'Return of the White Serpent', by David Leesley

Truly was an enjoyable commission for me, speaking with David about his journey to the South Pacific, he trusted in me very openly with the front cover to his book. It can be challenging with private commissions and has always been successful at the end of the day, but David was very understanding and fascinating to work with. One of my most reflective projects so far which I will always remember. It has led me to understand a little more about myself and my abilities and reflective on my own personal life experience.

Front Cover & Concpets; Concepts

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Back Cover

(Left) Chieftain, (Right) David Leesley

The 'Draw Away' Exhibition

The 'Draw Away' Exhibition was to promote those who are going off to study in September. The gallery held 140 mounted drawings, all local Artist, Illustrators and Students. We managed to sell 40 of them in the Preview Night alone and pieces are still flying off the wall over the past couple of weeks, literally! It was tricky when we all came to hanging the display as it was held all of them together with pins and blue-tack, with a few pictures falling off the wall, but nothing too damaged. All together it was a great experience and something you don't see very often, quite like a huge storyboard of different concepts and styles. I managed to do 20 Pictures and have sold a few, well enough to cover my costs.. so i'm happy! The four drawings above give you an impression of what I did. I have already been asked to commission a drawing like these for someone. Exhibitions also can be a great little ego-boost, getting to know new people and listening to comments about you work, a lot of happy customers so far. I managed to sell the first one, called: 'Cpt. Gullane' to a local Artist, which is another one of my characters. As I put that red sticker on, then the whole room exploded into people buying. This is an exhibition that I would certainly like to do again in future.

During the launch of Adrian Bailey’s book titled, ‘Otherworld; The Isle of Mist’, I also set up a stall in one of the halls based in the Villa Marina, Douglas. It was very successful, bringing in a lot of new client listings and happy customers, great reaction to the drawings of the Manx Mythical and Folklore characters. Also getting rid of some sprite creatures from the exhibition in the ’Erin Arts Centre’ a while back. I will definitely be approaching other events that allow me to set up a stall, the interaction with everyone and all the smiles is brilliant, keep it coming!

'Otherworld' ~'The Isle of Mist', by Adrian Bailey

(Final Front Cover)

 'Manannan Needs You' (Poster)

(Concepts)

On the 27th November, Adrian Bailey's new release of the Fictional Novel, 'Otherworld', 'The Isle of Mist' is finally available. This fantasy novel has brought a fresh look to the folklore of the Isle of Man and an inspiration to children and adults about islands magical nature of its landscapes, buildings, artists and writers. This was a relationship that gave me a real insight into the writers mind and working closely along side publishers. Working within a close nit team and developing images for Adrian's ever challenging ideas of this his stories. The mixture of having a strong imaginative way of thinking and meeting to the writers detailed requirements has improved my skills, this is a commission to remember. This will be a part of a trilogy, the second volume will available next year and personally cant wait.

(Sketchbook)

Comic Book Version, 'Perish & Chill', Words: Alan Corkill

(Front & Back Cover)

‘Perish and Chill’: The Return Journey of TT Competitor Axel Warlow, also an audio book. This was pretty much my first comic book commission, difficult too. May thing that I wasn't aware of was considering the layout of text and movement of the eye across the pages and so I tended to get carried away with the detail and scenes for each box. I didn't relax entirely through the project as there seems to be a distinct style with comic books, where I tend to be ‘loose’. But, I would love to do another, as characters drawing is my specialty and a lot of fun. The inside is in black and white, as for the front cover, I went for oils on a thin board-canvas, will try acrylic next time… dry’s quicker, specially when the deadline is closing in on you.

'Wanderers of the Water Realm', Published by; 'MP Publishers'

'Wanderers of the Water Realm', writen by; Alan Lawton. Fictional Adventure Book. Front cover in Watercolour & Acrylic, with a drafted map for the inside. Should be availble in the next couple of months.

Manx Heritage. Charles Gaurd's 'Castles & Forts of the Isle of Man'

I really enjoyed researching the historical characters and forming them into a caricature style of illustrations. The dvd is a must see! From the top to bottom, King Alexander III, King Magnus of Norway, Viking Long Boats.