The Dizzy game

I've been told a couple of times how people think my style of drawing would lend itself well to a game, something similiar to the online downloadable releases on the newer consoles such as Braid.

To me, videogames are still inspiring. Honestly, I remember wanting to make videogames much more badly than wanting to draw for a career- (though I don't have a clue or any interest in programming.) and I did used to draw out tons of my own level designs and instruction booklets on how to play my imaginary games. I'm not uploading any of those of course- its embarassing.

Just ended up sitting in costas daydreaming about how I wanted to make my own 'Dizzy' videogame.

I still remember getting my dad to buy this for me on my Atari ST from Whsmiths in Staines. What I liked so much about videogames is the often absurd logic behind them and that the concept behind a lot of videogames could be about anything. Such as the main character being an egg- or uprooting a vegetable from the ground only to discover its a rocket that takes you to some distant castle in the sky.

Or just playing as a monkey who avoids landing into the lava pits below by jumping on top of crocodile heads who don't seem particularily bothered by lava at all.

Theres something a little bit more quirky and charming about the british made videogames (two of which are pictured above.) which seems to have been lost in todays games- at least for me. With that in mind, I just made a bunch of doodles for what I wanted to be in my game.

I've also found a pack of blank envelopes I found while clearing out my cupboard. Seems like a nice idea to draw on one and send it to someone.

also, I've been meaning to find a reason to post this. I recieved some great cards  for my birthday last month and some nice congratulation cards for my First award from finishing University- but I think this is the nicest one I've been given so far. Its all hand made from a friend of mine in indonesia- Its hard to throw away a nice hand made card like this (which is why I think I'll keep it.

Thank you!

Mini Projects

Have been feeling a frustrating mood of wanting to draw, but not really feeling like doing so lately. When I'm not whinging about it to my parents though (sorry), I have managed to keep going with my mini-projects which are almost done.

I've almost drawn on every paper napkin I've stolen from the Art House cafe in Southampton. It makes quite an impact if you bunch all the drawings together but heres the few I've been trying to work on lately.

Second mini project- Finish 50 small drawings like this. So far I'm up to 41. Thought I'd try another pose of the dancing boy character, only try adding colour to it this time.

I also drew something for my dads birthday.

And after drawing on napkins, I finally wondered if I could draw on  a canvas. Bought some really small canvas (smaller than a6 size) to see if I could perhaps give it a try. Not sure what to think of this just yet though- this is actually my second canvas attempt which turned out a little better than the first.

BuBu the General

I have been sorting out my books the last few weeks and deciding if there was anything not really worth keeping anymore: Forgot about this book I bought in Prague, I bought it in some junk/antique shop along with a much nicer fold out concertina book. 

Such a weird little drawing. I don't think its been released in english. I  did find that Otfried Preussler seems to be a german childrens book writer. I think.

Don't know why but I found these a little bit inspiring. I can't understand the story but  I did find I wanted to work some more on my hohum commision project a little more after seeing some of this.

Just feels like theres something a bit tacky and unusual about them.

I hope that theres something a little bit unusual about my own drawings.

Hohum the Hohum

I've been busy producing several images for Tom Masters 'Hohum the Hohum' a fantastic (and quite dark) children's story starring the Hohum character. I highly reccomend you check it out, the first story is online at his website. 

www.tom-masters.co.uk

I'm still busy working on more character designs and images for the series, really want to give this project my best!

More Napkins

I seem to be 'sort-of' coping with post university blues by setting myself plenty of mini projects, such as attempting to fill up every pad I own and draw on every last paper napkin I've shamelessly stolen from the art house cafe in Southampton.

Drawing on paper napkins just feels... unusual/different. You can get plenty of different effects depending on how absorbant the napkin itself is. Looking at all these drawings I've made kinda reminds me of Richards Scarrys busy town for some reason.... 

I still prefer to colour in on napkins it seems. Still got plenty more left to draw on. Sorry Art House!

Concertina Roughs

I still wanted to continue making concertina books:

This is the second part of one my completed books, Who Will slay the beast, a collection of knights and soldiers who fight a monster at the end. I thought that perhaps I could make a much longer monster image and perhaps have soldiers on the other side of the book. (No idea how I can get that printed yet.) Still needs to be edited a little bit.

Another Knight that I wanted to add. Not all of them are brave~

Another idea I had for a book was a collection of dinosaurs and cowboys- who start a war with each other.

Southampton Show is officially over.

Its been quite a strange and tiring week but yesterday our Gallery show has finally closed, two more shows in London to go. Thought I'd post up this nice picture Stacey took for me on the opening night.