up the Gherkin

Recently I've been organising the scans of all of the drawings I've made over the past few years and put them into folders and onto memory sticks etc. It's amazing the things you find to do when you have no internet. I came across a  bunch of drawings that I did for a job a few years back. It was for the launch of a new Cross pen (yes, THAT Cross pens). It was a great job. I was approached by Cross to make a series of drawings and to attend their launch night, at the top of the Gherkin (yes, THAT Gherkin). I had to draw a series of iconic buildings and I drew them in the only way I knew how - back then - in the form of souvenirs.

I remember it was a real quick turn around job and that I went right down to the wire with the deadline. Hell, I was still drawing them on the train down to London! So, unfortunately I didn't get to scan all the drawings. I'm particularly annoyed that I didn't scan the New York Museum of Modern Art in a snow globe. Still, it was one of those gigs that was a joy to do (and, let's be honest, it's not often you get to say that). Plus I got to watch the sunset at the top of the Gherkin and to see all the lights go on over London town. 

inbetween tonight and my tomorrow

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.

i get away

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.

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

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

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.

you know that we belong in the presidential suite

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.......