it's an old romance, it hasn't gone to sleep

Hey guys, just thought I'd let you know that not only does Danny Gregory have a new book out but I'm featured in it. And, I'm pretty damn well chuffed. It was finding the Everyday Matter's group, all those years ago, that kick started my own creative journey. Plus, I'm snuggled under the covers with artists that I totally adore. Read more on Danny's blog. Cannot wait to get my copy.

what's new pussycat?

Here's a couple I resurrected from the Graveyard of Abandoned and Unfinished Drawings. It's funny how you see things differently with some time and distance between you. I resented both of these when I was working on them. I resented the time and energy I'd put into them, and I resented them not turning out as I'd wanted. Did somebody say I'm getting old? Ooooof.

You might like to click on the drawings to read all the nonsense that was going through my head when I was creating them. The top drawing is my response to the Everyday Matters Challenge No.49: draw your fridge. You can see more of my Everyday Matters responses HERE.

come gather 'round people

Finally, a drawing.

You know, every year I intend to make Christmas cards. And every year I leave it until it's too late. What makes this scenario more frustrating is that I am actually a Moo designer, so it really is an opportunity going to waste.

But whilst it's on my mind, I was thinking that perhaps, maybe, I could get some Christmassy drawings together now. So by next year I'd be really really prepared. There'd be no excuses. Next year I'll be the kid who doesn't leave their homework until half an hour before it should be handed in.

I was never that kid. I was the one doing my homework on the school bus. On the way to school. Times they are a changing. I like to think.

I'm calling this one Everyday Matters challenge #95. Draw a holiday card. More challenges HERE.

(Just a note to explain why Brussels sprouts should make a Christmas card. Because, from the response, it's obviously not a tradition that travels. In the UK sprouts are not just a tradition they are the law. You HAVE to have sprouts with your Christmas dinner - whether you like it or not - or you'll be tracked down and actively thrown out of the country. It's true.)

once i thought i saw you

Yeah, this might look familiar. I did something similar, very similar, in a sketchbook some time ago. Yesterday I just wanted to draw. Just draw, from observation. I didn't want to think about what I was drawing. I just wanted to look at what I was drawing. Just look.

I'm also calling this Everyday Matters challenge 164. Which is draw a camera. Obviously.

Buy this drawing HERE.

come out to play

Look, I know these drawings ain't going to set the world alight but I'm short of drawing time so I had to dig out some old stuff that I hadn't posted before. Also, finding these really reminded me of that artistic struggle that plagues my life from time to time. I have wanted to draw a bicycle for ages, well, certainly, since seeing this challenge on the EDM list. So, I started with the top one.

But, it wasn't quite right. It was OK for a little sketch, but I wanted to make a proper drawing. So, I kept on trying. And trying. And trying. Never quite getting it right. Sometimes pushing it way too far (above). Sometimes going off on a tangent (above). And, sometimes finding myself in the summer of 1976 (above). But, still I'm trying. I'll never rest until I make a bicycle drawing that I am happy with. I won't stop. No bicycle drawing is going to get the better of me. No way, Jose.

Oh, and Miss Musa, that was what was on the previous page to THIS drawing.

Stay posted for a MEGA bicycle drawing. Coming to a screen near you, very soon.

take a pinch of keyhole

(Click on drawing to view)

This drawing had all the ingredients to be great. A beautiful subject matter courtesy of my friend Annette. Stunning colours. Heaps of nostalgia. And hours of time to simmer. Somehow, for me, it falls short of being an extremely tasty dish.

Everyday Matters #37, draw some keys.

perfect weather to fly

I've been meaning to draw this view for so long. Well, ever since I saw that there was an Everyday Matters challenge called 'draw the view from a window of your house'. It seems an appropriate time to finally get around to it. Before the reassuring view of Jo and Nick's house is no longer part of my everyday life.

Everyday Matters #18, the view from my window. See the rest of my Everyday Matters set HERE.

drop me anywhere

This fiver was really interesting to draw. All those lines and creases. As unique as a fingerprint.

This is my response to Everyday Matters challenge #191, draw some paper money. I'm really enjoying doing some Everyday Matters Challenges at the moment. I hadn't done any for quite some time, so it's really good to get back into some good old observational drawing.

I also very much enjoy being a part of the Everyday Matters group. Especially when I need some information on something arty, like in my last post. Thanks to everybody who emailed me, commented and left a message at the group forum. Here's that fiver I owe you.

Oh, and the detail in this would have been much finer, if my bloody pencils would have sharpened without breaking.

catch the breeze and winter chills

A couple of oldies here, from my Everyday Matters challenges. Or maybe, they are newies to the newcomers to my blog.

draw something yellow

Either way, there is a point (sorry for that awful pun) to me posting these. There is a question I've been meaning to ask ever since I started this blog. I do love to use colour pencil, but it often gets sidelined it for pen. I want to do a series of drawings in colour pencil soon. So I've started getting warmed up again. But, every time I do start using them I remember exactly why they got sidelined in the first place. And, that is the matter of them always always ALWAYS bloody snapping and breaking when being sharpened. It's just so annoying.

draw your palette

I've come to the conclusion it must be down to the pencil sharpener. It doesn't happen ever with graphite. And, as it would be a bit of a coincidence if every single colour pencil I own (from many different brands) were snapped before I'd bought them, I think it has to be the sharpener. So any pencil sharpener advice would be very welcome. The type of sharpener you use? The brand? How long they last? There's a fiver in it, for you. Cheers, folks.

never ever

I believe that, in the past, I have vowed to never ever draw anything that incorporated a light design on a dark background ever again. It really is a bugger. If you don't believe me have a go.

But, there again, I do believe that I've also vowed to never ever reveal any more of the contents of my underwear drawer.

I'm calling this one EDM #193 - Draw a close-up part of something. You can see my set of challenges, so far, HERE. I've also been interviewed this week by the lovely Laura of Make Do And Mend. And, you can read that HERE.

you little charmer

Everyday matters #200. Draw something lucky.

It's been so long since I did an Everyday Matters challenge, so today I thought I'd have a go at the latest one which is 'draw something lucky'. This little Welsh pixie charm is supposed to be lucky. That, of course, is if you believe in luck. I don't.

isn't it so

Hey folks, I'm in a bit of a rush but wanted to post something before I go. I don't have the time to add the links that I wanted to add. I may get to add them at a later date. Seriously, I should have left the house five minutes ago. Why am I always late for everything? That's a question I will ponder for the zillionth time while I drive through the hills. To my second date in a week with Stephen Stills. Ok, it's not quite a date. I'm just going to see him in concert.

(Oh, and I'm calling this one Everyday Matters Challenge 164, draw a camera.)

this woman's work

As you might imagine, it is a rather sophisticated and professional setup here at AJ head-quarters. Recently, I have relocated my studio - from the armchair to the kitchen table.

Also, recently, I have been rediscovering the work of a childhood hero of mine Ronald Searle. His work had such an effect on me when I was a kid. It was around that time I fell in love with illustration - the magic of illustration. I was thinking about all of that when I did the bottom of the two drawings.

Anyway, you know the drill; click on image to view.

the line it is drawn

There is not a great deal of drawing going on at the moment. I'm still wiped out after the last one. And still no colour. I do, however, have a pile of half finished drawings that seems to be growing all the time. Thought I'd finish one today. This one.

Everyday Matters #17, draw a musical instrument.

late at night, when the world is dreaming

The entire contents of a jar of Star Anise (15g).
EDM challenge 143; draw a herb or spice. Illustration Friday; multiple.
(Click on image to view)

a little green...

...some turquoise and a teeny-weeny touch of red.

Everyday Matters challenge 116, draw something green.

everything comes and goes

I was cleaning out the car the other day - well, I say 'cleaning out' actually all I did was gather these tapes together - which got me reminiscing. I think I probably spent the entire of my teenage years compiling play lists on cassettes. I loved making compilations, always trying to get all of my very favourite tracks onto one tape. But favourites come and go just like lovers and styles of clothes (sorry, I had to do it. I had been working up to that line) and, of course, the way we listen to our music. I am sad to let go of some of these old friends but we've come to the end of the road. It's over.

(Actually I may just keep them for a little longer, could probably get at least one more drawing from them!)

I'm using this one for Everyday Matters challenge #61, draw a grouping of similar objects.

i want to go home, don't want to stay

Back in the Moleskine sketchbook, I haven't used it for a long time. I'd forgotten how good the paper is. This drawing is my response to Everyday Matters Challenge #130 'draw some school supplies'. Oh, and don't tell the teacher but I carved my initials in the desk with the compass.

For those who don't know (and who have asked me recently) Everyday Matters is an online drawing group. They set weekly challenges and you can see that list HERE.

You can see the Everyday Matters challenges that I have completed HERE.

you've got the moon on your pyjamas...

...and the stars in your eyes.

(Everyday matters challenge #138, draw something soft.)

want

A couple of sketches from around the house. I've not been feeling too well this week and have hardly stepped outside the door. Luckily I have no problem entertaining myself at home. Everywhere I look I see a new drawing. So I went back to the Everyday Matters list. Above is challenge 58 draw a hat. I really hate this drawing. It just doesn't look right, to me, and lacks any...erm...soul?

I prefer this one. Also, I want to give a little shout out to Atticus Boo, in Buxton, which is one of my favourite shops. I'm guessing it's named after characters from the classic book - and a great film to boot. It's rare that a film lives up to a favourite book, I think, but Too Kill A Mockingbird manages it.

Anyway, Atticus Boo is a tiny gift shop. You can probably get about 5 people in there, at the most, at one time. It is filled choc-a-bloc full of gorgeousness including cards by my fave children's illustrator Lauren Child, fabulous purses and handbags by Orla Kiely (that I drool over and long for the day I can afford) and it even stocks Moleskines. Not only that but it smells wonderful AND it's opposite a handmade chocolate shop. If all that's not enough, you can bet your bottom dollar, that without fail, they'll be playing Rufus Wainwright.