Waiting 2009, enamel and marker on found painting.

Like everything I do it takes a long time for me to get round to doing it. This sign is one of 3 I rescued from a bookies in New Mills that was being refitted and modernised, probably a couple of years ago now. Finally added my own touch to it, just in time for Paul Stolper's stand at the Buy Art Manchester fair thing at Urbis next week.
Framed (but not glazed), it's over a metre square and dead heavy. Would look great in your house though, as would Oliver East's artwork for Elbow's Seldom Seen Kid, currently on eBay.

2.5 - Character pose sheets

Having seen something similar in one of those old learn to cartoon books, I thought it might be good to produce my own version to use in my workshops. This A3 lightly printed sheet now slots in just after draw yourself, and really seems to help kids bring their Charlie Brown versions of themselves to life with movement and body language. I know it only helps them create one style of character, but it keeps things simple enough for all participants, and even the boys who want to learn Wolverine's muscle structure have to start somewhere.

All these examples are from my first sessions using them, at a very nice primary in Chorlton (thank you to the brilliant Kieran, Kerry, Jenny, Izzy and Emily for letting me make photocopies of their work). Being pushed for time, I only let them draw the centre figure then one or two other selected poses before having to move on. These wonderful sheets were brought in the following day, having been completed at home -

(click to enlarge)

This was also the first out of near on 30 schools I've worked in where someone had subscribed to The DFC.

Chorlton mum

Recommended reads

Had been wanting to read this for ages, but never saw a copy anywhere. Blank Slate also publish the excellent Oliver East, so I was keen to give this a go.
It's only small (4 inches wide), but this pocket size adds to the charm of German Mawil's brilliant artwork. He makes it look so easy, when actually it isn't. Sparky O'Hare is completely funny and lovely, and is only a fiver too.

Not a comic, but still counts as a good read - Fair Use (Notes From Spam) published by Bookworks. Ironically I can't put a link to Graham Parker's site as it warns me "it may harm your computer", but I shall when it's fixed.
Graham is a proper artist and a proper friend, and this beautifully produced slipcase package contains 5 booklets exploring spam and it's reliance on advancing technology.
Truly excellent and smart. £15.

I wish I was better at writing reviews. It's really hard, especially when somethings really good.