• SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM HOT FROG •

•SNOWPERSONS WINTER WONDERLAND•

•SNOWPERSONS WINTER WONDERLAND•

Here's another great Imaginetics magnetic sticker set for Interplay. It's the 2nd christmas / winter themed set that I've produced this year. I loved creating the snow people characters and would have liked more penguins too, but simply ran out of space.

I developed a useful new brush in Photoshop to 'paint' the woolly scarf textures.

And this seems like a good time to mention an article all about Photoshop brushes that I've written for Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

You can read it HERE and find out how to brush on fur and leaves for example.

Please click on a snow person to enlarge the images and remember that they are all strictly copyright. ©

• HAPPY EASTERMASS •

• HAPPY EASTERMASS •

So whilst everyone was getting ready to celebrate Easter, I had been finishing off a couple more Imaginetic magnetic sticker sets for Interplay.

It doesn't phase me any longer, working out of tune with the calendar. As an illustrator you get used to producing Christmas images almost any time of the year depending on campaign, print and buying schedules.

These are both cropped details of the full image as this set, and the second one featuring a snow people's winter sports day, will not be released for quite a few months.

It would be good to go on to produce a Christmas App from all this artwork, time allowing.

Please fell free to enlarge the images by clicking on them but remember they are all very strictly copyright. ©

• CHRISTMAS EXPLOSION •

• CHRISTMAS EXPLOSION •

As the seasonal circus gets underway I thought it fitting to display this amazing pop-up card I illustrated for Second Nature. Laying out the artwork was quite an intricate challenge but the assembly of this christmas explosion must have been a real skill.

Despite having been grumpy when I heard carols playing in Argos at the end of October!!!, I do feel in the mood now. Merry christmas, and here's to a very Happy New year! You may click on an image to enlarge it but please remember that all images are strictly copyright, thanks.

•CHRISTMAS ICE CREAM•

•CHRISTMAS ICE CREAM•

Some people like custard on their Christmas pudding, though I can never understand why. It just has to be white sauce, with rum dribbled over it, and the pud so hot that the rum sizzles on contact.

For those that like ice cream instead of custard why not go the whole hog and have this delicious pud flavoured ice cream?

I've not tried it yet, but if it's as good as the other flavours, it has to be a winner.

I think this arrangement was the 8th we'd tried before I managed to capture just the right amount of Christmas puddingness.

Please click on the image to enlarge it and remember that these are all strictly copyright.©

•JINGLE BELLS

•JINGLE BELLS

As a freelance illustrator I'm asked to produce seasonal artwork at any time and all through the year. A santa character might be wanted for a new festive chocolate bar, or a game that has to be launched in time to appear in next year's christmas brochure.

It still amazes me when the 'real' christmas frenzy rushes around once more tho and  I know it's such a tired cliche to utter this.

It makes me think about the few 'lazy' houses that you see around the neighbourhood, the ones who didn't bother to take down last year's glowing reindeer neon lights but have left them up all year, might have a point.

It hardly seems worth it, just cover the christmas tree in the lounge with a nice throw and then come December - uncover and voila! All that hassle of searching through the loft, unpacking and bauble dressing is gone.

Anyway, before I descend into a scrooge-like rant ... here's a lovely job I did for Second Nature cards. This stylish santa and reindeer will be magically chopped, trimmed, glued and cleverly re-assembled into a luxury pop-up greetings card, glitter everywhere! Pah!

As always please click on the image to supersize it but remember that it is strictly copyright. ©

• FUN SANTA

• FUN SANTA
A early Christmas commission to create a fun Santa and friends for a CD cover. It was produced for Somerset Entertainment.
The job came in on the Friday and was wanted for Monday morning, a little rushed, but fun nonetheless.
Please click on the image to enlarge but remember that it is strictly copyright, as are all images on this blog. ©

• WOPPAPOTAMUS GREETINGS










• WOPPAPOTAMUS GREETINGS
Wally Woppapotamus is pretty busy these days. Helen Bonney his creator keeps him hard at work meeting children all over the galaxy but she did manage to ask him to pose for this quick snap which I turned into a Christmas card for Helen.
I thought I'd share it with you and wish all my readers, clients and imaginary co-workers and colleagues, a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year. See you all in 2010.