Union Jack Heart

After the events of yesterday I was still feeling a little patriotic and decided to create a Union Jack heart but with two little birdies. Just something a little bit simple and something to do really :)

Its also over on my society6 page :)

Daren Newman

Today we have the work of typographer, illustrator & designer; Daren Newman.
His web site is full of intricate illustrations and beautiful pieces of typography. Have a look! :)

The Royal Wedding

What a beautiful day. Of course it was the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. It was an absolutely lovely service and Kate had a stunning dress by Alexander McQueen / Sarah Burton. Days like today make me feel very proud to be British. May I wish them all the best :)

Inkygoodness Are Back!

Inkygoodness launched their first international exhibition in Berlin last month, as part of world renowned Pictoplasma Character Design Conference & Festival. Inkygoodness presents ‘Character Totem’ showcased customised Totem artworks by 35 illustrators and artists from across the globe; including Felt Mistress, Loulou & Tummie, Jason Devine and Simon David Mills, forming one of 25 exhibitions featured on the Pictoplasma Character Walk.

In the lead up to the event, Inkygoodness duo Lisa Hassell and Michelle Turton organised a Character Totem Live Draw Tour, hosting drawing events in London, Bristol and for the last leg of the tour Manchester, where they collaborated with the Publisher’s Club on a special one-day event.

Artists and illustrators participating in the final exhibition include Mc Bess, Lou Lou and Tummie, Felt Mistress, El Tobe, Toy Factory, Ben Steers, Mr Millerchip and Sneaky Raccoon and Simon David Mills – many of whom joined the Inkygoodness girls in Berlin for the event!

Held at the popular Neurotitan Gallery, Inkygoodness exhibited alongside animator and artist Ryan Quincy, best known for his work on cult show South Park. Exhibiting a beautiful collection of artworks, short animations and hand painted characters for his show entitled ‘That Was Then, This Is Forever’, this was Quincy’s first exhibition outside of the USA.

As part of the Character Walk, Brit designer Matt JOnes, aka Lunartik presented his Mini-Tea Tour, which brought together over 70 artists & designers to customise the iconic Lunartik tea cup. The tour which has already seen the artworks tour in London, California and Vienna, launched in Berlin alongside a 2-day workshop ‘Plastic surgery’, teaching the art of making resin toys to the masses (attended by Inkygoodness’ vinyl toy loving PR girl Fran Pearce).

Internationally renowned artist Jeremyville produced a giant wall piece based on the last days of pop culture on earth, focusing on the death of popular culture character icons featuring a iconic characters Hello Kitty and Sponge Bob Square Pants.

Matt JOnes and Jeremyville were also key speakers at the Conference, which featured talks from a host of artists; Rilla Alexander (part of Australian collective Rinzen), Ben and Julia, Mc Bess and Ryan Quincy; who wore one of his Character Costumes on stage and at his launch party, brought to life by costume makers Yo Gaba Gaba.

Other highlights included The Crim Collective; a group of students and lecturers from the University of Huddersfield, headed up by Jeffrey Bowman (mrbowlegs.co.uk) who transformed a disused, derelict building with their colourful installation Mechanalism. A reaction to the mass popularity of vinyl toy culture, and it’s collectable appeal, Crim Collective created an imaginary production line of flat-packed, Do-It-Yourself ‘Characters’.

Inkygoodness are now back in the UK where they are preparing the final leg of their Character Totem tour at the We Are Birmingham Shop & Gallery, due to open in June. For further information on this and other upcoming events, visit www.inkygoodness.com.

Photographs by Sam de Buysscher

Gal Shked

Gal Shked is an illustrator, animator and director based in Tel Aviv. There are many great examples of his work over on his portfolio site and flickr. Take a look! Try clicking the bird in the top left corner... it does something interesting :)

Screen over print

I eventually got around to screen printing another colour on top of my fox prints. It was really difficult to line up because I don't have any of the proper printing presses, just a wonky table and 2 g clamps! Although not a bad attempt really! I need to work out how I can stop my screen from sticking to my paper. I've tried to raise the screen off of the table using sticky pads but they don't really last long with my g clamps. After a twitter convo last night I also think I may have a go at cutting some stencils instead of using the absolutely dreadful screen block. :)

Dragonfly

Since the rest of my previous illustrations in this style were all flying insects I felt I should carry on that theme and create another. This maybe the final in this series, although that doesn't mean that I'll stop drawing bugs like this! So here is my new dragonfly :) I hope you like him!

If your feeling really generous why not press the promote button for me over on Society6? Or even buy him as a print or iPhone skin as a treat to yourself :)

Kerry Hyndman

Sorry for the delay I have been away this weekend! Today we have the beautifully simple yet eye grabbing illustrative work by Kerry Hyndman. Kerry is a designer and illustrator based in London who studied Fine Art in Newcastle and an MA in Illustration in Kingston University. She enjoys being up mountains and on the sea. Who wouldn't with lovely weather like we have had this weekend! Why not treat yourself to a little gander at her website? Its full of lovely work. Go on! Do it!

Bosque

BOSQUE is a new multidisciplinary creation studio of graphics and products with varied techniques and supports, looking for its inspiration in music and different kind of pictures. Based in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It was created in 2008 by the fusion of the graphic artists and designers Bolsadeosos and Maybe.

My new cards!

I had quite an exciting package arrive today! My new cards and business cards :) I am very pleased with this batch and couldn't wait to show you! I will be sending a selected few companies a couple and then I don't know what I'm going to do with the rest! I may open a little shop but I'm too scared no one will want to buy anything! :P

Ghost Patrol

'A self taught artist, Ghostpatrol has moved from the field of stencil art to exhibit his drawing based creations worldwide. He currently resides in Melbourne at his ‘Mitten Fortress’ studio. His work ranges form fine ink drawing, street-art, commissioned murals and soft sculpture.'

'Ghostpatrol creates worlds. His ongoing exploration of hybrid animals and forests travels across mediums; from pasted posters to soft sculpture, watercolours and printmaking. His work often references childhood nostalgia and pop culture, with often quite sinister and playful undertones. From beginnings in stencil and street art, his current practice focuses on ambitious installation and painting projects.'

Katie Chappell

Today we have the lovely illustrative work of Katie Chappell. The small child inside the sleeping bag is very sweet as it reminds me of me when I was younger wrapping myself up in my sleeping bag. Although, I did get stuck in one once...

Katie: 'I like my illustrations to make people giggle, or at least crack a smile. I like to use inky black lines, scratchy pencil, pantone markers, brown parcel paper. The humble 2B pencil is my favourite drawing tool because of the contrasting black and faint grey lines you can achieve with it. I get a lot of inspiration from travelling, commuting to work, packaging, bright colours, things people say in conversations, children, nature, grafitti, emotions? Just everyday happenings really.'

Light up the moon

This is my latest illustration, inspired by the beautiful moon that lit up my room on saturday night :)

Want it as a print, iPhone case or skin? Then check out my society6 studio.

Screen Block Win!

As most of my readers will know, I have been battling with screen block on my silk screen prints for the last few weeks. This was third time lucky! I am much happier with how these prints came out. This time I put drawing ink on both sides of the screen and rather than pulling the block over my image I painted in the block around the edges. A verrrry long and tedious process but I got there in the end! I even printed on a scrap piece of chip board which came out quite nice as you could still see the texture below the print. More experimenting is in order I think :)

Mr Bee

This is my next illustration in the series of insect/bug/nature related illustrations. It follows the same kind of style as the butterflies. I might do some ladybirds or spiders next :)

Should you want him as a print, iPhone/iPod cover or skin, Laptop/iPad skin check out my Society6 :)

Honey Recipes From A Welsh Kitchen

The postman delivered my new book today! Honey Recipes from a welsh kitchen which I designed and layed out for The International Bee Research Association (IBRA). I was quite excited and couldn't wait to share it with you! Should you decide you want to buy it, you can purchase it over in the IBRA shop.

'Inspired by the versatility and potential of honey as a cooking ingredient, Jane has produced over 100 delicious recipes in this attractive book. With step by step instructions and colour photographs throughout, cooking with honey is easy!'

'For convenience the recipes are grouped into the following chapters:
Meat / Fish / Vegetarian and Salads / Desserts / Cakes / Biscuits / Christmas. The dishes range from spicy beef medallions to mouth watering Glamorgan sausages, and from traditional Welsh cakes to fabulous honey walnut biscuits.'

'This book is aimed at those who want to use one of the oldest ingredients in the world! A product that is so versatile it should not be ignored in the kitchen! It is a book for expert and novice alike with a page of ‘Useful tips for cooking with honey’ to help you on your way.'

Butterfly butterfly - Framed

So this week I had my butterfly prints delivered which was really exciting for me! So I went out and bought a frame and mounts to find that they didn't fit properly (my flowers appear cut off) but I guess they will just have to stay in the frame until I manage to find a mount that actually fits properly.

Screen Block Fail Take 2

Please excuse the naff quality of these images. My phone didn't like me today. Anyway, this is my second attempt at trying to get the screen block work for me. Needless to say it didn't go overly well this time either but at least it printed better than the last time! The screen has now been power washed but I can't work out if the block colour has stained the screen or weather it is being super super super stubborn and not washing out. However, I think I have a plan for the next time round. Just have to wait for the screen to dry and I'll be drawing this fox for the third and final time on that screen. Fingers crossed it works better next time. If anyone has any tips on how to use screen block properly PLEEEEASE let me know :)

Don't Click!

If you do one thing today make sure it is having a go on this web site! Can you navigate the content resisting the urge to click? Beware of the little pop up questions that trick you into clicking!

Matthew Ellero

These illustrations are by Peterborough based Illustrator and Graphic Designer Matthew Ellero. He has a really sweet style and often his characters have unusually large heads but cute non the less! He also has an entry for the Smart car competition but this blog would do it no justice as it is so detailed! So pop over to his web site to have a look! :)

Apple Tattoos

If you pop over to Design Cookbook you will be able to view a collection of around 40 images of people who are clearly devoted to the Apple brand in the form of tattoos. I love my mac but this is something I'd never dream of doing!