valentine

soppy by philippa rice

I was given this as a Christmas present. I loved it so much that I wanted it to last but I almost read all the way through in one go! In Soppy, Phillipa Rice documents her relationship with her boyfriend as they move in together. It's a really sweet, funny and warm book, full of all the little details of a relationship that can often be overlooked - I think most couples would find elements of their own relationships among this collection of comics. It's drawn beautifully in black and red and if you're interested in how she made it watch here.

edition hilde

I came across this simple but wonderful tumblr this week. Edition Hilde is simply a collection of portraits by illustrators Verena Herbst and Anne Baier. There are just a couple of pages at the moment but I hope this is a work in progress and that more will be added. Here are some of them:

2014 round up

I'm a bit late getting round to it but here are some of my highlights from the world of illustration in 2014:

Book

Shackleton's Journey by William Grill: I love this book! The detailed factual account alongside the delicate yet powerful illustrations make it compelling reading. There's a wonderful mix of imagery: portraits, scenes, equipment, maps and vignettes, which can give it the look and feel of a sketchbook, but at the same time make it so much more than that. The immensity of the undertaking and the experience of the explorers comes across wonderfully in the sheer volume of illustrations, alongside the expansive, sweeping landscape spreads.

Event

House of Illustration opens! I confess, I have yet to visit. But, I am delighted that illustration has a home now! It's increasingly being taken seriously as an art form: Somerset House's illustration showcase Pick Me Up has proved itself as a hotly anticipated annual event. And just look at the proliferation of quality, illustrated, independent magazines that have hit the shelves over recent years. With the opening of a dedicated space for illustration exhibitions, and it's commitment to showcasing new illustrators with it's illustrators fairs, the opening of the House of Illustration is really cementing illustration as a credible medium. I'm gutted to have missed the Quentin Blake exhibition (which apparently was rather excellent) and the Paddington show, but I'll be visiting Granary Square as soon as I can!

Discovery

I've come across a ton of fantastic new illustrators in 2014, but if pressed to name a favourite I would have to go with Nancy Liang. She first caught my eye with her 'midnight games' illustrations (see earlier post) and she's since added a whole bunch of new work to her portfolio. I especially like her monochrome images, which have a calm, mysterious quality about them. I got particularly excited by her GIFS:

merry christmas

I'm off for a break visiting family and friends for Christmas and New Year. I'll be back in January!

wrapping up

I love good presentation and when it comes to wrapping Christmas presents I take a lot of care over how my gifts are going to look. I've seen some fab wrapping papers lately in shops and online so I thought I'd share some of my favourites.
(From top to bottom: Pleased to Meet, Karolin Schnoor, Crispin Finn, Nicholas John Frith, Charlotte Trounce)

mugs and coasters

The latest addition to my range - mugs and coasters featuring little sumos carrying biscuits ... or are they normal sized sumos carrying gigantic biscuits?! Get them this weekend at Big Brighton Christmas Fair. Also available soon on Etsy.

christmas markets

I'm selling at a couple of Brighton's Christmas Markets again this year. Look out for my stall at The Big Brighton Christmas Fair on Sunday 23 Nov at the Sallis Benney Theatre Gallery, Grand Parade. I'll be at Craftaganza the following weekend on Saturday 29 Nov at Fabrica Gallery (corner of Duke St & Ship St).

christmas cards now on sale

With Halloween and Bonfire Night over (just), it seems acceptable to start thinking about Christmas. I love this time of year and I'm starting to get ready for a couple of Christmas markets. I'll be at the Big Brighton Craft fair on Nov 23 and Craftaganza on Nov 29. I've got a few new additions to my product range including mugs and tea towels. I also have three new Christmas card designs. Here's one of them (you can see the rest in my Etsy shop):

graphic short story

Here's a panel from my entry to the Jonathan Cape/ Observer/ Comica Graphic Short Story Prize about the Victorian menagarist George Wombwell.