I could do with a game of boules right now. Three deadlines are looming over my head… I feel like a hamster in a plastic ball trying to run away from a steam roller- entering that twilight reality where I literally do not stop drawing. Ever.
Blog
Sunday, July 25th, 2010
La Belle France
Sunday, July 18th, 2010
Morning inks
Since coming back from Belgium I’ve been getting stuck into the lovely inks and loose style of one of my favourite ever comics artists, Franquin. Though Belgian, in the sixties and seventies he was pretty much top of the pile in the french comics industry with his electric style and dry humour. The shark design below is his. His inks are both loose and intricate, and crackle with energy. Worth checking out is his book ‘Idées noires‘ (Dark Thoughts). Drawn entirely in black and white, it’s the darkest of dark humour, and showcases his amazing inks and acting skills. 
So my morning warm up is all about inks a la Franquin. The Citroen 2CV at the bottom was the first car I possessed of any character. It lasted until I could see the road between my feet- and I thought it best to retire the thing.
Friday, July 9th, 2010
Derby gals
Thursday, July 1st, 2010
Summer Paintings
Summer has hit us with a vengeance…. Here’s some little tidbits of work, as a bunch of things are progressing…
Here’s a sample of progress on the Viking comic that I’ll be working on for an anthology by artists at Aardman. I’m determined to paint more than ever, so this is oils and a sprinkling of digitalness to follow. The original can now be hung on the bathroom wall
In other comics work, my partners Mysh and Oren and I are hard at work on a killer issue 2 for Duck and Cover. I’m enjoying inking BG’s before all the colouring begins. Got to tell you, Mysh’s characters for this are fantastic.
And lastly, enough of all this arty business. It’s summertime, schools out, time to build lego and head to the beach. Here’s my boy graduating to big school. So proud of this little family.
Next week I’ll mostly be in the UK and will be making a pilgrimage to the Tintin Museum in Brussels…
Thursday, June 17th, 2010
The contents of my head: Biplanes
The contents of my head on another late night of designing and boarding, while in the background, France are making complete tools of themselves in south Africa… This is for a sting for the Tel Aviv Animation Festival, you’ll see it when it’s hot of the press! For more background to all this, check out the comic.
Thursday, June 10th, 2010
I love my palette knife
…I’m developing an unhealthy affection for it.Mmm, shiny. Springy.
I’m setting up a Comic anthology project with Ashley Boddy of Aardman, showcasing stories by some of the best of Aardman’s artists. And this is the style I’m going to work in…much more news about that over the course of the summer.
Monday, May 31st, 2010
Viking Oil Painting number 3
Good morning. Some more viking goodness for you. This is oils, pastel, and a bit of photoshop jiggery.
Thursday, May 27th, 2010
More Oil Painting
It’s a busy day here at viking/toucan HQ. Actually, I’m procrastinating, painting when I should be storyboarding. I’ve become somewhat averse to my computer lately.
Sunday, May 23rd, 2010
Vikings and Oil Paint
Quick 30 minute warm up painting this morning- Oils, pastel and pencil. I really enjoy mixed media, and pastels go onto wooden panel really nicely. I love it when a painting dictates where it wants to go, and I tag along.
