Character illustrations

I have been wanting to improve my character illustrations for a while, as in 2017 I have enjoyed focusing on atmosphere, lighting, colour and composition.

Gustave Eiffel bought the rights in 1884 to build a huge 4-cornered metal tower which would eventually become his namesake and the pinnacle of the 1889 Paris Expo.

Josephine Baker was an incredible character in history. Born in slums, Baker became a cabaret dancer and an overnight sensation in Paris, before joining the French Resistance during WWII and receiving high commendations for her persistent work. In the 1950s she strived for civil rights and performed to an integrated crowd Miami.

Oh and she had a pet cheetah.

Vintage Paris map updates

Over Christmas I have picked up a personal project I started a while back! It will be an illustrated map celebrating turn of the century Montmartre during the swell of artists, musicians and poets, more popularly known as the Children of the Revolution.

Le Bateau Lavoir: Picasso's studio where he painted the famous Les Demoiselles d'Avignon.

The famous Moulin Rouge at the bottom of the hill.

Mural update

This is an illustration of the New Town which sits in the middle of the 6 metre long mural. I wanted to bring in influence from romantic architecture including the Basilica in Moscow and Mont St Michel in France. 

The fictional town is nestled not far from the North Pole and will be decorated with Christmas trees and festive characters.

Christmas Mural building sessions!

Christmas Mural at mac Birmingham!

Across November worked on a Christmas Mural which is now on exhibition at Midlands Arts Centre - MAC Birmingham (nestled in Cannon Hill Park) across December!
Turn left at the Terrace Gallery and follow signs for the New Town to see the 6 metre long mural. Proud of this one, photos to come! 🎄🎅💡

A Lego Master?

I have been working on a secret project for the last three weeks which will be unveiled very soon, after posting a few cryptic updates on social media, Lego Masters have already taken notice! Always good to get recognition and love from LEGO (!).

Birmingham Hippodrome Christmas card

Proud to have finished this design celebrating the spirit of theatre. The design is available at my etsy shop here and Birmingham Hippodrome.

New project updates

Since early November I have been working on a big Christmas display.

The panoramic display is set around a whimsical city that celebrates Christmas tradition.

I have brought together the vintage neon-light aesthetic of american diners and drive-thru cinemas and the art deco style.

Christmas Cards available now!

Adding to my current range are new designs for Birmingham Hippodrome, the Electric Cinema and mac Birmingham. Use the codes at checkout to save on multiple sets of Christmas cards!

Visit my shop here!

mac Birmingham Christmas card

I have designed a Christmas card celebrating mac Birmigham - formerly Midlands Art Centre - where I have taught for the last 18 months.

I focused on the distinctive building facade first then added a few characters to bring it to life.

Spending time creating the transparent nature of the bauble adds depth and contains the festive atmosphere within the scene,

Adding small touches like the shadow under the bow and the glint on the bauble add gravity and the realistic effects of light onto the illustration.

I have been focusing a lot on atmosphere, illumination, long shadows, contrast to create a festive warmth. The next challenge is giving my work a more contemporary aesthetic whilst retaining the strong atmosphere. Reducing some detail and line work would remove some of the heavy, traditional appearance to the illustration.

New work!

I have been working on little spot illustrations of an orchestra. I might add titles to round them off visually rather than having harsh cut-offs.

I'm always inspired by art deco fashion, architecture and colour and as I am currently creating some new work for The Electric Cinema I have been able to delve into that era again.

Brand new illustration coming soon!

I have been working on a new piece which will be printed in early Autumn.

I have worked more intensely on this during the summer and challenged myself to draw more sophisticated characters. Although they are still relatively simple, some of my recent work left the small characters faceless and generally unedited.

I'm happy with the finished design of this and it was approved around ten days ago now with no amends, can't wait to see them in print.

Wedding Day!

So rewarding to see the finished work up in the vintage Electric Cinema during the wedding ceremony!

Cinema Illustrations coming soon!

I am working on a set of three brand new designs for a cinema to be unveiled at the end of the Summer! One will include an 1895 projector developed by the Lumière Brothers- the pioneers of cinema.

These images show the process from my original sketch to fully illustrated version, and will make up the back of a greeting card design, celebrating timeless nature of the cinema experience.

Final design / contact information yet to be finalised.

EXCLUSIVE: The Big Sleuth Outlet Window Display

I am so proud to share this huge piece I have been working on for the last 3 weeks.

Today, I visited the finished Big Sleuth window display at the Great Western Arcade.

I have been working closely with Birmingham Children's Hospital to create a window display to celebrate The Big Sleuth in the historic Arcade to help raise funds for an incredible cause.

A scout bear uses his Trail app to hike his way over to find all his bear pals who have migrated to Bearmingham for the Summer.

Bear's sidekick Bee looks on at some shop visitors..

New work on the horizon

Here is a little teaser banner of a new piece of work I am putting the finishing touches on exclusively for The Electric Cinema, can't wait to share it!

BBC Radio West Midlands Interview at mac Birmingham

My manager kindly set me up with an interview to discuss the arts, how to practice drawing as well as a Lego drop-in workshop I delivered on the day.

It was a pleasure to shine a light on mac Birmingham and discuss the importance of the arts in problem solving and confidence building.

We made Lego and had fun outside at a BBQ :)

Wedding invitations!

I am working on some wedding invitations inspired by Havana - the honeymoon destination - done in a style reminiscent of the Independent Birmingham membership card colour palettes and Birmingham feel.

I am attempting a combination of vintage travel posters, industrial Birmingham and Havana, set in a naked cake.