September 3rd, 2010
Whilst I’m preparing some new work, I thought it might be cool to show you some of the things I’ve collected over the years.
This is stuff that inspires and influences me – I never stop looking for things to take home from boot sales, flea markets and antique shops.
First up is this wonderful 9.5mm film package that I found in Snoopers Paradise in Brighton. I think it’s a 20′s home movie format and the film is still inside! I couldn’t resist when I saw the awesome colours and shouty cockerel.
Next up, my matchbox labels.
I have well over a thousand of these now, most of them Czech but some Russian, German and Japanese. They date from the 50′s to the 70′s. I just love them, and I’ll keep on collecting ’til I run out of space. Below are some of my favourites.
And finally, I found this 1971 ‘Twinkle’ girls annual in a flea market. Most of the artwork in the book I’m not fussed about, but the front and back inside covers look fantastic. I love how the solid ‘cut-out’ shapes contrast with the fine line work. There are some great characters in here!
And there you have it, hope you like this stuff as much as I do. There’s more but I’ll save that for another post!
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August 21st, 2010
A while back, I was contacted by Inksie. These young thrusters are setting up a lifestyle brand with a focus on nice graphics and all forms of printing.
It seems they’re to run a voting system (similar to Threadless maybe?) whereby invited members can submit designs for apparel and art prints and these can get voted into production.
They have very good manners, a great aesthetic and some environmental savvy, so I was more than happy to produce a design for their launch week. They also sent me some cool things including a snail-mailed invite, an embossed Moleskine and a lovingly designed handbook! Nice.
Here’s my submission – Treebeard! He’s based on the ‘Green Man’ of English folklore with a bit of a contemporary feel. I’ll be submitting designs for both mens and womens tees in a variety of colourways, and also maybe as an art print.
When the site is fully up and running I’ll fire off another post as an invitation to vote!
Posted in Design, Illustration, Work | 2 Comments »
July 29th, 2010
Don’t even bother talking to this guy, cos…
This was initially based on one of my old uni friends, but as my work tends to it progressed into something quite different.
Posted in Illustration, Musings, Typography, Work | 1 Comment »
July 16th, 2010
Did a bit more work on the cowboy.
I decided the gun was looking a bit weedy so beefed it up and got onto the unwrapping and texturing. I’ve also overlaid an old paper texture on the render to help get a feel for the vintage / handmade look I’m aiming for. The paper is actually from an old piece of sheet music that I picked up at a car boot sale – I love how you can work found / tangible stuff into digital creations!
Much more can be made of this yet, the clothing probably needs a bit of work and I’m looking forward to rigging and posing him, then making the 2D backdrops.
Posted in 3D, Work in progress | 3 Comments »
July 8th, 2010
Another submission to Colonel Windpipe’s Musical Brigade, Clash loves nothing more than to stride along bashing the cymbals.
Bet he makes a terrible din.
Colonel Windpipe’s Musical Brigade
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July 4th, 2010
I started this a while ago and thought it might be nice to post up some work in progress for once.
Occasionally I like to get my 3D brain fired up, and this character is an evolution of the 2D cowboy I posted up a while back. I’d really like to style him in the same way I do my drawn characters – similar palettes, textures and a hand drawn 2D backdrop.
I love the Pams food animation from Jonny kofoed and no doubt similar techniques will inspire me here. I’ll keep you posted..
Posted in 3D, Illustration, Work in progress | No Comments »
June 29th, 2010
Another collaborative project! Colonel Windpipe’s Musical Brigade is a beautiful collection of weird and wonderful musical folk.
The originators Lesley Barnes and Uberkraaft started the project between themselves, but now they’ve thrown it open to all comers in the hope of making a big print for charity.
Here’s my first submission, flag bearer Seth Flowerman and his trusty Beesteed.
Posted in Illustration, Work | 4 Comments »
June 11th, 2010
I recently discovered the Happy Journey Collective, a bunch of illustrators that come up with unique and delightful coffin-based designs.
I’d been thinking of having a crack at designing a skate deck, but thought this was far more interesting. So here’s my submisson, a reminder to myself and everyone else not to take it all too seriously.
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June 5th, 2010
Just a quickie.
Put together a tiling background for my Twitter page. Go here to see it in action and tweet me up!
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June 3rd, 2010
Sometimes it’s nice just to keep it simple. But what is this guy? Nobody knows that.
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