"The artist...is also a born adventurer. His explorations, unlike those of a tourist, are rewarded by the discovery of beauty spots unmentioned in the guide books, and with tireless curiosity and an exceptional proneness to wonderment, he will come upon objects of remarkable interest overlooked or even shunned by more disciplined observers."

Augustus John, R.A.




Sunday 28 November 2010

Starting a New Print



I haven't quite finished with the report illustrations yet, and following the demise of the Kingfisher print I need to come up with a new cover design. So Christmas could be a bit busy this year as I promised they would be ready for the first week in January! However, on the basis that a change is as good as a rest, the illustrations have been temporarily put to one side and a new print started. The third of the trilogy of prints that I intend submitting to the Ferens Open Exhibition in the New Year. Even at this early stage the subject matter is already becoming apparent with this print.
I also need to spend some time this week preparing work for the forthcoming Ilkley Arts Market. Prints have to be mounted, cards printed and ex-libris bookplates trimed to size and packaged. Its important work and needs to be done but I always feel guilty spending time doing this rather than producing work.

Sunday 21 November 2010

Plodding On

Two more finished illustrations, both drawn in my usual pencil and ink wash.

Dipper.
Had fun with this although I'm not sure that the stream works in monochrome. Its hard to get the feeling of looking down through the ripples to the stream bed. I've painted watercolours like this and its easier to suggest the different planes of view using colour.


Ringed Plover
Just a straight forward portrait of the bird perched amongst the rocks on the edge of a moorland reservoir.

Sunday 14 November 2010

Three more Illustrations

Male Whinchat. Pencil and Ink Wash. 90mm x 130mm.

Cuckoo. Pencil and Ink Wash. 90m x 130mm.


Buzzard. Pencil and Ink Wash. 90mm x 130mm.

I have now finished seven of these illustrations, with probably another seven or eight to go plus a cover design.

Sunday 7 November 2010

More Illustrations

Finished 3 more illustrations this week with another 3 still taped on the drawing board in various stages of finish. Although one of them isn't going too well and may have to be reworked.

Turtle Dove. Pencil and Ink Wash. 130mm x 90mm.

Long Eared Owl. Pencil and Ink Wash. 130mm x 90mm.

Montagu's Harrier (Male). Pencil and Ink Wash. 90mm x 130mm.