Got loads of drawing I need to get on with in the next few days, so I thought I'd post something first.
Ran an 'introduction to illustration' course on Saturday at the Lowry. Eleven 11 to 16 year olds gave up their whole day - 10 til 5, though all seemed to get something out of it. We started by doing a bit on structuring the human figure, and constructing a well-proportioned wire skeleton stick man to flesh out. Once we'd had a go at getting the basic structure right, I did a few poses for them to draw from. They had a minute to draw the skeleton, then had to flesh me out from that -
One fantastic lad let me keep this in return for one of mine.
We also covered lettering (getting it centred, creating 3D and drop shadows etc), foreground and background, use of black and white contrast, and had a go at Steve Bissette's
3 Card Characters which I use all the time. I won't go into it now, but maybe I should do a set of posts describing the different games and exercises I do in these sessions.
We did something that I'd not tried before, and I must credit Lee Ford with the idea (one he's used with some Huddersfield students) - pluck horses names from the racing pages and illustrate them. The group loved it - partly because there was a smile of recognition from everyone at how they've always been mystified at the weirdness of these names but have never discussed it, and also the fun of such a ridiculous task -
Count Kristo, Mr Fluffy, Hidden Bounty, and so on. Will do it again
As well as showing them
TeenWitch and a load of my other drawings (including how I use my sketchbook), we finished with an illustration brief. I divided up
Little Red Riding Hood so that everyone had a chunk to illustrate, allocated at random. Despite being the end of a very long day drawing, they all got stuck in and did a great job. Those finishing early were encouraged to come up with a cover design.
Same artist again, swapped for one of my demonstrations. I only got this B&W photocopy, so you have to imagine the red lettering and bloodshot eyes!
And this is Katy, this morning, with just over 3 weeks until our due date - we are starting to realise that it's really going to happen soon. Looking forward to meeting whoever is in there.
Been sorting out the loft at home. Plans are to put a floor down then a velux window, and make a comics den/make some space for when little Popeye arrives. Stumbled upon these Barleycup strips which I did in 1992, so will have been 17 or 18. Haven't a clue what inspired the one above, but I think the story below is one that I lifted from some kind of 'Big Book of Cons and Hoaxes' or some such thing.
I do remember drawing these, in bed, a half hour at a time. Other than making a couple of photocopies I never did anything with these, until NOW when the whole of the online world can put off getting on with anything by reading them.
One fantastic lad let me keep this in return for one of mine.
Recently completed portrait, showing a young Kirsten (and her cousin) mid-dance class. First sketched version below -
A couple of sketch designs for the flyer to advertise Manchester Art Galleries new kids art club. The kittens with the remote control car have taped felt tips to it, converting it into a drawing machine. Finished design to follow soon.
