"The painting has a life of its own. I try to let it come through" -Jackson Pollock
Pollock, Picasso, Miro & Moore.
Read in the bath. On the train. In bed. On holiday. Read on a plane, ship, bus, read secretly at work. Read anywhere, read everywhere. Read yourself out.
Books shown- 'Design: A short introduction' Heskett. 'The Stories of Breece D'J Pancake', Poems by Ted Hughes, 'Therese Raquin' Emile Zola, 'Vile Bodies' Evelyn Waugh, 'Freedom' Jonathan Franzen, 'Catch 22' Joseph Heller, 'Antique Packaging' Josep Garofe, 'How to Make Books' Esther K. Smith, 'The Journals of Sylvia Plath 1950-1962'.
London book fair with the B.N.I
Yesterday they held a seminar at the London Book Fair about the 'Best New Illustrators Award' (of which I am one!) It was chaired by Nicolette Jones, with Polly Dunbar, Anthony Browne, and Lauren Child on the panel. Seven of our gang of ten attended, and at the end of the talk we had to go up alphabetically and talk for a few minutes about our work. Despite starting with the wrong person, no-one being able to operate the slideshow and someone tripping over their bag, it all looked highly professional! In fact, I think we all did pretty well at our impromptu speeches, especially as we were being watched by a panel of picture-book greats.
I wandered around the fair falling in love with various foreign books, and thoroughly enjoyed talking to the other illustrators. Alice Melvin had come down all the way from Edinburgh, Chris Haughton was back from Nepal, Viv Schwarz was wearing a lovely hand-made dress, Claudia Boldt had green tights on, Salvatore Rubbino told me the best lego story I've ever heard... and did you know Joe Berger is illustrating 'Chitty-chitty Bang Bang'?
I completely forgot my camera though, which was a shame, but if I can get my hands on some pictures I'll post them up. This is a photo from the awards ceremony of most of us, L-R Levi Pinfold, Me, Claudia Boldt, Viviane Schwarz, Alice Melvin, (Children's Laureate) Anthony Browne, Joe Berger and Salvatore Rubbino.
The exhibition of our artwork is now at Foyles in Charring Cross, to see where else it's going click here
Photo from Booktrust
Inks and Ideas
1. Paul Gauguin 'Black Pigs' 1891. 2. Gustave Caillebotte, Boulevard Haussmann, Snow, 1880-81.
I'm going to be starting the final artwork for my new book 'Buddy' very soon. I'm excited about this book, as I really love the story, and it has scenes that are going to challenge my drawing skills. With each book you have to set yourself a new objective, so you discover and learn, and hopefully improve your skills. 'Buddy' has some very diverse landscapes in it, including a couple of exotic spreads. So I've been doing a fair amount of research into how to create that heat, and glorious colour, and who better to study than Gauguin? I'm also feeling very inspired by a few Caillebotte paintings for my wintery city scenes.
This morning the postman delivered my new set of inks, all 26 colours. It's a new brand of inks for me, I can't get my hands on my favoured set anymore, but these seem very similar. I've also got a great set of french Sennelier pastels, I'd highly recommend them. (Tip: If you use the darker shades never rub straight into paper always work it in gently with your fingers or it marks.)
So I have a head full of ideas, a desk full of art materials, now I just need to get started!
If you have any questions about papers, materials, or anything artwork-wise I'd really love to hear them!
bathing beauties
I'd like to pack a suitcase full of beautiful luxury swimwear, and go on holiday with all my favourite girlfriends.
1. Zimmermann bikini 2. Chloe Bikini 3. Retrosuperfuture Sunglasses 4.Steven Alan Dress 5. Suitcases (credit unknown) 6. Miu Miu Swimsuit
Photo from LIFE.
Summertime
Sam Cooke = Genius.
Definitely worth buying off iTunes to hear the clearer version!