Friday, November 15, 2013

ladybird

I love when I make an illustration and it completely surprises me. Here is one of them. I think it is also the first time I am posting a child character on this blog. No tail, no whiskers!

ladybird

Sunday, November 03, 2013

Picture Hooks Exhibition

The Picture Hooks exhibition at the National Gallery in Edinburgh is open!

Over the past year five of us - Laura Clark, Lesley Barnes, Naomi Howarth, Stuart Simpson and me - have been mentored by more established children's book illustrators - Sue Heap, Natalie Russell, Catherine Rayner, Ross Collins and Alison Murray. It has been a very busy year for all of us, especially the final month when we all had to finish four final pieces for the exhibition.

It was lovely to finally see all the artwork up and enjoy a very much awaited drink at the private view last Friday. The exhibition id open until 16th February 2014 so there is plenty of time to come over and visit if you are around. The gallery also organised illustration masterclasses for those who are interested in the process of creating picture book illustrations. I will be doing one with amazing Viv French on the 7th December. Here is more details.

And some photos from the exhibition.
Amazing artwork by Laura Clark who was laso chosen The Best Scottish Picture Hooks Illustrator 2013. Congartulations Laura!
Picture Hooks exhibition
Illustrations by Stuart Simpson who will have his book published by the Orchard Books. Well done Stuart!
Picture Hooks exhibition
Here is the most awesome walrus Magnus by Naomi Howarth. And the flying rabbits!
Picture Hooks exhibition
Lovely artwork by Lesley Barnes. The story is about a girl whose name is Jill and a dragon whose name is Dragon.
Picture Hooks exhibition
And my illustrations. There is a crocodile, a wolf, a teddy bear and a cat.
Picture Hooks exhibition
As a part of the exhibition the organisers asked us to submit our work in progress, sketches, dummy books, notes etc. Below are sketches by Laura and Naomi.
Picture Hooks exhibition
And my work in progress. I realised I forgot to remove some silly notes from the margins. Too late now.
Picture Hooks exhibition

Here is more details about the show.

Picture Hooks 
Scottish National Gallery
The Mound (entrance from Princes Gardens)
1st November 2013 - 16th February 2014