It's time for a mini Jolly

Hurrah!

The Hubby, the toddlers and I are off to Camber Sands for a looooong weekend break, just the 4 of us. Fingers crossed the weather stays nice, and the kids don't go crazy! Here's a sneak at what i'm colouring at the moment for Miles Kelly.

:) C

It's almost here...

BOOK ALERT NO.2!

My first book with Parragon, 'Sunshine and Snowballs' written by the wonderful late Margaret Wise Brown, is out this month, 21st July.

You can order it HERE!

So VERY excited. 

Loved working on it and with the people over at Parragon, and we've got another MWB book coming out too, not sure when but will keep you posted!

TONIGHT

NICK JR UK // 6:30PM // A BEDTIME STORY WITH ARNIE AND BARNIE // 'THE GREAT PILLOW FIGHT'

Nickjr, this friday!

Work until you drop...

...is literally my current frame of mind.

I am about 4 weeks away from having my second baby and trying my hardest to finish off artwork for my second book with Parragon. I've now finished all the stories for nick jr so that's a relief, but it's all hands on deck to get this book done!

eek.

Anyway, here are a few little pics i've taken of the work recently. This book is done all digitally, but as usual, it's using the textures i love to use in my work, so it's not too far removed from my more painterly style - just a little faster to achieve.

HEY YOU! LOOK!

Still. So. COLD...

Process post...

This is how i roll (digitally...)


So, start with my rough pencil line and drag in a texture and place underneath. This will form the horse.

Then, cut out and add to the texture an intital bit of definition using the dodge/burn tool.

Add more definition and colour differences...

Add in b+w accents...

Finishing bits, cheeks, detail etc...

Et VOILA! Last bit add in b/g to make it all sit lovely.

couple of sneaks....

Sneaky sneaky...

So i'm sorry (again) for being so quiet but i really can't do too many updates because all i'm working on is secret until published!

However, it's been over a month since i posted last so here is a sneak of a bit of one of the spreads from 'The Adventures of the Owl and the Pussy cat' - which will be published by Meadowside/DC Thompson next year :)

Bit of a process post...

The Scarecrow's Secret

HELLO!

Just a little newsflash to inform you all, the next nickjr Bedtime Story that I have illustrated is being shown THIS FRIDAY 17TH, on Nick Jr, at 7.15pm. This one is read by none other than Mr. Phill Jupitus. Sweeeeeeeeet!

Here's a cheeky glimpse...

Sample work

Here's a little bit of a sample i've done recently for a publisher... fingers crossed that i get the job, it's such a lovely story!

FINISHED...

Hello there!

Well - incredible news! I have managed to make it to the end of my mammoth project for nickjr!
Can't quite believe I've got to the end of what has felt like a very long (albeit, fun!) tunnel!

Sheesh!

So excited to see it all on tv now, the show starts airing at the end of july, so I will post dates as soon as i know what they are.

Sneak...

Shoes...

Castle in the sky...

Farmer.

Hello there!

I am now on story 2 of 6 for nickjr's 'A bedtime story with Arnie and Barnie'.

This story is about a farmer, and that's all I can tell you! Here he is, having a lovely day.

It's great to be able to post little snippets to keep you updated, but you'll have to wait until the show airs in july to see the full finished job! Hopefully you'll tune in if you can!

RIGHT! back to the mixed media board for me -

i've got another 10 spreads and fields to paint by the 21st! go go GO!

Deadline monday looms...

Don't you just hate a deadline monday? Monday is the worst day anyway, so slap a deadline on it and make it even more depressing!

It means working weekends which isn't fun really, but necessary. Being an illustrator is not glam, it is jolly hard work. And if you are thinking all we do is make pretty pictures well you're wrong i'm afraid.
There's a lot of careful planning, trial and error, tweaks and mistakes, re-do's and plenty of materials used.

Saying all that, I wouldn't change it for the world. I love my job and I never once forget how lucky I am to be doing what I do, and that some people like it, and want me to do work for them.
Like the lovely people at Nickelodeon - and this weekend I have (almost) finished the colour spreads for the first 'Bedtime story with Arnie and Barnie'. Hopefully they will like what i've done!! And once we're all approved, it's on to no.2 (of 6!)

As well as all this, I am embarking on the 'Adventures of the owl and the pussycat' book once again. So excited for this book, and after my meeting in london last week, I am raring to go with it... now to just find a spare second...