Goodbye 2013...

So before 2013 turns into 2014, there's just time for one last blog post with some pictures I did for Christmas...

Happy Birthday Caterina

It was my friend Cat's birthday the other day and I made her this card...

SURPRISE!!

So my friend Lily is going back to Australia soon, but tonight we had a surprise party for her which went very well and I also made her a card which everyone managed to sign...

Capcom Xmas Card Competition

Here's my submission for Capcom UK's Christmas Card Competiton featuring a variety of characters from Capcom games looking forward to Christmas dinner together...



Sadly, I didn't win – the first prize was a PS4! – but I was happy to be included among some really great entries!

Serco Prize for Illustration 2014: London Stories

So I was not shortlisted for the Serco Prize for Illustration 2014, but never mind. I'm still pleased with the piece I submitted, so wanted to share it!

For the theme "London Stories", I decided to draw the story of Dick Whittington, who travelled to London with his cat because he believed the streets were paved with gold (They weren't!) and later heard the bells of Bow Church proclaim him to be the future Lord Mayor of London (Which he was!). I also included a number of references to other London-centric stories and characters...

Emperor Yes LIVE

Emperor Yes are playing two special Carl Sagan-themed shows this week at the Bloomsbury Theatre and the Hammersmith Apollo and asked me to draw a picture they could use online to promote the shows...

Happy Birthday Jess!

It was my friend Jess's birthday the other day. She is also going to a Hanson concert. Therefore I made her this card based on the cover to Hanson's third(!) album, Middle Of Nowhere...

Happy Birthday Anna!

It was my friend Anna's birthday the other day. Anna's been drawing a series of comic strips based on her (very funny) experiences on the London Underground. So I drew her a card with her traveling on the tube...

South London Hardcore LIVE #SLHCLIVE

South London Hardcore is a podcast about all things South London-related and presented by Jack McInroy and Steve Walsh. Launched in December 2011, they'll soon be reaching episode 100 and to mark the occasion will be doing a special LIVE recording of the show in The Old King's Head pub on Borough High Street.

I was asked by Jack and Steve to design a poster to promote the LIVE show, with Jack coming up with some suggestions for what should feature on the poster: "Can you make me clean shaven and give me Van's slip ons to wear? I apologise, but I want to be immortalised on my own terms!"

Click on the image to enlarge...

"No More Moustaches!" Blog Update #4: Happy Birthday Lauren!

One final card (for now) is this one I drew for my friend Lauren. Lauren is a big fan of Hawkeye, and recently got a tattoo of the target motif from the new Hawkeye comic book series by Matt Fraction and David Aja on her arm...

"No More Moustaches!" Blog Update #3: Happy Birthday Ayano!

It was my friend Ayano's birthday recently. She's living in Japan again now, but still missing certain things that she's not able to get over there like hummus (she ended up making her own!) and Waitrose Crisp And Refreshing 50% Apple Juice Squash.

So I drew a card with her sailing across the oceon in a teacup to get some more squash!

"No More Moustaches!" Blog Update #2: Congratulations Rachel and Rob!

Also way back in September, my friend Rachel got married in Oxford. I'd ran out of time to make a card before the Big Day, but got round to drawing one slightly after the fact and posting it out to the new Mr & Mrs...

"No More Moustaches!" Blog Update #1: Happy Birthday Sarah!

So, now that Movember is finally over, I can get back to drawing pictures without moustaches. But first I should probably catch up with a bunch of stuff that I didn't get around to posting...

First up: CARDS!

Way back in the dim and distant past of September it was my friend Sarah's birthday. And even further back than that, we were part of an award-winning* pub quiz team called Snufkin Is A Human Male. So I drew her this picture of the harmonica-playing bohemian from the Moomin books...



*We won a t-shirt, dinner for four people at the pub, and a single ticket to see some film as part of the BFI Film Festival. Winning!

Movillustrations 2013: Day 30 – Trevor McDonald

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 30 is newsreader Trevor McDonald.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 29 – Thomson and Thompson

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 29 is Thomson and Thompson from the Tintin series of books.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 28 – Porco Rosso

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 28 is Porco Rosso from the Studio Ghibli film of the same name, written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 27 – Dustin Hoffman

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 27 is Dustin Hoffman as Captain Hook, from the movie Hook.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 26 – Doctor Strange

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 26 is the Marvel Comics character Doctor Strange...



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 25 – Van Dyck

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 25 is the Flemish Baroque artist Anthony van Dyck.



This drawing is based on Van Dyck's self-portrait which is in the news at the moment as the Art Fund and the National Portrait Gallery are running a fundraising campaign to acquire Van Dyck's magnificent final self-portrait for the nation.

If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 24 – The King of All Cosmos

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 24 is The King of All Cosmos from the Katamari video game series.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 23 – John Hurt

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 23 is John Hurt as The War Doctor.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 22 – Errol Flynn

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 22 is Errol Flynn as Robin Hood.



The design is based on David Aja's cover for Hawkeye #2 from Marvel comics: http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdze1kdlr31qjwz2oo2_r1_500.jpg

If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 21 – Teacher from The Bash Street Kids

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 21 is Teacher from The Bash Street Kids, a comic strip featured in the UK comic The Beano.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 20 – Frank Zappa

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 20 is Frank Zappa.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 19 – Walter White

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 19 is Walter White from Breaking Bad, which I've only just started watching and so far have just finished watching the first season so... NO SPOILERS!!



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 18 – Wario

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 18 is Wario, the evil money-grabbing rival to Mario who first appeared as a Boss in Super Mario Land 2 on the Game Boy before going on to star in a number of his own games.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 17 – Peter Sellers

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 17 is Peter Sellers as Inspector Clouseau, the role he played in The Pink Panther series of films.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 16 – Walt Disney

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 16 is Walt Disney.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 15 – Cesar Romero

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 15 is Cesar Romero, who played the Joker in the Sixties Batman TV show but refused to shave his mustache for the role and so the Joker's white face makeup was simply smeared over it. As a result, his facial hair could still be seen in some shots.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 14 – Desperate Dan

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 14 is Desperate Dan, star of the British comic The Dandy...




If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 13 – Rollie Fingers

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 13 is Rollie Fingers. Now I'll admit, I'd never heard of this guy before I was doing a google search the other day to see if there was any moustaches that I hadn't thought of. As soon as I saw a photo of Rollie's moustache, I had to draw him! (and for the record, he's a retired American Major League Baseball relief pitcher)...




If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 12 – Doctor Robotnik

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 12 is Doctor Robotnik, the main villain of the Sonic The Hedgehog series of video games.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 11 – Tsuguharu Foujita

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 11 is Japanese painter and printmaker Tsuguharu Foujita.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 10 – Gary Oldman

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 10 is Gary Oldman, who played Commissioner Gordon in the recent Batman trilogy of films (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises).



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 9 – Dick Van Dyke

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 9 is Dick Van Dyke, who's stared in Mary Poppins and Diagnosis Murder.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 8 – Nick Frost

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 8 is Mike from Spaced, played by Nick Frost.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 7 – Bob Hoskins

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 7 is Bob Hoskins as Mario in the Super Mario Bros movie.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 6 – Asterix

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 6 is Asterix The Gaul.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 5 – Eddie Murphy

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 5 is Eddie Murphy, star of such films as Beverly Hills Cop, Beverly Hills Cop 2 and Beverly Hills Cop 3.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 4 – Vincent Price

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 4 is Vincent Price...



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 3 – The Swedish Chef

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 3 is The Swedish Chef from The Muppets.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 2 – Stan Lee

I'm raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 2 is Stan Lee, co-creator of most of Marvel's comic book characters, including Spider-man, Captain America, Thor, the Hulk and many many more.



If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Movillustrations 2013: Day 1 – Will Smith

And so it begins…!

I’m raising money for Prostate Cancer UK by drawing a different mustachioed man every day during November. Day 1 is Will Smith, star of such films as Men In Black, Men In Black 2 and Men In Black 3 (among others).

If you’ve enjoyed looking at my drawings, please visit my Just Giving page and donate whatever you can. Thank you.
http://www.justgiving.com/movillustration-2013

Frog-Thor

Thor 2 is released tomorrow in the UK, and I recently read the first eleven issues of Jason Aaron's Thor: God Of Thunder comic, which might explain why I suddenly got an idea in my head for a comic about Thor. More specifically, the time that Thor got turned into a frog...

Yes, there was an actual storyline where Thor turned into a frog!!
In 2011, Thor #363-366 was voted in at number 5 in MTV Geek's 10 Best Thor Comics - Ever!. I haven't read it (yet!), but I hope that it featured a scene like this...

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my dear old Dad's 69th birthday! I was thinking up ideas for a card to draw him, and liked the fact that the number 69 looks the same whichever way round you view it. Just like a playing card...

Creative Project #16: Song lyrics

Creative Project is a Facebook group set up by my friend Cathy as a way of getting people to communicate their ideas, sketches, and creative process out in the open. Each month a quote, theme or word is posted with the aim to create something in response, be it photography, drawings, sketches, videos, music... literally anything creative!

This month's theme was to produce a visual representation of a song lyric. After a bit of thinking, I decided to do something based on the lyrics to Björk's song Hyperballad...


(click to enlarge)

Happy Birthday Mike!

Yesterday was my friend Mike's birthday and I drew him this card, based on Gil Ichiyama's cover to Wu Wei #2 which is a spirtual comics anthology that Mike put together and contributed to...

Woody Allen Sketchathon

Earlier this week, Little White Lies magazine announced a Woody Allen Sketchathon on their Twitter feed to tie in with his new film Blue Jasmine. By 12m the next day, the brief was to produce a black-and-white sketch inspired by Woody Allen, either as himself or as a character played by Allen in one of his films.

I decided to have a go, and drew a portrait of Woody Allen and decide to include the "What, Me Worry?" motto of Alfred E. Neuman from Mad magazine, as it seemed to fit quite well with Woody Allen's neurotic persona...