For the Kids!

Something special for the kids who want to learn to draw or simply see some fun ways how to draw cartoons, just click on the link below to visit the Australian Cartoonists Association website that has a very cool page just for kids!

Click here

Where I live

Thought you may like to see a loverly map of the area where I live and work!

Langdon Hills is a loverly place to live and has some history associated with it, click here to find out more

Click on the image to view full size:

The purple X on the map shows the approx location of my home in the area!

Don't move or the kitten gets it!

Just when you thought it was safe to visit a blog...

Don't worry, the gun was not loaded and the kitten walked away unhurt.....

ISCA

Here are some pics from 2002 when I attended my very first convention with the organisation as it was known then as the NCN. The location was Las Vegas and everyone there made me very welcome as I was a stranger and the very first Brit to ever attend the convention!

The convention back in 2002 gave me the window to see what was possible and how I needed to desperately improve my poor skills at that time. So it was this trip to Las Vegas that got me going!

The convention is always an awesome experience! The next one is back in Las Vegas this coming November and I can't wait to be back!

Next the Kitchen remodel!

Yes, just as the studio is completed, we are now starting the remodel of our kitchen. It is long overdue and once again my brother is doing the work. I am very lucky to have such a great brother!

Today I am clearing out stuff and moving things around as on Saturday morning at 7.30am the work begins!

The existing kitchen and ceiling are being ripped out!

All this as well as getting ready for our trip on Sunday, when we fly off to orlando, we shall be on vacation while the work in the kitchen takes place and that has worked out really well both for us and my brother!

Wendy's Mom is still in hospital but could come home next week while we are away. It's a long story but she is reasonably OK and can't wait to get home. Wendy has had to cope with so much over these past 6 weeks! She deserves the vacation next week!

So as you can guess, it really is a mad house! The only thing keeping me going is the fact that next week we shall be in the company of our close friends in Orlando and seeing them will really cheer us up!

Hope to post and prepare posts for while I am away, but please bare with me if I miss one or two! Thanks!

Inside the new studio

Here are some shots inside my new studio (click on the images to view full size):

Above is my working desk area with Tom Richmond originals hanging and my iMac!

Above a close up of my working area with Wacom tablet on the left, the new layout has given me some extra room!

Above is off to the right of my working area and the side window that looks out into my garden! Nice!

The doorway into my new studio with to the left, hanging on the wall, is my original C.F.Payne and a Disney Cell I got from Orlando a few years back!

Above is my new 'Printer table'. The new studio has allowed me to create a dedicated desk to my A3 printer and the paper I use. I am really happy about this! It helps the layout of the desk and working area's so that I can be much more organised!

Above is another shot of the printer table, which is located directly behind me when I sit at my desk! Another Tom Richmond hangs proudly by it!

The new studio is a BIG SUCCESS and I am more than happy with how it has all worked out! My brother has done a fantastic job and it feels good sitting here with a work space that is now out of the house. I will be able to lock myself away and spend hours in here!

Wedding feedback

A really nice email from a client who's wedding I was entertaining at in early June of this year...

Please click on image to view full size:

Southend on Sea

Yesterday I was drawing at a council run event in Southend, they have me there every year!

Here are a couple of photo's I caught on my camera phone..

This weekend I start the studio move! I have so much junk I have accumulated over the past 9 years, it will take a few days to make the full move!

Wish me luck as I will have bags of trash to throw out as well as desks and equipment to haul from the current location, over to the new studio in the garden, not far but awkward to move!

Shed conversion to Studio progress day2

The flooring is laid!

Above you can see the underlay down ready for the carpet to be laid on top....

The carpet is pulled out ready..... then fitted...

Hey presto we have carpet! You can see I have my Tom Richmond collection hanging, I was able to snap up his MAD parody of the School of Rock!

On this wall I have my C.F.Payne hanging with a Disney cell next to it, that has Donald Duck in an art studio! Very cool!

Above on the right is another Panel from the Tom Richmond School of Rock parody and on the left is my original Mort Drucker MAD page!

This wall is where my painting table will positioned and I am hoping to start watercolour painting again!

Over the next few days I shall be 'moving in' and by Wednesday next week, I shall be able to officially declare the Studio, OPEN for art!

Tempus Fugit

Yesterday I was filming with the BBC at Elstree studio's and I had a wonderful day!

It all went exceptionally well and the kids in the audience loved the caricatures! I will have more details about it soon!

Everything is on track for the studio and I should have some new photo's to share with you tomorrow!

Lots to do today, so have to rush off, catch you later....

Shed conversion to Studio progress

Well the shed is now looking more like a studio at long last!

Later today I hope to have the carpet fitted!

Here is the interior painted and ready for the carpet...

Once the carpet is in, I can begin rehanging my collection of art that I shall want on display!

It is just like Christmas morning for me at the moment and in just over a week I shall be in Orlando where I will be catching up with my very close and personal friends and visiting the theme parks. I am going to keep an eye out for something to buy for the new studio, maybe a piece of art of something Disney relater, who knows!

Getting there

The painting went well yesterday and today I have the final coat of colour to add to the walls and then I am done!

Tomorrow I am filming with the BBC and have a few things to get ready for that!

So a bust time still and the coming weekend I have 5 events to draw at!

Paint?

I am up t my arms in emulsion paint and gloss paint today as I am getting the shed finished inside, so that later this week I can get the carpet fitted!

I will share some pictures soon!

the weekend was busy but went very well and everyone at all the weddings loved the caricatures!

A few more recent shots

Having fun again!

Some recent piictures

Taken at the Hurlingham Club in Putney:

All photographs were taken by the very talented Ravi Chandarana

At the University..

A couple of shots I was able to get yesterday whilst drawing at the Royal Holloway University....

The comedian and actor, Lenny Henry was there as he had completed a course and graduated but he did not have time to come over. A real shame but understandable!

Update to busy

This week is going well and the University where I am working is great fun. I am drawing the graduates and some of their families and the interesting thing is many are overseas students. Yesterday there were a large number of students from China and drew many of them and their family members! They loved it!

The drive around the M25 is OK except for the typical traffic congestion on the roadworks that are currently taking place. Still considering that is the only downside to the job, I can't complain!

This weekend the shed conversion will be completed and hopefully decorated! Then it is carpet installation and hey presto, I will be ready to move in!

More soon....

Busy, SORRY!

Yes this week is really crazy!

I am working everyday for a University and their graduation week, so I am traveling to west London every day, not that far from Heathrow Airport!

The shed is also needing my attention to get that completed, more on that soon.

So, apologies for the lack of posts this week, will try to get something up when I can!

I do hope you will forgive me and stay tuned!

Happy Birthday Louise!

Today it is my daughters 18th birthday party!

We have friends and family over for food and drink and fun!

All I have to focus on today is making sure everyone has a full glass, food and that we all enjoy ourselves!

Giveaway!

I am clearing out the current 'studio mess' ready for the move to the new studio and I have some free giveaways!

I have 8 copies of the ISCA Exaggerated Features magazine, these were only issued to ISCA members so these are quite rare!

I want to give 1 copy of each to 8 people, so nows your chance to get your hands on an exclusive piece of published caricature information!

If you would like a copy, please email me your name and home address/postal address and I will send one to you! Simple!

If your interested in joining the ISCA, you would be mad not too, click here for their website!

Shed update

The shed has now has it's coating of plaster and is almost dry and ready for an application of watered down white emulsion paint to 'size' the plaster. This 'size' lets the plaster soak up the paint and 'fix' it so the application of the final coat of paint will not be 'sucked up' completely by the new plaster:

Its a tough job!

From a recent wedding where a guest who is also a professional photograph sat to be draw, asking to have her camera included. So I am looking at the camera and not her chest.....!

It's all about the face, honest!

Derek Edwards

Here is a brand new caricature of yours truly, created by the magnificent artist, Derek Edwards!

I absolutely LOVE this caricature of me! Derek has created to what is in my mind, the best caricature of me ever! He has brought exaggeration and abstract together in a very clever way and the shapes work perfectly together.

You can visit Derek's blog by clicking here

Derek is an American living in Japan. I met Derek in Tokyo when I was last there and he is a wonderful person and it is a shame we are so far apart, as I could hang out with him anytime!

Thank you Derek, you rock my friend!

Universal Islands of Adventure

Not long now and we shall be in Orlando and visiting Islands of Adventure.

One of the best things about the park is the burger meal in the 'Burger Digs' restaurant, located inside the Jurassic Park area, we ALWAYS eat there...

It is always great fun and the food is fast & tasty and fills our empty stomach's... oh yeah baby!

Man I can't wait to be out there!

Shed conversion day 2

OK, so yesterday my brother and my son started the conversion of my garden shed to what will become my new studio.

The insulation was installed to the shed and some of the plasterboard was put in place. Now day 2 began:

The plaster board was finished and the shed now has a ceiling and walls:

You can also see that the floor has been started. A layer of polystyrene is laid first to give a base to the flooring boards that are laid on top:

The flooring boards are installed:

The shed is now 'built' and the plasterer is due next week to skim the inside to finish ready for decorating.

Then the skirting boards can be put in and then I can get in there with my paint brush to decorate!

Watch this space for more updates!

Shed conversion

Some pictures of day 1 of converting my shed to the new studio, my brother Andy who is a builder is doing the work for me and my son David is helping. I am working gigs so unable to help!

Anyway here are some photo's of the work so far...

Above from left to right, my brother Andy, my son David and my loverly wife Wendy