Recent Illustrations

Mario Balotelli, Boardwalk Empire and Mad Men.

Elephantmen

I painted this homage to the amazing sci-fi comic-book Elephantmen. It's written (and created) by Richard Starkings and includes boootiful artwork by the uber-talented Boo Cook!

Saucy

Here's a recent illustration for Tim Key's new book- 'The Incomplete Tim Key', which you can pre-order here. Key's an award-winning comedian so even if you don't like my illustration, the book should be very funny indeed.

Spectrum 18

A couple of digital paintings I'm submitting for Spectrum 18. Both done in Photoshop CS4 with the good ol' A5 Wacom tablet.

Comic Book Samples

Some more comic book samples. The script is a Marvel Comics 'Son of Satan' script, written by Rob Williams.

Open Studios 12/13/14 November

My Open Studios is in just over a week. Please come along and check out my new workspace(and work). Over 100 artists so pop by their studios too. Cheers.
Here's the blurb-
Chocolate Factory Open Studios

Situated within two iconic chocolate factories, in the heart of the 'cultural quarter' in Wood Green, Chocolate Factory is a hub of cutting-edge design, product development and creativity. Its innovative concept has been so successful that it is now being replicated in other European cities and, in one of the largest events of its kind in London, the Factory flings open its doors inviting us to explore and discover the artists within. 

This eclectic and interactive event, with over 100 artists taking part, offers an amazing array of contemporary art and design from leading practitioners in their fields and features internationally acclaimed painters, sculptors, photographers, musicians, film-makers and designer-makers. 

Opportunities aplenty present themselves to discover and purchase affordable art and contemporary design, commission a piece or get your portrait painted and, though the chocolate may be long gone, indulging the senses in this annual feast of creativity will happily divert any cravings brought on by the mere mention of the word. Oh, and it's free. 

Chocolate Factory Open Studios
Saturday & Sunday 13/14 November 2010 from 12 noon to 6pm 
at The Chocolate Factory, Clarendon Rd, Wood Green, London N22 6XJ  
020 8365 7500  info@collage-arts.org 
www.chocolatefactoryartists.co.uk  

Colours(and letters)

 

Story and lettering by Ned.
Pencils, inks and colours by me.

Thor

Digital Painting. PS CS3 on A5 Wacom.

Hellblazer

Digital painting. PS CS3 on A5 wacom.

Torchwood final

Here's the final Torchwood image. The are two versions and the original black and white image. The reason I put two up is because I really like the one with 'squiggly lines' on it but I think some people might find them intrusive or not in keeping with the otherwise somewhat realistic style. Enjoy both!

Torchwood process

Here's a process breakdown of the Torchwood digital painting. I LOVE digital painting. 

This is why- I'm currently also working on two traditional landscapes(oil on canvas) and there are some days when I'm winning and there are some days when the paint and brushes just won't do what they're supposed to(through no fault of my own! I'm a good workman who blames his tools...). Of course this is part of traditional painting and what makes it so rewarding when it's complete and you've overcome all the obstacles. 

The quick and more instantaneously(is that a word?)gratifying process of digital painting is brilliant though and sometimes makes me wonder why I put myself through the pain of traditional painting. The pros and cons of digital vs traditional painting is something that really interests me and I'm sure I'll keep coming back to it on this blog. 

Anyway, enjoy the process shots. I especially like the earlier ones which look pretty awful. At that stage, you always have moments of 'oh my god, how is this ever going to look like a finished piece?!'

(the last image is a separate single shot of a different character- just in case you thought I decided to change him into a girl at the last minute)

Jane Doe in space

Another digital painting in PS CS3. You can see the initial sketch on the previous post. I keep forgetting to record the process, which is something I plan on rectifying asap. I love exploring and viewing processes in painting and illustration and I think it's always interesting to see how an image has unfolded.

IFX

Image for an IFX competition with the initial sketches too. I love the initial sketching process as it's so instinctive and instantaneous. The final rendered piece loses some of that energy and movement- it's very hard to retain that quality when you spend a prolonged amount of time on a piece. I think that it's a problem with painting too- the more time you invest in a piece, the more you have to lose and the less willing you are to take risks nearer the end. Tricky...
Done in Photoshop CS3 with my trusty, little Wacom.

Merry Christmas!

Book Cover

Cover illustration. For more info, go to
www.bantheballot.co.uk
Might put up some earlier versions at some point as it's been an interesting process.
Buy it here

New stuff...

Haven't updated in a while. Going to try and update more frequently from now on.
A couple of new prints I've produced recently.

The Inbetweeners

Torres

Recent commission. Some soccer player called Fernando...