i've been searching, searching, trying to find the words to say

You can't get a more perfect breakfast than grilled kippers and poached egg, can you? Actually, don't bother answering that, because even as I was typing those words loads more dishes that could take the 'perfect breakfast' title popped into my head. Bacon butties, of course. Porridge with honey on a cold winters morning. And, warm croissants with cream cheese and jam, Full English, Continental, smoked haddock and poached eggs, Nutella on toast, houmous and pittas, Crunchy Nut Cornflakes, beans and cheese on toast. You get the picture.

Grilled kippers and poached egg, ONE of the most perfect breakfasts, ever.
By the way, nobody has come even remotely close to working out the theme of THIS little book. Any guesses? Alternatively, you could just tell me your favourite breakfast.

it's a joy to know

I love that time when you are just about to fall asleep. That moment in between awake and asleep. It's such an creative space. For example, last night at that very moment, I just knew that I had to, that I really really must, add a wood grain to the background of this ole drawing. Why? Who can say. I could analyse it, but I think it's best not to.

And, what can I say about my last post? Just that I am completely blown away by the response. I'm still speechless (not that you'd notice), and will be sure to keep you posted on the building of the AJ empire. Thank you, all, so very much.

One more thing, you can now follow A Heavy Soul on Twitter. That's me by the way. Andrea Joseph was already taken. The swines!

Cheers, my dears.

i can see all i have done

My friend mentioned that my blog seems to have gone a little flat recently. He's always so supportive (yeah, sarcasm), but actually, although it pains me to agree with him, I feel the same. There are a few reasons for that.

I think lulls are quite natural. It's just a part of life. You can't always keep up that creative intensity. Also, I'm working a number of different things that aren't all about drawing.

Starting this blog a few years ago helped me discover my love of drawing all over again. And, also gave me a whole bunch of encouragement, and confidence, from all of your visits and comments. I never thought I was good at anything before.

This last year things have moved up a gear. Getting selected for Bologna, signing with an agent, meeting publishers, etc. And, now I've started believing that maybe somehow I can make a career out of illustration. That, however, takes a load of time doing all that businessy stuff. Plus, I work a full time job.

So, I have to concentrate my efforts in other places. I am still drawing, though, amongst all this, and will still be posting, so please, keep visiting my loyal friends.

Of course, I need to squeeze in little sketches, like this, for the sake of my sanity.

(I don't know if you guys are interested in this journey of trying to make a living out of illustration. Some of you may be going through the same thing. I'm quite happy to share this with you, but I don't want to bore you all. You tell me)

'round the bend and back again

I'm not much of a travel sketcher really. And, that's putting it mildly. I would love to have told you that I sat on the street and drew these, but I did it from the comfort of my armchair. Sometimes I long to draw the buildings and landscapes that surround me. But, I don't find it easy.

The thing is, when I'm drawing buildings and architecture I aways feel like I'm scratching around trying to find my own style. Up until now, I have never found that. A style that I'm comfortable with. In fact, drawing these little Gaudi buildings - even if it was copying them from a calender - is the closest I've ever come to it. Of course, the other reason for finding drawing architecture so difficult is that I cannot draw in public. Which is a bit of a setback.

I liked drawing these buildings, I like the results, I like what my pen has to say. Now, all I have to do is transfer this style to drawing actual REAL buildings. Oh, and conquer decades of acute self consciousness that manifests itself as a shyness that is criminally vulgar. That's all.

there ain't nothing in this world I can do about it

This one really messed with my eyes, as I drew late into the night, last night. So much so, I couldn't bear the thought of putting them through all that concentrating again tonight - to finish the other half of the drawing. Another time, baby. Another time.

Click on drawing to view.

something for the weekend

There's not much drawing going on around here this weekend. I want to start my new biggy drawing but I just can't find the energy(=euphemism for hungover). It was one of those Friday nights. A little too much vino. And, suddenly these two little drawings, that I made during the week, seem very appropriate.

You know, sometimes I think my humour is too dark. I deleted the original text to this post because I was getting lots of messages from people concerned about my mental health! Thank you, and don't worry. Really, I was joking!!

sittin' around waiting for my life to begin

Lunch for one. Sad, innit?

I've become a little bit obsessed with this little book over the last few days. When I get into an idea, like this, I just cannot let go. It keeps me awake at night. The theme of the book, originally, was 'around the house'. It still is, but now I've developed the idea further. I've given it an added twist. And, quite frankly, if you can guess what that twist might be I'd be truly astonished. The two versions of this drawing are a clue, but I ain't going to reveal it. It's for me to know and you to find out.

I'm just loving the word 'astonish' these days. Isn't it a great word?

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.

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.

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.

on the beach

So as the rain continues to fall, and fall, and fall, and fall here in the UK look what's turned up in my inbox. Yes, that's only my little Moos sunning themselves on a beach in Hawaii. The swines!!

They don't 'alf get around, you know. See them in other lovely locations HERE. Thanks to my friend Joanie for these lovely pics.

with my small axe

Here's yet another little themed book I have on the go. It's a book I turn to when I don't want to do one of those big mad drawings, but just a small (ish) sketch. It's a little book of travels around my house. Around my life.

It's been cold here in the UK. Non stop rain. Absolutely chucking it down. I was looking at these logs that live in a box in the wall of my living room. It's been so chilly I was even considering burning them. I didn't, a) because it's July and therefore supposed to be summer and b) because I thought I'd draw them instead and c) because they look too good to burn. They are a box of good looking logs. Yes, I'm shallow.

i'll be back again and again and again and again and again...

....with a little help from my friends (you know, I only ever speak in song lyrics these days). So, a little while back I asked if anybody fancied colouring in my black and white drawings of this girl. And to my amazement some of you did! And, with the most fabulous results, too. Way better than my attempt. So without further ado...

Kathleen (age; post adolescent):

Hannah (age; 10 years):

Beth (age; 9):

Jeanne (age; 60):

Laurel (age; 7):

Grace (age; 13):

Gianluca (age; 29):

Andrea Joseph (age; no spring chicken):

And, finally...

Lara the cat. Age; what's it got to do with you?

Thank you all so much for taking part, guys.

Psssst, also check out Pippa's gorgeous blog for her versions and a bonus story about my girl and her mess; HERE.

don't be light

I've been piling on the pounds recently, so I dug out all my old wholefood cookbooks in an attempt to get healthy. I have an extensive collection of cookery books from the 1960's and 70's. I found them all in charity shops and bought them all for the illustration. I just love those drawings. I believe that this illo was heavily influenced by that whole vibe.

This one started life as a 'simple line drawing', as many of my drawings do. Five days later I'm still undecided about it, but after all that time it's being posted. Undecided or not.

born to (not) run

Another drawing from my travel themed Moleskine. And some more nonsense that, no doubt, I'll regret sharing.