click2nlarge

Inspired by a recent festive sunday magazine article that hand held, (where appropriate obviously), the reader on the often hazardous assault course that is Christmas dinner preparation in the most patronising way possible. “Avoid cross-contamination and practice good kitchen hygiene. Always use individual chopping boards, colour coded ones are a practical solution in keeping different food stuffs separated! Wash your hands (you will have two initially) before preparing and touching food. Exercise caution when using sharp knives, but you’ll probably be ok with really blunt ones. See that boiling pan on the hob, it might be hot! “Perhaps more advisable to visit to a restaurant for Xmas this year! Print out and colour in the illustration above. To make it easier we’ve made a start for you.

click2enlarge

click2enlarge

Hank Brian Marvin, the original guitar hero and everyone’s favourite shadow, unless of course you preferred one of the other ones. One day all record artwork will be made this way and who’ll be laughing then?

click2enlarge

“Think I’m into something big!”

A reworking of a staff survey poster campaign on job satisfaction, which went under the general strapline of How Do Things Look From Where You’re Sitting? Anyway, needless to say our little fishing companion, oblivious to developments behind him, is indeed in for at least a bit of a soaking!

click to make bigger

When you’re a beginner colourer inner, nothing can be as important as to keep the colours on the right side of the line. So, children everywhere, (young and old), it’s important to keep your hand in and practice, at least until you’re old enough to use expensive software that will do the job for you. I know, it’s cheating really. Feel free to download the pdf version below and see if you still have what it takes!

colourin pdf

scratchnsniff

Illustration Friday – Bicycle

A bespoke,(ahem), illustration for this week’s topic. The Queen songs Bicycle Race and Fat Bottomed Girls, (released in 1978 as a double A side single), were the inspiration for the tongue in cheek interpretation of the subject matter, (perhaps I should re-phrase that!).  The video the band shot for Bicycle Race featured 65 naked female models racing on bikes and caused upset to the firm the bikes were rented from when the hire purpose became clear and they insisted the band purchase all the bicycle seats used. Well, you wouldn’t want saddled with that, would you? Adobe Illustrator

click2enlarge

A transport related posting seemed relevant here, illustrating the journey of this character design from initial sketch through to completed artwork. This project which was eventually shelved was aimed at children and focused on a coach named George and his companion/driver Jimmy Jock and their road related adventures. Pencil/Illustrator and Photoshop.

click to enlarge

Saw Mr Ramsay’s latest festive offering at a bookshop the other day. Christmas with Gordon, as the man himself might say – I don’t f**kn’ think so! Anyway my alternative take on subject matter. “You will f word eat those brussels sprouts.” “This turkey’s drier than the dogs dangly bits!“  Rudolph wouldn’t be hanging around the roof of that house on Christmas Eve!  In saying that might make for a more a more interesting read. Pass the cranberry sau… er, jus, if you please (Savour the thought!). Created in Illustrator.

(Just for fun and in the best xmas tradition – can you find a hidden devil and bat and ball within the image?)

Illustration Friday – Transportation

That old saying didn’t come about by accident y’know! ( … also covered by Prince in Purple Rain).

click on image to enlarge

When the creative juices run dry, there’s nothing quite like a rummage through the archives to find some inspiration, or even something to fit the subject matter. “Man beneath a jigsaw” was commissioned for an article on product diversity and options for an internal banking publication. You can understand the need for an illo to brighten up proceedings – That’s what I’m here for!