Katmandu

Little butter cup

BacktoSA

pOISE - iLLUSTRATION FRIDAY

What will happen next Lilly wondered?

Fail - Illustration Friday

She could not believe that she had forgotten to water the plant once again!

WOW beaded animals

Some of these beaded animals, bought on the street in towns around South Africa, bring my garden to life. Giving life is their thing- making and selling them provides a livelihood for many entrepreneurial and creative South Africans, who would otherwise be destitute. Others make animals with old plastic bags and odds and ends that would otherwise clog our drains and suffocate wildlife.
"The first person to make a recycled plastic bag animal is known as Isaac. He was born in the Eastern Cape. Read more

Bad hair day

Once she wore that coat things were never the dame again!

Easter bunny hold up

The things we never see the Easter Bunny do...

HEavy - IF

Got no words for this dude. I dont think he speaks, he is just a heavy!

Thanks for stopping by.

Garden - Illustration Friday

This is what I would do, if I could do handstands in the garden.

Jambo

Hello, Hello... I have been way to busy content managing my web site BacktoSA and have missed doodling! ....thought I would say a quick Jambo (Hi in Swahili and I am just bragging that I have been to kenya recently where I picked up a few Swahili phrases!)

Signs - Illustration friday

Waiting for the signs to tell me which way to go.

Cape Towns graffiti

This is magical to me! I love driving past this wall but to my horror, I saw the other day, it was being painted over with white paint! ;-((

I spy - Illustration Friday

Watching creeping waiting!
it' s been so long since I have entered an illo into IF and I am glad to have the chance now. Would have liked to have fine tunned this image but its up! :-)) still dabbling in the lighting - not quite right - what do you think?
Ps. Its bliss being in Cape Town!

Animations SA

Cape Town has long had the reputation for being the creative capital, while Johannesburg is known as the business capital,” says Anthony Silverston of Cape Town’s Animation SA collective. - I am so pleased to have move to Cape Town to explore the creative scene.

Triggerfish Animation expands into CG

After ten years in the industry, Cape Town-based Triggerfish Animation launches a Computer Generated (CG) animation department with a project that is set to be South Africa’s first animated feature film. Welcome to Zambezia. Have a look at the artwork, the background scenes are fab.

Mask - Illustration Friday

Hope you like it?

Cape Town Steet Kids

The Cape Town street kids collect "trash" from the streets and make the most divine art. Hanging in the window of this shop is a bottle top curtain.

Grave of the fire flies

Grave of the Fire Flies is a distrubing Anime anti anti war movie directed by Isa Takahata. I did enjoy the illustration and artwork and drew these stills of Seita. Have a look at what Wikipedia says about the movie.

Scruffy & Waggy

Play - Illustration Friday - oh my gosh!

No time to play and I miss it. I am leaving London in a week! My whole house is being packed up and its a little ... scary.

Clean - Illustration Friday

I was listening to Lemon Jelly's music whilst doodling in illustrator. Their music reminds me of rain drops and bright sunny days, washing our world clean.
I am moving back to South Africa in 2 weeks time, bright sunny days and the sea will be greeting me!
Thanks for stopping by.

Japan sketches

What an awesome place Japan was - travelled around for 3 weeks. Tokyo was just mind blowing! Over indulged in Manga...
My posts have been scarce as I am planning to move back to South Africa end of August. I have been in London for 9 years so its a huge move.

Skyline - Illustration Friday

A sky lined with fantasy.

Just a little sketch from me this week. I am still putting all my time into a website that I am designing. Unfortunately its not my portfolio, that will come next, sigh. Anyway, have a good week and thanks for stopping by.

Come with me to a Tate modern life drawing class

Join me at the Tate modern in a life drawing class. This event sounds like an incredible opportunity to attend a surrealism workshop with attending tutors. I am going on the 10 July, tickets cost £15 and the session is from 6.30pm - 9pm. Its running till the 17 July.

I read an article in the FT magazine and they described the session as such. ' The workshop is held in the gallery's "Poetry and Dream" rooms. With three separate spaces offering three contrasting poses, and you are free to move between them. One model holds a Dali lobster telephone to his ear. Price and Noble-Partridge have planned the classes masterfully, so that the poses are varied, teaching is unintrusive - but there if you want it - and all artistic standards are welcome.
It sure has me excited!!! It would be great to meet my fellow IF illustrators there, hope you can make it 10 July.
Call Tate Modern 020 7887 8000

Dance, burn baby burn! - Illustration friday

Up above my head I hear music in the air - I hear music!
That makes me know there's a promise somewhere

Satisfaction came in a chain reaction - Do you hear?
I couldn't get enough, so I had to self destruct,
The heat was on, rising to the top
Everybody's goin' strong
That is when my spark got hot
I heard somebody say

Burn baby burn! - Disco inferno! (Aah yeah!)
Burn baby burn! - Burn that mother down
Burn baby burn! - Disco inferno!, yeah!
Burn baby burn! - Burn that mother down

Lyrics to Disco Inferno by The Trammps

Jungle - Illustration Friday

Jungle cat!
Another quick sketch for me this week. This one is colored in fine liner.

Portrait - Illustration Friday

For Illo Friday's topic, Portrait. Unfortunately I won't have time this week to post a new illo. I am working on a new website and its taking up all my free time. So here is Diasy, who I did a while ago. ;-) Looking forward to seeing your ideas!

Sorry - Illustration friday

Kiss kiss, sorry!
For Illustration friday

Over the hedge

Dreamworks releases 'Over the hedge' today (19 May 2006). The test audience rated the movie highly, could it be better than Shrek? Read more from Animated News and visit Rotten Tomatoes for more reviews.

No more blue Smarties!

LONDON - Nestle Rowntree's Smarties is set to receive a healthy shake-up and become free from artificial colours from June, a move that will be highlighted by advertising campaign.

Angels & Devils

I managed to dig out this sketch I did a while back, I have always liked it. I felt it was good for this weeks IF topic. More later from me - I hope.
Ps. It's coloured it up in photoshop.

Some of you wanted to see the untainted sketch - here it is.

Fat - Illustration Friday

There is nothing better than running for that beloved ice cream!

I have been out of the loop a bit and hope to catch up with all of you soon. I am so chilled after having a few weeks in Japan, and totally inspired by all the Manga art and wild Tokyo that I saw. Oh and the gorgeous cherry blossoms were a sight to see!
Thanks for stopping by and leave me a note if you are up to it.
The new IF looks great, Well Done!

Speed - Illustration Friday

Got to get out of this place!

Captain America type of guy

I am at home waiting for the gas man to come and servcie the boiler so I had a little time to doodle. I like the face on the far right. Let me know what you think.

fashion poses

Some sketches inspired by Vogue.

Monster - Ilustration Friday

It was a monster of a serve!

I have so run out of time this week! I still wanted to polish this but hey, sometimes you got to let go. Hope you had a good week :-)

Feet - Illustration Friday

A bridge for those with rivers to cross.

I was on holiday recently and sketched my feet and the the bridge comes from looking at many Chinese paintings. I am taken in by the principles of Chinese art where the composition is based on the ebb & flow of opposite strands which relate to each other.

sketches

Quick pencil and fine point sketches from my lunch break in the library.

Slowlife or Wabi-sabi

The soft approach is summed up by Japanese burgeoning Slow Life trend. Ironically for a movement that seeks to shift the social focus from money to quality of life, Slow Life has its roots in marketing. In 2001 prefectural governments, chasing the "green yen" of eco-tourism, began advertising campaigns using the slogan "Ganabaranai! -- Don't go for it!" Attempting to lure stressed city dwellers to their rural regions (no doubt on high-speed trains sporting the Koizumite slogan "Ambitious Japan!"), the prefectures devised an eight-point Slow Life Manifesto that stressed nonacademic, noncompetitive lifestyles -- walking, wearing traditional clothes and eating food made from local ingredients; durable and sustainable building construction; forestry; respect for the old; self-reliance and living in accord with the rhythms of nature. Read more from Wired News!
Some saw the Slow Life movement as a passing fad, but five years on magazine racks tell a different story. Visit Osaka bookstore.
wabi-sabi represents a comprehensive Japanese world view or aesthetic.

Links of the day

Some fab finds! Art blogs of note.

http://john-nevarez.blogspot.com
http://potatofarmgirl.blogspot.com/
http://gelatometti2.blogspot.com/
http://santygutierrez.blogspot.com/
http://www.pcastelao.com/
http://ianthomasgraphics.blogspot.com/
http://erikbrooks.blogspot.com/
http://peteremmerich.blogspot.com/
http://thomascampi.blogspot.com/

Tattoo - Illustration Friday

The return of the urban warrior.

This guys tats consist of 123 etched on knuckles, the classic heart on his shoulder and an anchor on his forearm. Classy man he is, eh?

Insect on the move

Here she is, the killer queen bee ready to attack, the 2nd part to my sketches this week.

insect - Illustartion Friday

They are out to get you!

Tea - Illustration Friday

Don't you just love that first cup of tea in the morning!

Can you guess that I have been reading to many graphic novels! I love looking at various inking styles from comic books. This is my first attemp at this style and its all inked on computer- Have a good weekend!! -

Academy Awards - Best animated feature

Will Howl's Moving Castle win an Academy Award this year in the Best Animated Feature category?

It's reported that Hayao Mizazaki will not be attending this years ceremony on Sunday, a representative will accept the award on his behalf, if it it happens.

Dreamworks 'Flushed away'

Dreamworks currently has 9 films in production.
I am looking forward to seeing 'Flushed Away' which is due to be released this year - It's a story of an upper crust London “society rat” and a scrappy scavenger rat from the city’s underground Ratropolis, starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Winslet.

In 2007 there will be sequels to Shrek and Madagascar. Further info from Animated News

Pixar:20 years of animation exhibition

Rob Warren curator of the Pixar: 20 years of animation exhibition which will be held in London in April.

If you like the art of animation, you have to see how artists worked to prepare the masterpieces which will remain in the history of animated movies.

Open from 1 April to 10 June 2006.
Place: The Historical Science Museum of London.

Further links
GFX artist
CG Explorer

Song - Illustration Friday

Are you joking? You want me to play another song?

I was at fist uninspired with this weeks topic and started sketching a girl listening to music, with a big smile. The smile turned bigger than expected and then I had the thought of making it a twisted smile. Hope you like it.

Thanks for stopping by and for all your wonderful comments.

PS. I think she would do well in the Adams family.

Wannabee Shogun

This little guy needs to grow into his role!

Waiting

Is spring really here? I am thrilled to see a little more of the sun this week, even the bulbs are starting to peak through the grass and I am loving the light!

Simple - Illustration Friday

She was a natural at it!

Chair - Ilustration Friday

Glamour - Illustration Friday

The one and only glamour goddess!

Pixar, Disney and Steve Jobs

Comments from an article published in the Financial Times newspaper;

Pixar's meteoric rise from an initial $10m investment by the Apple Chief Steve Jobs to a $7.4bn takeover offer from Walt Disney highlighted the lucrative nature of the business of animation.
Joshua Chaffin (FT)

Steve Jobs has become a director at Disney while also becoming the companies biggest individual shareholder, but is not expected to take on any more formal role.
Richard Waters (FT)

Bob Iger, Disney's CEO, has explained his vision as using new technology to find new ways to distribute the company's content, and also to improve that content.Richard Waters (FT)

Music discovery

Now here is a find!! PANDORA ia a website thay you have to visit.

Its next generation music technology, its a free and plays tracks through your browser.

The way it works is that Pandora asks you for a song or artist that you like and then throws up tunes from that artist or trys to match it. I believe you are allowed up to 100 playlists. Its fun stuff and I was tapping my fingers to Hall and Oates, oh my, I have regressed to the 80's!

(tip on the nav, once you have the songs going, use the stop and play buttons on the top right to move onto the next song.) Enjoy!

There is only one hick up - I couldn't save my songs as I am not a resident in the USA.

Pandora says "At this time we are only licensed to offer Pandora music services to residents of the United States. Audio streaming regulations differ from country to country, and we are working on acquiring the proper licenses so we can legally offer Pandora outside of the United States. We require your zip code to confirm that you are a resident of the United States."

Cats - Illustration Friday

A cat is never alone.

Rushing by ...

I drew this landscape a while back and today I read these words from 'The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying' by Sogyal Rinpoche. I wanted to remember them, so I made this postcard which I will print through Cafe Press.

E is for electric!

Electric boogaloo!

Magical cats

You wouldn't think this was the same cat, but it is. Got to work on my sketching!

Sea - Illustration Friday

The sun: as seen from under the sea.

Flavour of India - Illustration friday

“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed”
Mahatma Gandhi

This illo is still a little rough on the edges but I need to go to bed! - Thanks for stopping by, please let me know what you think.

Holiday - Illustration Friday

The show must start!

Have a fabulous, warm, sparkling, loving new years eve!

Magical India

The hand painted art that you get to see in India really assaults your senses!

Above is a Buddhist temple in Sarnath , Varanasi

After the monsoon season this palace survives in the middle of the lake.
The architecture in India is just breath taking and I will use my pictures as inspiration to draw castles and backgrounds. you just watch out ValGalart, I will show you some new house designs. LOL!

Three New Miyazaki Films Debut at Studio Ghibli Museum

The Studio Ghibli Museum in Japan will debut three new short features from Hayao Miyazaki. Starting Jan. 3, 2006 and running until March 13, the three films will screen in the museum’s Saturn Theatre.

• 'House-hunting' is the story of Fuki, an energetic girl setting out on a trip to look for a new house.

• 'Mon- the water spider' follows a water spider who experiences love at first sight with a lovely water strider, who skitters freely over the surface of the water.

• 'The day I harcested a star' is the story of a visionary world based on artist Naohisa Inoue's original work Iblard.

For more information, visit Miyazaki Web

Imagine - Illustration Friday

Imagine a world beyond your dreams.

Mind Game by Masaaki Yuasa

I am a fan of Anime animation and my latest find is the animator Masaaki Yuasa. He released his debute 'Mind Game' in 2004. The plot is a journey of self-discovery based on a Japanese cult underground comic. The reviews of his work say that he ues some of the most innovative animation, mixing rough lines and storyboards with photographic touches.

I haven't been able to source the DVD and would love to see it, so please let me know if you find it!

For more animation news have a look at Frames per second online animation magazine.

Tandem Film's

Tandem Film's
Is an animation studio in Islington London . They have done impressive work for Nike and Honda to mention a few names… have a look at their movies on their web site.

Ice Age 2

Blue Sky Studios is looking for artists to work on Ice Age 2. Here are the details…

"We are currently seeking motivated, talented, creative people to join our award-winning team. We have several FULL-TIME and TEMPORARY positions available for our current production, Ice Age 2, and other assorted development projects. The positions will be filled quickly so we encourage you to submit your application and reel now to avoid missing out. "

Surprise - Illustration friday

It's a fine line between shock and surprise.

Polar ice

Christmas ice skating for this polar bear.

Japanese Blue

Sketch with pencil and marker pen.

Blue - Illustration Friday

Out of the blue.

This illo took a little time to do. I was back and forth with the gradient mesh tool trying to create highlights and shadows on the sea but I had some disastrous effects, and so ended up using flat colours and shapes to create the illusion of the sea and sky. But if you want to see some truly amazing photorealistic work using the gradient mesh tool have a look at Todd Ferris. I just don’t know how he does it!

I would be so grateful for your comments. ;-)

Small - Illustration Friday

Taking cover under a nice big mushroom.

Thanks for stopping by, I would love to hear what you think.

Free - Illustration Friday

Nothing makes me feel as free as singing in the rain.

Jolly Otter

I did this Jolly Otter for someone who contacted me out of the blue, he said he needed an otter for his crazy story of animals in space and the Jolly Otter being a space tavern. Pretty wacky storyline but a fun concept.

Strength - Illustration Friday

Strength made me think of super hero's so here is MR STRENGTH! Drawn in illustrator using my wacom tablet.
- Would love to hear what you think?

Broken - Illustration Friday

Adventure interrupted!

Remote - Illustration Friday

Life's adventures can lead you to very remote places!

Thanks for stopping by and please leave me a comment, I would love to know what you think.

I have been tagged

The idea behind tagging is to list 20 randon things/facts/thoughts abouy yourself on your blog and then tag someone else. Thanks to Lockjaw for tagging me.

1. I think my partner is the funniest girl around
2. I dream of illustrating for Cartoon Network
3. I meditate in a Buddhist temple. Its quite amazing
4. I love walking in the rain, today I skipped along the wet street with my new red umbrella
5. Full moons are magic!
6. My pussy cat is the greatest and most gracious creature I know
7. Some day my partner and I will move back to South Africa, I feel the need to live by the sea and to be with my people
8. I have been banned from washing dishes! Ha ha, I wish
9. Sunday is my favourite day
10. Dinner parties with controversial friends are The Business
11. I am a vegetarian and have been for 15 years
12. I am crazy about all things Japanese, tried some cooking, got a language book but didn’t get very far with it, LOVE Manga art, haven't listened to any Jpop though- any recommendations?
13. I recently did my first illo commission, it was of an otter. No pay though.
14. I love drinking champagne
15. We have a hedgehog living in our garden and we feed it cat food
16. I am learning a little Hindi as we are going to India soon
17. I am crazy about cake, but wont just eat anything it has to be real good!
18. Swimming in the sea is D-vine
19. I like silly comedy like 'Slap the Pony'
20. The most beautiful place I have been to is Iguazu falls, Argentina

New tag victims:
Kenn Bivins & Leo

Cold - Illustration Friday

It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen!

Did you guess where this text was from? George Orwell's book 1984

Lost - Illustration Friday

She wept because she would be so lost as the only one in her family without that orange petal.

Comic Art

I just had to pass this on...The discovery of the Comic Art Magazine!!!
I was reading Patricia Storm's blog which is a lot of fun, with great illos and bits of info. She recommended this mag. I was so taken with it that I have ordered my first issue. I cant tell you whats its like but have a look at Patricia's description of the magazine.
If you like Comic Art then this is the one for you!

For a good comic shop in London go to: Gosh Comic shop- A wonderful comic shop on the corner of Museum Street and Great Russell Street, south of the British Museum, easily recognisable from a distance by it's blue and yellow Batman sign hanging outside. I highly recommend this shop. I haven't been to the other ones listed below but you can find more info about them on this website London openguides.
Comic showcase in Soho
Mega city comic in Camden
Mighty World Of Comicana on Oxford street

Float - Illustration Friday

The bubbles floated out of Belinda's nose and popped in front of her to her delight.

Your comments are always appreciated.

Going to India

My partner and I are going to India in November. It’s a big adventure and I am expecting to be blown away by the place. I would love to get my hands on some Indian styled painting, something Bollywood would be nice.
Cinema India is a great website to surf, have a look if you are into that stuff.

Fresh - Illustration Friday

Nola's body cream
This weeks word 'Fresh' made me think of Hawaii. Sun, fun, laughter, Hula dancing and fresh tropical air! And from that I got onto a cool, fresh, exotic smelling body lotion. :-)
You sure can tell that I am in dream land as the Autumn is blown into London.

Doodle for the day

I love the colourful trains that sometimes pull into the station and I thought it would be fun to illustrated a passanger (from another era) with this super cool modern train.

Orchid

I couldn't resist publishing a photo of this orchid. It has been an abundance of flowers for weeks and all I do is water it once a week. I would love to hear from you if you have any Orchid growing tips.

Escape - Illustration Friday

"That damn dog will never catch me!"

I really enjoyed sketching the dog and I think I will develop him further and animate him in Flash.

Depth - Illustration Friday

Depth made me think of deep, dark and scary… and adventure. So I came up with Little Lily who is neither of those things but, who is curious about the puddle on the pavement.
Vector artwork done in illustrator.

Roots - Illustration Friday

I was thinking of how, sometimes, we are never happy with what we have right now and how we don't realise that we all ready have the things that we are wishing for.

Media: Digital artwork, I work in Adobe illustrator and use a Wacom Tablet for drawing my sketches straight onto my PC.
My Website: www.Queentut.co.uk