ARTIST'S QUEST

I Have A Small Commission…

2012-01-22T07:01:00.000-08:00

…via Etsy to make a silver ring. I’m flattered when anyone likes my work enough to actually buy it, be it Illustration, jewellery or sculpture.

Since deciding to make my jewellery available on Etsy and Folksy, it has become apparent just how much work has to go into the other aspects of selling to the public; things like presentation, photographing and packaging the items. Then there’s the branding, marketing and networking, just to make people aware that your creations actually exist.

So what happens when you don’t sell out your shop within days of opening? You start to ask yourself why. Are your items not being seen? Are the items not appealing enough? Are they priced fairly?

To address and solve these issues takes time and effort beyond just making your products. It also has a galvanising effect on you as a craftsperson. It tests your resolve and dedication to your chosen craft.

The support of people who have experience in selling their wares and gaining a commission has helped bolster my enthusiasm. But I am still in a quandary as to whether jewellery or sculpture is in my future. I don’t feel I can commit to both especially as I am supposed to be an illustrator.

And speaking of Illustration, my Agent has not been coming through with new work of late so I must take matters into my own hands and self-promote. I have been going through my portfolio’s and choosing pieces to send out. Here’s a couple of images on the shortlist:

Tree-Free, (Hemp), Pocket Notebooks

2012-01-14T14:51:00.000-08:00

I have been puting together some leather bound small notebooks with hemp paper. I have made a few designs and will be adding more. They are 7.5cm x 8.5cm. Ideal for pockets or handbags. The hemp paper is a really good surface to write or sketch on. The pads are hand bound with leather thong which wraps around the pages to keep them together.

I will be putting them on Etsy/Folksy this weekend.

Today I went to see the owner of a local shop which sells spiritual items, jewellery etc, to see what they thought of my silver rings and pendants. They seemed to really like what I had created. The jewellery ranges they sold however were mainly bought in from the Far east. So it was difficult to see how I could pitch my prices.

I individually hand make my items whereas the Far Eastern stuff is often produced by casting into moulds by low paid workers. They woman in the shop said that the designs sent to them to were sometimes the inverse of the symbols they were meant to represent. This was because they would create a mould for multiple castings and not take account of the fact that the pattern was flipped. Jewellery is produced to order, but the technicians don't always have the knowledge to verify if Celtic, Norse or whatever symbology are reproduced correctly.

I'm trying to create honest handmade items of the best quality I can in the hope that people will see something of the effort and care I put into them. I know economic times are difficult but there is still a place for things of beauty which don't fall into the catagory of an essential item:)

Jewellery Now On Etsy

2011-12-06T04:32:00.000-08:00

I tried to take some decent pictures but this Reflections sterling silver really is shiny, and it played havoc with my camera:) I will be investing in some sort of decent photographic equipment I hope at some point:)

I am building a website at the moment but in the meantime I am putting items on Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SylphSilver

Tooling Up

2011-11-22T07:33:00.000-08:00

There's a lot of equipment that I need to make my life a bit easier for producing jewellery and sculpture. But until I'm established I'm just going to have to make do with manual tools or use some ingenuity. A Bobbin sander should look like the picture below:

But as they cost from £130 upwards I decided to build my own from wood, screws, dowels, a hinge and a hasp:) I worked out that I would need to secure a drill in place with a hinged lid before fixing a sanding drum, as there wouldn't be enough clearance to get the drill and the bit through the hole in the lid. This meant I would need a separate sanding platform put in place after the attachment was fitted. This is located on top with dowels. Here's the result of my afternoon's efforts,(no sanding drum yet-waiting on an order from Ebay:)):

Most of my silver jewellery is going to be inspired by the trees and plants venerated by Ancient Britons. I often walk up local hills take in my surroundings and sketch design ideas.

Most of the plants have succumbed to the cold weather leaving few leaves on the trees but plenty of berries. The only colour is provided by hardy plants like Ivy and Gorse.

Here are a couple of pics taken with my camera phone which I've just discovered takes HD video, so I'm going to make a couple of Video Blogs of places I often visit.

Life, The Universe And Everything...well not quite...or even close

2011-11-09T15:37:00.000-08:00

Ok, here goes....

On Life....

First of all I'd like to extend my deepest sympathy to those involved in the M5 crash on the 4th of November 2011; to the families who lost loved ones, those who were injured and those who were lucky enough to survive.

On the night of the accident I was driving 'up country' from Cornwall with my wife and son and made our usual stop at Cullompton Services to stretch our legs. What was unusual was having to put some more petrol in my tank. I have never underfilled before and I have been doing this journey for 15 years.

It was this unscheduled stop and difficulties with obtaining a coffee that proved a Godsend. A coachload of students suddenly joining the queue at Macdonalds prevented a quick getaway, and a shopkeeper opening the coffee machine to clean it meant I would be compelled to buy a coffee from the onsite petrol station. This provided a seemingly innocent dilemma involving a choice of danish pastries offered in a deal. My son is fussy so I deliberated for some time between the different varieties to a point where my wife nearly came in to see what was keeping me. This delay amounted to a vital couple of minutes.

Once on the motorway in varying degrees of fog I saw the brakelights of a car seemingly stopped dead in the middle of the lane. This car and one other were the only cars between us and the back of the pile-up. The last car to hit the queue only seconds before had burst into flames. Plenty of people behind me must have thought 'There for the grace of God go I,' but for me, I know the string of 'coincidences' saved us from what could have been a life changing or ending scenario.

I met my friend Aki in London, a very talented Japanese artist who I first met in Cornwall on a jewellery course. She, like a number of artist friends, have left my county; and although I miss their company it has taught me self-reliance and fostered in me a determination to succeed albeit in a solitary quest.

Workwise...

Jewellery design is going to be my main priority; whilst at the same time but to a lesser extend I will be working on the model kit mentioned in the previous post. I have built the armature as shown below.

But I am also going to go back to my roots to create a couple of fresh traditional 3D illustrations to send to my Agent so he knows I am still alive and hopefully spark some renewed interest:)

Change Of Plan

2011-11-08T15:38:00.000-08:00

This is a quick rough sketch of the garage kit I'll be creating. It will be around 30cm high and is based on a scene from the graphic novel I'm working on.

I have created the armature and started to bulk it out with foil. I will show them in my next post.

I have found working directly with flesh coloured polymer so incredibly restricting that i have had to shelve my previous project. The Puppen Fimo was a nightmare to blend and smooth and the addition of dilutent made the clay mushy. Also the attempts to keep the polymer free of dust proved distracting.

I will be using Super Sculpey Firm for this build as it is a joy to work with and makes the sculpting process so much more intuitive.

St Ives And Plymouth

2011-10-29T16:54:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of mobile pictures taken of St Ives where I live and Plymouth's Barbican where I occasionally visit.
St Ives harbour often gets a visit by a seal which my wife managed to capture...on film I mean:)

The harbour at the Barbican. There are some great antique shops, cafe's etc here.

Xyla's Quest Chapter 1 Update

2011-07-16T16:03:00.000-07:00

Merrdyn poured Hagen some Mead and joined him in a drink next to the hearth. The beakers were particularly fine, befitting his status as High Druid, carved from the finest horn with silver mounts which glinted in the firelight. He passed one to his friend whose large hands dwarfed the vessal which he eagerly put it to his lips.
       Hagen used an iron rod to revive the flagging fire, sending up sparks which flitted like fireflies into the roofspace and plumes of smoke that permeated the straw thatch.
The two old friends stared at the flames transfixed by their hypnotic dance. A loud 'crack' from a candescent log stirred Merrdyn from his trance and prompted him to speak.
        "I fear the dark days foretold in my visions are nearly upon us," said Merrdyn. Consumed by trepidation his gaze drifted away from Hagen's face and became lost in the middle distance. Hagen tried to bring him back with words of reassurance. "We have heeded many bad omens and survived countless threats in the past. We will again."
        "This time is different", said Merrdyn, with a sense of defeat in his voice. "Last night the Goddess Morrigan appeared to me and assumed the guise of a raven. It circled the sky multiplying into a flock which blocked out the sun. A sparrow fell from the sky and lay dead before me"
        "Then we must act to supplant our fate," ventured Hagen.
"Our fate appears sealed," replied Merrdyn.   "The message is clear. Morrigan is the Goddess of battle. The ravens symbolize the passage of those slain on the battlefield up to the Otherworld. The sparrow represents centuries of ancestral knowledge.
        We are facing a challenge not only to our tribes but to the existence of our religion"
"What do you propose we do."?
       "I have taken steps. But if anything should befall me, please see that Xyla is safe. She is the last of my line. Without her....." said Merrdyn, his voice slightly cracking with emotion, ".....all would be lost..." As he drew breath to continue, Hagen alerted him to the sound of shuffling outside.
       Xyla paused outside the roundhouse clutching a bundle of kindling. She coughed subtly before pushing the door aside and squeezing through.
"Evening Hagen," she said cheerily as she caught sight of her uncles weather-worn face. By now his cheeks and bulbous nose were reddened by both over-indugence of liquor and the ambient light of the glowing embers.
       She stooped to drop the twigs in a woodstore. On straightening up she brushed off some flecks of wood and smoothed the creases of the dress which clinged to her slender figure.   Her chestnut brown hair which tumbled in soft curls around her shoulders glowed deep red as she stood by the fire. Her delicate features seemed immune to the harsh shadows which were less than forgiving to the two men before her.
       "Hello Xyla," replied Hagen draining the last of his drink. "I'm afraid I'll have to love you and leave you."
"Don't leave on my account," she said. "Please stay. I'll get you some more mead."
       "That's very kind but I have plenty to do, thanks to your father," he said with a wink and a smile. "High Council meetings don't arrange themselves."
He hauled his heavy frame off his chair and bid them farewell before squeezing out the door.

The day of the High Council meeting on Anglesey had finally arrived. It had been postponed several times due to Tribal conflicts which required their Druids to remain in their roles as mediators. Hagen was running around like a man possessed, unnecessarily fretting over every small detail.
       The officials of the Druid College assembled inside the Sacred Grove and Hagen arranged them in order of importance. Merrdyn as High Druid stood at the front to be the first to greet the dignitaries. A long procession of Druids in ornately embroidered white robes made their way up the avenue. The neatly manicured grass was courtesy of the sheep who Hagen had grazing there in the previous week.

Xyla's Way, Story excerpts

2011-06-05T11:31:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of short passages from the first two chapters of the book:

Chapter 1

Merrdyn poured Fryek some Mead and joined him next to the hearth. The beakers were particularly fine, befitting someone of Merrdyn's status as High Druid, carved from horn with silver mounts which glinted in the firelight.
       Fryek used an iron rod to revive the flagging fire sending up sparks which flitted like fireflies into the roofspace and plumes of smoke that permeated the straw thatch.
The two old friends stared at the flames transfixed by their hypnotic dance. A loud 'crack' from a candescent log stirred Merrdyn from his trance and prompted him to speak.
        "I fear the dark days foretold in my visions are nearly upon us," Said Merrdyn. Consumed by trepidation his gaze drifted away from Fryek's face and became lost in the middle distance.
Fryek tried to bring him back with words of reassurance. "We have heeded many bad omens and survived countless threats in the past. We will again."
        "This time is different," said Merrdyn, with a sense of defeat in his voice. "Last night the Goddess Morrigan appeared to me and assumed the guise of a raven. It circled the sky multiplying into a flock which blocked out the sun. A sparrow fell from the sky and lay dead before me"
        "Then we must act to supplant our fate," ventured Fryek.
"Our fate appears sealed," replied Merrdyn.   "The message is clear. Morrigan is the Goddess of battle. The ravens symbolize the passage of those slain on the battlefield up to the Otherworld. The sparrow represents centuries of ancestral knowledge.
        "We are facing a challenge not only to our tribes but to the very existence of our religion"
       "What do you propose we do."?
"I have taken steps. But if anything should happen to me, please see that Xyla is safe. She is the last of my line. If anything was to happen to her....." Merrdyn paused, ".....all would be lost."

Chapter 2

Above the isle of Mona, dark clouds scurried across a leaden sky as if retreating from the impending battle. Carrion wheeled overhead their presence a portent to what was to come. Legions of Roman soldiers under the command of the ruthless Gaius Paulinus amassed on the mainland. Men and horses jostled for position as the brutal ballista's and catapults were heaved into position and made ready.
       Between them and their enemy lay a dangerous stretch of tidal water and shifting quicksands. On the opposite bank stood the baying Celts.
       The sound of metal against leather reverberated against a howling wind as tribesman beat their swords against their shields. Woman cloaked in black weaved between the warriors shrieking and goading the invaders. Druids raised their hands to the sky and chanted incantations.
       The Roman frontline sharpened their short swords in an attempt to quell the anxiety gripping their stomachs. Paulinus chastised them for showing fear which brought shame on Rome. He challenged them to please the Gods by showing no mercy. He taunted and cajoled until all traces of humanity within them was displaced by a ruthless intent to dispatch the enemy.

Xyla's Look

2011-06-04T16:59:00.000-07:00

I've been fleshing out the story on which some of my sculptures will be based. So I have to finalise the look of the character. Here is my shortlist of three:

I'm going to put it to the vote on a couple of forums and base my decision on the consensus there and on my Blogs.

I Have A Plan:)

2011-05-19T09:01:00.000-07:00

I will be posting on both this and my Avalon Sculpture Blog from now on.

I am feeling particularly inspired at the moment so I am going to be producing as much work as I can in various mediums.

I had a similar impetus in energy the other year but I didn't act on it, but this time I want to make the most of it:)

Test Logo For My Jewellery Range

2011-02-04T15:49:00.000-08:00

Quite happy with the design for the logo/jewellery stamp. Trying to decide on the fill.

Sketchbook Jewellery Designs

2011-02-02T07:15:00.000-08:00

Here are a few jewellery designs which I will be making in silver and copper, and maybe bronze. All based on a natural theme.

Going Back To The Beginning

2010-12-31T06:25:00.000-08:00

I've decided to tweek my Blog and have temporarily used a photograph of Lands End for the backdrop. Sarah Baird's blog looked so good, I had to borrow the layout. I will though replace the photograph with a piece of suitable new Art when I get myself organised.

Although I intend to work with pastels, here are a couple of watercolours I did some time ago. I was really enthusiastic about the medium before I started college, but dropped it in favour of three dimensional work. I once attended a workshop with my painting hero Ray Campbell Smith in Tonbridge Wells. I adopted his pallete as I admired the look it gave to landscapes.

Good Things...Small Packages?

2010-11-26T02:45:00.000-08:00

I have sent out my lenticular images of Zac to some publishers with a card featuring the synopsis of the story. They are rather diminutive in size and might get mistaken for Christmas cards, but maybe this will work in my favour:)

Each publisher has a different policy when it comes to submissions, many asking not to be sent manuscripts. So I'm hoping these cards give a bit of a taster and beg to be followed up:)

Final Adjustments Before I Move On

2010-11-15T13:35:00.002-08:00

http://www.storyportal.co.uk/zac_spanner.html

Business cards to finish and send out, then it's time to concentrate on developing some serious Art:)

Zac-reworked and one of the bad guys

2010-11-07T14:33:00.000-08:00

I'm still trying to improve the cover and have been working on the Alien. It still needs some detailing at this point before I begin posing.

Tweek,tweek,tweek....

2010-11-04T13:30:00.000-07:00

I've given Zac a more dynamic pose. I think it's an improvement:)

Latest Zac Book Cover

2010-11-03T10:31:00.000-07:00

Here is the latest cover design for 'Zac Spanner Amd The Invasion Of The Zargonites' in situ in his secret lab hidden in the attic.

I have ordered some lenticular lenses for the mailouts I intend to send to Art Editors and may choose to feature the above image on the cards.

Link to flipping book dummy with the first chapter of the story: HERE

2010-10-16T03:11:00.000-07:00

I've just posted a VR model of Zac on my site. I've been working on the rig so I can pose him. I'll probably create a little lip-synch animation which I'll add to my site later.

Click here for mini VR tour of Zac:) Click and drag on the model to turn. File is about 900k

PC Recovery

2010-10-09T16:28:00.000-07:00

Managed to sort out my website. My Pc got infected with the Ramnit virus on the 3rd Oct which attacks HTML and exe files. It propagated over 5,000 pieces of malicious code on my system and uploaded itself to my website. So 'Stop badware' blocked access to my pages.

Some forums suggested wiping my entire hardrive but I used Malwarebytes then an excellent online scanner 'Eset' which mopped up the last few hidden viruses. I'm now running 'Microsoft Security Essentials' which seems really efficient and unobtrusive. Google have given my site the all clear as have 'StopBadware' after I asked them to recheck my site.

Last Acorn Dummy Finished

2010-10-08T04:17:00.000-07:00

I have finished writing and re-writing this children's story. I have also completed the roughs which I simply scanned and coloured in Photoshop. I just have to create a couple of finished illustrations which will represent the type of image I intend to feature in the finished book.

Here are a couple of the roughs:

Creative Juices...

2010-09-26T14:26:00.000-07:00

...Are starting to flow.

On my site I've been adding pages to my dummy book 'The last Acorn' and 'Zac Spanner And The Zargonites.' Click here and here. The illustrations are just scanned in roughs given a bit of colour in Photoshop.

It takes time to create sets in digital 3D and Zac's Laboratory is no exception. Here are the barebones of the lab so far.

It looks fairly clinical at the moment so I need to make it look a bit more lived in.

New Zac Spanner WIP Pages

2010-08-26T06:26:00.000-07:00

I've added the three couple of pages of Zac's first adventure to my site:

http://www.storyportal.co.uk/zac_spanner_wip.html

Zacharia-as mum knows him

2010-08-19T15:19:00.000-07:00

Here is Zachary wearing the jumper his mum knitted for him out of Yaks wool. She also styled his hair, chose his trousers and shoes. Poor guy!

Zac-homage to Billy The Cat

2010-08-18T15:53:00.000-07:00

When I was a kid I had a tough time at primary school and spent a lot of time escaping, something I've continued to this day:)

At that time my grandad ran a newspaper distribution company so I used to get The Beano regularly. It featured a character called Billy The Cat. He was an ordinary kid who would transform to a super hero, chase down criminals and save classmates from bullies. I could have done with him at my school:) But it was a comfort reading his adventures at night when I was bullied at school during the day. Aspects of my character Zac pays homage to him and with his backpack and helmet:).

CGI Zac

2010-07-26T16:36:00.000-07:00

I've decided to go down the CGI route with Zac. I'm still working on a few details including the texturing of his trousers but He's getting there I think. I have got an alternative hairstyle but it may be too funky for his character. There are a few accessories missing but I did spend a bit of time designing his trainers. More info to come:)

Zac Spanner

2010-07-15T15:01:00.000-07:00

I'm getting on with my new website: 'Story Porta'l and working on my character: Zac Spanner, (Zacharia Spanoski-great grandson of a 2nd world war refugee rocket scientist). Here's ascreen grab of the website in production, the Zac Spanner book title and a really rough preliminary sketch of Zac himself:)

Mazey Day 2010

2010-06-29T13:51:00.000-07:00

I Want To be An Illustrator Again

2010-06-25T03:20:00.000-07:00

Having just visited the Falmouth degree Show:

Click here

I am inspired to ressurect my ailing Illustration career. Far from being intimidated by seeing loads of fresh Illustrators entering the Illustration market, it enthuses me to be involved again.

I know to many of you it is mumbo jumbo, but I have been getting many warning signs from Oracle cards recently. I have been drawing the same card, ('Arrow Master'), time and again out of a deck of 40 cards, and always reversed. It's telling me to make sure I am moving in the right direction. I have taken a step outside of what I am doing and have reconsidered my current course.

More soon.

Ancient And Modern

2010-06-13T04:27:00.000-07:00

Ancient Celtic Well

The other week I visited a local well at Madron. The water is reputed to have healing powers. The Votives hanging from the tree are offerings to the naiad, (spirit) of the well. it is believed that as the material rots down, so the affliction diminishes.

The route to the well was for hundreds of years like a journey through a portal to another world. But now with the clumsy action of a well meaning council, a path has been cut straight to the well, bypassing the meandering route over stone styles, and so reducing its magic.

The well in the chapel has been used for hundreds of years for baptisms by Christians, continuing the rituals carried out by Pagans who populated west Cornwall. It is a great place to come for quiet meditation.

I'm no hairdresser...

2010-06-09T15:35:00.001-07:00

..but I am spending a lot of time working on differeny hairstyles. The program is proving a bit buggy. So I am having a few issues. I think I'll stick with the long flowing hair look though.

I've nearly finished building my new PC. And at the weekend I might start building my workbench. I am considering choping up our old dining table. Don't tell the wife:)

Working with CGI Dynamics

2010-06-06T15:06:00.001-07:00

I have been experimenting with wind effects on hair. I have been rendering out a series of images and will post the resulting animation soon. It need a bit more density around the back of the head but it's getting there. Each rendered image takes around 3/4 of an hour and there are at least 60 of them!

Refining

2010-06-02T14:43:00.001-07:00

I've softened the face somewhat and have been working on rigging the figure for animation. It's the old law of diminishing returns. You attain a certain standard of work within a reasonable timescale; but then to get it up to a higher level, the smallest improvement in quality takes a disproportionate amount of time.

I hope to sell my kiln this Friday and have already seen the enameling kiln I intend to buy in its place.

I will start work on building a new workspace next week, or rather two workspaces, one for silversmithing/sculpting and the other to house the new computer workstation. My old pc has practically ground to a halt now.

I am going to bow out of the ceramics class early. I discovered that it was not right for me and also it had a negative impact as far as making aquaintances is concerned. Part of the reason for joining the course was to get me out of the house, which for a freelancer is important. But the trouble with joining daytime courses is that the intake tends to be mainly female. I made what I thought was a good friend on this course but she started to get wary of having a friend of the opposite sex.

Living in the far west of Cornwall it is hard to keep contact with people because of the distances involved. I'm hoping that the project I'm working on will start to take shape and keep all feelings of loneliness at bay.

One may have a blazing hearth in one's soul, and yet no one ever comes by to sit by it.

Vincent Van Gogh

Finally I'm back

2010-05-23T14:58:00.000-07:00

I've been putting a lot of effort into ceramics and CGI in the past few weeks. None of the ceramic work in progress has really been ready for posting.

I have found the ceramics course useful in that it has shown the limitations of the medium with my style of work. I prefer to create detailed sculpture but working using clay with its particular properties, has proved a bit frustrating. I will concentrate my efforts with other sculpture mediums which I think suit me better. The tutor is full of praise for me but I know I have yet to get anywhere near the level I aspire to.

There are people on the ceramics course who I have felt a connection with. Unfortunately they are all women on the course so these friendships will not be sustainable. So I guess I'm back to square one in some ways.

I think my illustration career has bid me a fond farewell. I gave it a good go but couldn't quite get onto the next rung of the ladder. Getting a number of books published was more than I could have hoped for when I started out. Once the ball started to roll I thought it could pick up speed. Sadly it just lost inertia.

CGI wise here is an example of Xyla with wind applied to her dress. I have yet to get the hair to 'work' :)

Taken Time Out

2010-04-09T12:43:00.000-07:00

It's been a fair while since I last posted on this Blog. I have been having a bit of a reassessment of my career aspirations and have made some decisions.

I decided to have a bit of a clear out so started with all my plasticine characters and props. They've been stored in cupboards waiting to be taken out and recycled for the next job. I thought it would make more sense to put it in large storage boxes and stow them out of the way.

But as I was putting them away I kinda had the feeling that this could be it, the ending of a chapter, my Illustration career. I've been rumbling along for 8 or 9 years now and I think maybe the wheels have finally come off. They didn't go hurtling down the track. The cart has just lurched gently into the verge and they have slipped off the hubs. I had a sad feeling in the pit of my stomach, which was the realisation coming over me.

I am pretty much behind with the assignment on my ceramics course. I went into pottery thinking I could maybe make some kind of living from it, but once I had decided this was unlikely, I lost interest. I also think wood carving isn't for me as the process doesn't feel natural to me. So I'm putting my kiln and wood carving equipment up for sale.

I have been honing my skills in digital 3D and have begun to set up a silversmithing and sculpture workstation. I enjoy creating designer jewellery and working with polymer and bonded porcelain casting; so these will be my focus - craftwise.

Digitally I have been working on Xyla and below are a couple of work in progress stills. I think I am getting more realism in textures and anatomy than I did previously.

Self Publishing

2010-02-25T05:40:00.000-08:00

Although I am going to be serialising my graphic novel for free on my website, I also want to produce a printed version for people to purchase.

I came across this machine which semi automates the book binding process. I may well order one through my sister in the states. Here's a link to some videos:

htttp://atomicpublishing.net/video.aspx

First Vase Like Thing

2010-02-03T06:07:00.000-08:00

This is my first attempt at glazed ceramics. I wanted to create something with an organic look. But I decided to use a vivid glaze which is what earthenware glazes tend to be.

Normal Service Will Be Resumed

2010-01-30T16:27:00.000-08:00

I have been really busy working on my Xyla project. I will start posting again with a vengence next week:)

Coming Soon.....

2010-01-03T11:55:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year!

2009-12-30T15:41:00.000-08:00

I know this blog isn't actually very busy at the moment, but for those who stumble onto it, i'd like to wish you all a healthy and prosperous 2010.

Most years start off with good intentions and 2010 is no exception. I'm going to channel all my energy into ONE project. If a paying illustration job comes along, (he says on his knees in prayer), then all well and good; but I am going to start this project from the ground up, documenting my progress as I go.

I have always avoided paying for domain hosting etc but that is surely a reflection of my lack of committment to a cause. This time I'm going to develop a site with a built in blog, galleries, podcasts, videos evrything to involve and hopefully interest people in the projedt.

I'll probably start with a mission statement, preliminary concept sketches etc. There will be weekly story updates, WIP's, instructional videos. I'm getting things together and hope to launch some time in January:)

Next year...

2009-12-25T14:18:00.000-08:00

Has got to be better. Maybe not in what happens but in how I deal with things.

I've had a bit of a dabble in a couple of creative disciplines this year and it has given me a better idea of what I am going to do next year.

I think I need to work on ideas as a whole package, not just creating a sculpture or an image in isolation, but creating whole concepts. I need to work on a narrative which captures the imagination, something which the public will buy into.

The Road Not Taken

2009-12-14T14:53:00.000-08:00

TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost (1874–1963). Mountain Interval. 1920.

The Gauntlet...

2009-12-11T16:12:00.000-08:00

...has been thrown down. And I feel compelled to pick it up.

A college moderator came to the ceramics class today, puffed up with her own self-importance. In the manner of the head of a government quango she extolled the virtues of the course over which she presides. She cut a figure not disimilar to Dolores Umbridge in physique and disposition. Sickly sweet unnervingly familiar.

"Oh yes she said your work is wonderful way in advance of this level two class. But not quite up to the standard of a level three, (almost equivalent to an A level!)".

There were palpable intakes of breath from fellow students around me. This comment came not long after my ceramics tutor of 18 years experience was humbling me with arguments in favour of exhibiting and getting commissions for my work.

Anyone who knows me would realise that I am my own worse critic and feel humble to the point of embarrassment when my work is praised. But this was like receiving a stiletto to the heart.

I am done with appraisals and seeking validation. Let the public be the judge jury and excecutioner. Theirs are the opinions that count.

Final Xmas Card Images

2009-12-02T06:30:00.001-08:00

Here are the final images sent off to the printers. The second one being for the inside.

Xmas card 2009

2009-11-29T13:26:00.001-08:00

I have been busy lately with this and that. Can't say that I have settled on my career direction for next year yet. I really need to sort out some studio space, possibly I need to rent somewhere. I'm tinkering at the moment with a number of things, but nothing to the quality I hope to produce.

In the meantime I have been working on this years Chirstmas card. A bit of cropping and text adjustment maybe necessary.

Sculpture Adjustment

2009-11-23T15:26:00.000-08:00

I haven't had much time to devote to this but I'm going to have to start taking my sculpture a bit more seriously. I need to be more methodical in my approach using reference photo's and actually do some sketching before getting to the actual sculpting bits.

I have raised the figures and have roughed out the hands. I will define the sculpt quite a bit more and fire it. I'll just put this one down to experience and do a better job on the next.

Back to work

2009-11-01T12:05:00.000-08:00

I hope everyone had a great Samhain.

My Blog has been a bit quiet this week. It's been half term so I have been doing the family thing. Normal service will resume next week.

Illustrationwise I'm hoping the Art Editors at Macmilan's are going to accept the ammended images I submitted to them. Things have the habit of dragging on when it comes to the world of publishing.

I have been emmersing myself in the world of ceramics. Normally between jobs I would spend my time working to improve my skills in digital 3D. I thought it was about time I devoted all my time to producing something tangible. I hope to show you something I've been working on, in the next couple of days.

Global

2009-10-19T15:12:00.000-07:00

'Global' in the context of Illustration is a word I do not like. I just got the comments back from the editor on the Camel brief. In one of the first illustrations he wanted the sand to be more yellow and the sky lighter. There are several other changes required but I thought having to make the alterations to a few illo's wouldn't be so bad. But that innocuous word 'global' means I have to apply the changes to EVERY illustration, all 40 of them. And they want the camels eye to be yellow! I didn't come across any camels with yellow eyes in my extensive research. But somehow I must think of a way to give them what they want.

...is the customer always right?

Shifting Sands

2009-10-09T15:08:00.000-07:00

I thought the title was apt in the light of my recent work:¬)

I always get the feeling of arriving at a crossroads when I finish a commission. And this time is no exception. Last time round I spent a lot of time learning CGI techniques. To me it's like climbing a slippery slope. Just when you think you have got up to a certain standard, another piece of software or technique comes along to send you sliding down again. So I've decided to allot the time available to making real stuff. I'm talking tables, mantle clocks, sculptural forms which serve a purpose other than just aesthetics.

I started on a figurative study today. As I stated before, I am only any good at something my heart is into. The sculpting felt natural to me and I hope it will reflect this. I'll post some WIP images soon.

Oh My Gourd It's A Ring Holder

2009-10-08T05:31:00.000-07:00

Well it could be I guess. As I don't have a potters wheel. I'm basically rolling out the shapes on a board. This ended up kinda gourd shaped. Because these 'block pots' are solid initially, when you slice through them to form a lid you can guarantee the lid will fit the base.

It's the surface finish of the form which should bring it to life. We have been shown how to use liquid slips, (watered down clay) to add colour to the clay's surface. And how to use Sgraffito, (scratching through the slip to reveal the clay beneath). But I am looking forward to trying different glazes,. oxides etc.

First Pot WIP

2009-10-07T13:21:00.001-07:00

I guess it looks a bit naff so far in the raw clay, but believe it or not this is the beginnings of an incense burner. The coiled section is the lid and will double up as the snuffer. It's a variation on a simple pot we were shown how to create in the first of my ceramics classes. You basically create a form in solid clay, slice through with a cheese wire to form a lid, then after it has become leather hard, hollow out the inside.

It is still very wet, but once dried I intend to fire it with some kind of metalic glaze for the lid and a matt blue for the base.

Or:

This is just one of the required exercises on the course. I don't see myself making a habit of producing a lot of pot like objects:¬)

Tomorrow I'll be starting a sculpture which is more within my comfort zone:¬)

The Last Of The Camel Illustrations

2009-10-05T04:11:00.000-07:00

These were two of the last images I produced for the brief. I opted to use aluminium foil for the pool in the bottom picture instead of using CGI and just used a couple of filters in Photoshop. The gravel/soil I ordered for the ploughed field had to be sent from France in the end. It arrived on the day the illustrations were required; which would have been ok had the colour and texture been suitable. Unfortunately neither were. I had to rely on pure CGI in the end. It was all a bit of a rush, but I hope I got away with it.

I've spoken to my Agent about the possibility of writing and illustrating more Rudyard Kipling books. It obviously depends on how these are received.

I have been attending a ceramics course for the past couple of weeks. It is only 2 hours a week but it's full on in terms of learning techniques. I also joined to see if I could make new friends. Unfortunately the class is made up entirely of women most of whom I don't think I relate to, but a couple seem to have broken cover and have opened up to me a bit more. But there is little time to socialise.

A friend sent me a course of self-esteem CD's. I suspected I had real confidence issues and after taking an online self-esteem test and scoring 59%, (dismally well below the average), it seems I do, big time.

I have looked at a great number of self help literature and consulted 'Guru's' in the past but these self esteem CD's are pretty radical and cut through the psychobable.

I must stop following the course of least resistance and start to properly live. I don't think I give a good representation of myself in general. I think the lack of self-esteem somehow causes me to over-compensate and give a false impression. I'll see if this course can draw the 'real' me out. But an exorcism may well be required:¬)

Facelift

2009-10-04T14:37:00.000-07:00

I decided to give my Blog a bit of a change. I'm afraid I get quite bored with things being the same for too long. But maybe that's a good thing.

I'm Free

2009-10-02T14:11:00.000-07:00

For the first time in three months I am free to do what I want. Just in time for the cold weather to set in:¬(

Where did the summer go? That's the problem with having a contract that runs from July through to September.

Choices, choices, choices

What to do next? I think I'll clear the decks and get all that sand out of the crevices, (it really does get everywhere).

I am thinking of several options including ceramics. I'll talk about the ceramics course I'm taking in my next post - it does offer some inspiration.

34 Down...

2009-09-21T15:39:00.001-07:00

...7 to go!

These 7 are the trickiest. I have found it hard trying to produce over 40 illustrations in a relatively short time, given my style of work. I hope I have managed to keep the standard up.

I still need to produce a CGi backdrop; and I can't finish a couple of the images without the order of Warhammer gravel I need for one of the stage sets. I hope it arrives in time.

2009-09-10T15:05:00.000-07:00

Well I'm really having to put the hours in now and I really have an unbelievable amount to do. The next few days will be really critical as to whether I can meet the deadline.

1st Off The Press

2009-09-07T10:30:00.000-07:00

Here is the first of the illustrations to roll off the production line. Because of the difficult shooting order the camel had to have its hump surgically removed for this image. It was a bit of a pain matching the sandy foreground to the CGI background, (in terms of camera angle and shading). But hopefully now susequent illo's will be easier. The bottom left hand corner is reserved for text.

Just deserts

2009-09-05T16:04:00.000-07:00

Well I've modelled, posed and photographed all the props, and characters, (except for the menagerie inthe final illustration of the book). Next job is to get the backdrops sorted out. The previous version of the desert, I recently posted, had a few issues with the hills and textures. I had to go back to square one and remake the scene in 3D. Here it is:

The Djinn Of All Deserts

2009-08-29T11:02:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick test shot of the desert 'Genie.' He is a bit rough round the edges at the mo but I will clean him up in Photoshop. I just need to photograph him in a couple of other poses and then I'll be finished with this stage of the procedure:¬)

Production line

2009-08-26T16:10:00.001-07:00

I'm trying to get all the models finished and photographed by the end of this week. I still have the dog and the genie to go so it's a big ask.

Here's a raw shot of the camel but this time sculpted lying down. And before you ask, I was sitting upright:¬)

2009-08-23T11:25:00.000-07:00

My son, (picured below), received his A level results on Thursday. He achieved BBB which was not quite good enough for his first choice University: Cardiff. He only just missed getting AAA by 4, 6, & 9 marks. He was offered a place at his insurance choice but his heart was set on Cardiff. I think he intends to resit a couple of exams to get his grades up and reapply. He is also talking about travelling in france next year.

My work has been substantially delayed by all this carrying on. I really need to get all my models finished and photographed by the end of the month or I'm going to be in real trouble.

Forgive me - A Scenery Shot

2009-08-19T15:20:00.000-07:00

I've lived near Godrevy Lighthouse for over nine years yet have never been to Godrevy Point. The Island and associated lighthouse inspired Virginia Wolf's novel 'To The Lighthouse.' The views are breathtaking. The string of beaches starting with Gwithian opposite Godrevy form a bay which is listed in the top ten bays of the world.

Tomorrow my son's A level results are released. He doesn't think he has done enough to get into his first choice University and his second choice isn't really a choice he wants to make. So I hope he is being overly pessimistic as he would be pretty distaught if he falls short.

On the work front I am making reasonable progress. I hope I can make a breakthrough by the weeks end.

Just Shut Up And Get On With It!

2009-08-16T13:20:00.000-07:00

That's what I intend to do. I have finished modelling and posing all the shots of the camel standing up, with and without hump. I have also completed all the shots of the 'desert man.' I'm now re-modelling the camel in its lying down position. I'll be happier once all the camel photographs are done but that still leaves a lot of modelling to go. I have yet to start work on the dog or the genie of the deserts. I will probably photograph the Ox and Horse next.

Once all the characters are modelled and photographed they must be composed against the backgrounds, (once finished), and everything must be colour corrected, (so the characters look ok against the foreground and backgrounds).

Back to work:¬)

Back In The Saddle

2009-08-13T13:28:00.000-07:00

I had rather a cathartic week 'up country' in my 'home town. Since moving down to Cornwall some 9 years ago I have felt less and less affinity to the place where I was born. My relatives live there which is the only reason for my visits. I have brought my mother back to stay for a week with us but I have so much on my plate with my commission that site seeing could be drastically reduced this year.

The workload for 'How The Camel Got Its Hump' is looking really mental. I have so much to do it's unreal. I am at the panic stage at the moment where I can't see all the necessary elements possibly coming together.

I have had to create the landscape myself in the end. Here's the latest work in progress:

Putting The Cart Before The Camel

2009-08-02T11:18:00.000-07:00

Here is a quick test shot of the Camel pulling a cart. I actually got to use my wood carving knife, at last, to fashion the arms of the camels cart. I used Balsa wood and some other harder stuff I found in my odds and ends cupboard to knock the cart up. I used real leather for the strap which was cut from a furniture shop's leather sample swatch:¬)

You may have noticed something missing. The wheels I ordered off Ebay turned out to be half the size I thought they'd be. So I have a new pair on order.

I have made the unprecedented decision to buy a CGI desert scene off the net. I haven't got the time to build one myself and as it was quite cheap I thought it was worth it. I'll post some images next time.

I'm off up country for a week from tomorrow so I hope to see you then.

If The Hut Fits

2009-07-30T08:37:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned I had real trouble finding reference for the type of houses people live in in the desert. The 'How The Camel Got Its Hump' story is supposed to be set 'when the world is new' so the 'houses' should be little more than mud huts.

To create my hut I used a piece of round polystyrene packaging and wrapped a piece of card around it. I sized the card with PVA and then coated it with plaster. Finally I painted it with acrylics. The roof was a right pain. I made a cardboard cone and covered it in the 'straw' from a beach mat. At first I thought I could use sections of the mat but it fell apart when I tried to cut it up. In the end it was a job of epic proportions glue gunning individual strands onto the cone. It stands about 16 inches high.

I didn't really give the task enough thought, so I am going to have to make adjustments to the pitch of the roof in Photoshop for each illustration which features the hut.

Desert dwelling Man

2009-07-30T03:55:00.000-07:00

Right here's the man, again modelled within a couple of days. This is against the backdrop of pandemonium which is breaking out within immediate family circle. I won't go into details, (as I've decided to keep this blog 'on message' apart from the odd moan I'll have from time to time:¬)). But as most of you will know, trying to illustrate or craft something when things are going off around you, Is not so flippin easy. Despite being an unwilling participant in in any drama, my life is turning into one of those Soap Opera's which I avoid watching like the plague. The irony isn't lost on me:¬) Desert Hut next. I can find hardly any reference material for desert huts, so I'm really winging it on this one.

'orsing About

2009-07-28T10:52:00.000-07:00

This is the next of the characters to roll off the production line. I started yesterday evening so it turned around quite quick. I have added details such as a bridle for it, (not shown) but the whole thing still needs a bit more smoothing. Its head more or less evolved on its own.

I never used to like horses but have developed some respect for their physical presence since creating this and my only other previous effort. I didn't use reference as I felt there is enough leeway in accuracy with more 'cartoony' style horse.

The Ox

2009-07-26T09:35:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick snap of the Ox which features in the story. Next up is the desert dwelling man. The roughs had quite a few comments on them and the outfit of the man in the story is worrying me a bit. I'll get on with it now and send an image to the Art Director for approval. I wouldn't want to crack on with all the photographs if the model isn't right.

Countdown

2009-07-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

I have just heard back from my Agent and the approvals for the 'Camel story' roughs are imminent, (with some ammendments). They want to bring forward the deadline, but frankly I would be pushed for time with the original proposal. This is when the pressure comes to bear and to be honest it does unsettle me a bit. But I've been here before many times and hopefully the seemingly impossible will prove possible.

Here are three versions of the proposed cover. I did them in a bit of a rush overnight so I hope they are ok for the Art Director.

21 Guns - Green Day (official music video) [HQ]

2009-07-23T11:27:00.001-07:00

This is my favourite video right now.

First Humph!

2009-07-21T14:41:00.000-07:00

This is a quick test shot of the camel model I've been working on. It's about 14 inches high. It still needs a bit of smoothing, tweaking and I need to add eyelashes, (possibly from a doll if I can kidnap one of my wife's old ones:¬)).

Like people, models can turn out to be photogenic or not so photogenic. I think Humph is not too bad judging by this test shot.

I feel a period of creative energy coming on so I hope to start revealing several ideas in the coming weeks.

Camel or high water...

2009-07-19T15:12:00.000-07:00

..I will finish the models for my brief: 'How The Camel Got Its Hump.' I decided to make the main model twice as big as normal. I'll post an image tomorrow.

Saw the Latest Harry Potter film. Got to say I was a bit disappointed. Not really enough action for me. The film went out with a whimper rather than a bang.

I'm looking forward to joining the two adult education classes in September. I made a couple of good friends the last time I went to college. Unfortunately they went back to Wales and London. It's hard work cultivating friendships and is pretty sad when they leave you. Living where I do and being freelance, opportunities for making friends don't come along so often.

Plans are afoot

2009-07-06T06:28:00.000-07:00

Although I live within the shadow of an impending illustration project I am really conscious of my lack of progress, creatively. I haven't even scratched the surface of what I want to do. I make half-hearted efforts at the kind of work I'm not really that interested in. It seems to me that anyone can make a good attempt at most things. But unless you are really inspired, moved, or feel 'qualified' to undertake a creative endeavour, it can never meet your expectations. Or in my case the results do meet my expectations in how inept they can turn out.

Don't get me wrong this assessment isn't a negative diatribe borne out of self pity, it is merely a pragmatic reflection of the state of my 'Quest.' So I have decided to regain some focus and learn some technical skills by enrolling on a couple of courses. I have little knowledge of ceramic firing or glazing so I have signed up to a 30 week ceramics course. For some time I have had a number of sketches I've wanted to turn into sculpture, so hopefully I will get the motivation to get started on some. The other course is in wood carving and it will be interesting to see which of the two genres I take to the most.

Mazey Day 2009

2009-06-28T14:00:00.000-07:00

This year's festival was absolutely heaving with people. I have been going there for 8 years now and I have never seen so many people.

As usual the highlight for me was the Samba band. I'll try to post a video soon.

Obsessed?

2009-06-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

I guess I might have come across as a bit obsessive recently regarding my son. It was pretty intense. His mood swings and general stress levels were mind boggling. Hopefully things will work out ok.

I really do have a load of work to do now. I have only just started to do the research necessary for this brief. I'm already flippin' fed up with camels. What is it with their legs? How the hell do they bend like that? Two knee's in each leg!

I went to the Falmouth Illustration Students Graduation Show on Saturday here in Cornwall. I go every year to gain inspiration and top up my enthusiasm. Also to analyze trends in terms of style, or the area of the illustration industry the work is predominately aimed at. There seemed to be a creeping away from Children's Illustration towards Editorial or Advertising in recent shows.

There did seem to be an overall lower standard of pure drawing ability. But there were a few stand out good illustrator's. This is the website of my personal favourite at the show: http://www.lizlucas.co.uk/ She has great drawing skills an a definite style. All she would need is persistence to succeed.

COMING SOON:
My first camel model and 'Zac Sparrow and the Zargon Invasion'

Last Bit Of CGI

2009-06-19T15:54:00.000-07:00

This how far my attempts to create realistic CGI skin got. Now I must abandon the project for a couple of months while I concentrate on the children's book commission. Now it's camels, oxon and deserts all the way from now on.

When I contemplated not being able to work on my own projects, due to the demands of this paid work, the one thing that popped into my head was a regret of not being able to sculpt wood, rather than the CGI. So I'll have to try to squeeze some extra-curricular activity of this sort into any available time.

Normality

2009-06-19T10:43:00.000-07:00

Phew! at last my son's exams are over. He seems to be much happier. Results aren't due out until August

I have got 40+ illustration roughs to do in a very short time now. I will really need to crack on with them and start work on the main character in clay. I will post the first prototypes ASAP.

One of the things I have learned this week is that most homeopathic medicines don't seem to work. It took a prescription of sleeping pills, (a class 3 drug), to actually get my son to sleep over the past week or so. All the money spent on Valerian etc was a complete waste.

The only exception to this is possibly Bach Flower remedies like 'Rescue Remedy' which seem to have a positive effect. It is interesting to me that one of the women who run a local 'spiritual shop' is prescribed drugs to alleviate depression. So surely all the crystals she sells to her clientele for such conditions can't do what she claims they can.

All Change

2009-06-16T16:00:00.001-07:00

I've decided to revamp my blog. Bits are in mid-change so please bear with me.

Long Time No Post

2009-06-14T14:23:00.000-07:00

Well things have been a bit fraught chez moi recently. My eldest son's A levels conclude next week. He has 3 exams still to do. It has been a major battle getting him to revise at the expense of wasting time on the internet. He has been really stressed so I took him to the doctors the other week to see if he could be given something to help him sleep on the nights before his exams.

The tablets the doc prescribed seemed a bit heavy duty so we tried to persist with the homeopathic ones he has been taking. Unfortunately due to his exam nerves he was still awake at 2.30 am, and when I checked again it was 5 am and he still hadn't slept at all. In desperation we gave him half a sleeping pill in the hope he would get at least 5 hours sleep yet not be too drowsy for the exam. Things just about turned out ok on the day.

It's looking dodgy whether or not he will get the required grades because he is not really putting enough effort into revision. He secured a job at Specsavers this week so this will help his application to university especially if things haven't gone with his grades. It's going to be touch and go.

I have been neglecting things with my book commission because of the family problems, so I am going to have to work hard to catch up..

I went for a walk on the beach the otherday to get my head together. It was pouring with rain and I was buffeted by the wind. I walked to the end of the bay so there was no one within earshot of anyone I let out a mighty roar of pent up emotion: ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

....then looked up and saw two hikers 50ft directly above me on the coastal path. Oops!

I must admit whilst I was walking along the coast, I fantasized about what it would be like just to keep walking.

Come In Your Time Is Up

2009-06-01T14:50:00.000-07:00

I have just received the go ahead for the book illustrations. This means my personal projects will have to go on hold. I had just started to get back into some real sculpture as well as working on the digital project. Here's another outfit:

I quite like designing clothes but maybe I've left it a bit late to be a fashion designer:¬)

Not sure which one I prefer out of the four.

Status report

2009-05-22T14:40:00.000-07:00

My book commission finally kicks off at the beginning of July when I am expecting the layouts for the illustrations. The story is 'How The Camel Got Its Hump' by Rudyard Kipling. The whole thing is set in the desert, so I am thinking of building an actual stage set rather than creating it digitally.

The twice postponed deadline means my whole summer could be eclipsed by this job. 40-50 illustrations means a lot of work with my style so it will be nose to the grindstone time.

My eldest son has been getting fraught with stress as he approaches the last of his A level exams. He has been pretty unpleasant at times. I made a conscious decision not to bring him up in the oppressive and strict manner that my father applied to me. Maybe the 'hippy' parenting model I adopted was maybe not the best idea. Trying to be both a friend and father is maybe mutually exclusive.

Getting back to the subject of work, the gaps between jobs does feel like a kind of no-mans-land. I wander about trying to pursue creative goals but I do get a bit lost. I have spent weeks working digitally but I have found working soley in this medium erodes time at an alraming rate. I don't think I've found anything that I am really good at yet.

Tweaks

2009-05-08T16:15:00.001-07:00

Now I have some time I have decided to animate this character I have decided to stop experimenting with skin subsurface scattering because of the render times. I am going with tied back hair so I only have to animate some loose strands at the front. I have also tweaked the outfit a bit:

I have a spare bit of webspace somewhere out there, so I will set up a webpage with a brief intro to my character's story and some art work.

Tick, tick, tick

2009-05-07T04:23:00.000-07:00

Still waiting for the illustration brief from Macmillan. I've been working on digital 3D stuff in the meantime. My eldest son's exams are coming up so he is really tetchy at the moment. I'll post some more WIP's soon.

EDIT*
My Agent just phoned me to say the book commission has been delayed by another month. The manuscript has been sent back to the author for a rewrite. Looks like I will need to find some additional income.

SSS

2009-04-27T15:11:00.000-07:00

SSS is sub-surface scattering, And I hate it! In 3D circles It is the name given to the effect of light as it enters our skin and reflects back through the layers. It is a pain to set up, and each little tweek has to be rendered for at least 15 minutes just to see the results of the adjustment. I tried the effect on the model in the previous post. It has taken hours to try to get right. I think it gives a more natural look to the skin. I just need to work out how to gloss the lips

Hair Apparent

2009-04-22T03:51:00.000-07:00

At last I seem to be getting to grips with the 3D hair. Unlike my previous efforts this hair is not Photoshopped. This gives me more options within the 3D software. The Macmillan commissionm has been delayed by a couple of weeks, so Im taking the opportunity to develop this project a bit.

Amazing Talent

2009-04-19T09:58:00.000-07:00

I've been back in contact with a friend Tracey from my old Art College. Her talent was obvious there but her work has developed even further since. She specializes in painting acrylics of nature subjects in close up. She has an amazing skill for homing in on the detail and cutting through the extraneous.

Here's a link to her site:

www.TraceyJayneThomas.co.uk

Bad Hair day

2009-04-17T16:40:00.001-07:00

I've got the character, got the story,(well some of it), now all I need to do is master the software! This has been one of the reasons for not posting recently. I've been trying to get my head around a 3D application and so far the hair has proved unmanageable. I am working on it and hope to be able to post an improved version soon.

Latest WIP

2009-04-03T15:58:00.000-07:00

Here is the first sculpture which I intend to fire and possibly sell. It is about 6 inches high and made from white stoneware clay. I have taken the sculpture as far as poss without reference. So now I will find a similar pose and finish detailing it.The pictures are a bit rubbish as they were taken in low light without a tripod.

Where I'm At

2009-03-31T04:29:00.000-07:00

I was supposed to meet up with an old friend from college today but as is often the case the working hours of a freelance illustrator and that of a full time worker don't mesh. I haven't seen him for two years such is the brisk passage of time. Maybe it will have to wait for another couple of years. This is one of the problems with being an illustrator. We seemed to exist in another realm.

With the end of the financial year looming I have been trying to buy equipment and software to offset my profits. I have just purchased a new 3D program and at last some wood carving tools.

Illustration is my career again! as I was contacted by my Agent at last today concerning the job which was mentioned to me last month. At first the fee looked a bit low, but it turned out that there are less illustrations required. It is based on one of the Rudyard Kippling stories. Ironically I went into a school a few years back and worked with a class on the story 'How The Giraffe Got It's Long Neck' by the same author.

This illustration was created with some of the children's models:

My Agent also mentioned that he was at the Bologna Book Fair and met a woman looking for a modelmaker. When she saw my work in the portfolio she said 'I've found him!' I'll have to wait and see if anything comes of it..

This is version II

2009-03-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

The organizing committee for the statue fundraising seem a little, well disorganized. Their performance today in arranging a benefit was a bit disconcerting. I suppose the ball is in their court now.

Fingers Crossed

2009-03-19T16:44:00.000-07:00

I put well over 10 hours of work into my new mining sculpture today and I recon it's near enough finished. One week to do sculpt a figure and a diorama was pushing it. I think all these years of sculpting figures for my illustrations against the clock has taught me to work quite fast. This latest version has not dried out completely so it's not ideal, but being only seven days old it's in better shape than I could have hoped for.

Tomorrow I am going to take the model to be displayed in the mining town of St Just. There's going to be a fundraising event and people will get the opportunity to vote for their favourite model. I need to photograph the new version so that it can form part of another display in a hotel in Penzance. Votes will be cast here too.

Preoccupied

2009-03-17T16:48:00.000-07:00

Trying to sort out my son has taken most of my time of late. He needs to lift his grades to get his university place. I'm glad to say he seems to be a lot more committed right now. I just hope he can keep it going.

I got an email from the organizing committee for the miners sculpture today. They wanted a copy of the poster of my submitted design. The actual model, unsuprisingly, is a little worse for wear due to the rushed drying process.

I have though decided to do another design in addition to the one I have already produced. It is based on my original idea which I deviated from after talking to the head of the organizing committee. In future I will always go with my gut instinct.

The general public will vote on their favoured sculpture on Friday, so I intend to get it finished by then. Frankly this is a big ask, but I have built up the model in a holllow form to hopefully avoid the issue of cracking. I'll keep you posted:¬)

WIP: Seated Female Figure

2009-03-09T15:11:00.000-07:00

I sculpted this figure as an exercise without reference. I will look for a photograph of a similar pose and define some details. It is made from Beau Touche - wax based clay which I don't really like working with. So when I finish this I am going to start sculpting with real clay which I will fire, and hopefully I will start selling some items!

Time To Get Started

2009-03-02T13:59:00.000-08:00

The one thing that has been stopping me from producing ceramics has been studio space. I guess it's been a bit of a convenient problem because it has allowed me to procrastinate. But now I have decided to build an outside studio where I can dry out and fire the sculptures.

Thanks to Tara and Sarah for your input which has convinced me to start off with some small ceramic items. I do though quite like the idea of combining sterling silver with wood or ceramic as jewellery making was something I was interested in pursuing at one point. And I still have most of the equipment to hand.

http://ravenmadness.blogspot.com/2006/06/jewellery-i-made-earlier.html

I forgot to say that the commission I've got coming up is actually from the top bod at Macmillan and not through a design agency as were the last few. He had told my Agent some time ago that my work was fine for the odd illo, but he couldn't see my stuff in a whole book, (although I've done several with another publishers). That comment did leave me feeling a bit crest fallen at the time.

But now it seems he has changed his opinion as the commission is for a 32 page book in full colour. I've just got the job sheet but have little info other than the book is one of the 'Macmillan Explorers' dual language books.

I've booked my son in to see a spiritual healer to see if she can sort out his anxiety. I saw her some time ago about a problem with my hand. I can't describe the sensations I had in my head but it was a really exhilarating feeling. She is also a medium and she was the one who gave me a reading last year. Shiatsu is also a great energy/massage therapy I was buzzing for a week after I had one.

The Plot Thickens

2009-03-01T06:33:00.000-08:00

I'm going to display my sculpture in the library of the town where the statue is proposed to be erected. I phoned them up to see how many there are already on display, and it seems there is only one so far. I was surprised to hear that the one statue was sculpted by my old ceramics tutor. I had a bit of an issue with her. Some teachers feel their students are their competition, particularly in Adult Education. I felt she had a bit of an agenda with me. She used to pump me for information as to where I planned to sell my sculpture, possible types of market or production techniques, etc. She was also a bit disparaging and seldom encouraging. I would be interested to see her reaction when she sees I am contributing a model.

Yesterday I went into St Ives on a fact finding mission. I went into a couple of craft shops/galleries to talk to shop owners about the kind of products that sell well. It seems small colourful ceramics are popular, as are hares, (celtic fertility symbols), tiles with designs in relief, bonded bronze sculptures, etc.

Even the most up-market souvenir shops offer little profit on items, so an almost production line approach would be necessary. I think I am inclined to go for the high end one-off piece approach and consider galleries instead of tourist haunts.

Has The Tide Turned?

2009-02-27T04:16:00.000-08:00

Yes I think it has. Why? for many reasons.

I used to feel that any major change in lifestyle or thinking or whatever had to be at some poignant time. I used to think that the turning of the year was that time. I had at least three bites of the cherry: the New Year, The Chinese New Year, (my mother in law is Chinese), or the Celtic New Year, (Samhain). But I decided to make the changes on the 17 of February. The date had no significance, although now I guess it does.

What's changed? I have, or at least the process has started. The one thing that has dominated my life since childhood and has been perpetuated by events and physical factors was my lack of CONFIDENCE. I have started to address this, and almost instantaneously my life has changed. I used to shy away from people, get hot flushes when talking to a stranger, avoid eye contact with people. I'd dreaded even being served by a cashier.

I took my son up to Cardiff, Wales on wednesday to an Open Day at the university he hopes to go to. There were crowds of people, lectures, refreshments/socializing, usually my idea of a nightmare. I loved it, I made eye contact, I felt liberated. I even got a burger from Burger King and was not intimidated by the person who served me:¬)

So how is this possible? Well to be honest it helped having an issue with my appearence sorted out but also from confidence building self help books. Being a Libran I thrive on social contact and this has been closed to me for over eight years. I have felt a bit like King Theoden in Lord Of The Rings, really. I hope I am becoming the person I would have been without the crap childhood and all the angst that spawned. I really think I can achieve anything I put my mind to now.

The trip to Cardiff was eight hours there and back. The lorry drivers are nuts in that part of the country. I crossed the Seven Bridge into the Wales for the first time in 30 years. I was surprised just how much it has reinforced its own identity. All the signs are in Welsh, (with English subtitles and all its architecture has been revamped inside but retain the classical exteriors. Cardiff itself is very impressive. I was surprised just how much sculpture there is there. My son is very keen to get in to the university, especially now he has seen the new £26,000000 Optometry building. I'll do my best to help him.

It's been a long tweek

2009-02-23T06:04:00.000-08:00

...but I've finally got a scroll on my blog. I always wanted one for some reason. Because there is no set length to a Blog page, in a given month, a scroll seems the ideal solution. It still needs a bit of perfecting though.

I've nearly finished the model I've been working on so I'll post that this week.

I did a bit of Cosmic Ordering this morning using a meditation CD by Stephen russell, (His Website). Although I have decided to devote my energies to sculpture, (I realise that I'm not going to start making money from this overnight), I 'placed an order' for an illustration commission at 9.30 am, then fell asleep, only to be woken up by a phonecall from my agent with a possible 30-40 pages of illustrations!! Now that is the fastest an order has been responded to for me. I haven't had a job from them since November so I'm inclined to believe the Cosmic Ordering did the trick:¬) The job isn't due in 'till April though, so there's a bit of time to get on with some sculpture:¬)

Collecting Wood

2009-02-20T16:01:00.000-08:00

I went to Trencrom Hill again to try and find some suitable wood for carving. There are a few trees at its base, Hawthorne, Elder, White Poplar and a small Oak, (the most sacred tree to the Druids and are said to be inhabited by Dryad's or tree spirits).

The Poplar tree stands right at the bottom of the hill path, and is one of only a few trees of its type in the local area. It seems quite lonely so I make a habit of saying hello to it when I come to the hill:¬) It has a nervous disposition. Christian myth says its leaves tremble as a punishment meted out to it after it was used to form the timbers of the cross. To the Celts the poplar has strong connection with the winds which are said to 'speak' when the leaves rustle together. I'll try to remember to take a picture of the tree the next time I visit.

I managed to find a fallen bough of an Oak and Hawthorne but I have no idea how easy they will be to carve. Here are a couple more shots on the hill. Its summit has a number of Bronze Age hut circles where only some of the stones which made up their walls remain. There are also numerous natural stone formations. The hill was fortified with ramparts and recently flood waters brought arrowheads down the hill and were discovered in a wood below.

The hill has a special energy about it and is the most relaxing place to be.