waiting for this moment to arise

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

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

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.

as the dawn breaks over roof slates

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.

we took the town to town last night

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.

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.

so you think you can tell

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.

etched forever as a moment

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.

what can i say?

Just some shells. Drawn in my travel Moleskine. That's it. Snail shells. Oh, and a letter written on a sea shell. Just that.

are you here?

So here's the completed drawing that I teased you with a little while back. You know the drill, click on the drawing to get a better view.

It's a drawing I made for the Lancashire Reads project. A few illustrators (I know, people think I'm an illustrator?! Ssssh, don't tell them) were presented with the book Up On Cloud Nine, by the author, and ex Children's Laureate (I'll have you know), Anne Fine. We were then invited to illustrate any scene that caught our attention.

Whilst reading there was a scene that immediately hit me in the chops, and I knew it was the one that I wanted to bring to life. However, the worrying thing, for me, was that it just happened to be the darkest, most ghoulish, scene in the whole book.

I won't go into the story, I'll just tell you that a fisherman found this old tin whilst digging for worms. I'll let your imagination lead you too where this tin came from, and to whom all these charms belonged to. Wooooohoooooohooooooohoooooohoohaaaaaahaa.

Tell me, is that a ghost noise? Or, is it a monkey noise?

remember when you were young?

Well, folks. I've been busy drawing away but this, yet again, is another secret squirrel project. For now, anyway. This is a little snippet (isn't that a great word?) of the illustration I have been working on. It's a one-off drawing from a children's book. I'll reveal it all when I get the go ahead. Also, I believe that this image should be available in some form or other (postcard, I think) in the near future. Not sure how much more I'm allowed to say so I'll keep my trap shut. 'Cos, you know I'm good at that.

you're a rare rare find

Sir Wilfred Digby Jones McPickles

You know, I'd really love to have a dog. I would like a dog not for the companionship, or to get fit, I'd like a dog so that I could dress him up as a Victorian gentleman. Then I would get him to parade around the house with my cat, who would be dressed in crinolines. Just for my amusement. Until that time arrives I've drawn them.

The phrase 'what am I doing with my life?' comes to mind. Again.

Lady Flora Josephine Fossington Smythe

Actually, when I was away, a month or so ago, I was working on a book deadline. I'm not sure how much I can say about it yet, but as part of my research I found myself looking through lots of Victorian and Regency silhouettes. There are some stunningly beautiful examples, and I'd recommend doing a little research (Googling) yourself. I think you'll be inspired. I was. It's also how I'm trying to justify these two drawings.

all the pictures on the wall

So we've known each other for some time now, right? Well, I thought it might be proper for me to now introduce you to some of my relatives.

somewhere i can warm my bones

Do you ever feel like you are spreading yourself too thinly?

A while ago I made THIS POST and told you that I was trying (hoping) to carve some kind of career, and living, from illustration. I still work towards that goal every day. I also work the day job. I'm one of the growing number of 5-9ers - people who work the day job then go home and put a few more hours (from 5 -9) into building their own small business. Although I never ever finish at 9. It's lucky I don't have a life.

And, when you have to do everything yourself it all seems to take up so much time. Whether that be answering emails or packaging and sending things out in the mail, it all takes time. Then there are all the other little projects I have taken on. Like my children's book blog. I'm so glad I've started it, I'd been wanting to for so long, but, for now, it'll just have to plod along at it's own pace.

This is not a complaint in any way, it's just an observation. I love what I do more than anything. It's that sometimes you get that feeling you are spreading yourself too thin. And, finding the time to sit and immerse myself in a drawing seems to be getting squeezed out of the picture.

Hopefully one day all the hard work will pay off. Hopefully I'll find the balance and continue to make the drawing time. I need that time. To keep on drawing and posting here. Because this place, THIS blog, feels like home.

You can see the rest of the artwork from this book (just another little project) HERE.

it's just a booty call

Remember THIS POST? Yes? Well, they are back. And what' s more I haven't finished with them yet. Come back soon and see them in a whole new light. And, they will kick start a whole new project for me. 'Citing!

(Click on drawing to view)

for a minute i lost myself

What can I say? More Moleskine madness.

tell me why

The leaning tower of cat bowls.

How can a cat have so many possessions? Twelve cat bowls. Twelve. Seriously.

room for a little one

It's been one of those weeks where life just gets in the way of art. It's kind of depressing. In fact, all of the news, these days, seems so damn depressing. You can get really dragged down in all that. Especially if you are a glass half empty kind of person, like me.

I was thinking about this stuff yesterday, before settling down to Neil Young night on BBC4. Five hours of Neil. Documentary, film and, of course, music. I love Neil Young. He's a true artist. Yes, Neil Young makes me happy. Music makes me happy. BBC4 makes me happy (surely the greatest tv channel). The crackling fire on a chilly night and the cat curled up on my lap both make me happy. So it's not all that bad.

Moleskines make me happy too. As does a Japanese Moleskine dropping onto my doormat. It makes me happy that Gabi's little Moley fitted perfectly on the top of this composition. And, that there's still room for growth. Of course, the glorious work of MoleyX12 group makes me very happy. Drawing. Art. Art makes me very very happy.

So I'm now feeling much more cheerful just thinking about all of those things. Now I'm going to have to think of some sad stuff. 'Cos I'm only ever truly happy when I'm feeling blue.

going places

Ok, kids. I'm back with you. Really, I am. Thanks for continuing to visit even though there hasn't been much new work for you to see. It's going to be all about the Moleskines over the next few weeks. I've got some endings and some new beginnings to take care of.

From top to bottom;
1. The Sepia One (I'm so close to finishing this one it hurts).
2.The Ballpointy-Journally-Memory-Could-Turn-Into-Spare-One-One (a new one. I've only drawn on the inner cover and haven't quite decided on the direction of this Moley, although I know it is going to be strictly ballpoint).
3.Spare Moley (very nearly finished).
4. The Brand Spanking New One (hasn't even been opened. I have lots of ideas for this one. Lots.)
5. The Diary (where I am planning world domination)

there's something happening here

As I said in the last post, I've been moonlighting over at our MoleyX group recently. Whilst I'm loving this project hugely there is one downside. You cannot post your drawings when you've finished them, you must wait until the next person in the chain has received the sketchbook.

I find that quite frustrating. The waiting to post. I was the kind of kid that would go hunting the house for hidden Christmas presents when there was nobody at home. I WILL open early birthday pressies. And then stick all the wrapping paper neatly back together if need be. So, what I'm saying is, this part of the project is testing for me.

This is my contribution to Juj's Moley. In my opinion, these little Moleskines don't seem to scan that well. They usually look better in photos. Luckily, I love messing around with the camera. Unluckily, I end up having to try to pick the best shots from about 80 snaps. I am not exaggerating. Even now, just as I'm about to click on 'Publish Post', I'm still undecided as to whether I've chosen the right ones. I'm rubbish at making decisions. But, hey, that's another song.

Anyway, you can see the full set of photos HERE or visit our MoleyX blog HERE. You decide.