Thursday 31 March 2011

Scribblemania 33


Over to the Scottish Borders.
Drawings from Hirsel Park Grounds, Coldstream.

Wednesday 30 March 2011

Scribblemania 32


More drawings from Dumfries and Galloway.
These are from Dundrennan, home of the Wicker Man Festival.

Tuesday 29 March 2011

Scribblemania 31


ScribbleCAM

Scribblemania 30


I try and draw when I'm out and about. I think it's important
and it's a good way to remember the places I've been to.

Photographs seem to become endless clutter on my desktop
computer.

Here's a drawing I did on Barstobrick Hill near Ringford
whilst in Dumfries and Galloway.

The view is looking south from Neilson's Monument and
a red kite was circling.

Monday 28 March 2011

Sunday 27 March 2011

Scribblemania 28




A few finished pieces from the first book
of the new series.

Saturday 26 March 2011

Scribblemania 27



Time to meet Pip.

Here are a few rough drawings of him
before going to final artwork.

Pip is our unlikely hero in the Spindlewood Tales books.

In book one you will discover what Pip is up against
and hear all about;

The Deadman's Hand
The sinister secret of the great walled city of Hangman's Hollow
A forest of sinister trees that will hatch out a swarm of midnight creatures
And if that wasn't enough, there is always the threat of the hook handed man.

To search inside the pages, read the reviews or buy the book, go to


Friday 25 March 2011

Scribblemania 26





Here are some rough drawings of the buildings inside
the walls of Hangman's Hollow.

Pip and the Wood Witch Curse can be purchased from
Amazon via the link.

Thursday 24 March 2011

Scribblemania 25

Hangman's Hollow
rough drawing & finished artwork


Before I let you through the gates, I thought I should explain to you
that Hangman's Hollow is not a place for the faint hearted. The city
is at war with the forest. Nightmarish creatures spill onto the streets
and lost children are in hiding out of harms way.

But if you do insist on letting yourself in, be careful not to fall foul
of the hook-handed man.

Wednesday 23 March 2011

Scribblemania 24



Time to divert and take a look at the new series I think.

Spindlewood Tales is my latest venture and is taking up
most of my time at the moment so here are a few rough
character development drawings from the first book to
set the mood.

I'll explain a little more about the story over the coming
week and show some more preliminary work.

The first book in the series is Pip and the Wood Witch Curse.


Tuesday 22 March 2011

Scribblemania 23


Here is Mary Shelley, creator of Frankenstein.

That's the last of my fifteen minute sketches.
Something new tomorrow.

Monday 21 March 2011

Sunday 20 March 2011

Scribblemania 21


I can't remember how or why but I stumbled across
Frida Kahlo this morning whilst searching for something.

So what better subject for todays fifteen minute treatment.

Saturday 19 March 2011

Scribblemania 20


Todays offering is David Hockney.

And the only weak and tenuous link I can apply
is that we are fellow Bradfordians.

He being the slightly older one!

Friday 18 March 2011

Scribblemania 19


Here's the next of my fifteen minute scribblings.
Today it's Michaelangelo, what did that Sistine Chapel 'n' stuff
using only emulsion from his Dad's garage.

A quick hi to all the children who came to see me
yesterday at the fantastic, new Worksop Library.

Children from St Anne's Primary and Ryton Park each sat
through one of my talks and watched me draw. Thanks for
coming along.

Wednesday 16 March 2011

Scribblemania 18


The second of my fifteen minute drawings
which seems to be turning into 'caricatures
of people I admire.' Here's an old colleague
of mine. Mr Charles Dickens.

Scribblemania 17


Given myself a little project for the blog.
A series of drawings done in fifteen minutes.
Here's the first. It's my good friend Rembrandt!

Tuesday 15 March 2011

Scribblemania 16


More piratey thoughts on the new book.

Monday 14 March 2011

Sunday 13 March 2011

Scribblemania 14

St John's Church


The Guildhall
Holbourne Museum of Art
The Abbey


Drawings from the City of Bath

Saturday 12 March 2011

Scribblemania 13


A passing crow caught by the nib!

Friday 11 March 2011

Scribblemania 12


As it's National Violin Day I thought I'd
pull out this colour sketch.



(It's not really National Violin Day...I made it up as an
excuse to use this drawing on my blog.

Actually, it might be...somewhere on earth...
in which case, do let me know).

Thursday 10 March 2011

Scribblemania 11




Todays subject is silhouettes. They're such a powerful visual device
and so I like to use them whenever I can. Especially when concentrating
on black and white artwork.

These are taken from the Something Wickedly Weird books.

Wednesday 9 March 2011

Scribblemania 10


Having just returned from the 'aye write' Literature Festival in Glasgow
I felt it was worth a mention. The festival is based in the fantastic Mitchell
Library which, as far as I am aware, is the largest reference library in Europe.

I couldn't resist a scribblemanic version of the building so here it is.

I have to say the Glaswegians are a very friendly and helpful bunch.
Thanks to all the festival staff for a warm welcome and a well organised
events programme.

Tuesday 8 March 2011

Scribblemania 9


More pen 'n' ink from the Mould 'scribble bible'.

Sunday 6 March 2011

Scribblemania 8





And back to pirates again!

Scribblemania 7


Here be dragons!

A piece of finished artwork for a change.
(Image taken from Fangs 'n' Fire - Ten Dragon Tales).

Saturday 5 March 2011

Scribblemania 6

view of Pendick from the hotel

looking towards Sultanahmet from Kadikoy

mosque and housing blocks from the hotel window

Time to get serious with this blog I think.

I took a trip to the Koc School in Istanbul earlier this year and was joined by the very talented Keith Gray (author of the superb Ostrich Boys). I hadn't previously met Keith but I have to say he is a thoroughly nice chap and excellent company. We had a great week doing workshops and talks with some really talented children who, I should say, speak excellent English even at 5 and 6 years old!

Needless to say, the sketchbook wasn't too far away so I thought you might like to see the results.

Thank you to Ann Wilson for making the trip possible.

Oh, and...Ostrich Boys will be dramatised at Birmingham Repetory Theatre in July this year. Do not miss!

Friday 4 March 2011

Scribblemania 5


Something to chase the black cat away from yesterday.

Thursday 3 March 2011

Scribblemania 4


Inspired by Edgar Allen Poe's The Black Cat!

Wednesday 2 March 2011

Scribblemania 3


Here comes another of those machines...

Tuesday 1 March 2011

Scribblemania 2


Robots seem to be scattering themselves throughout my

sketchbooks at the moment so today’s scribblemania comes

in the form of something mechanical.

I’m not sure what it is but there’s a story in there somewhere!


More to come soon…