late at night when the world is dreaming

In the last couple of weeks I've launched the book, been to France to promote the book (it's been published by a French publisher), organised a Dr Sketchy event, school visits, etc, etc.

So currently everything is a bit, well, you know (see diagram).  I'd like to say a huge thanks to everyone who has ordered my book. I hope you love it. I'm catching up on all the book orders - I've now sent out the majority and by Monday I'll have signed and wrapped and packed and addressed and posted every last order. I'll have a cleared the decks. Unless, of course, you'd like one?

carnet de voyages immobiles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

dragging a dragonfly

Well, here's the thing. About a month ago I made some half arsed attempt to lay down some plans for this year. Some drawing goals. But, the main one, the burning one, the one that I've been wanting to do for the best part of a decade I never even mentioned. It just seemed like such a massive job. I didn't know where to start. But I just cannot let another year pass without giving this a shot. I just cannot. It'll drive me insane. More insane.

So, I have to make a start. Right now. I've told you about this project before. In words and in drawings. It is the children's book that has been cluttering up my head for the last decade. It's not exactly a story but a whole world I want to share with you.

I think that the way I am going to do that is by starting a new blog just dedicated to the book. There I can reveal the whole story of how I happened to find out about this world and, essentially, begin to publish the book online. Until a publisher picks it up, that is.

What do YOU think of that? Does it sound like a good idea to you? I would be really very very grateful for any feedback about the idea. If I don't start asking these questions and making these steps now I might never do it. And, then all these field notes will go to waste or just continue to clutter up my already dazed and confused head.

Thanks in advance.

the light nights are here

I find having to post photos of my work really frustrating. I want you all to be able to get a proper look, stick your beaks in and all that, and I don't feel that you can do that with photos. I mean, seriously, how does one photograph a trompe l'oeil? The angle, the light, the colour, the detail - especially the detail - it just doesn't work. In my opinion. Oh well, until I can afford an A3 scanner that's just the way it is.

The question I get asked the most is about the pens that I use. I always find it astonishing that people would want to know but, if you are interested, you can find a photo, and some notes, of every pen used in this drawing HERE.

the keeper of the key to the locks

This drawing is on an A3 paper and, as I've said before, I do not own a big enough scanner, so excuse the photos.

This drawing has taken my obsessiveness to new levels. I'm not sure whether you get that from the photos but, really, it really has.

I found this old book on Ebay and I just had to have it. I expected everybody in the world to bid for it, and I would have paid over the odds. However, my predictions were wrong and I ended up getting it for just £4.

I, religiously, meticulously, tried to recreate every crease, stain and colour on the white blank page before me. All the lettering too. I think I managed it more or less. I did make a couple of little additions of my own, though. I'll let you work out what they were.

It's also the very first page of my book. The story of my life.

blink and you'll miss it

Hey, guys and dolls. I am drawing. Really I am. Here's the proof. It's just that I've suddenly taken to drawing on A3 paper, and I don't own an A3 scanner. I'm loving this bigger paper, though. Just what I needed, double the size paper to fill with the tiniest most intricate of details.

Also, I now have to go to the print shop to get my drawings scanned. I'll have to post photos until I do that. Or, until I (can afford to) invest in an A3 scanner.

Something else I love is making life more complicated for myself.

all the weaving of my dreams

Well, sorry to leave you hanging like that. I've been a little busy. And, I've been struggling with this drawing. It's been a love hate relationship. I've given up on it a couple of times, then I've given in and worked on it some more, then finally, after a couple of weeks, I finished it. It's another drawing from, erm, 'my book' (!). Which is another reason I've been away for so long - getting ready for Bologna. Yikes, folks, it's getting close.

So, click on the drawing to get a better view. Go on, stick your beaks in.