New Linoprints

Recent linocuts produced in reponse to a new logo brief for a shipping company based at Salford Quays. Not quite what they were after, so won't be used, but I think I might start my own firm now I have a logo. I thought the heron represented timeless and effortless grace and soloidity, as well as suggesting a positive ecological element (one full cargohold of grain can replace 100 wagons on the road). I did the yellow and grey on the same inking, before cutting away to print the black outline.
The crane (from a photo taken next to their dry docks) is quite a landmark down there. In black it looks a bit brutal, so I mocked up a more positive one, inspired by old transport and shipping posters -

Gripping documentary

The results of yesterday's digital video training course. I am now a master at iMovie.

Mediawatch

Those who missed You and Yours on R4 on Friday (and there's probably more than one of you) can listen again here. The second feature, after something about DEFRA and milk, is about the new DFC comic, with David Fickling and Philip Pullman discussing the project.
And my mum has just told me that I've just missed Go For It, R4's children's programme (first I've heard of it) has been all about comics - including the DFC. I've not listen to it yet, but will tomorrow.

In other news, those who've seen the new Mike Leigh film Happy-Go-Lucky will still be trembling with excitement having seen a copy of Shorty Loves Wing Wong in pride of place in the bookshop scene. The rest of the film was good too. I've still got a handful of the Faber edition for sale (£8), and a couple of the extra special first editions signed by me and Michael Smith (£25, or £100 with 1 of 100 special accompanying etchings). These will be worth millions, especially as Mike Leigh has now immortalised it.

No ideas for supper?

Why not support your local fish and chip shop?

Stuart Kolakovic

The fantastic Stuart Kolakovic has now posted his epic diorama Never Been online.

Highly recommended.

Old Winkle and the Seagulls

Today's children's book; Old Winkle and the Seagulls by Elizabeth and Gerald Rose, first published 1960 (this Picture Puffin a 1976 edition).
I'm posting this mainly for the pleasure of Oliver East, as I think he sometimes works in similar ways - drawing with paint to create a very particular atmosphere, and despite often being reduced to daubs or puddles of pigment, an attention to detail which creates a convincingly familiar world.





My own childhood was filled with Picture Puffins, by the likes of Jan Pienkowski, Tomi Ungerer, John Ryan, Raymond Briggs, John Burningham and Maurice Sendak, all now read ragged.
With about 11 weeks until Baby Popeye is due, I'm starting to relish having a genuine excuse for revisiting all these tatty old books other than putting off getting some drawing done.

The Reunion

Beano and Dandy fans - nice 45 min programme bringing together some of the old staff from DC Thompson. Go to Radio 4 'Listen Again' here and scroll down to 'The Reunion'. They only leave them up there for a week, so do it sooner rather than later.

 Thanks for the tip-off Dad!

YESDEAR

This just chugged past. Only just managed to catch it on camera. Not that it was going fast or anything.

Drink and Draw

My results from last night's Drink and Draw with members of the Manchester Comix Collective, set up by the very talented Adam Cadwell. Had a very nice evening in Sandbar, drinking Mallard IPA and meeting a whole bunch of nice comicy people.
The above drawing is part of a game where everyone draws their own character in the middle then it gets passed around for everyone to do their own versions. I think I might form a cats only sub-collective, as I really struggle with drawing humans.

New Mini Art Club Flyer