Hello is that Andrew? Animation

Hello is that Andrew?' is a short animated cartoon music video. This is my second attempt in doing animation, and I wanted to practice a walking cycle, and lip syncing, so I thought this would be a great way in which to try out both. The idea came from a time I used to do crank calls to my friend Andrew Salter, when we worked in the same book shop many years ago. This is dedicated to you Andy:) Of the voices I used, this high pitched voice was my favourite, and I thought that it would be fun that this short, middle aged, white man had aspirations to be a rapper,

Here is the link:-

Hello is that Andrew?

Class 31 Diesel Loco

I spend the majority of my lunch breaks at Bitton Station at the Avon Valley Railway, which I find is a pleasant way to spend the time. Having been a trainspotter when I was a kid back in the 70s I still have got a fondness for the subject, and get a kick out of train travel, and especially visiting heritage railway sites. Here is a illustration I had done of a class 31, based at Bitton, number 31130 Calder Hall Power Station. I would normally go for an engine with the usual British Rail blue, and yellow livery, but I thought this would be an interesting challenge.

Vampire Slayer

I thought if I was going to draw a vampire, it would be fun to come up with a vampire slayer as well. This is another illustration I have been sitting on for a while. If I was to do it again I probably do a more dynamic pose, but I still like it. Here we have Professor Jeremiah Anderson. He is not like modern heros who are young, good looking, and physically fit, but he is middle aged, greying, intellectual, and a man of faith!

Vampire Illustration

I started this illustration a while back, and worked on it when I had a few moments to relax. This picture harks back to when I used to watch Hammer films when I was a kid. I have never been a fan of overt violence in movies, and wince a bit when I see blood, however I totally loved the atmosphere created in these films. The gothic castles, spooky creaking doors, and seeing the likes of the great Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, and Ingrid Pitt, who brought their characters to life, or not as the case might be. There were not any sparkly vampires, with teenage angst in those days. They were evil, beguiling, and needed to be vanquished. Here is one Jessica Pero, who obviously chose her tomb stone well, considering her fate.

Brian's Space Adventures: The Door

It has been a while, but I thought it was about time I posted the link to my first attempt at animation. As I said in my previous post, I tried to keep it as simple as possible, but at the same time learn some of the techniques as I went along. It was a challenge, but I was pleased with the results. Hope you enjoy it:)

Here is the link:-

https://youtu.be/LYFpOR8Z3MA

News

The lack of posts does not mean I have not been producing work, but up-loading files to the blog from my old Mac has proved to be cumbersome, so I may decide to create another blog else where. I am not definitely sure yet.

In the meantime, I have been teaching myself some basic animation on the iPad, so when I finish my first project I will create a YouTube channel, and post a link to it from here. I think for a first attempt it is looking pretty good. I have kept it simple, but at the same time pushed myself to learn techniques as I have been going through the story. As well as this I have created music, and sound effects for it in GarageBand, and editing it in iMovie.

I am 3.5 minutes into the film at the moment, but I think I still got another minute of footage to create.

Lynsey De Paul

 It was very sad to hear about the death of Lynsey De Paul. I remember seeing her for the first time on 'Top of the Pops', back in the 70s. I was struck by her beauty, and really loved her song 'Sugar Me'. This illustration done on the iPad is different from anything I have done before, but I think I am very pleased with it:) Rest in Peace Lynsey!

Maurice Moss

The IT Crowd is my all time favourite sitcom, so I could not resist having ago at illustrating Moss with inkpad. Since posting it on Facebook I have managed to get over 1000 'likes'. It is really nice to get the feed-back as well:)

Class 37

I have recently invested in an ipad, and wanted to see if I could use it to do illustrations on. I took a photo of a class 37 engine back in 1978, and I pulled it out to use as reference for the illustration you see above. I am very pleased with the result, and will do more drawing using inkpad in the future.

Fleas

"What do you mean I've got fleas? I want a second opinion!"

Fish

"Wow, look at this stuff I found in the castle!"

Monster Cafe

I do not always get the opportunity to get to the computer to create digital illustrations, but I also wanted to have a go at painting again, and try out one of my different styles. Here is the result of my efforts. Monsters drinking hot beverages. What more could you ask for?

Badger Cartoon

"TB, or not TB? That is the question!"

I did this cartoon in a different style years ago. This is the new version. Obviously this subject is going to be topical for many years to come!

Tracey Emin Caricature

This is not just a M&S bed sheet. This is a Tracey Emin bed sheet.

Tracey Emin has joined Marks and Spencer in their latest ad campaign. Who would have thought it? We will have Johnny Rotten advertising butter next. Hang on a minute, he already has! From bad girl, and bad boy to national treasures. Funny how things turn out. Anyway, here is my take on the Emin story:)

Bible Study Cartoon

"Does he need to do the robot every time he gets a bible study question right?"

It has been a long while since my last cartoon. Basically life has been pretty manic for one reason or another. Anyway the cartoon drought is over with the production of this little piece. Nobody likes a smart arse, and they certainly got one in this bible study group:)

Christmas Cartoon

"Well, it is his birthday, as well as being Christmas!"

Being born during the festive season, I can not help but be inspired to do this cartoon. If I had a pound every time someone asked me if I get separate presents for Christmas, and my birthday, then I would be very well off:). This will appear as a greeting card very soon!

Greeting Cards

I have just got a selection of my cartoons printed as greeting cards. Although I do have a website with the cards on, the website is based in the US, so I wanted to print, and promote them here. So far so good! Blackwells Bookshop have taken up 4 of my designs, and I sold a nice batch last night during a Tree House Meeting. Next up is the Totterdown Art Trail, where I will be based in Totterdown Baptist on the 17th-18th November. If you would like to pop over to say hi, that would be great!:)

Illustration in progress

I very rarely go into much detail into the background on my cartoons. I thought I would push myself a bit with this latest project. This is what I achieved today, and I will post each significant stage as it progresses.

Just adding blocks of colour at the moment. The original building is grey, so I am going to keep a version of this one saved, but I will later add a bit more colour to the finished piece.

Apart from a bit of tidying up here, and there, this is the first completed version of this illustration of Bitton railway station. There are other things I am going to do with this, but these things will be revealed in stages as I progress.

Another stage of the illustration.

Fussy Vampire

"Im sorry, but the comfort of our coffins has never been an issue before!"

Upfest 2012

I attended Upfest for the first time today, and there are some incredible artists that attend this festival. It was really interesting seeing them at work. I really had a great time.

I was recognised when I got to the Tobacco Factory, and was asked if I would make a contribution to a collaborative work that was being created. It did not seem to matter when I explained I was a cartoonist and not  graffiti artist, so I had a go. Since I did not know that I would be drawing, and I have never really had much experience with the Posca pens, I did not think I did too badly. Two people asked me to sign my autograph, and do a small illustration in their book. That was very sweet of them to ask. Fame at last!:)