From very roughs to roughs...

I'm just starting to do more detailed roughs for a new book, and remembering how much I like this stage, although I dither before settling down to it - mostly because I forget that I DO enjoy it. I always think it's going to be very hard, and I'll forget how I draw anything... 

so it's good to be going again.

 It also make me think to post some of the colouring in from Digby Dog Delivers, coming out this July. Bit of process stuff!

So many layers! And masks...

Getting nearer... think this ended up being quite near the finished one, colour-wise.

Illustrators' Fair at the House of Illustration

I had a lovely day at the Illustrators' Fair yesterday. The weather was beautiful, everyone was friendly, and generally it was a good way to spend a Sunday. I feel like I've got a market bug now - what a newbie I am though! It was good to get tips, and I feel like I learned a bit about what works and doesn't... it was a super day.

I have some stickers and prints left over from the day - I've put them in my shop. 

On the tube with my trusty V&A trolley - best buy ever!

Still early and the fair is being set up. 

The building at the back on the left is the new House of Illustration.

Mel putting up our cards on our "gallery wall" (metal hoarding opposite)

Finished!

Sharon writing out prices at our stall.

My part of our table.

Sharon's wonderful cards - available at her shop.

Mel's work - beautiful cushions and cards, and she was wearing a matching dress she'd made and handprinted - it was GREAT!

 All together!

ELCAF

On Saturday I went to ELCAF, the East London Comics & Arts Festival. I had a great time and saw some very inspiring work (and tried to pick up some display tips for next weekend). I watched a talk by Mathias Adolfsson which was super as I've admired his work for a few years now, and I bought a signed copy of his new book, Second in Line. I also bought a copy of Emily Carroll's new book, Through the Woods. I've had it on my wishlist so to get a signed copy was a total bonus. 

Here are the few pics I took:

Perhaps most importantly, I found my sock twin!! And she turned out to be a very super illustrator from Barcelona called Júlia Solans.

Me and Marta queueing to see Mathias Adolfsson do his talk.

Hanging out with Shikha, Emily and Stuart too!

For an interesting, well written and photo-illustrated read about the festival, check out Sarah McIntyre 's  blog entry. 

In other news, I did a commission last week for a friend's dad. He used to make up stories starring these characters, and she and her sisters wanted to give him some illustrations. It was good to draw some people again! (Click on the picture to see a bit bigger.)

The Illustrators' Fair

I am very excited to have just found out that Sharon King-Chai, Mel Four and I will be sharing a stand at the Illustrators' Fair as part of the Housewarming for the House of Illustration. 

It's happening on Sunday 22nd June from 11am until 6pm at the gallery: 2 Granary Square, King's Cross, London N1C 4BH. There are going to be over 100 exhibitors, with talks, workshops and sideshows, and it looks like it'll be completely great! 

Tickets are free and you can book one HERE.

Sharon, Mel and I will be selling our work, prints, cards and more. 15% of our sales will be going towards the House of Illustration itself, now a permanent home in King's Cross for illustration past, present and future.

Do come along, yay!

Here's a market spread from Digby to celebrate! 

May

I've been away! I spent a week in Marathon near Athens, via Belgrade for one night each way. It was a super break, and inspiring to have such a complete change of scene. I'd been to Greece once when I was 18, and I'd remembered how seriously beautiful it is. The colours, the food, the drink... the best!

Amazing Grecian good times. With thanks to the above pals for the photos - 

as usual I was complete rubbish at taking any! 

Now I'm back and feeling very recharged and excited for summer and work. Today I've been working on a commission for a friend, featuring some giants...

And I'm catching up on Tralalire...

thumbnailing...

and rat drawing! 

I'm also posting more on my Facebook page, and as @tormalore on Twitter

- more rough bits and bobs!