Things I found time for between books

Trying to understand poi spinning

Upgrading my system to OS Lion

I hate holidays.

Paint Spinning at the shop

One of my favourite things at the Colour Makes People Happy Store where I have my studio is the paint spinning machine right in the front of the shop where people make huge bright paintings for their homes by pouring paint on white card... Some of them are really wonderful, my favourite is the one above I think. I wasn't sure at first, but by now I've seen so many fun and variations that I'm sure it's one of the best ways to get some colour into your house ever. 

Filigree

A test

Experiments

Loop de loop

Digital Doodling

I'm doodling digitally today... Here's a cross inky cat.
I've been moody due to the horrible news dripping in (especially from Norway) and sleeping badly, this is a good distraction.
All's well otherwise. I met David Lucas for a half-pint and a chat, which was lovely (I don't get to talk to writers often enough somehow) and or a change it was sunny. It's been raining so much lately that I keep forgetting it's technically summer now.
On Sunday I helped run a game of Citydash for Fire Hazard, in aid of MIND (we raised a good bit of money).

I do think that Sleepwalkers really is pretty much finished now, it's really just very slight tinkering left to be done... so it's time to get properly immersed into the new book now.
I wonder if I will use some digital brushes in it? I was going to restrict myself to real materials for the linework, as usual, but... I just MIGHT smuggle in some digital characters.

Sleepwalkers Teaser

Some panels from the graphic novel I pretty much finished now. I'm frightfully proud of it.

Cute Rat

I started character designing for the new book today... I'm expecting the illustrations to go completely off the rails, so I want the first and central character you meet to be as clear and simple and agreeable as possible. As usual, I spent a lot of time working out the basic shape until decising that, as usual, the best basic shape is a bean shape.

Also Gwyn bought IKEA and we carried IKEA to his new flat and assembled IKEA, so I made us a quick achievement badge for that. Here it is. Now IKEA is at his flat, if you need anything.

Glove Beast

Making A Glove Beast

Picture Book Picnic Pictures

Yesterday we had a Picture Book Picnic party, with much Pimms, many chocolate brownies, and some flipcharts.

I drew this (see here)

And Alexis drew some of these

And Chris is having carpets made, the clever sod. I WANT ONE!

I was especially excited to meet David Lucas, because he made this book.

Final Edit

I had a meeting with my art director yesterday, and we went through all the tweaks that are needed to finish the grapic novel. I marked out artwork changes in white and lettering changes in orange. SO I just to need to get that done, and I'm finished! YAY!

Um..

 On my way back home I picked some weeds to keep by my bed for cheer. (My orchid has lost all its flowers and is now just a green stick.)

Yay.

Badge Making

I spent some time today making a whole lot of new achievement badges for Firehazard.
So now everyone involved can have an online trophy case all of their own... here is mine. At the bottom you can see little pictures of things I haven't achieved yet...

Otherwise: I've been buying framing materials for an upcoming exhibition and sale of original artwork (more about that soon), I joined Google+ (very exciting) and I read "True Grit" (excellent book).

Today it Rained.

So I sheltered first in an Italian bar, where I bought a risotto with most of my spare change.
It was soothing because I appreciated the concentration and effort needed to stir it until it is cooked.
Then the rain let up a bit, and I ran towards the studio but had to shelter again, this time in a charity shop. I counted the rest of my change, and it bought me a ship in a bottle.

Then I got to the studio and painted a cat.

I decided to buy some frames and cut window mounts so I can have a proper exhibition soon.

Things I did in my week off

Had a sleepover at the Barbican.
Went to see my students exhibit their work in Shoreditch.
Helped run a zombie invasion in Hampstead and got bruised.
Had a dinner party eating as many artichokes as possible.
Slept a lot.

Gave away the blue pillow case with the deep sea lily printed on it that never went with the red sofa.

Got an illustration of "The Road" framed up and hung it over my bed because I like the book.

Had the tap of the bathtub fixed.
Mused over an odd smell.
Scrubbed the bins with vinegar.
Scrubbed the loo.
Scrubbed the sink.
Decided that probably something small has died deep in the foundations of the house and sprayed febreze down all the cracks.
Painted some animals with bright orange ink.
Re-read Tales from Moomin Valley.
Learned how to do colour separations for spot colour printing.
Sprayed the strawberry plants with oil and soap to kill the aphids.
Learned how to order curry instead of pizza.
Crocheted another row of my blanket.
Watched all of Firefly.
Played ICO projected huge on a shower curtain.
Got a bit bored.
Dyed my hair and painted my fingernails red.

Decided to get back to work.

Paint Doodles

Slow Puncture

Check out this brand new excellent video by She Makes War... I'm hoping to collaborate with Laura on something exciting soon, shall tell you more later.

Otherwise: all is well, I have been crocheting more of my big soothing blanket, and I had friends around to eat as many artichokes as I could carry. I've been helping out with some Firehazard games, and I've been asleep. Yay.