Having completed my first five-metre mural on glass, I wanted to share this little how-to guide to help other artist and illustrators shortcut the process if they ever want to try this themselves. At the time, I found it very difficult to piece together disparate pieces of information across the internet on how to do… Continue reading How to: Paint a mural
Category: Making
Fine art inspiration: Richard Musgrave-Evans
What speaks to me in Richard’s work is its apparent simplicity. I’m a minimalist at heart, I’m always looking to reduce complexity in anything I do; in life, work and art. So, the rawness and energy that he achieves with smart use of colour and a simple palette knife have me addicted. Like with most… Continue reading Fine art inspiration: Richard Musgrave-Evans
How to: sketch with words
I’ve never really identified with being a ‘literary’ person. And yes, I’m aware of the irony given I’m an author/illustrator. I’ve always identified with being a more visual person rather than a wordsmith. As a kid, I remember drawing a lot, but I don’t remember reading or writing very much. To me, the term ‘literary’… Continue reading How to: sketch with words
Vinyl in the studio: Gurrumul, The Shins, Arcade fire and Khruangbin
I don’t know if anyone even listens to albums anymore. Music is a necessity when I’m painting or drawing and whilst I like the idea of things like “artist radio station”, nothing beats 45-70 minutes with the same artist who has painstakingly explored their soul and curated a sequence of songs that take you somewhere.… Continue reading Vinyl in the studio: Gurrumul, The Shins, Arcade fire and Khruangbin
My core colour palette: eleven pigments that have earned my trust
After 5 or so years of painting with watercolour, I’ve spent A LOT of money on paint. Some have been a brilliant investment, while others sit in the draw. There are some tubes that have only a few millilitres used and I’m unlikely to go to them any time soon. The problem is, I love… Continue reading My core colour palette: eleven pigments that have earned my trust
Where do ideas come from?
People ask me, ‘Where do you get your ideas?’ And, like most writers, I have the standard answer, “From life.” But I know it’s not a good answer. It’s vague, unhelpful, and to be honest, a bit of a cop-out. A better answer would be, “It’s complicated” or “I actually don’t know”. But that’s also… Continue reading Where do ideas come from?
Hope for humanity: The music of Joe Hisaishi
I’ve always been a fan of live music. I spent much of my early twenties going to pub bands and watching people ‘rock out’ on stage. But I very rarely think, “Hey, I should go see some classical music.” And that’s not because I don’t like it. I listen to quite a lot of in… Continue reading Hope for humanity: The music of Joe Hisaishi
Lines for Birds: poems and paintings
I’ve been working hard to understand language since I started writing for children. And while I ‘studied English’ in school, the focus was teaching you to communicate, not on how language can make you feel. Lines for Birds, Barry Hill and John Wolseley I was browsing a bookshop in Alice Springs on a recent trip… Continue reading Lines for Birds: poems and paintings
Fine Art Inspiration: Amanda Hyatt
I spend a lot of time studying fine art watercolour artists who are doing some of the most incredible work you’re ever likely to see. When I was just starting out, my wife bought me a ‘Masterclass’ with this lady I have never heard of. I had no idea who she was or what she… Continue reading Fine Art Inspiration: Amanda Hyatt
Urban sketching the Greek islands
Take a peek in to my sketch book where I play with ink and watercolour to try and capture one of the most beautiful places on earth.