We are expecting sunshine this week but if you are not or are in the depths of winter right now, learn to draw a sun lounger with easy, step by step instructions, and pretend it’s summer again!
Tag Archives: drawing tutorial
Interview with children’s book illustrator John Shelley – Japanese influence
Meet illustrator John Shelley and learn about his experience drawing for children’s books and advertising both in the UK, USA and Japan and learn how his love of Japanese culture and art has inspired his work.
John Shelley studied at Bournville School of Art, in the UK, amidst the aroma of chocolate from the nearby Cadbury’s works, then in Manchester under Tony Ross, before debuting as a children’s book illustrator in London. A fascination with Japanese art then took him to Tokyo, where he lived for many years, seeking the connection between Ukiyo-e and Ultraman.
In Japan, John illustrated for a wide variety of clients from advertising to editorial, and children’s books for publishers in East and West.
He now divided his time between Japan and the UK, writing, drawing, and annoying his cat.
John talks about his career as an illustrator, his influences and the lure of Japan which has influenced his style in a way that Japanese art has been influencing British art for a couple of hundred years, The influence then returning to Japan in a regular cycle. Being island nations, the British and the Japanese actually have quite a lot in common and hold a mutual fascination for each others cultures and arts.
John is on instagram @studionibs and Twitter @studioNIB
In this video:
00:00 introduction
00:36 Background and training
02:03 The lure of Japan
06:03 making posters in Japan
11:29 self promotion
13:02 Manga and Anime
17:53 Manga covers
20:44 Arthur Rackham influence
22:58 One Inch Drawings
28:00 Talking about Sketchbooks
33:00 More about one inch drawings
How to Draw Queen Elizabeth 1st Real Easy
Learn how to draw Queen Elizabeth the first of England real easy, with step by step instructions.
Accession means taking the place of the previous king or queen. In this portrait, the newly crowned Elizabeth wears the full costume she wore for her coronation at Westminster Abbey on 15 January 1559.
The original painting is very complicated, but I have tried to make it easy for you to draw for Tudor History or fashion projects.
This drawing is based on the Accession portrait which you can see at the National Portrait gallery in London –
See Cate Blanchette dressed in the same costume in this Video of Elizabeth the first’s coronation