Innovation Centre Mural

Andy Council has done a wonderful job with this recent commission for University of Bath’s Innovation Centre. The large mural is painted on the wall of the Centre's new DigiCity space for creators, coders, innovators, cool digerati (people who have a very sound understanding of computer technology), those that live and work in Bath and  those who are just passing through. Andy says "The spraypaint and acrylic mural is of a huge dragon type creature made up of Bath city landmarks. Being a flying dragon represents the new, change and innovation that the centre is all about. It is a nod to the old icons in the city but is modern in it's execution and style. It is relevant being the Year of the Dragon and the rise of the East. The centre aims to have connections to the east and all over the world." For more information on this commission look at Bath Digital and Bath University.
 Andy's work cleverly fuses drawing with architecture, structure and character, for a strong individual look.

First Time Nerves

First Time Nerves is an exhibition of images by Derek Bacon. Running from March 16th-30th 2012, the show is an exciting celebration of his illustrative and personal work.
 "Entirely self-taught, Derek is an accomplished illustrator best-known for his many worldwide covers for The Economist, as well as for UK publications, The Times, The Guardian, Maxim, and Wired, and too for other publications around the world. The exhibition is a great chance to see his highly-detailed work in close-up, and to see his skills across a range of disciplines: from more traditional pen-and-ink work, to digital paintings made entirely in Photoshop. Also on show will be a series of acrylic-based portraits painted last summer. Born in London, Derek has lived in Madrid and Jakarta, and for the longest, in Poole. He likes Carry-On films, fish and chips, Giles cartoons, The Beatles, and is a big collector of found-sound. You have been warned."
The exhibition takes place at The Artworks, Enefco House, Ball Lane, Poole Quay, Poole, England.

Sam's Words

These two pieces are from Sam Bevington's ongoing personal project experimenting with hand drawn type.The text is cleverly designed by Sam, with no fonts involved. Sam says "The words themselves are from a couple of northern soul classics: 'Come on Train' by Don Thomas and 'Messin with the Kid' by Junior Wells.

Theatrical Supercar

Emma Rios has been working with Pencil Agency on this ad for Mercedes. Featuring the actress Emilia Fox, the ad uses Emma's skills as a set designer to create the backdrops for the story, which were then painted by a scenic artist. The ad is a good humoured  'to be continued' tale, framed by Emma's expressive lines.

Jamel Akib's Scrapbook

Illustrator Jamel Akib on his regard for the fine artist sensibilities of 1980's illustrators & finding inspiration in his Mother's suitcase. Jamel's Scrapbook.

Blackbear the Pirate

Ruth Palmer has completed some very pleasant covers and spreads for Blackbear the Pirate.  Commissioned by the author Steve Buckley, Ruth is now working on her third book in the series. The books follow a pirate bear and crew who are 'named after actual pirates from what historians call the Golden Age of Piracy' with Blackbear based on the famous Blackbeard. Ruth's warm painterly illustrations give the books a traditional classic feel.

Valentine's Papers

Hannah Davies's bonus papers for Cardmaking and Papercraft Magazine are a treat for any craft maker. Originally designed for Valentine's, the papers offer detailed and unusual heart designs in dusky pink and rose colours. Hannah says "The Magazine offers plenty of ideas on how to create your own gorgeous valentine cards with the papers, with a unique hand made look".

Viral Velocity

This illustration for Google's Think Quarterly Magazine comes from the hand of Joseph McDermott. The brief was to produce a comic strip to go with a feature on the science of how videos go viral and at amazing speed. Joe was provided with the details of a particular video - the very amusing 'talking twins' as the subject of his strip.

Illinois Lottery Cash Spectacular

Gail Armstrong is suitably proud of her recent work for the Illinois Lottery Cash Spectacular campaign. The 4 papersculpture ads which are being used on bus shelters, billboards, sides of buses and more, have been created with the idea of using multiples to reinforce the huge number of prizes that are available to be won. Gail says "The colours, typography and imagery had to reflect the lottery ticket and I had great fun creating a typographic style that could meet all the demands of the job......I worked closely with the design team and their retouchers to ensure we made the most of the time difference between the UK and the US and that the illustrations could be created in the most efficient way for all the uses the client needed. It was a demanding job, but with an excellent team at the other end running everything so efficiently..."

The Goggle-Eyed Goats

Published on March 1st, Christopher Corr is excited about the launch of 'The Goggle-Eyed Goats'; a childrens' book he has illustrated for Andersen Press. Gallimard Jeunesse in Paris are also publishing the book on the same day, which just happens to be World Book Day. Christopher says "It's my first book with both houses. The story is set in Mali in Timbuktu and Mopti and is full of goats and mud mosques and desert scenes." The 'wonderfully vibrant and unusual picture book' will be launched at the Rowley Gallery in Notting Hill on March 1st.

Indola

This beautifully confident illustration is one of a series by Katharine Asher completed  for Indola Hair Products in Germany.  The artworks were to convey 'hairstyling' using the company's products and to incorporate the blue from their logo. Used for direct publicity in Germany, each drawing was accompanied by 3 'how to' drop in illustrations.

Dutchbag

This project by Miminne is for the Axel David Fall 2012 collection catalogue. Her drawings were commissioned by Dutchbag (a supplier of different branded handbags based in Holland) and have been used effectively as Miminne describes; "It was something new to me since I have never had my drawing(s) combined with photos. The idea was to produce sketchy background scenery for their models and products. (I) think there is a good contrast between B&W line drawing and colour photography. One with depth to give some atmosphere and the other being just front view to be more informative."

Paxton: Keys versus Keycard

Nick Murray Willis's work for Paxton continues with this animation explaining the benefits of a keycard in the workplace. Nick's clever use of line and clear thinking has produced this piece of moving art which gets the message across with a sense of fun. Nick says “I had to approach this animation differently to the previous Paxton animation, I thought showing the advantages of the keycard at the same time as disadvantages of an ordinary key would be really effective. The timing had to be spot on so not to confuse the viewer with the double scenario.” Nick has been commissioned to produce one animation per month for Paxton, to be used on their website. Watch the animation now.

Ruth Rowland's Scrapbook

Lettering artist and illustrator Ruth Rowland on her collection of hand written Victorian letters, printed ephemera & physical letters adorning her East London loft space. Ruth Rowland's Scrapbook.

Bliss

 

'Bliss', a magical novel for girls has been illustrated by Steinar Lund recently for HarperCollins. Due to be released in March, and the first in a trilogy, Steinar has created his own piece of sweet imagery, sure to attract all girls' taste buds! The story follows Rosemary Bliss, a girl who has turned ten and seen her mother fold a lightning bolt into a bowl of batter. She realises then, that her parents make magic in the Bliss Bakery.

Midsummer Night's Dream

Ruth Rowland has been working on a personal project inspired by Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream. The 'beautiful language' was an attraction for Ruth, she says "(it) is an ideal subject for the word-heavy imagery, which is influenced by my love of expressive typography. My aim is to get the feel of the spoken word across by combining letter and image."

Mind The Gap

Natalie Kilany has completed a most enjoyable commission for Harper Collins. 'Mind The Gap' is a 32 page book of Roger McGough's 'weird and wonderful poetry'. The educational book which is aimed at seven to eight year olds is now available worldwide. Natalie says " (It's) a lovely educational book that I adored working on".

Cliff Mills's Scrapbook

Phoenix born & based illustrator Cliff Mills's artwork is heavily influenced by his home state's landscape of low horizons & big sky. Cliff Mill's Scrapbook.