the ladies of the bench

You know when a project takes over your life? Yeah? Well, that's exactly what has happened here.

Here's an update on the Books About Town / Wild In Art book bench project that I am working on. Last time, I posted about it, I had just received this giant open book that has now become part of the furniture in my living room.

Stage 1 was to prime the bench. I wanted a clean white background for my drawing - so a friend came around to help with that. That friend was not Dexter, despite it looking that way from the photo above. We just got over enthusiastic with the dust sheets.

That was the easy bit. Stage 2 is to transfer my drawings, which I originally made on A4 paper (20 x 30cm ish) onto the bench. It's not just enlarging the drawing, to such a scale, that's difficult. No. It's that the bench is not a flat piece of paper. Working the drawing around all the curves is tricky. But, I've started.

And, I did so whilst watching back to back Columbo over this Easter weekend.

Many people have said that this must be a daunting task. People often talk about the fear of drawing in a new sketchbook. The fear of the blank page. And, this is such a large blank page. But, I've never had the issue. In fact, I'm quite the opposite I love starting a new sketchbook with all the possibilities that brings. Procrastination is my issue.

So, I'm pleased that I've got going, whilst being watched over, and inspired by, my ladies over the bench; the Lady of Shalott; my teenage self; and, of course, Sue Townsend whose recent death has made choosing her Adrian Mole book as my theme for the bench even more poignant.

It also fills me with pride to be honoured to pay tribute to her, and Adrian, in this way.

You can read about how I got involved in this project HERE. I'll see you soon with some drawings, I hope. Although this has taken over my life. And my living room.although

here is a song for you

Here's a new drawing. Well, it's a new old drawing. You may well have seen it before. Quite recently actually.

I have a string of half finished drawings hanging around the house. I come across them all the time. In the strangest of places. Drawings that I've given up on for various reasons. Now and again though I'll try and breathe new life into them. This is what happened here.

This drawing must be at least three years old. It actually had a shoe print on it that I had to erase (I really do find them in strange places). I remember that I'd had this great idea of drawing each and every one of my pencil cases. I got half way through this before realising what a rubbish idea that was.

There was, however, another reason that I resumed this drawing; for a long time now people have been asking me if I'd considered making a film of me in action (drawing that is). When I came across this drawing I felt it could be used to show how I go about cross hatching. So, that's what I did - I say that's what 'I' did but I actually mean that's what a friend with the technology and know-how did.  Thanks Tim!

You can see the film in my last blog post or HERE.

Plus, you can get your hands on this drawing, and film star (haven't you always wanted to get your hands on a film star?),  as it is for sale in my little Etsy shop HERE.

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.

looking from a window above

Damn, it's good to be working in a Moleskine again. Most of my Moleys are in the display cabinets at my exhibition, but I kept a couple aside. I knew that I couldn't go three months without feeling that gorgeous cream paper, smelling those covers and (oh yeah) drawing in them.

This is another spread from the graphic novel idea that I'm working on. I have the story and now I'm just trying to bring those ideas to life through drawings. I'm most excited about this idea (I can't think of another word for 'idea'), hopefully, one day a publisher will be too. There's a couple more drawings from this story HERE.

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.......