"A Reluctant Cinderella"

...new cover design for Penguin Books, just finished.

'Advanced Photoshop' Magazine: Gradient Tutorial

My third 'A.P.' tutorial; I think this will be in the October issue.

New Editorials for "Candis" Magazine

I've recently completed six editorial illustrations to accompany short stories in two editions of Newhall Publication's "Candis" magazine; short deadlines mean these aren't as intricately detailed or subtle as my normal work, but they're bright and colourful, and were fun commissions to do. Below is one of each of the editorial sets. First up: 'The Truth of the Matter'...

...and lastly, 'Santa's Little Helper.' Its a bit early, I know, but then recently I heard that Selfridges on Oxford Street already have their annual Christmas range on sale! Has anyone told them its SUMMER?

"No Way to Say Goodbye"... the book cover, continued

More often than not, when a client tells you that they love the finished version of an illustration - which you've sweated, stressed and slaved over for weeks, producing revision after revision, then finally pulled one (or sometimes more) all-nighter(s) to get the damn thing in on deadline - they mean it. Occasionally, however, your tired-but-happily-invoice-producing process goes awry the minute your final illustration hits 'The Sales and Marketing People.' When this happens, be assured that the entire creative team - at whichever publisher it is - are liable to get overruled, and you could be back to square one. I'm not saying, dear reader, that this is what happened in this instance... I'm just saying, I hope this one makes everybody happy.

"Spring Clean" Final Cover for US Magazine

Finally finished the cover design for 'Her Nashville' Magazine. Here's the design in context... no idea when this will be published, but I'm hoping they'll send me a copy :)

Radio Times Editorial: "The Last Smoker"

My second editorial for the Radio Times "Radio Choice" page. Here's the blurb:
Afternoon Play: "The Last Smoker"
Friday 20th February
2.15-3.00pm BBC RADIO 4

Acclaimed, middle-aged novelist Haruki doesn't see why he should give up smoking to satisfy the PC brigade. But Yumi, a journalist and activist, whips up a frenzy of hatred towards Haruki because of his habit.

Draconian laws are unearthed and a vigilante mob incited to murderous action in today's Afternoon Play. Finally, the police themselves get involved, with the ultimate aim of stamping out smoking once and for all.

In the end, Haruki avoids execution for his smoking sins, only to be used for educational purposes and exhibited as an artefact from the "Tobacco Age" in a museum.

Based on the story by Yasutaka Tsutsui, Haruki is played by John Byrne and Yumi by Madeleine Worrall. The Last Smoker is set in Japan, translated by Andrew Driver and adapted by Julia Dover.

"Spring Clean" Approved Rough for US Magazine

...one of three rough pencil sketches for Tennessee-based magazine, "Her Nashville."

ARTBOOK 2009!

...so at the weekend, I received a copy of this year's beautiful Art Book from my agent. Which would be exciting enough in itself; except that this year, I'm actually in it! Here's a picture of my page (in the Phosphor Art section, page 199) below; the Art Book website hasn't been updated with 2009 entries yet, but hopefully it will be soon!

Little Peach

Illustration Friday: Pale {Topic set 16th January}