Today I found a sketch I did a wee while back. It was part of some character development for a graphic novel idea a friend of mine had. It is, as a project (for now), rather dormant, but when I saw the sketch I decided I was fond of it, and started to ink it. Then I coloured it. Then I started listening to The D (that's Tenacious D to most filthy commoners), got somewhat inspired and ended up with what you see here.

I had fun. But I wish I was a rock star.

Clear Eyes. Full Hearts. Can't Lose.

To anyone that has seen the show Friday Night Lights, this will make complete sense. If you haven't, then I suppose it probably still makes sense, but check out this link which will neatly sum up the show for you in under one minute. The series can be a bit schmaltzy in parts, but I am a real sucker for the lip-trembling, locker-room orations and the heart-on-sleeve sloppy team-spirit sentiment of it all. (You are dead inside if you don't).

Anyway, pre-season training has started at my local football team (The Mighty) Stromness Athletic F.C. and whilst working on some altogether more practical posters for the club, I suddenly thought of the Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose line and ended up producing this just for a bit of fun.

Available as the following wallpapers for anyone who may be interested.
Image 1: iPad
Image 2: iPhone
Image 3: 1024 x 768
Image 4: 1680 x 1050

CAN'T LOSE!!!

Poo Fairy

I suppose really that in my line of work, most of the jobs I am asked to undertake are peculiar in their own way. 'Tis a peculiar profession, after all. But now and again (mostly again) something really odd comes along that snatches the proverbial biscuit.

Such as a Poo Fairy.

It's hard to ignore an email which contains the words "poo fairy". It just sort of demands to be explored. Within, the Scapa Flow Landscape Partnership Scheme explained that dog poo is a real problem across our shores here in Orkney. Furthermore – and somewhat inexplicably – it seems many dog owners actually go to the trouble of 'bagging' it before then tossing it to the roadside nonetheless, thus creating a festering little package of stink that far outlives the obvious and unpleasant problems generated by even 'au naturale' dog poo. Who would do that!? It beggars belief. (Sometimes I am proud to be a cat owner).

Anyway, this character will appear on information boards posted along some of Orkney's many fine coastal walks. So take heed. And if you should witness a dog owner attempting to increase the half-life of an abandoned pile of dog poo by swaddling it in a plastic bag, you have my permission to strike them deliberately and repeatedly around the face and throat. (Though probably not the permission of the SFLPS, it should be said).

Altair (again)

And here he is after another hour's scribbling...
I hope to take him further and ink or paint him, as I am reasonably happy with it at this stage. No promises just yet though.

Altair

It has been a while since I posted anything up on here... mostly due to me being away in Italy on honeymoon for most of July and August (which is one of my better excuses, it must be said). Anyway, I am slightly ashamed to admit that whilst strolling around Florence and Venice – and though I did genuinely soak up a great deal of 'real' history and culture whilst there – I found it astonishingly difficult to not think about Assassin's Creed 2.

So to cut a dull story short: since returning home, I have had a deep urge to draw some Assassin-like figures (is that a worry?). And here is the start I made on the seriously awesome character of Altair (who is from the original game, I know, ye pedants).

Col-Erase on paper, 1 hour.

Cowboy Sketch

Yeah I know. More cowboys.

I don't know why they so often manifest themselves in my psyche, and have chosen just to accept that it is the way I is. For now at least.

Anyway, I was messing around with some new Photoshop brushes I acquired and this sketch was the result of a 15 minute cerebrobric session late last night. An obvious departure from what I have been sharing on the blog thus far, but this slightly darker tone seems to be where my head is just right now. I had intended to re-visit it at some point today and develop it/finish it off, but in the cold light of day I quite like it as it is for some reason. So I thought I would throw it up on here.

ABCeasy

March has been an insane month for me with loads of projects all bottlenecking in the last week ("Deadlines dropping like cluster bombs", is how a friend of mine brilliantly describes such moments).

Mostly though I have been busy working with a(nother) friend of mine, Tim Bryans over at Spotflick Ltd, on designs for an App for the iPad. Exciting! Can't give much away as it is still currently in development, but by way of an apology for no postings recently I have decided to share a sneak peek at one of the images. I have got quite attached to this little robot. He is officially nameless, though I have always thought of him as a Douglas.

Off for a short break as of tomorrow. Looking forward to being sans pencil for wee while.