HERE. Can you spot my spotty tea pot? It's never looked so good.

i just know that something good is gonna happen

2012-01-22T17:29:00.004Z

Yesterday the Sheffield sketchcrawlers got together for it's monthly sketchathon. This time we did something a little different. Instead of going out and about (well, have you ever tried sketching outdoors in Sheffield in January?) we assembled at Lynne Chapman's gorgeous house for a Mad Hatter's tea drawing party. Much more from the fabulous day in my next post. for now here's a couple of pages from my sketchbook.

you're here in my head, like the sun coming out

2012-01-18T14:12:00.005Z

I recently completed a couple of drawings for the Buxton Festival's 2012 brochure. This one is, obviously (well, at least I hope it's obvious), for a production of James and the Giant Peach.

I do believe this is the first time I've actually made a drawing from a subject that is already so famous (I could be completely wrong, I have a rotten memory). I didn't really let that bother me, I just tried to, as every 'judge' of every tv 'talent' show says every five minutes, "make it my own". Yuk.

I can't tell you how much I want to scribble 'James and the Giant Peach' in big scratchy writing in the left hand corner of this one. I suppose now it's scanned.......

when we got to the top of the hill

2012-01-14T17:15:00.009Z

This, ahem, 'lovely' ashtray was a present from Rome (who'd have thought it, eh?). In fact I got a big bag of goodies from there. Including one of the more unusual souvenirs anyone has ever brought back from their travels for me; butter. Yes, I did say butter.

Here's a question, a little quiz actually; can you guess the what I used to create this drawing? Yes, obviously paper. And, of course, the trademark ballpoints were used but how many? Do you think anything else was used? Pencils? Crayons? Paint? There's a copies of How To Draw Like A Nut & Loon in for the winner, that's the person who guesses the closest (because I cannot actually believe anyone will get it spot on). Comment here, Flickr, FB, Twitter, all the usual places. And you might want to click on the drawing to get a better look.

Thank you for all taking part in this little quiz. It was hard to judge (again, I hadn't thought that through), in the end I made a little bar chart marking each item you got. The winner came up with the most correct items.

So, this is how I did it;
I used six blue ballpoints to draw in the ashtray - yeah, six! I drew around it but I went straight in with the pen instead of , as a few of you thought putting it in with pencil first.
I used two red ballpoints - actually no black, which a lot of people guessed.
The outline was made with a dark blue fine liner, as was the stippling in the centre.
Then I used two blue pencils - one was an indigo blue which can give the opaque look to the drawing.
Two red pencils.
And a touch of graphic tint pencil for the shadow.

That's it! Fourteen items in all, I believe. Yes, I know; totally obsessive. The person who got the most correct items (they guessed nine) was Maureen. Zines on their way to you.

look up and you'll see me

2012-01-12T01:34:00.003Z

Clearly, I haven't thought the idea for this new book through. Because this is the space I'm left to work with on the next page.....

Now what the bloody hell do I do with that? Hmmmm.

keep falling, i'll find you

2012-01-09T13:28:00.004Z

Right then. Let's get this show back on the road.

Firstly, Happy New Year to you all. Thank you for continuing to visit my blog despite the woeful lack of activity here. The truth is I ate and drunk so much over the holidays that getting out of the chair, to use the computer, became very hard work. And, even if I could have (got out the chair, that is) my fingers have got so fat that they were too much for the little keys. Something like that anyway.

But, what a great way to start my New Year posting; I've hooked up with the Pen Addict once again. This time I'm reviewing fine liner pens. This is one of the spreads from the said review, that can be found in full HERE.

Well, I have absolutely loads of new stuff to post. All that coming up in the next couple of weeks. For now Happy 2012!

waiting just to fly fly fly

2011-12-24T00:35:00.004Z

Click on drawing to view... Hope your bodies are warm this Christmas.

rulers at the ready

2011-12-22T00:57:00.004Z

Just a note to say that 'How to Draw Like a Loon' my new zine, and mini tutorial, is now available on Etsy. Buy your copy HERE. Plus, there's a special price for three copies HERE.

And, another little note to say that you'll need a ruler to read all the craziness on the first page. Thanks to everyone who has bought it so far.

a two way street

2011-12-20T01:53:00.006Z

This was a nice little surprise in my mail box today. I sold this drawing earlier in the year. It was destined for a little girl's bedroom wall on the other side of the world to me. How great does it look all mounted and framed? I would never have considered such vibrant colours or patterned mounts ('matts' in the US?). I probably would have gone with white. These photos make me totally reconsider how I'll frame my drawings in the future. I think it looks fabulous.

Do you have any of photos of my drawings in your homes? I'd love to gather some together for a future post.

Thanks, Oli, for these lovely pics.

the lonliness of an illustrated zine maker

2011-12-14T13:25:00.007Z

Thanks to everyone who has purchased a copy of 'How to Draw Like a Loon' thus far. They are still available HERE, before Christmas, to those in the UK. I'll open that up to the 'rest of the world' after the holiday.

You know, I've come across many a learning curve since opening my little Etsy shop, a couple of years back, and especially since I started making and selling zines. One of those curves, that I am currently in the process of tackling, is how to keep the personal touch whilst running an efficient small business.

You see, the postage and packing of the last couple of zines was ridiculously time consuming. I didn't make things easy for myself. In fact I seemed to make them impossibly difficult. Some of you who follow my blog, and who have purchased my zines, may recall the 'Nut' envelope decorating debacle. Plus, you may remember the hand written teeny weeny pixie letters and gift tags that came with 'About A Book' zine and caused my last nervous breakdown. I totally underestimated the time all of these little touches would take.

To say those experiences were stressful is a big fat understatement and I will not be going back there. Imagine hand decorating envelopes for over 250 zines. The scene below is just a glimpse into how that felt.

That HAD to change. Since then my friend has taken over the running of my shop and the mailing of zines. While this has meant that the orders are being sent out a day or two after they come in, the personal touch has been lost along the way. So, how do you do both? Is it possible to do both? I think so. And, have a few ideas on how to redress the balance. One is little limited edition compliment slips that change every so often, drawn especially to express my gratitude to you, like the one at the top of his post.

I hope these experiences of mine may be useful to you should you be considering zine making and opening up your own little Etsy shop.

And, finally another little plug for my new zine 'How to Draw Like a Loon'. The perfect stocking filler for anyone who loves to draw. Buy it HERE now.

bathtub gin and irving berlin

2011-12-12T00:09:00.008Z

Saturday saw December's outing for our Sketchcrawl North group. This time we did something a little different by attending a Dr. Sketchy event. Dr. Sketchy is an alternative life drawing class with gorgeous burlesque girlies, in all sorts of cheeky poses, as our models. It was Sheffield's debut Dr. Sketchy event and I think I can speak for most of our group when I say we hope it's not the last! It was nothing but fabulous.

When we go on out on our sketchcrawling get-togethers I like to try to work in a different way. To play a little, if you will. And, Saturday was the perfect opportunity to do that. This is the only sketchbook drawing I made. I also took a roll of wallpaper (well, poster paper but you get the picture) and some thicker marker pens. I'm wondering quite how I'll upload that? Maybe a little video is called for.

I don't want to bang on about this too much but necessity dictates; if you are in the UK you can now get your hands on my new zine 'How t Draw like a Loon' HERE. I'll list it for the 'rest of the world' after Christmas.

Cheers, my dears!

so lift off love

2011-12-10T00:40:00.006Z

Finally, finally my new zine is up for sale. But, hold your horses. This time I made sure I was ready to go. I've waited until I had the zine, the envelopes and the other bits and pieces in my hands before listing it. In the past, you may recall, I jumped in head first, not prepared and I vowed to myself that I'd never do that again. It was soooo stressful.

However, in waiting until I had all the components ready for the off I have missed the 'rest of the world' Christmas deadline. So, I am only going to be putting this little zine up for sale to the UK this side of Crimbo. Sorry, about that rest of the world. Don't forget to keep some of your Christmas money to get your copy after the holiday.

I'm absolutely chuffed to bits with 'How to Draw Like A Loon'. It's the best yet. I hope you will be just as chuffed.

Some actual photos to come.

So, get your copy HERE.
UK order this NOW to get your Loon before Christmas!

and again and again and again

2011-12-06T03:40:00.006Z

'have you tidied that room yet?'
'er...'

Remember THIS POST? That was a lot of fun.
I must do something similar soon.

When I made this pair of drawings I was thinking back to being a kid, and being told to tidy the room. I would literally just shove everything behind the sofa and feel that that was a job well done.

Also, you know that infamous little cat toy in the bottom right hand corner of the top drawing? Yeah? Well, can you spot it in the drawing below?

'...yeah, it's done.'

you are perfectly reflected

2011-12-03T17:50:00.008Z

I've been working on some commissions recently, a couple of which were for visitors to my exhibition in the summer. I was very interested, during the exhibition, to know which drawings people liked the best; not for any particular reason, just for curiosity, I suppose. The drawings of collections of little things always seemed to come out on top.

This is one of two 'small thing' drawings I have completed since then. I love these drawings. It's kind of like doing a jigsaw. There's so much satisfaction in finding another piece that slots perfectly into place.

There is one issue I have with being commissioned to complete one of these drawings though; the moment when I have to ask "would you like me to include the pube?"

why i went missing

2011-12-02T19:13:00.002Z

I'm just coming to the end of the commissions that all go out for Christmas. I've been drawing into the wee hours of the night. Or is that morning? I've lost all sense of time. I'll be back to share some of this work with you from tomorrow. I will I will I will.

into the light of the dark black night

2011-11-20T19:22:00.009Z

Here's the last of he classified ads that will feature in my next zine. You know, last year I made a post where I vowed to never ever launch a new zine before Christmas. I am such an idiot. I really am.

Plus, on the subject, I was going to list 'How To Draw Like A Loon' today but after consulting my part time manager/shop keeper/advisor, Tim, I was advised not to. It is currently at the printers and he suggested that I do not list it until I have it in my hands and it's ready to go. That way, I shouldn't be making future posts where I apologise for it being late. Like I usually do.

Also, I would like to take this opportunity to ...er....ahem....apologise to all those who have been waiting to see their classified ads for bloody ages. I....er...welll.....uh....ahem....you know?

and any eye for detail

2011-11-17T16:41:00.007Z

So loons, just a little note to say that I will be finally putting my new zine in my Etsy shop in the next couple of days. 'How To Draw like A Loon' is along the same lines as 'How To Draw Like A Nut' but with more pages. And, we know what more pages means; more drawings! I'll post the last of the classified ads tomorrow, too.

'Citing!

out of the blue

2011-11-13T18:37:00.005Z

Unbelievably, despite having all sorts of stuff on the go, I have started a new Moleskine sketchbook. Well, it's not exactly new. It was the blue ballpoint themed Moleskine that I embarked on a couple of years ago. I wasn't quite feeling the blue ballpoint theme, though. For me the two things were not working together. Unlike my old sepia themed Moley; the sepia ink and cream paper were the perfect marriage - a bit like pineapple and cheese on a stick (for those of you who have never had the pleasure, cheese and pineapple on a stick is a British delicacy). The blue ballpoint was a bit like a pickled onion and cheese on a stick (another British delicacy). Now, I know to some pickled onion and cheese works, but I just don't like it.

So I ripped out the pages I'd made blue drawings on and stuck some other pages together and then I came up with this idea. It's a book about places that I know, or visit, and I'm sure you can see what I'm doing with the pages. I've always wanted to do a pop up Moleskine, and indeed have started one with an Air Mail theme, but the whole pop up thing is much more complicated than I could have imagined. So, while I get my head around it, this one's a compromise. It brings the total of Moleskines I have on the go to double figures, which is why I am giving it the working title of 'Another Bloody Moleskine'.

News on my new zine to follow shortly! Finally.

somewhere i can warm my bones

2011-11-07T16:19:00.007Z

Have you ever noticed that it's not until you've uploaded a drawing, and viewed it on the screen, that you realise that it's not quite right? It needs something more. Something else. I posted the drawing above a little while ago, and as soon as I saw it on screen the banana screamed out 'colour me!'. My first concern should probably have been that a banana was screaming at me from computer screen but I could only agree with it.

And above, some nonsense about how I like to spend my Saturdays; which is basically as lazy as is humanly possible. I think the words in the last sentence should probably have been in a different order, but hey ho.

Sunday was a different story. Sunday saw the November sketch crawl for the Sketchcrawl North group. It started at Sheffield train station and then moved onto the Winter Gardens. I didn't get many drawings out of the day. Some bits and pieces on various journal spreads - which I'll post when the pages are finished - but towards the end of the afternoon I pulled this one (above) out of the bag.

You know, I'm never that bothered about not having much (drawing wise) to show from the day. I get so much more out of it than that. A few months ago I would never have thought I'd be enjoying sketching outdoors. With people! The idea horrified me, quite frankly. But, it's been a revelation. Sharing a day with people who love drawing as much as I do, chit chatting about pens, paper, techniques and all the other stuff your friends and family have no interest in and noseying in every one's elses sketchbooks at the end of the day is more than enough for me.

You can see some actual drawings from the day on our Facebook page HERE.

Happy Monday, folks.

autumn blew it's leaves at me

2011-11-03T23:41:00.007Z

I seem to have powered through this latest Moleskine. I only have a few pages left and, yet, I only started it about four months ago. Some of my past Moleskines have taken that many years. I guess it's a sign of how much I have enjoyed this quicker, less laboured kind of drawing.

This book should be finished after the next sketchcrawl in Sheffield on Sunday. Anyone interested in joining the Sheffield and Wakefield sketchcrawl group get in touch and I'll pass on the details. Or take a look at our Facebook page.

I'm feeling a bit panicky that I don't yet have a new Moleskine waiting in the wings. I feel that some shopping is in order, because as winter draws in I'm hoping to hibernate and draw draw draw.

til my fountain pen runs dry

2011-10-28T16:42:00.014Z

Inspector Endeavour Morse

This drawing is partly a gift for my, ridiculously young, friend's 21st birthday and partly a thank you for all of his help and hard work in setting up my exhibition earlier this year.

For some reason the scan of this portrait hasn't done it any favours. I found the same with the cat and dog portraits. The cross hatching looks quite flat. I don't know. Plus, I was way out of my comfort zone with this subject matter. But, for my first attempt at an 'orse I'm rather pleased, and so was his owner.

where the feeling stays

2011-10-26T12:30:00.003Z

I've had the idea for this drawing in my head for so long now, for at least a year, but it's been a real struggle to get it down on paper.
As soon as the idea came to me, probably in the shower, I felt it could look really great.
I put an outline of a couple of pairs of legs on the page and then left it.
At some point later I coloured in those legs but I still wasn't feeling it. So, I left it some more.
When I'd decided that my next zine was going to be about drawing with a four colour ballpoint I knew that that's the direction I should go with this.
This would be one of the 'big' drawings of the new zine.
Finally, over the last few days I sat down and finished it.
Which was when I really got into it.
Then I found myself thinking "why didn't you get into this sooner? I'm enjoying this drawing sooo much".
Welcome to my world.

there'll be crocuses to bring to school tomorrow

2011-10-25T01:10:00.008Z

Finally, an update. Actually, it is more of a teaser as it seems I have lost the ability to take a decent photograph. And, it's still very dark in my house and this part of the world.

About three years ago I embarked on a Moleskine Exchange project, with a bunch of amazing artists, by waving goodbye to my little Japanese Moleskine 'Green'. Since then he has been backpacking around the world until a couple of weeks ago when he returned home.

If you've don't know about this project head on over to the blog and check out the stunning artwork that has been produced so far. If you do know about this project then still head on over for a teaser of the new drawing added to my little Moley. It's so nice to have him home.

Click HERE to visit the Moleskine Exchange blog.

but far enough to see

2011-10-17T16:04:00.002Z

I was absolutely utterly confident that today I would post the update, as mentioned in the last three posts. It would be a good way to start the week I'd thought. Over the weekend I caught a bit of sunshine that allowed me to take some photos - I have a very dark house. Then, when I came to upload them I found that the camera had been on the wrong setting and the pictures are no good. Now, I have to wait for the next chink of sunlight. I told you, me promising anything is the kiss of death.

So, I've decided to try a different tack; never bother coming back to this blog. Nothing interesting happens here. Nothing.

Do you think that may work? In the meantime, here's some drawings of pens.

squashed tomatoes and stew

2011-10-10T18:39:00.007Z

You know I should never ever mention anything I have lined up. It's it the kiss of death. This is not the exciting project update I mentioned in the last TWO posts. My excuse this time is that something else popped up. A birthday to be precise. My little old blog's birthday. Apparently this blog is actually five years old. Well, it was about two weeks ago. I forgot. Again. Which, my family and friends will tell you, is also very typical.

So I'd like to say a Happy belated Birthday to my blog and I. And, I'd like to say thanks. Thank you for all the visits and comments over the past five years and 568 (!) posts. I appreciate each and everyone of them.

tales from the riverbank

2011-10-08T16:19:00.008Z

I promised an exciting update on a project in my last post. This is not it. Although, personally, I am excited to be working in my travel themed Moleskine again. It's been too long. And, I only have a few pages to complete before it's finished and becomes my second completely filled jam packed Moleskine.

This is my favourite of my Moleskines to date. I love that it's bursting full of colour. And memories. See it all, so far, HERE.

And that exciting update in my next post. I'm not making it up so that you come back. Really, I ain't.

the sunshine pours like wine through your window

2011-10-01T14:52:00.013Z

As you may know I like to theme my Moleskines. Recently, whilst working in this sketchy one, I've found myself drawing on my breaks at work or while I'm waiting for my food to cook or the ingredients of the meal I'm making or even my meal before it gets eaten. You see, I LOVE food. I love food as much as drawing. I love cooking food and I love eating food. I have made the odd drawing celebrating my love of food before, like THIS ONE and THIS ONE, but I wonder why I haven't yet started a food themed Moley. Yet. I think it's next on the list of projects.

Talking about projects, I shall be posting an update on a much overdue project shortly. It is VERY exciting. Really, it is. So come back and see it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Meanwhile, I've been uploading the pages from my sketchy Moleskine to Flickr. You can see them all HERE. There are quite a few that I have not featured on my blog.

One more thing, any ideas how do I stop the spam comments on my blog? They piss me off no end. Cheers, my dears.

waiting for this moment to arise

2011-09-28T12:50:00.004Z

Okay, so page two of the classified ads (above), that will appear in my upcoming zine, is finished Done and dusted. If you have bought some space a big thanks. I hope you like your ad. The last page (below) is almost complete. After fitting in all the ads I have a little space left. Three ad boxes to be precise. If you click on the drawing you can see the space. If you would like to purchase that space then you can; HERE. I will be finishing this drawing in the next day or two so please be quick.

By the way, Wil, don't worry that's not your ad!

what you see sets you apart

2011-09-24T22:27:00.008Z

I've been meaning to visit A Month of Sundays gallery by Pete McKee since it opened a year, or so, ago.Last Saturday I finally did.

Pete's work was brought to my attention by a series of coincidences which is always the best way to discover something new, I find. I loved it immediately. Whilst our styles are miles apart I think we have a lot in common. Both children of the 1970s housing estates, I relate to his humour and obsession with music.

His work seems to stand alone, it's very distinctive and individual. His little gallery is really very smart. If you are in Sheffield it is well worth a visit.

Before leaving the city I also got time to make this drawing from my car. I would probably have passed this restaurant by without giving it a second look but my car was parked on the hill opposite it. I'd never have noticed it's loveliness. I bet it hasn't changed since the 80s. 70s even. I do like that kind of thing.

As I've said recently, I'm still finding my feet with this on location kind of drawing. Finding my feet in lots of ways. As I get more comfortable with these black pens I am beginning to think about adding colour. I like the results in this one. What do you think?

inbetween tonight and my tomorrow

2011-09-22T00:12:00.004Z

So, as it says in the drawing, these are the pens that I am currently using in my new sketchy Moleskine.

The second from the left used to be my most favourite pen ever. It's so fine and inky (no, I'm not sure what I meant by that either). Unfortunately my beloved Pilot G-Tec is being relegated to the subs bench these days. A couple of reasons for that a) it is not waterproof and b) it is most definitely not lightproof.

You might remember that I did a huge amount of work with the sepia, or brown, Pilot G-tec. In fact, I dedicated an entire Moleskine to that pen (see it HERE). And, a whole load of my favourite sepia drawings besides. So here's my question; could anyone tell me of an alternative. A brown fine liner that IS light resistant. I'd appreciate it muchly. Cheers.

that is where i'll be

2011-09-19T22:40:00.004Z

So, here's the first of the advertising pages completely finished. Well, apart from the mysterious secret message, that is. I've loved drawing these pages. Taking your ideas and making them into little adverts has been a whole load of fun.

I'm just putting the finishing touches to the other classifieds, they'll be blogged shortly. Thanks to all who bought their advertising slots. The funds will help towards getting this zine printed. And, as ever, thanks for your patience.

Y'all know the drill by now; click on the image to see it in detail, and to read the (end of the)story that made front page of the Bugle.

see where that road goes

2011-09-17T18:42:00.006Z

Last Saturday I attended my very first sketch crawl, with the Sheffield sketchrawling group, at the stunning Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Up until quite recently I've been a reluctant public sketcher, but, these days I seem to be losing some of these hang ups. I have begun to, as Dr. Phil would say, 'get over myself'.

I enjoyed the day immensely. It was great to hang out with people who love drawing as much as I do. You know, other nerds (ha!). A highlight of the day was to be out sketching with the brilliant Lynne Chapman, who's work I have followed, online, for a couple of years. Her drawings are as fabulous in the flesh as they are on screen.

A shout out to some of the talented other folk I met too; Sian Hughes, Bryn Hughes (there really was a strong Welsh contingent for a Sheffiled based group), Matthew Midgley and Julie Clay. It's so interesting to see what other people chose to draw, and the different ways that they tackled the subjects. Take a look at their blogs for some other views of the Park.

For me I feel like I'm scratching away at this kind of drawing. It's so new. I feel I'm still looking for my voice (cheesy, I know - I watch a lot of daytime tv). Plus, there other things I'm yet to work out; what kind of pens should I be working with?; what kind of paper should I use and what size should it be?; do I want to add colour or not? It's thrown up loads of new questions. Questions that only I can answer, and I am so looking forward to finding the answers. I cannot wait for our next outing.

Next post; finished Classified Ads. I promise!

oh tonight oh tonight

2011-09-13T00:32:00.002Z

I'm just rounding up the last couple of drawings for the next zine. I'm looking forward to getting a new one printed. It's been a long time.

The 'classified ads' drawings (see last post) are just about finished and I'll try to post them by the end of the week. So, if you've bought some advertising space come back to see your hand illustrated ads. In the meantime I leave you with this craziness. Who knows what I'm ranting on about in this drawing. It's very late at night, the time of night when you shouldn't really be allowed a pen and paper and a blog.

as the dawn breaks over roof slates

2011-09-05T14:48:00.015Z

I don't really like to clog up my blog with the same stuff, I like to give you visitors some variety. However, I'm working on a number of labour intensive drawings at the moment, these included. They are almost there. My next post will be the completed versions. So, if you've purchased advertising space, but do not see your ad yet, hang fire. They'll be along shortly.

People seem to like these step by step processes, though. In the past I've made a few such posts. To see my other step by steppers take a look HERE. I always think that this set is best viewed on slideshow.

I've said before, coincidentally in my last ballpoint zine, that one of the many things I love about the creative process is the way it surprises you. Sometimes, I feel, I have no idea where an idea comes from, but if you just trust yourself, and your pen, then it seems to unfold in front of your very eyes. I'm loving how these pieces have this bird theme. I have no idea why or how, but I'm loving it.
One last thing, have YOU seen the bird girl? I need to know.

tonight the streets are ours

2011-08-30T00:43:00.007Z

It's really rubbish when your holiday ends, isn't it?

Here are some of the sketchbook spreads that I made on my recent stay cation. I'm enjoying drawing, in this way, so much at the moment. I was never really interested in journalling before, but I am now hooked. It has surprised me.

I was also surprised by how willing my visitors have been about adding their little drawings to my book. I though they'd put up a fight when I asked them to contribute. But no.

Oh, I don't want to go back to work tomorrow.

climb onto your seahorse

2011-08-17T11:56:00.008Z

Spot the difference.

I'm still not sure if my extra work on this drawing improved it but I like it all the same. These are my favourite kind of drawings. Getting lost in all the little jewels and treasure. I could have filled the whole page. But, even up to this point, it must have taken over twenty hours. And, I've got other jewels and treasures to find.

This drawing is now for sale on Etsy HERE.

you've found some better place

2011-08-12T13:15:00.004Z

Well, I guess like most of this country, I feel in shock right now. I'm not even sure how to express that anger, and the sadness, so I'll just keep on drawing.

It's all about the black pen at the moment. I'm finding it difficult to put it down.

This is another drawing from the graphic novel idea I have. The rest of the drawings from that book can be seen HERE. Anyone like to take a guess on what it's about?

turns the flicker to a flame

2011-08-09T01:22:00.018Z

There is less than a week of my exhibition left, folks. If you are in the area (a long shot, I know) then GO SEE IT!

I feel a little sad that it will be ending, but so happy that I have had my first solo exhibition. It has been nothing but a positive experience, and the response has been amazing. I was there last Friday, doing a 'Meet the Artist' afternoon. While there I got the chance to do a bit of sketching at the Gallery. I'm getting a bit braver about doing that kind of thing these days. It seemed fitting to sketch one of the display cabinets that I'd set up at the exhibition. They are filled, to the brim, with the things that I have drawn over the years - and will continue to draw in the future. Amongst all the bits and pieces I have planted some of my Moleskine sketchbooks. Unfortunately, they can only be open on one page each! These are the ones in this cabinet;

Pens drawn in a Moleskine Diary.

Buttons from my sepia themed Moleskine

And a drawing about the rain, or trying to keep out of the rain, from my Spare Moleskine.

So, if you do happen to be in the area, please pop into the Buxton Museum and Gallery and check out my exhibition.

we took the town to town last night

2011-08-08T16:06:00.005Z

For the first four years of blogging I was mainly a recluse. Which meant I had a lot of time to draw. But, the last six months have been a lot more hectic on the social front. So, no longer am I just juggling work and drawing, but also trying to fit in invitations to sophisticated soirees like this one.

Click on drawing to view.

it could be

2011-08-01T12:24:00.003Z

I don't know about you other creative types, but sometimes I have no idea where drawings come from. There are clues and there are all of those things that have been stored away in that long term memory box marked 'for future use'. But, then there are other drawings where you can recall every little road, and side street, you walked down to get to it. This is one of them. This is the story of where this drawing came from;

1970s films - I love a good old 70s film. I don't care what they are about. I'll just watch them for the styling; the clothes, the homes, the decor, the design of the day. As long as they are drenched in corduroy, big flowery prints and bri-nylon I'm happy. I've actually sat through about three series of Man About the House (British 70s sitcom) just to get a better glimpse of the three prints they had on their kitchen wall (one was a green pepper). The other evening I watched a film from the 70s, in which the main character had her own advertising agency. In the background I caught a glimpse of some seed packets that the agency had designed. I immediately felt inspired.

Classic French typography - I love those classic French style fonts; from Bistro signs to wine bottles. I've been doing a bit of research for an invitation I am designing, for an upcoming dinner party, and I've gone down the French route. I ADORE the Metropolitan typography and have been practicing it.

Art Nouveau - I've also been researching (Googling) a lot of Art Nouveau stuff recently. Just for my own amusement. I love everything about it from the architecture, art and, again, the typography.

1960s and 70s recipe books - I've written about my love of these books before. It's the first thing I look for in a charity shop. In fact, I go in charity shops to look for them specifically. I have a rather lovely collection. They are always bought for the drawings although sometimes I'll dig them out for a mung bean and brown rice salad recipe.

Sweetcorn - one of my all time favourite veg. I bought this corn on the cob the other day. As I was choosing it I was thinking about how pretty it was.

So, there's the story of a drawing. And, the story of my life over the last few days.

i get away

2011-07-27T13:16:00.005Z

Some more pages from this new Moleskine sketchbook, in which I am teaching myself to draw. It's really hard to get out of some habits, right? To leave your comfort zone and all of those other cliches. The drawings above are from the first full spread in this book. I couldn't give up on the those things I'm always drawing. Little things; the buttons, the tags, the scissors, the stamp.

But, I'm not learning from that. So, I'll keep on pushing myself in other directions. Cos that is the point of this sketchbook; no pencils, no perfect neat drawings, no same old same old.

And as each page goes by I feel I am letting go a little. As I become a bit more confident of drawing things that scare me. And there's a real sense of achievement in drawing something you would have previously avoided and it turning out okay.

Yeah, there are some that turn out pretty rubbish, but they always seem to be the ones I've overthunk.

my deep shade

2011-07-25T15:26:00.004Z

So, when I made the colour ballpoint pen drawing for the Pen Addicts pen review, a few days ago, I knew I hadn't finished with them. I made my first drawing of colour pens 4 and a half years ago. I'm surprised that I haven't revisited this subject since then. Yeah, I've drawn loads of pens but not the colour ballpoints. Yet, they are the most delectable of subject matter. And, I am still not finished. In this drawing, I really like the parts where two pens, and two colours, meet. I want to continue playing with that and pushing to see where it can take me. And my pens.

This drawing is for sale HERE.

looking from a window above

2011-07-23T15:47:00.006Z

Damn, it's good to be working in a Moleskine again. Most of my Moleys are in the display cabinets at my exhibition, but I kept a couple aside. I knew that I couldn't go three months without feeling that gorgeous cream paper, smelling those covers and (oh yeah) drawing in them.

This is another spread from the graphic novel idea that I'm working on. I have the story and now I'm just trying to bring those ideas to life through drawings. I'm most excited about this idea (I can't think of another word for 'idea'), hopefully, one day a publisher will be too. There's a couple more drawings from this story HERE.

ringing home so true

2011-07-20T11:46:00.006Z

Here's a little something I've been working on, and meaning to do, for some time now. I've put a pen review on the Pen Addict's fabulous site. When it came to it there was only one way for me to do a pen review - draw it!

Check out my ballpoint review HERE and don't forget to bookmark that wonderful site (I say 'bookmark it' like I know what that means). I hope this will be the first of many reviews I do for the Pen Addict. I already have the next one penned (sorry) out in my mind.

I must say that it seems that pens have become my new shoes; in that I seem to be drawing lots and lots of them. I ADORED doing this drawing. I just loved drawing these pens, so I'm most definitely finished with them yet. It's also for sale HERE.

they're all wasted

2011-07-19T23:28:00.004Z

A new oldie up for sale on Etsy. Take a look HERE.

It seems crazy that I made this drawing four years ago. I remember drawing it so vividly. I remember I was watching The Who at Glastonbury and wishing I was there. I love looking at a drawing and seeing all those memories.

rollin' over

2011-07-18T23:06:00.004Z

Thought I'd give you a little update on the Jane Austen book that I illustrated last year, as I'm often asked about it. Jack and Alice is currently being printed in Portuguese by a Brazilian publisher. I'll update again when it is released. Unfortunately, no news on an English version yet, which is crazy to me. Because, with all those Andrea Joseph fans out there I'm sure it would sell. I believe Jane Austen has a few fans herself, too!

some of them like to tell a story that is long and old

2011-07-16T21:41:00.004Z

I thought that I'd finished this drawing about three days ago, but I added a little more today. I say that I added a 'little more' when, in fact, what I actually mean is that I've spent probably another five or six hours on it. Believe it or not it had started out as quite a minimalist piece!

Plus, now that I see it on screen I can see a couple of places where I'd like to add something else. To make the composition flow more freely. But, for tonight, I am putting it down. And giving my mince pies a rest.

please be kind if i'm a mess

2011-07-11T20:55:00.005Z

Some of the black and red ballpoints I am currently using. Simple as that, really.
You know the drill; click on the drawing to read all the nonsense that was going through my head while creating this one. Actually, I haven't actually read it myself. Now that's a worry.

This drawing is also for sale. You can buy it HERE.
Cheers, my dears.

in between tonight and my tomorrows

2011-07-05T00:45:00.006Z

A few posts ago I told you about how I'd swapped the childish purse I'd been carrying around for the ever so grown up owl purse on the left. The childish purse in question was the cat one on the right. When my friend saw my new purse she said "so now you've had an owl and a pussycat". Then we both looked at each other and said "now, THAT would be a good drawing".

I don't know if it's any good, but I do know that these pair are the most delicious of subjects to draw. I love all the patterns and textures. And, I'm not sure that I've finished with them yet.

this is the modern world

2011-07-02T18:02:00.010Z

There's always something, isn't there? You feel like you are just catching up, you are getting somewhere, then BAM! something else breaks down or leaks or cracks and you have another bill to fork out for. Today a tyre on my car went. It's irreparable so I have to scratch around for more pennies, and as I've already retrieved all the money down the back of the sofa it's back to the drawing box.
September 2007

July 2011

Whilst rummaging through the box I found these two drawings. I made them about three or four years ago. Oh, er, yep, that would be September 2007 to be precise (yeah, funnily enough, I am blonde). Back then I hadn't yet found my drawing 'voice'. I was still looking. I hadn't worked out how to get the most out of my tools, in this case colour pencils and ballpoints. I didn't know how to achieve the textures that I now can. So seeing these drawings again, with time between us, I could not resist playing around with them; touching them up and giving them the AJ 2011 treatment.
September 2007

July 2011

And, yes, I am putting them up for sale. The 2011 versions. You can buy them, and contribute to a new tyre, HERE.

comes a time

2011-06-27T23:30:00.009Z

I really must start this Q&A post or I'll continue to put it off. It could be very long so I'm not sure whether I should do it over a few posts or just keep adding to this one. Any ideas on the best way to go about it? Anyway, here are some of the questions I am asked the most and they are about the tools I use.What is the 'sepia' pen that you use?

It is a Pilot G-Tec fine liner. I have recently found other brown pens but the Pilot is still my favourite.
And, which black pens do you use?

I use a whole load of different black pens. Sometimes I use ballpoints, but for the most my drawings are made with fine liners. Again, I use the Pilot G-Tec fine liner, but when it comes to black pens I'm not fussy about brand names as long as they are very fine fine liners! I have used Faber and Castell's Pitt pens in the past but my current favourite is the Uni Pin. I like this one so much because they seem to be have the finest of nibs.

When it comes to fine liners I usually have a variety of nib sizes, to do various jobs. When I get a fine liner that I like I'll try to buy it in 0.5, 0.2 and 0.1 sized nibs. I find all are useful, in fact I find they are all essential.
What ballpoint pens do you use?

When it comes to ballpoints I will use any. I have made drawing after drawing on that subject (just enlarge the drawing above to prove it). I am no pen snob. I'll give anything a go. In my ballpoint pencil case (yes, I have a pencil case specifically for ballpoints) there are Bic, Staedler, Faber and Castell, PaperMate, amongst all sorts of others. There are the freebie pens that you get from charitys and shops, as well as the very cheap packs of ten that don't even have a brand name - they are THAT cheap.

People have often asked about the quality of ballpoints and the blotchyness, and I'll talk about that in future questions that come up about the quality and longevity of ballpoints.

What paper do you use?

For the one off drawings I use a heavyweight cartridge paper. I'm not that loyal to a brand, but Daler and Rowney and Windsor and Newton seem to be the best on the market (I'm NO expert, though!). I always use a heavyweight paper as it needs to be able to handle all the cross hatching that I throw at it. And, that's a lot of cross hatching.

I also use, as you'll know if ever been to this blog before, Moleskine sketchbooks. I adore the paper in these skecth books and always have a few on the go. They are an obsession for me.

Do you ever experiment with other media?

I've used all sorts in the past. I used to do a bit of painting, but it seems an awful lot of faffing around. I’m a bit lazy like that and can’t be bothered with washing brushes and all the setting up process that painting involves. And, anyway I always ended up drawing with the paintbrush as opposed to painting with it.

I've also used graphite pencil. I always thought that my work would be suited to it. After much practice I found this not to be true. But I’m not a fan of pencil at all. I enjoy seeing other people use it but it’s not for me.

I do love colour pencils, though, and all my colour work is made with colour pencils and colour ballpoint.

just to get close to

2011-06-25T23:44:00.006Z

So, I am still going to do this Q&A post (I should know, by now, to never say that I am going to do something on a certain day) but it's all taking a little longer to get together than I'd thought. I am trying to go through as many of the emails, I've received in the past, to gather the questions. It WILL happen in the next couple of days.

Leading up to my exhibition I went through a big ol'drawing funk. During that time I couldn't sit down and do one of my trademark, highly laboured, drawings. It just was not happening. I did, however, start this new Moleskine. I bought it specifically for sketching - because I do so little of that. I love drawing SO much that I want to continue learning and improving my skills and that means doing things differently, pushing oneself, from time to time.

In this Moleskine I intend to draw stuff that I wouldn't normally draw. All free hand, no pencils, just ink on paper. I also intend to not get caught up in the whole perfection thing. Here are a few pages from that book. I do feel exposed posting these sort of spreads, but, again, I want to care less about that kind of thing.

the place i love is overgrown now

2011-06-22T12:19:00.010Z

So folks, I believe, what I am doing here is known as selling off the family silver. The time has come for some of my drawings to fly the nest. There are no pretences here. I'm skint. Mine is the age old story of the poor scraping artist in his garret. But what is the point in having all that lovely silver cutlery if you cannot afford to put the food on your plate?

Yes folks, I'm putting some of my original drawings up for sale, in my Etsy shop, at very very reasonable prices. This is your opportunity to grab yourself a bargain. In fact, I've been doing my maths and I've worked out the prices on a $0.0000000000000000000002 per cross hatched line basis. I cannot possibly make them any cheaper. But what is the point in me sitting here in this cold damp dark attic when I have a box of lovely drawings?

Dramatic? Me? Never!
Over the next couple of weeks I'll be adding new drawings, including the ones in this post, on a (possibly) daily basis. See my shop HERE.

Oh, and don't worry about me. It's not that bad. I've just got a few bills to pay.

ink on a pin

2011-06-21T00:20:00.005Z

For probably about two years now I've been meaning to do a FAQ post. It would then provide me with a link that I can send to people when they write to me asking about pens and stuff. This week, while I'm being all pro active, that is what I am going to do. I originally thought I'd do it today but I'm going to push it back to the end of the week, to coincide with my birthday (eeek). It feels right to do it on that day. I don't know why.

So, if you have any questions you'd like to ask about my work then please do. You can ask them in the comments and I'll answer them to my post.

Another thing I am going to be doing is a pen review. This drawing is me warming up for that. Click on it if you'd like to read the low down on this selection ballpoints.

why don't you come over to my house?

2011-06-19T20:24:00.005Z

This is the first time in ages that I have not had some kind of deadline looming on the horizon. And, after the stress of some of those deadlines I cannot believe I'm actually going to complain about that - but I am. I'm suddenly feeling so restless. I want something to work toward. Some project. I don't know what sort of project but I'll figure it out. I'll make something happen.

In the meantime, here's a new drawing. A few months ago my coin purse fell apart and I temporarily replaced it with an old purse that had belonged to my niece - when she was about five. It was ridiculously childish purse for 'a lady of a certain age' so, I decided I must replace it and went out to buy a new one. And, yep, you've guessed it; I came home with this much more grown up cloth owl.

This little guy is available for sale (the original drawing, not the purse) HERE.

reminders of it all

2011-06-18T23:28:00.009Z

When I found out that my work had been accepted to be exhibited at the Buxton Museum and Art Gallery I'd imagined that I'd have one of the gallery rooms. You know, the kind of thing, a nice clean white space. However, I'd been allocated the reception, or foyer, area of the museum.

And, of course, being a museum it has all sorts of objects and artifacts dotted around the place (including a very random Police motorbike that you can see above). When I went to check on the space I thought this was going to prove to be a problem.

But, over the last few weeks I've spent a lot of time at the space and now I couldn't be happier about the weird random room I am exhibiting in. In a funny kind of way my exhibition has become an extension of the Museum's collections.

The display case, above, features the work created for my woodland children's book, although you could be mistaken for thinking it was one of the Museum's natural history cabinets. I like that. I really like that. In fact, I think this was the perfect place for me to hold my first solo exhibition.

I went back there again, yesterday, to do a 'Meet the Artist' afternoon. And, I took these snaps. Unfortunately, there aren't any photos of the pictures on the walls. But that's what happens when you have your camera set at Macro. Again, I'm happy with these shots, with my drawings reflected in the glass of the cabinets.

One more thing, it got me thinking it would be good to do an 'Meet the Artist' session here on the blog. I'm always being asked questions about my work, and I feel really guilty about not replying to everyone, even though I have good intentions of doing so, I just do not get the time. So, what if we did it here? On say Monday? If there is anything you'd like to know about pens, or my technique, or my inspirations or ANYTHING then please come back and ask me.

So, that's a date. See you here on Monday.

there is your song from me

2011-06-18T16:29:00.004Z

Right then, I have been neglecting this blog for way too long. BUT, NO MORE. Over the next week or two I am going to post lots. And, LOTS. In fact, I have decided that I am going to create an event. I want to make something happen.

I want to do this so that I get back into blogging. I miss it. Also it will be a way of saying a big thank you to all of you who keep returning to my blog and to say hello to all the new visitors (really, this blog used to be very active).

So expect to see a lot of activity here from now. I promise to make at least one post a day, who knows, maybe two. Plus, I'd like to do some other stuff; there will be bargains to be had, prizes, quizzes...er....drawings....and....er...hmmmm...who knows? I've literally JUST come up with this idea. Do you have any ideas? Please let me know. Get involved. Let's make something (I'm not sure what) happen.

(This drawing is now for sale on Etsy, HERE. And, if you think you've seen these socks before then you are probably right; LOOK.)

i remember it was that Wednesday

2011-06-11T10:58:00.003Z

This is actually a new drawing, although it might look a little familiar. The original washing machine drawing that I made was a personal favourite and I wanted to rework a couple of my favourite pieces for my current exhibition (see last post). I'm never sure about doing that kind of thing. There is something in the spontaneity that's lost when you go about doing something again. This is a larger drawing too. I always felt this subject deserved bigger paper and wanted to give it more impact. The colours, although different from the original, look quite good, I think. But what the hell do I know?

all i wanna do

2011-06-08T00:48:00.008Z

Finally, I feel my life is my own again. My exhibition is up and running at the Buxton Gallery and Museum. I am exhibiting over forty drawings. Please call in if you are in the area. It's running until the 14th of August.

My exhibition began on June 4th which, coincidentally, is the same day as world Drawing Day. Or is there any such thing as coincidence? Whatever, I rather like the fact that both of these days coincide. Drawing Day has again set the annual challenge of uploading one million drawings so get on over there. You can read more about it, and upload your drawings, HERE.

I hope, in some way, that both of these events will inspire people to get drawing. Sheesh, I hope they inspire ME to get drawing! I'm desperate to get back to it. It's not good for me when I don't draw. So please keep coming back and I'll reward you with all the drawings I've been suppressing for far too long.

This post really must hold the record for the use of the word 'drawing'. I think I am trying to tell myself something. Something like "Draw, Joseph, DRAW!".

beneath the stains of time

2011-05-25T23:53:00.007Z

The drawing funk is still going strong, but I've had other things to focus on. I've been looking back through my work, trying to decide what I should include in my upcoming exhibition. This drawing is an oldie. Over three years old, in fact. I have messed around with it a little since, just a bit more cross hatching.

You know, back then when I first made this drawing I really didn't like it very much at all. But seeing it with all this time between us and I feel quite differently. I really enjoyed looking at it again and reading all the notes. They amused me. I asked a friend what they thought about me including it and they said "definitely, it shows that art can be funny". That makes me happy.

So, if you visit my exhibition you will be seeing this one.

You know the drill; click on drawing to read the notes.

i've got a pen in my pocket does that make me a writer?

2011-05-17T10:37:00.005Z

It's so hard to get going sometimes. You start thinking this funk may never end. I did intend to do a pen review on the right hand side of the page, but then I just decided to go with what was troubling me at the moment. It's more relevant and maybe it'll free up some space inside.

You know the drill; click on the drawing for a better view.

feathers fall around you and show you the way to go

2011-05-11T13:43:00.006Z

Those of you who visit my blog regularly must be bored of hearing me say this; but there is just so much happening for me these days I can't keep up. Opportunities come and go before I've even had time to do anything about them. I suppose it's about prioritising but I'm not sure that I always get that right. People have often asked me for advice on becoming an illustrator and it's the same answer every time; don't ask me, I have no idea! I'm just muddling though it all.

A little while back I was asked to participate in a new little Moleskine project. The idea was to get a bunch of artists to decorate covers of Moleskine notebooks which would be placed for sale HERE. I was most excited to be asked, anything that associates my name with the beloved Moleskine is good with me, but by the time I got around to it it was too late and submissions had finished. This is typical with how things are going right now. But, I'm not complaining. It means there is a lot of interest in my work.

Anyways, the above little book is one I made for the project and as it was designed to go on sale then I've put it in my Etsy shop HERE.

I'd like to say my life was my own again, for a little while but I have another deadline lined up. My next project is my first solo exhibition at the Buxton Art Gallery. That's in three weeks. After that I intend to take stock and think about what happens next. Make some changes, particularly to my business and shop . That's unless anything else comes up in the meantime. But really, I'm really NOT complaining!

come on, baby lets go

2011-05-07T16:06:00.002Z

Okay folks, let's get drawing. Right?

like a one man band clapping in the pouring rain

2011-04-11T20:43:00.011Z

So, I've taken a moment for a little commercial break. I thought I'd just let you know that I have now listed my first three zines (above) as a package. This is the cheapest way of buying them, so it's perfect for those of you who have not yet started your AJ collection (can't tell you how uncomfortable I am about writing this sort of stuff). Anyways, you can find them in my Etsy shop HERE. Also, new to the shop is this hot of the press limited edition zine based on my children's book. I have just 75 of these little fellas for sale. You can read more about them on my children's book blog or HERE.

Plus, in other news, I have recently been interviewed by the folks at the brilliant Empty Kingdom. If you are interested in reading about my work, and me, then click HERE.

Right that's the end of the sales pitch. I promise.

so you think you can tell

2011-04-09T23:02:00.009Z

This is one of those drawings that I was moaning about in my last post. The idea was there. The will was there but somehow it hasn't quite worked out as I wanted. That's okay, though. This is another from the graphic novel idea that has been keeping me awake at night. The way I see it is that when I finally get a publishing deal for it I'll have to redraw them all anyway. That's when I'll get them just right. So, I suppose these are just warm ups.

By the way, on Monday I'll be listing a new little zine in my Etsy shop. It's a very limited edition, so I thought I'd let you know in case you would like to get your hands on one. I think they might go quite quickly.

hoppin' and a-boppin'

2011-04-06T14:55:00.006Z

I'm in one of those frustrating periods where everything I touch (drawing wise) turns to crap. It's kind like the opposite to the Midas touch. But hey, it'll pass.

So, while I'm getting all annoyed with myself I thought I'd do a little shameless self promotion. I'm not actually a prolific Twitterer. It's mainly drawing related tweeting and alerts to new blog posts. If you are interested you can follow me HERE.

Cheers, my dears.

some moments that i've had

2011-03-27T23:03:00.006Z

Another image that just appeared in my head a couple of days ago. I'm not sure that I've executed it as well as I could have, but it's a part of this whole graphic novel idea which is currently growing and taking over my life. I feel, when I get like this, that I have to draw as much of it as I possibly can. So that I don' forget. So that I always remember the feeling of it. I don't know if that makes any sense. Maybe it does. Maybe it doesn't. It might come to something one day. Or it might just pass. But, right now, I'm living and breathing it.

wish i knew you well

2011-03-25T14:22:00.008Z

I was going to say that this is the finished version of the drawing I posted part of a little while back. But now looking at it on the screen I think it could do with more shading; a little sepia to give it an antique feel. That's how I had seen it in my head before I began. Also, I always intended adding a handle because it is supposed to be a drawer full of souvenirs. Or, the handle could have made it look like a suitcase. And, I love that ambiguity.

I'm often asked how long my drawings take. Well, at a guess, this one took a mere fifty hours. To appreciate the obsessive attention to detail click on the drawing and stick your conk in. Please do; FIFTY chuffing hours.

Oh dear, it seems that some of you have having trouble enlarging this image. I'll try to fix it, until then you can see the bigger version HERE.

etched forever as a moment

2011-03-20T00:43:00.002Z

Another one of those things that I would really like to do is to write and illustrate (mainly illustrate!) a graphic novel. I have had this idea for a storyline, which I've been playing around with , in my head, for some time now. Just another thing to add to the list.

i'm hanging on the wire

2011-03-16T14:59:00.005Z

I'm so tired these days. I'm exhausted and need my bed as I type this. I just cannot keep up with everything I have to do. When I started this blog I guess I just wanted to start drawing again. Then some time went by and I realised that I might just have some skill and, who knows, I could actually turn my hobby into work. Now I'm at the stage where I can't keep up with it all. I know that all small businesses go through this transitional stage and this is where they can flourish or, for want of a better phrase, go tits up.

I just wasn't expecting to get to a stage where I hardly have the time to draw. These are two pages from my new Moleskine project; the airmail/penpal/Scandinavian themed one. I managed to sneak an evenings drawing in earlier in the week. At this rate this book will be finished in 2036.

Any advice?

get it on

2011-03-14T22:22:00.004Z

I've been doing so much of that very precise detailed drawing recently - the stuff that I'm probably best known for. But, I feel that I don't actually learn anything new from that kind of work. I guess that I'm always improving my technique but it's nice to have a bit of a change and do something a bit more freehand. That's what I did hear with these sugar sachets. I did draw around each of the sachets to get the shape but there were no pencils involved or any measuring up. I just drew. And that's refreshing.

This is another spread from my travel Moleskine. You can see the rest of that 'carnet de voyage' HERE.

you know that we belong in the presidential suite

2011-03-10T12:44:00.010Z

Hi guys, sorry to leave you hanging there like that.

I know that I keep saying that things have been a little mad recently but things really have been a little mad recently. It's been non stop orders, sales, launches and deadlines. All of which have kept me from blogging. But, I've had some really exciting stuff on, which culminated in a fabulous evening at the the Gherkin on Tuesday at a launch for a new pen 'Spire' by Cross. If you don't know their beautiful products then take a peek at their site HERE. I know that I am forever extolling the virtues of the lowly old ballpoint but there's nothing like a little luxury from time to time, right?

You know, I've always hoped for a collaboration, of some sort, with a pen company and I couldn't have wished for a better one than Cross pens and I have the lovely ladies at their PR company to thank for that. So thanks, girls!

And, of course the experience was made all the more enjoyable for having my part time manager/personal assistant/tour manager/life organiser/best buddy with me. Cheers, mate.

Anyway, I am currently deadlineless (call the Oxford dictionary I've just invented a new word) but I do have a huge bag of London underground souvenirs which should finish off my travel Moleskine nicely. Okay lets draw.......

trying to remember just what for

2011-02-25T16:48:00.004Z

Although everything has been quiet around here lately I'm still busily beavering away at this one. So, I thought I'd share another stage of this mammoth drawing with you. So far I've been drawing all the bits and bobs in with colour ballpoints and fine liners. I still don't know how, or if, it'll come together as I rarely do a full-on colour drawing like this. I'm thinking it's nearly there. The final stages will be to get the whole drawing down in pen and then I'll add the final details and, hopefully, a little more 'atmosphere' (is that the right word?) with some soft pencils. That's the plan anyway.

Then what I'd most like to do is get back to blogging. It's just that these days I have lots of things coming at me from every direction. Again, I'm not complaining. Exciting things are happening. It's just that I'm not getting the time to spend with you guys. And, I miss that.

where sleeplessness awaits

2011-02-16T12:27:00.004Z

So I started this drawing about two or three weeks ago but unfortunately it's going to have to be put on the back burner for the next few days as a new, more pressing deadline has emerged from nowhere.

This is one of the most ambitious drawings that I've undertaken yet. It's on A3 paper which is double the size I normally use. Plus it's full colour. Thus far it has taken approximately 20 hours.

Anyway, I thought I'd take this opportunity to show you how I make these big mad drawings as it is a question I'm asked often. In the past I've been asked if I set up the compositions or whether I draw from a photo. The answer to both of those questions is no. I almost always draw from life.

What I do do is start with a couple objects (in this case the tram ticket, the Mary and baby Jesus and the seahorse) and then add the rest around them. I place the other objects on the paper, mapping it out piece by piece. It's almost as though the composition works itself out. I love drawings like this. I love the way they reveal themselves to me, the way they unfold in front of my eyes.

sleeping through the day

2011-02-06T23:49:00.006Z

WARNING; zinemaking can seriously damage your sanity.
'How to Draw Like a Nut' is still available HERE.

between the lines

2011-01-31T16:32:00.004Z

I seem to have been waffling on, in my posts, quite a lot recently. So, in this one I'll just let the drawing do the talking.

You know the drill; click on the drawing for a better view.

dig my earth

2011-01-29T16:12:00.004Z

So above is another one of those 'idea' spreads from my spare Moleskine. A couple of pages where I planted the seeds of future drawings. The left hand page soon grew into this drawing, below.

And, then later sprouted into this drawing:

The right hand page of the sketchbook, at the top of this post, hasn't actually grown into anything. Yet. But, it's all still there for future reference. And, that's another good thing about getting this stuff down in a sketchbook or notebook; I find it's the best place to turn when one might be going through a bit of a drawing funk. Cos if these ideas interested you enough to write them down in the first place, you can bet your bottom dollar that they'll still be inspiring at a later date. They are just all patiently waiting, below the ground, to blossom into a beautiful flower. Or a firm, young carrot.

makes me feel i'm from another world

2011-01-27T13:56:00.005Z

Not content with just drawing on air mail envelopes I've actually take to drawing the little buggers too. I was going to take this opportunity to have a right old rant about the Royal Mail. I am seriously fecked off with them right now. There's been a much higher percentage of people not getting their mail from me this time round. Specifically the stuff I posted before Christmas. I'm not sure how they can justify this. Or how they expect small businesses, in a difficult time, to soak up the extra costs of resending orders. Plus, when I think of all the time I've put into getting this stuff out it just makes me furious. And, that's not the half of it. It's, perhaps, not so bad when you actually have the stuff to resend but when an original drawing goes missing then that really hurts. To anyone who has not yet received their order (if you ordered over a couple of weeks ago that is) then please get in touch and I'll put it right. Big apologies, once again. So, I'll save that rant for another time. I still haven't started the tax returns.

door to the river

2011-01-25T15:20:00.004Z

When I made that humongous Moleskine post last week it took me back to France, to when I exhibited my Moleskines. Obviously I've been showing my sketch books online for the last few years. But before the exhibition in France few people had ever seen them 'in the flesh'. And, at first, I was quite reticent to show them. Specifically my 'spare' Moleskine. I had never ever shown anyone this book before. You might have seen a few of the finished drawings from it but that's it. The reason for that is because, apart from those odd finished pieces, my spare Moleskine is full of lists, quotes, lyrics, doodles and thoughts. And that's quite scary. I've always felt that peering into that book is a bit like finding John Nash's shed in the woods and opening the door.

But, to my surprise, many people at the exhibition really enjoyed seeing these pages. Yes, they commented on the obsessive content but it struck a chord somewhere with folk. So, I thought maybe I'd show you some here. The top spread is one of those pages. It's where I chuck everything onto a page for future reference. Then below are some of the drawings that came from those seeds.

Is this stuff of any interest to you? Cos there's loads more of it.

You know, there could well be a lot of posts this week because somebody is desperately trying to avoid doing their tax returns. So let me know if you want to see more.

how a fool begins

2011-01-24T15:08:00.003Z

As, it seems, I've taken to of pinching things from the wonderful Suzanne Cabrera (you know; quotes, ideas, her signature, her identity) I have decided to continue in that vein and am using a theme she chose for the amazing but almost dead MoleyX group we were involved in for my brand new Moleskine. Although Suzanne chose 'mail' as her theme I have expanded on that a little. My theme is more a mail/travel/air mail/letters/pen pal themey theme. Look, I know what I mean.

This Moleskine will have some kind of narrative running through it (I hope). Which starts with the story of a friendship. I am looking for some help with this project specifically from any Scandinavians out there.

If you are Scandinavian and would like to contribute please could you leave a comment and I'll get in touch with you. Cheers, my dears.

i don't expect you to understand

2011-01-21T18:02:00.003Z

You know, I cannot quite believe I'm actually saying this but, folks, but I am actually finally on top of all of the recent orders. Yeah, I know, I bet you never thought you'd see the day either. So, as of yesterday, every single actual zine, print and original drawing are now in the mail. I actually cannot believe it. I am going to celebrate by drawing. Yep, I'm going to do an actual drawing this weekend.

Thanks to everybody not only for the orders but for your patience too. I know what a loser I am when it comes to getting this stuff mailed so buge (big huge) thanks. I'm really pleased with my little zine and I hope you are/will be too. The only issue is on the back cover where some of the writing got chopped off. Should you want to write like nut, but couldn't follow the instructions because of the chopped offness (hey, I haven't slept for a month, I cannot think of words), then you can simply click on this drawing and see how it's done.

Thanks again guys, I appreciate it muchly.

you are the only thing

2011-01-15T14:33:00.010Z

I thought I'd take a moment to bang on about the Moleskine sketchbook. Actually why stop there? I might as well take this opportunity to bang on about the Moleskine in general; sketchbook, notebook, diary, etc.

Obviously, there hasn't been too much in the way of drawing getting done, around here, recently as I've been going doodlealley trying to finish off hand decorating these million and one envelopes. And, talking of envelopes (it seems to be the only subject of conversation I have these days) while I was out the other day, desperately trying to source more, I popped into my favourite shop and only local Moleskine seller in the area.

I was going to treat myself to a new Moleskine sketchbook and diary. Perusing the lovely shelves of Moleskines it struck me that it really is the perfect product. It's a product that is so beautifully designed (like a Clark's desert boot, the Eames chair or a Swiss Army knife) that it doesn't need advertising as the customer does all the advertising. Just like I am. Here. Now.

Anyway, I was most disappointed to find that the shop didn't have any Moleskine diaries left. That's what you get for buying a diary on January the 12th. How would I live without my page-a-day diary? Not only do I fill my diaries full of all the extremely important dates for all the extremely important things I'm going to do (don't laugh) but I also fill them with stuff like this;

But, mainly I fill them with stuff like this; lists, references, lists, quotes, lists, lyrics and more lists. This one I made whilst watching the History Boys. I loved the big pin board they had at the back of the classroom (I will have one of those myself one day) that was filled with portraits of icons and idols. I listed some of the people I could spot of the board in the film and added some of my own. For future reference.

I also use my diary to plan drawings and blog posts (NO, don't laugh. I actually plan this stuff). And how would I possibly do without the detachable address book that fits so perfectly into the back pocket of the diary? One less thing for me to doodle on.

Anyway, after perhaps an hour of deliberation (can I do without a page-a-day diary? am I really a weekly planner type of gal?) I settled for the planner. I'm sure I will come to terms with it.

Then I had to choose a new sketchbook. Damn I love new sketchbooks more than I can say (I live alone). That anticipation of the clean pages. That inner cover waiting. Just waiting. What will it look like in a years time? Which direction will it take? I love that space.

Will it be another place to through down ideas like my 'spare' Moleskine, above? A place to work through all those lists and pull a drawing out of the hat? Or will it take on a colour theme like the Sepia one? Still the only Moleskine I've ever completed from inner cover to back pocket.

Or perhaps it'll become the second volume of my travel Moleskine. I'm so close to finishing the first volume. There's definitely a possibility of that. I loved this theme and am not quite done with it yet. Although of course it could be something completely different. I quite like the idea of combining my love of food and drawing and making a kind of foodie-skine. Who knows?

One thing it won't become is a ballpoint Moley. For me, these two mediums didn't quite go together. I don't know why. It's just a personal thing. So the ballpoint Moley that I started, below, doesn't actually exist anymore. I pulled it to pieces.

Anyway, sometimes you need one that is no longer in sketch book form, cos sometimes you need the paper for those little odds and sods that you might want to draw that are not part of any theme.

And, one thing is for sure, to celebrate my love for the Moleskine this year will see more of my little Molezines. I already know the theme for the next one of those. I've been obsessing over that for the last couple of months.

Finally, they threw me out of the shop. I purchased my new books and went. Dreaming of all the possibilities. All the possibilities that a new book and a new year can bring.

i feel there's something in the air

2011-01-09T17:10:00.002Z

So whose bloody stupid idea was it to launch a new zine two weeks before Christmas? Oh, yeah, that would be me then. Anyway, it's about time I gave you an update on your orders and this is where I will be apologising profusely for the time it's taken me to get them out to you.

Now, I have a whole string of excuses for this zine being late - Christmas post, snow, away for Christmas, New Year, yada yada yada. My main issue, however, has been envelopes. You know, it feels like I have been living, breathing, sleeping and eating envelopes for the past two months.

It started when I first sourced this really gorgeous airmail envelope for this zine. They were perfect. Which was great pity as they don't actually exist. Because, it seems, that companies can advertise things for you to buy even though they don't actually have them in stock. How does that work?

I ordered this envelope from three different companies in the end. they all took my order and money but not one of them actually had it in stock. I rang every stationers in the United Kingdom. Nobody had them. It was so infuriating, especially as I'd tried my damnedest to have everything in place for when the orders came in. The original order for the envelopes was placed early November.

Look, I know it's only an envelope but by this point I was totally obsessed. Nothing else would do.

Anyway, none of that matters now. The envelope, it seems, was discontinued. So I had to come up with a replacement. Now, this is true; I ended up with plain white envelopes which, in blind panic, have all been personally doodled on and decorated by my own fair hand - all 200! I hope it goes some way to making up for the time it's taken. I really do because this little episode has taken two years off my life.

Every single zine, print and drawing ordered up to this date will be shipped by Tuesday. Many of them are already on their way. Then I am going to curl up in a dark corner and rock for some time.

Remember folks you are not just buying a zine you are buying a nervous breakdown in an envelope.

To buy 'How to Draw Like a Nut' click HERE.

in the twist of seperation

2011-01-05T12:35:00.005Z

Hello folks, and a Happy New Year to you all. No, I didn't fall off the face of the earth I just got distracted by the holidays. The festive season didn't start too well for me and all I really wanted to do was lock myself away at home alone but my friends and family had other ideas. Which I am very pleased about. It was just 'what the doctor ordered'. Hope you all had a great time too.

Here's a couple more drawings from my travel Moleskine. I've almost finished this sketchbook. Just a few pages to go. I am then going to treat myself to another Moleskine for the second volume. I've enjoyed this theme so much I can't stop at one.

You might recognize the drawing above. I made THIS POST about it a couple of months back. I really liked the simplicity of the composition, but I don't do simplicity (as you might have noticed) and I wasn't at all confident that I could leave the page as it was. I was right to not be confident because this is what happened, below. Now that I see them on screen I'm not sure which I prefer. What do you think?

So, I know things have been slow around here but I have so much happening in the next couple of weeks. There'll be creative new year resolutions, news about how business is going and how trying to become an illustrator is working out, updates on all of your orders, new posts on my children's book blog and, of course, LOTS of new drawings. I hope you'll be joining me in this next phase of my journey in 2011 (2011? surely that can't be right).

Happy New Year my friends.

i heard it in the wind last night

2010-12-24T01:10:00.006Z

Oh well, I didn't get around to a new Christmas drawing this year, so the sprouts are getting another airing. For those of you from outside of the UK who might be wondering why sprouts, well, I'll tell you why. In the UK it is the law that on Christmas day you must have Brussel sprouts. Honestly. You can be locked up unless you have at least one on your plate. And nobody wants that.

Hope you all a have a wonderful Christmas (assuming you celebrate it). Thanks for all the visits, follows and comments. They are much appreciated. I'll be back with loads more drawings very soon.

And, once again, a big thanks to those of you who have bought my drawings, zines and prints. You keep the wolf from my door.

Merry Christmas everybody.

the craziness begins

2010-12-20T12:24:00.006Z

I'm sorry to bang on about this again but a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do. So here's a little more promotion, and some photos, of my new zine 'How to Draw Like a Nut'. This zine contains the answers to the most frequently asked questions, some ideas to get you drawing and a mini tutorial. Plus lots of nonsense.

A HUGE big thanks to everyone who has ordered so far. I hope you enjoy them when they do arrive. I look forward to hearing your feedback on this new (compared to my Molezines) format. I shall keep my blog updated with all updates(?) - I ain't great with words.

So thanks again.

Buy your copy of 'HOW TO DRAW LIKE A NUT' HERE.
Cheers, my dears.

i've been whistling down the street

2010-12-17T17:43:00.004Z

It wasn't until the day I was leaving Clermont Ferrand that I realised that I hadn't bought any souvenirs of the trip. We'd been so busy at the exhibition that I'd forgotten - which is ironic as I was there to exhibit my travel sketchbook that was themed 'souvenirs of my travels'. So on our final day we had an hour before we had to be the airport to find some souvenirs.

Luckily my stadar (a kind of radar, or gaydar, that detects stationery outlets in the vicinity), which had been going off for the whole trip, pointed me in the direction of a great big stationers close to our hotel. Now, for me, stationery plus souvenirs ticks so many boxes I couldn't have been happier.

So, here are my souvenirs of Clermont Ferrand; a half blue and half red pencil, two stencil maps of France and a ruler. Mission accomplished.

I'm not so happy with the blue and red drawing, above. No doubt I'll mess around with that some more in the future.

Of course, there are also all of the sugar packets, napkins, tram tickets, receipts, bills and business cards I also collected during the trip, but hey that's another drawing. Or six.

These drawing are a part of my aforementioned souvenir themed sketchbook. You can see the rest of the series HERE.

leave no track don't look back

2010-12-11T17:25:00.004Z

The girl who served me at Cafe Nero in Manchester Airport must have thought I was a total pig. I bought three Espressos, Sicilian Lemon cheesecake, these Amaretti biscuits and some hazelnut chocolates in the 15 minutes I had spare before boarding my plane.Of course, what she did not know was that I was only buying these Amarettis to draw. There was no way I could ignore gorgeous packaging like this.

The Aftermath

After I'd finally finished drawing them, earlier today, I decided that the only right and proper thing to do would be to eat them. It would be wrong to let them go to waste. However they had been to France and back in my hand luggage and were pretty much powder and crumbs. Therefore the only thing left to do was to tip my head back and basically pour them down my neck. I am, of course, a total pig.

These drawings are from my travel sketchbook. You can see the other drawings from that book HERE.

Now where are those handmade chocolate Florentines that I bought to draw?

raising the spirit of peace and love

2010-12-08T23:47:00.004Z

I've been playing the Plastic Ono Band album for about 6 months now. I'm completely obsessed with it. And, it hadn't even occurred to me that there were two significant anniversaries taking place this year. It's hard to imagine John as a 70 year old man. I guess he'll always be 40. And then there's today's anniversary. 30 years since his death. I remember hearing he had died before I left for school. I didn't know then how much he would come to mean to me later in life when I fell in love with music and, of course, the Beatles.

When I came into this world the Ballard of John and Yoko was top of the charts. That makes me happy.

to follow where you are

2010-12-06T19:55:00.004Z

So you might have seen a bit of this drawing before. Half of it to be precise. This is the last piece of artwork to be finished for the new ballpoint zine. I'm looking forward to seeing it all printed and assembled. It's quite different product from my previous Molezines so, as yet, I have no idea how it'll turn out.

I'm hoping it'll look pretty cute. I'm quite happy with this spread, anyway. But, to bed now. I've been awake until the wee hours for the last three months. Or at least that's how it feels.

Night night.

it's time the tale were told

2010-12-04T18:50:00.005Z

I've been meaning to post the details about the Jane Austen book that I illustrated for ages. It's been another thing on the list of things to do which seems to grow by the day. So, I'll be brief. Here is the link to the publishers website. Unfortunately the book is only available in Italian at the moment, but the New Year should see the English version. I'll let you know when that happens, but for now, you can read a little about the book and about me HERE (then search Andrea Joseph).

a song that i know

2010-12-01T23:33:00.004Z

Here's one that started life in one of my sketchbooks and has now been reworked on paper. I was looking for a final image to complete the new 'drawing with a ballpoint' zine and as these were such a hit when I exposed them in France (I can't think why) I decided to go with them.

I've added a little extra something to the zine version (no. I'm not getting my bra out again) but you'll have to wait until you get it in your little paws.

all through the night

2010-11-29T19:26:00.006Z

Here's one from the up and coming new ballpoint pen zine. It's not completely finished in this version, a little more has been added since. A little something extra for those who purchase the zine. C'mon, I have to entice you somehow. I'll be putting it for pre order in the next couple of days.

This is my living room and the armchair is my workspace.

something to be

2010-11-28T00:36:00.008Z

So here's a little thing I've been working on for a little while. It's a new zine. Or rather this is the cover. It's not a Molezine, it's a bit different. Not quite as posh as my little Molezines, but, I think, more in the spirit of zines. It's also a kind of 'drawing with a ballpoint/biro/stilo/bic' zine. It'll be out in the next couple of weeks (bad timing I know, with the Christmas mail, but that's typical).

I did wonder about putting it for pre order, but after the debacle with the last one I'm not too sure. What do you think?

your smiles and shells

2010-11-24T23:46:00.005Z

Another new one from the travel sketchbook. Or, at least, it will be new to you if you weren't rifling through my Moleskine over the weekend.

This one is one half of a pair of drawings. You can see the other half, and the rest of the travel sketchbook set, HERE.

using words i never say

2010-11-23T19:55:00.007Z

Wow.

Wow. Wow. Wow.

What an amazing weekend I've had in Clermont Ferrand at the Biennale Carnet de Voyage exhibition. I was there to show my sketchbooks, specifically the travel sketchbook, to (what seemed like) the whole of France. The event turned out to more than I could ever have imagined. It really was amazing.

No doubt I will go on and on about it for some time, but right now I just need to say some big 'thank yous'. Firstly to the organizers of this brilliant exhibition, specifically Anne, Anais and Marie who looked after us so well. Merci girls.

Of course a huge HUGE thank you to everyone who stopped by to look at my work. This is the first time these sketchbooks have been exhibited 'in real life'. Obviously, I have shown the drawings here on my blog, to a great response, but nothing beats seeing that response first hand. To see the look on peoples faces and hear the reactions was a beautiful thing and quite overwhelming. I returned to the UK a very happy person.

Finally, a big old thanks to my friend, and manager on this trip, Tim. I couldn't have done it without you mate. It certainly wouldn't have been SO much fun. You were great despite your appalling French.

Over the next few weeks I'll bang on about it a lot more, and I'll post some of the drawings of the souvenirs and memories that I brought back from Clermont Fernand. I hope you come back to see them.

Merci beaucoup.

for such a long time now

2010-11-16T23:52:00.004Z

Another from the travel Moleskine.

I'll be exhibiting my Moleskines, including the travel Moleskine, at the Biennale; Carnet de Voyage event in Clermont Ferrand this coming weekend. If you are planning to visit the exhibition stop by and say hello.

see the drunkard of the village

2010-11-14T17:41:00.004Z

See. I told you it would all go horribly wrong. Poor old Alice will be regretting sipping so much Claret tomorrow morning. I hope this is a lesson to you all. Now I just need to practice what I preach.

on the highway of regret

2010-11-12T12:58:00.007Z

This weekend, boys and girls, I am going to teach you about the perils of too much alcohol. Believe me, I am well qualified to do so. Sometimes it's about knowing when to stop. But, if you don't know when that is it's about not starting at all. Because things can all go horribly wrong. As you will see in my next post.

So, watch and learn. Watch and learn.