RETURN OF....THE STUDIO TOUR!!!!!!

Hey there!

For those of you who don't know, I did a very in depth studio tour way back here.

Since then, I've made quite a few changes....read on.....
As you can see, my shiny, expensive drafting table has finally arrived! So it was a tearful farewell to my old, loyal, homemade table of 12 years or so. It served me well....

This baby is specially weighted so I can adjust the height or rotation at the press of a foot pedal, with a lever to change the tilt. Also got me one of those "daylight lamps"--we'll see if they're any better than regular lamps....

With the table I also purchased this special stationary tray that fits onto the side of it.
Earlier this year I got sick of going through laptops like underwear, so decided to join the cult of the IMac. Had a pisser of a time trying to get my A3 Mustek scanner to be compatable with it. If anyone has a similar problem, let me know and I'll push you in the right direction.

And beside my moniter is the Judge Dredd helmet replica I puchased from Termight Replicas.
Yeah, I'm vain enough to put up my display stand in my room....do YOU have one?! No! So shut up and leave me alone....
Here's my other baby....my life sized Iron Man bust! This was my present to myself after I finished the DC/Lego Bionicle series. Ah, bollocks....I forgot to turn on his light up eyes....



Ok, that your lot! Very happy I got this organized in time for the New Year. Feels like a fresh start, and you wouldn't believe how many refuse sacks of crap I threw out (why the hell did I still have books by Franz Kafka???!!! I don't even read!)

There may even be a THIRD studio tour in six months if we get this house extension sorted out...

Hope you enjoyed this updated tour!

L

SOMETHING FROM THE VAULTS 2!!!!

Well it's still a bit too soon to show off the latest stuff, so as promised, here's another "Golden Oldie"....we're jumping into the Deloreon, speeding up to 88mph, and travelling all the way back to 2003 when everywhere was green fields and we all rode horses or something.

Like in the previous "Something in the Vaults 1" I was STILL working in a Liverpool cinema, very sick of serving the public and VERY sick of still trying to break into the comic book business--despite by this point having been auditioned a few times by DC/Vertigo comics with no luck.

I was getting desperate now. I was so fed up, I had actually made a decision that if I didn't get a professional comic book commission by my 25th birthday, I was going to pursue an alternate artistic job, like game design, instead...

But it must have been fate, as ONE WEEK before my 25th birthday, I got granted my very first "Future Shock" story by 2000AD...I still remember this day very clearly, as I was standing in the cinema foyer and got a call from my sister telling me the news, and I started jumping up and down like a freakin' maniac in front of everyone!

The Future Shock was a tale called "Bad Thoughts", published in Prog 1342, written by Richard McTighe, pencilled by myself, inked incredibly well by Dylan Teague (one of the very rare times I've been happy with an inkers work over my own, and haven't wanted to cry my soul out like girl), and lettered by the late Tom Frame.

And so here are the pencilled pages for my VERY FIRST 2000AD job....enjoy! (And don't forget it's 7 years old.)

MERRY CHRISTMAS YOU LOVELY PEOPLE!!!

Hey guys, I've got another "Something From The Vaults" coming soon, but in the meantime I'd like to wish you all a fantastic holiday and New Year. Sorry I didn't have time to come up with a festive drawing--you'll all have to make do with this image above!

I'd like to thank everyone sincerely for contributing to a great year I've had, and especially being kind enough to visit this bloggy regularly. I wish you all success in whatever it is you strive for.

I've finally managed to cross off a major thing in my "Life List", this being to have a collection of my work on shelves that I'm proud of, and I've done that with Defoe 1666 and also the recently released Bionicle collection! Hopefully 2010 will be a year that I can cross another thing off that list (Heather Grahem, Michelle Ryan and baby oil)....

Anyhoo, sorry again for the delay in posting more drawings--I'm currently in the process of revamping my studio, with the big difference being a brand spanking new drafting table! I love it so much, I'm gonna give it a girl's name....

Have fun and lots of mince pies!

L

SOMETHING FROM THE VAULTS 1

Hey guys,

Apologies for the ABYSMAL lack of posts this last couple of weeks. I'm at that awkward time when it's too soon to show my latest stuff, as well as signing a "confidential agreement" about another piece of work.

So, as I'm feeling guilty about this, I've decided to start this "Something From The Vaults" feature. Everytime I'm stuck for new work to post, I'll have a look through my dusty files and see what I can find. Generally I've shied away from posting old stuff, as I don't want casual browsers to see it and think that's the standard I'm at now, but I thought "Screw it"....it may be good for me to see these old horrors as well.

First up, we travel allllllllllll the way back to around 2001, when I was still working in a Liverpool cinema trying to break in. I actually have a chap named Marc Sobel to thank for getting me noticed by DC/Vertigo. He'd written a nice little story called "Starfish" that I had illustrated, and we eventually met at one of the UK conventions where Vertigo editor Shelly Bond was looking at portfolios.

Unfortunately, I had to leave before having a chance to show our work, but Marc stuck around to meet her. She must have liked what she saw as a while later she called me up to try me out for the then in development, "Fables" (which I'm sure alot of you have heard of).

Below are the two pencilled sample pages I submitted featuring Snow White and Bigby Wolf, but obviously didn't get the gig. With 'Fables" being the big hit it is today, it makes you wonder what my life would be like now if I'd got it! But hey, I aint complaining! I couldn't be happier how my life has turned out now!

Catch you soon!

L

JUDGE DREDD COVER TEASER!!!

Well my 2 part Judge Dredd story will be out in the JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE 293, January 6th!!!

The above image is a tiny section of my colour cover for February's Megazine 294.

I'm currently working my way through episode 1 of the latest Defoe book for 2000AD, entitled "A Murder of Angels" once again written by Pat Mills, so it shouldn't be long before I start posting up more teaser panels of tasty, crunchy zombie goodness.

Hopefully 2010 will be a year that I can move forward on other personal projects that I've had to postpone due to "proper" work. So whilst I'm working on Defoe, I'll be making an effort not to take on extra work in favour of finishing the children's picture book that I'm writing and drawing. It's a project I actually began around 3 years ago, and only yesterday dug it out from under the dust and Krispy Kreme wrappers, and was gobsmacked as to how freakin' cool it still looks! I know, modest....

Bye bye.

L

BIONICLE COLLECTION!!!

Hey guys,

For those of you that don't know, I was the 2008 artist for the DC Comics/LEGO BIONICLE series. You can check out my earlier related posts HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, HERE, and finally HERE. (Blimey, I was busy!)

It was, and still is, a free comic book mailed to a million LEGO Club fans around the globe (but not here in the UK), though you can still find all the issues flash animated on the official LEGO site. Links to the episodes below: (Ignore the numbering on the site--I've just numbered my run.)

EPISODE ONE

EPISODE TWO

EPISODE THREE

EPISODE FOUR

Anyhoo, even though DC publish the regular comic book, PAPERCUTZ have the rights to publish the collected editions. Finally my 2008 run has it's own collection in hardback and paperback called "BIONICLE 7: REALM OF FEAR" out NOW!!!

I can't wait to see it! Especially excited to finally get a HARDBACK collection --it feels so grown up....(yes I KNOW it's a kid's book...)

Have to admit, it kind of feels like closure to a marvelous, yet crazy time of my life.

You can find these collections at AMAZON, AMAZON UK and THE BOOK DEPOSITORY. (Don't forget you can choose between hardback and paperback!)

Above is the cover for the collection, and a sketch I did especially to thank the lovely fans at BZPOWER for all their support during my run.

Catch you later!

L

THOUGHT BUBBLE ROCKED AGAIN!!!

Well THAT was a kick ass weekend! I really needed cheering up after a really crappy week, and this years Thought Bubble convention in Leeds did the trick!

To the LOVELY Lisa Wood and her team, I'd like to give a big virtual hug to, for the invite, for looking after us, and for just being you! You guys rock.

I was especially happy as it was actually the most succesful convention I've had to date, selling nearly all but two of my Defoe books, as well as a number of zombie prints and copies of The End is Nigh 4. But a HUGE THANK YOU to the generous guys and gals who donated cash for each sketch for the Draw The World Together charity! You are genuinely going to help a little child somewhere in India.

Me and Niki were very glad to be sitting next to Jeremy Briggs and top artist Graeme Neil Reid. That guy needs to be working for 2000AD dammit. It's always nice to have good company at these conventions.

I really do prefer these 1 day conventions--it's more compact, more focused, and less chance of it fizzling out in the next day--being tired from drawing the whole of the previous day and partying all night! The ONLY drawback is that it's so short and sweet, I had way too brief encounters with good friends that I don't see nearly enough.

Speaking of partying, Me and Niki (who can I say is fantastic at talking away to fans whilst I sketch for them) managed to last till 3am at the Alea Casino party, but not before seeing the most incredible sights on the dancefloor...

And a brief rave about our accomodation at the new City Inn--pretty much the most impressive hotel I've stayed at in a long time--there's a bloody iMac in every room! And when Niki dropped her fork at breakfast, I've never seen so many staff rush to her aid like it was her life at stake!

Do I really need to say it? OF COURSE I'll be at next years con!

I leave you with some photos from the event....

This chap asked for a Daredevil/Venom hybrid--turned out quite well!

I apologise for my hair in this pic...

The best costume of the convention!

Finally, a brief glimpse into the secret, shady world of the comic con after party....

MORE DREDD TEASERS AND ERM...

Well I've finished my two episodes of Judge Dredd for the 2000AD Megazine, so here's some taster panels from episode two! Just working on the cover now, but it genuinely was an honour to set foot in Dredd's world. Hopefully I'll be able able to have another crack at it one day.

As soon as I know when it's getting published I'll let you know, but what I can tell you is that it'll be coloured by fantastic new colourist Abigail Ryder (who recently coloured the gorgeous Kingdom for 2000AD!)

Right...umm...I really didn't think this next item would ever be revealed to the blogging public, but a couple of months ago I did a bit of a jokey, ADULT ONLY sketch of artist extrodinaire PJ HOLDEN, only intended for a certain crowd....but it was recently released on the Eclectic Micks Artblog as punishment for PJ failing to do his day's art post....I WARN YOU IT'S ADULTS ONLY!

Speaking of PJ Holden, it's his turn to have his tiny ass pimped, so please check out his new mini series,BATTLEFIELDS: Happy Valley, written by incredible writer Garth(Preacher)Ennis, published by Dynamite. There's an article about it at CBR here! So go buy it and relieve my guilt!

L

LEEDS THOUGHT BUBBLE THIS WEEKEND!!!

Yup, it's that time again!

We had a FANTASTIC time at last year's Thought Bubble, so we're coming back for more baby!!! Lots of events are planned from the 19th November, all the way to the 22nd, but I'll have a table again at this Saturday's main event, all of which you can find the details here!

I'll be selling copies of Defoe , The End is Nigh 4 (which I did the cover for) and a limited edition zombie print. I was actually hoping to have copies of the hardback collection of my Bionicle run, but the release has been delayed...

Not sure if i'll be giving away a free krispy kreme donut with every sketch this time, but I will be sketching for any donations that go towards the charity Draw the World Together!

Hope to see you there guys!

L

POLISHING MY HELMET!!!!

Helloooo you lovely people....well last weekend's END IS NIGH event at Bradford's Impressions Gallery was ALOT of fun! Was great to meet up with some buddies, finally see my cover in print, and Michael Molcher himself did a SURPRISINGLY entertaining and educational talk about the Apocalypse! Seriously, he was so good, I was expecting FBI agents to approach him afterwards, asking for his help on case.... And a big thanks to Impressions big kahuna, Sarah, for looking after us so well with cake!

As for the magazine itself, top bloke Ed Kaye of Hypergeek has given it a great review here!

This lovely Judge Dredd helmet arrived at 7.30 this morning from Termight Replicas! I've wanted one of these babies for a LONG time....especially cool as it came just as I'm inking the final pages of my Judge Dredd story! If you're a big 2000AD fan you have to get this! They only made a very limited run but still have a few left--you can find all the info about their products here!

ART FOR HEARTS CHARITY AUCTION

Hey guys,

Before I leave for the Bradford End is Nigh event, I'd like to take a brief departure from the usual stuff to point you in the direction of Ian Stacey's ARTS FOR HEARTS charity Auction.

Ian's set up this blog to help promote the upcoming auction of artwork by children's illustrators, with all proceeds going towards research done by the transplant team at Great Ormand Street Hospital.

I'll be keeping an eye on this as one day I'd like to go into the children's illustration world myself one day.

The auction starts November 2nd and runs for a week. Go check out some of the donated children's illustrations HERE!

L

THE END IS NIGH EVENT AND MAKING OF THE COVER!!!

Me again!

Right, a couple of months ago I finished the cover for Michael Molcher's apocalyptic magazine, "THE END IS NIGH" issue 4.

This Sunday 1st November is the official launch at Bradford's Impressions Gallery 12.30pm till 4.30pm! Michael will be doing a talk about the end of the world at 2pm, and for the rest of the afternoon I'll be on hand, as there'll be a drawing /drinking session for anyone that wants to join in (thanks to award winning comic store OK COMICS who will also have lots of apocalypse themed comics for you to browse through or buy, including Defoe!). Should be LOADS of fun! I'm so excited, a little bit of wee just came out....

Anyway, you can find all the details for this FREE event here! All the cool kids will be there!

Impressions Gallery

Centenary Square

Bradford, BD1 1SD.

Tel: 01274 734 635

Right, below is the making of the cover I did for THE END IS NIGH issue 4!

Michael left it up to me as to what I should depict on the cover as long as it was exciting and apocalyptic. What with Swine Flu scaring the crap out of everyone these days, I came up with these two rough ideas with "The Grim Reaper and pigs"...

He went with my first rough drawing, but with the great idea to add other animals who have, or could, become possible infection threats in the future.

Pencils.....It took a while to get a composition that would favour all the animals we wanted to put in. Also, it was a pain in the ass finding decent reference for the animals I used, as I didn't just want to bluff how, for instance, pigs will look running towards you....

I submitted two colour versions to Molcher. This one above I thought was simple and striking with the white background, though he decided to go with the red background below....
Here's the final image! It probably does work better with the red background, and he wisely advised me to tone down the green sliver from their mouths...

Hope you like it anyway. Pretty happy with how it turned out, and it was nice to work on a piece that's a complete departure from my usual stuff! Once I get the file for the lettered version, I'll update this post.

L