sketchbooks

See inside my Current Sketchbooks

Leave a Comment / books, Illustration, People / By

Have a look inside my current sketchbook books. I’ve got a few on the go. Some I prefer using some days and sometimes I just want something small to slip in my pocket and be discreet with.

I’ve been very busy recently, out and about, here and there, so it’s all a bit messy but shows what is filling my mind at the moment.

You can find out more about James Mayhew here:  and here: 

You can buy the Gaspard the Fox book book here in the uk https://amzn.to/2PhTbfC
and here in the USA https://amzn.to/2JQ68Y4
and here in Canada https://amzn.to/2RJjvfr

Architect Frank Harmon – telling stories with sketches

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I came across this video on The News and Observer and just loved the simplicity of Architect, Frank Harmon’s sketches. They looks so easy, but they come from a lifetime of practice, observation and knowledge of building construction, place and people.

Frank tells stories with his sketches on his blog – Native Places – using the sketch as the draft of a story or observation. I love that he uses only 200 words. That’s a skill to learn!

Take a look and be impressed with clear thought and simplicity of line and watercolour wash.

As I post this Hurricane Florence is headed towards North Carolina. I hope Frank is tucked-up safe somewhere warm and dry.

The Great Malarkey Festival – Hull 2017

Leave a Comment / Reading and Literacy, School & Library Visits / By

I can’t believe a week has gone by since The Great Malarkey Children’s Festival in Hull.

I got back Sunday night and had to pile straight into a major rewrite of a story on Monday and Tuesday before heading off to London on Wednesday for the Fabulous Harper Collins 200th Birthday Party at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Then, On Thursday I gave a YouTube tutorial to Authors at the Society of Authors in the morning followed by a Children’s writers and illustrators committee meeting in the afternoon. Paddington was closed, so I had the most horrendous journey home, in the heat, staring up in numerous, boiling hot railway carriages, so today, having just spent the afternoon on a major weeding expedition – they keep growing while you are away – is the first day I’m starting to feel a  bit relaxed again!

Anyway, here are all the remaining videos that I made about the sketchbook I kept at the festival, as the Illustrator in Residence.

 

 

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