Alexander Illustration

ASSEMBLE

2012-02-14T16:37:00.000-08:00

So several days ago I bought a Pentel brush pen to get some mad strokes and junk and to my horror it did not live up to my expectation.

You can read through my dilemma and indeed my solution to the problem over on the instructables website, that's right, now you can build your own . . . Alex Wonder Pen.

See here

Venom!

2011-11-19T10:44:00.000-08:00

Been stuck on the character designs for a new (and super long) comic that's in the pipeline.

To take my mind off of it and to keep my hands in top shape I draw comic book characters.

Hereos

2011-10-18T15:05:00.000-07:00

Those with a keen eye may notice this comes straight out of page one, panel one, of the 4 page comic 'My Other Life' pencilled below that I created for the Observer Short Story Competition and will be uploaded in its finished entirety come November time.

My Other Life 4

2011-10-14T05:25:00.001-07:00

My Other Life 3

2011-10-14T05:24:00.001-07:00

My Other Life 2

2011-10-14T05:22:00.002-07:00

My Other Life 1

2011-10-14T05:22:00.000-07:00

Smashing Windows

2011-09-14T10:03:00.000-07:00

Behold the design process!

So I've been taking sources images for my Observer Graphic Short Story Competition entry and, naturally, it's hit that time of day where everything is hilarious no matter how mundane so instead of diligently working I found myself instantly animating these photos alone to whatever song that played on my itunes.

Missed calls. . .

2011-08-14T15:15:00.001-07:00

Short comic I've been working on this week, wondering what people are doing at exact moments. Like what are celebrities doing right now. . .like right this second you read this, probably on the toilet or tripping over their shoelaces because they are (apparently) real people in the real world and are more than just time between movies and appearances in magazines. . . right? Or do they just switch off til the networks need them again.

So next time your phone goes through to voicemail, spare a thought to think what that recipient might be doing at that moment, unless they're ignoring you that is. . .

Plasmaball!

2011-08-05T08:24:00.001-07:00

Rolling around at home with no jobs to go to and nothing to do, what else am I going to do?

That's right, I'm going to draw and draw and draw and draw. Here's a little one pager I was spitballing over a few days ago. Might be the start of something interesting, maybe even a series, what the hell does happen to them anyway?

Anyway, there's lots of ideas in my ideas jar and a few penciled pieces on the desk so they'll be plenty more in the weeks to come.

Keep it real, don't mess with plasma balls, or any kind of balls for that matter.

My room/studio/man cave

2011-07-31T03:28:00.000-07:00

Substitute pages 3/4

2011-07-15T05:08:00.000-07:00

Here's the second part of Substitute, a 4 page mini comic about an astronaut.

Contemplating running a second draft and getting it up to high definition, it's a bit sloppy right?

Got a number of things in the pipeline at the moment, hopefully they'll keep this blog cobweb free for a while.

Substitute

2011-07-12T16:33:00.000-07:00

So it's been pretty sparse up here lately what with me parading around London for D&AD and moving back home to Glastonbury, now I've settled back into a groove and it's time to blow the dust off of my keyboard.

So today I bring you the first spread of Substitute, a 4 page mini comic that you might recognise from a long time ago that was never fully finished, well what with Phantom taking off I found the roughs for these somewhere in a secret folder and brought them out of retirement for one last job, one last job being BABE, a book fair in Bristol, and I managed to whip these up to final and print in a little under 12 hours so they could make it to the stall. I had all but forgotten about them until now but rest assured I'm back on the bus!

Anyway, pop back tomorrow for the second spread, chill out!

New Beginnings

2011-07-05T08:08:00.000-07:00

I've always imagined life like a book and as analogies go it works for me. There are starts and ends and stuff happens in the middle, there are some books that are bigger than others but that doesn't mean it's any better.

Up to 22 it has been pretty straight forward, everything's neatly ordered into sections or chapters conveniently based on the beginnings or ends of educational institutions.
At the time it feels like forever but secretly you know it's a finite amount.
Everything ends right, pause for moments of reflection.

So far my book has a few chapters;
School 0 - 2 years
School 1 - 4 years
School 2 - 5 years
College - 3 years
University - 3 years

They are just the headings things happened in between, there are holidays and summer activities and weekend adventures. There are highs and lows but a high isn't a high without a low.

Currently, my last chapter is ending / has ended (not ready yet) and as much as I want to grab on to the last lines of prose I've got to let it go, I've got to finish it so I can start the next one, so I can keep the story going.
Maybe what I'm so apprehensive about is that I don't know what is going to happen next, though who does? At least before I had a vague notion of what other chapters were in the introduction yet now, the rest of the page is blank, there are chapter numbers but no headings.

Life starts here, the blinkers are off, the comfort blanket has been given away, I'm . . . grown up? I don't think I can say that out loud, how do you know when you are grown up?
Scary choices I used to worry about don't phase me anymore, I don't fear looking for jobs or flats or moving out and moving in, I like talking to people, meeting new people and wondering how many of these people will be my friends for life.

So even though it is unknown, I'm looking forward to it because whatever I find will surprise me. I've got choices to make, do I do an MA now, or later, will I be able to afford it, I'll see, do I get a job now? where and what? flats and digs? where and how much?

These things are on the list, though I can't do it all at once and I shouldn't try to. While I'm thinking about this today I won't rush it, it'll just sort itself out as I go right? Pieces fall into place and sometimes it'll surprise you.

Anyway, this will remain unedited, sometimes you've just got to crack your head open and pour it all out.

Now I'm off to play tennis and enjoy it while it lasts.

Degree Show

2011-06-13T16:13:00.000-07:00

The snaps of our Degree Show that went live on Friday and runs for two weeks, if your anywhere near Plymouth, it's the place to be, so much ~~fab~~ great work and a shop too!

Phantom Covers

2011-06-03T15:38:00.002-07:00

Alright I know it's been a little sparse what with finishing a 32 page wordless book, finishing university and putting up a show so I decided to give you all a sneak peek at the Phantom Cover, available on my bigcartel store whenever the stock arrives, please express your interest early to secure your copy!

A few studio snaps. . .

2011-06-01T17:06:00.000-07:00

A few snaps of the studio as it has transformered into a wicked exhibition space, see my carefully (!) mounted work in the spray mount area. . . ie. empty table. A few more snaps to come with it all nice and proper for you. Assessment is on Friday, THIS Friday. (bites nails)

Phantom - page 16 (video surprise!)

2011-05-10T03:20:00.000-07:00

The conclusion of Phantom Week II with page 16, 'Disintegration', it's been a long run but we're only halfway through!

Check the my second time lapse video here .

Phantom - page 15 with video treat!

2011-05-09T06:55:00.000-07:00

Nearing the half way point now, but before I conclude Phantom Week II here is page 15 'Embers' with a special treat of watching me complete this page in movie time lapse form here! Don't forget to comment and make your presence known not to mention returning tomorrow for another movie treat :D

Phantom - page 14

2011-05-08T04:18:00.000-07:00

Sunday morining. . . afternoon, 'Just Checking' is page 14 and leads all the way up to the double feature tomorrow, exciting! Though it does also signify the end of Phantom Week II as well but up to page 16 is pretty good going, that's the half way point of the book!

Phantom - page 13

2011-05-06T02:40:00.002-07:00

That Friday feeling is upon us, and a little unluckily it's the 13th page from Phantom, 'Shards'.

Don't forget to follow me on twitter too, especially as its follow friday!

Phantom - page 13

2011-05-06T02:40:00.000-07:00

That Friday feeling is upon us, and a little unluckily it's the 13th page from Phantom, 'Shards'.

Don't forget to follow me on twitter too, especially as its follow friday!

Phantom - page 12

2011-05-05T05:20:00.000-07:00

Afternoon break surprise! Page 12 'Splinters' wings its way to you on a full stomach.

Phantom - page 11

2011-05-04T03:31:00.000-07:00

We're back! After the continual bank holidays Phantom is back to deliver as promised.

Wednesday the 4th of May and it's page 11's 'Struggling' that's hitting your screens.

Phantom - page 11

2011-05-04T03:30:00.000-07:00

Unexpected Intermission. . .

2011-04-30T09:52:00.000-07:00

I know I said I would run the week release but all these bank holidays, not to mention the royal wedding, seriously what was that about? and not not to mention the book fair I'm manning at this weekend so I'll conclude from page 11 on Monday, many apologies to all of you that are following, but it'll be worth the wait, especially as to make up for it I'll throw in up to pages 16 for you, thats a whole half way through the book!

See you guys Monday!

Phantom - Page 10

2011-04-28T02:34:00.001-07:00

Thursday already and page 10 'Acceptance' is making its way to you.

Should I be posting on bank holidays, you won't even be online on bank holidays, you should be outside in the sunshine!

Phantom - Page 10

2011-04-28T02:33:00.000-07:00

Thursday already and page 10 'Acceptance' is making its way to you.

Should I be posting on bank holidays, you won't even be online on bank holidays, you should be outside in the sunshine!

Phantom - Page 9

2011-04-27T02:19:00.000-07:00

What a cracking start! Thanks to all who's spreading the word, I hope you're enjoying it so far.

Wednesday is hot off the press with page 9 'Frustration'.

Phantom - Page 8

2011-04-26T01:24:00.000-07:00

Phantom Week II starts today!

I know it's late but Bank Holidays are holidays, it's the law, go look it up.

So we kick off right where we left off, page 8, 'Passing By'.

Remember to check in everyday for a new page, and a little surprise at the end of the week.

A hard days work . . .

2011-04-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

The end of Thursday the 21st and stuff has been going on, but I can't let it all out at once so I'll leave you with this teaser photo, I hope it's detailed enough for you (is that a new page?!) and a date for your diaries, Phantom Week II is commencing on Monday the 25th of April, same deal, a page a day on most cool social networking media, your comments and feedback would be greatly appreciated - don't forget to follow and message me on twitter (awillustration), flickr and now even tumblr, so there's no excuse!

O-M- GIFs?

2011-04-20T15:25:00.000-07:00

Moving pictures!? What sorcery is this!

This is a test of things to come, making sure I've got the technique down before any thing goes into practice. Watch this space.

Those with eagle eyes will note that's page 14 hook line and sinkered, that's how we say finished, might be time to pencil 'Phantom Week II - Monday 25th' in your diaries.

The Command Centre

2011-04-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

All quiet on the western front, hard at work beginning page 14 today, yes to answer you question that means Phantom Week 2 is coming soon to a screen near you.

I thought I'd give you a sneaky peak at the command centre, this is where the magic happens, well when I'm at home at least, ( yes the desk came from Ikea).

Got a few secret projects I think you'll all enjoy, watch this space.

Phantom - Page 7

2011-04-10T03:38:00.000-07:00

Phantom Week is over! Last day and page 7 'Drained' is all your getting for a while. I hope you enjoyed the show and stay tuned for 'Phantom Week 2' coming to a screen near you.

Phantom - page 6

2011-04-09T02:29:00.000-07:00

Phantom Week is nearly over, can you believe it? Saturdays Day 6 and it brings you page 6 'Blackout'.

Phantom - page 5

2011-04-08T02:44:00.000-07:00

Phantom week's Friday welcomes page 5 - 'Fragments'

Phantom - page 4

2011-04-07T03:13:00.000-07:00

Day 4 of Phantom Week and Thursday's treat is page 4 of Phantoms - Disbelief

Phantom - page 3

2011-04-06T03:48:00.000-07:00

Wednesday already and it's Day 3 of Phantom Week! Page 3 - Orientation.

Phantom - page 2

2011-04-05T02:31:00.000-07:00

Day 2 of Phantom Week! Page 2 - Focus.

Phantom - page 1

2011-04-04T05:39:00.001-07:00

So now you've had a sneaky peek at page 3 it's time to start at the beginning, page 1 kicks off 'Phantom week' with a new page every day for a whole week. Follow me on twitter or even on flickr.

Page 3 - Check the Limbs.

2011-03-17T14:09:00.000-07:00

Fun with textures. . .

2011-03-09T14:56:00.000-08:00

A couple of texture testers I've been playing with. Image overlays and lots of layers.

Up for sale!

2011-02-26T05:13:00.000-08:00

Selection of prints that will be appearing on etsy very shortly. There's only a select run of each and their going pretty quickly!

Prints on the way

2011-02-17T14:52:00.000-08:00

A collection of prints on the way, you can view and purchase them at my etsy store sometime over the weekend, enjoy!

Stationery Stationary

2011-02-15T01:34:00.000-08:00

Belated Valentines Day

2011-02-15T01:31:00.000-08:00

Submitted to Illustration Rally for their valentines day rally, they are such great people for putting this up so late, I think I sent it off around 8pm, so a big thanks there and there were links on twitter too which is even more amazing!
Hope you all had a great valentines day yesterday!

OK.

2011-02-12T15:05:00.001-08:00

Imagination

2011-02-10T07:31:00.001-08:00

The jury's out. . .

2011-02-02T06:40:00.001-08:00

Omelettes. . .

2011-01-31T08:54:00.001-08:00

Blood. . .

2011-01-28T02:39:00.000-08:00

Looking. . .

2011-01-28T02:38:00.000-08:00

What a gift . . .

2010-12-26T10:18:00.000-08:00

So I got superpowers for Christmas, who knew all those letters to Santa would actually pay off!

Shame about the turkey, I took one look at it and it burst into flames, least it gave us a good enough excuse to get a takeaway instead. I know it's not very festive but they had cracker jokes in the cookies instead of fortunes. I don't know if I was meant to get a screw driver set in my chow mein either, but I'm staying positive, don't want to make any arch enemies til I have a costume and alter ego set up.

Zine Spread

2010-11-11T13:06:00.000-08:00

Cyclops Noir

2010-10-27T06:23:00.000-07:00

Preliminary ink of Cyclops.

More variations on the way.

BearWay

2010-10-27T06:19:00.000-07:00

Entry for the FortyFive T-shirt competition, theme is nature vs technology, what better way to express that than a bear on a segway.

To visualise such an amazing feat check this out here, animal rights aside, I hope one day we can all live in peace.

Stage 101

2010-10-08T12:32:00.000-07:00

Stage one of spidey, scans on the way.

New ink pens in the bag!

Larrrrrry!

2010-09-05T14:13:00.000-07:00

Listening to Kyle Andrews from that dang tv advert, why do they always pick the catchiest music! It also has one of the coolest videos! Check it out here!

Hit and hope. . .

2010-09-01T09:13:00.000-07:00

In bits, for bitesized enjoyment. . .

Erm damn formatting issues.

2010-08-31T14:41:00.000-07:00

So I've done a new comic but its got insane dimensions, catch it here or here.

I'm going to re format it and change the layout etc so it goes up easier.

Lesson learnt!

Ohhhh Scott. . . .Or is it Logan

2010-08-18T10:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Beard-day

2010-08-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

A little happy birthday comic for a friend of mine.

Didn't take too long, getting the hang of it all now.

An everyday scenario

2010-08-13T16:23:00.000-07:00

Taken from my everyday scenario of dinnertime, or teatime, depending on your definition. By the time its on the table I'm absolutely starving, its not rude, I'm there to eat!

Unfortunately

2010-08-09T08:57:00.000-07:00

Traditionality

2010-08-07T10:42:00.000-07:00

I've been getting back to my sketchbook roots this week, I've missed just scribbling around with a simple pencil and bit of paper.

For some reason I've grown a rather unhealthy, or is it healthy (?) addiction to red grapes this week, its quite the expensive habit, but least it won't kill me.

etch a sketch . . . sketch

2010-08-06T07:56:00.000-07:00

Entry For Graphic Short Story Competition 2010.

2010-08-02T05:47:00.000-07:00

Here is my entry for the Graphic Short Story Competition, found here, check out previous entries here.

It's in the pre-rendering stage at the moment, debating how to and if to colour it for finals.

Finished version should be uploaded within the week, still have a while til the deadline and I have other ideas I want to run with before I decide on what to submit.

P.s Watching 'V' at the moment, its pretty cool, reccomended by a friend.

Listening to 'Radical Face' weird band name I know, but they did the song from the Nikon advert and its just too catchy.

Finished Example

2010-07-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

Using new techniques and things in photoshop I never so much as second glanced at, this was the result.

I'm pretty pleased with it and its instilled me a new found confidence, expect to see more.

Also, add some suggestions, I'd like a challenge please.

Simultaneous development

2010-07-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

Ok ok, I know ok, I said no more comic stuff for a while, well I was casually doodling yesterday and had a development, I was never that happy with the way digital black lines dont look right, now, using a rough pencil sketch I build the line work in Illustrator, keeps the lines smooth and clear, then export the line version in Photoshop for the colouring. Still experimenting at the moment, but here's the pre-finished Spiderman I'm in the middle of.

More location stuff on the way too.

New Paths

2010-07-26T09:40:00.000-07:00

Moving in a fast cycle mainly to keep myself entertained and to try new approaches I'm moving off of comics and the like for a while and focusing on more traditional versions of illustration to develop myself more as an artist before September.

Comes Great Responsibility

2010-07-20T08:47:00.000-07:00

So I've been interested in drawing superheroes recently (recently translates as, forever) so with a mix of pencils, fineliners, inks and watercolours I've created the images that'll popping up your screen this week.

With Great Power. . .

2010-07-19T09:08:00.000-07:00

Traditional Iron Man

2010-07-18T14:05:00.000-07:00

Hitting up the traditional mediums, using pencil - pens - inks and watercolours for my next set of superhero themed illustrations.

Hang ten amigos!

The truth is, I am Iron Man.

2010-07-15T08:47:00.000-07:00

Gravitee.

2010-07-01T02:36:00.000-07:00

Dan Gravity!

A subtle astronaut design I've submitted for critiquing on Threadless. You can check it out here!

We're out looking for astronauts . . .

2010-06-30T04:07:00.000-07:00

Who doesn't like astronauts, especially when they're taking care of the environment! Been working on this for a while now, roughed out a line on A3 card then worked this up in Illustrator from a photo. Its all vectored and block sections of colour, but I've got a softer, gradient version in the works so stick around.

Threadless. . .

2010-06-29T14:16:00.000-07:00

Been visiting threadless.com and looking at their monthly challenges, this month is designs for hoodies.

You can vote on them, specifically mine here. Be kind!

These Modern Times. . .

2010-06-29T09:10:00.000-07:00

I thought the original Camper images came out a bit too grubby for my liking, so I used Illustrator to vector it up big time, nice crisp lines, flat colour, no dirt allowed.

Doodle break.

2010-06-28T09:57:00.000-07:00

With some major illustrations on the way, I had to have a break every now and again. I found this line drawing of spiderman on the Goog and thought I'd liven it up a bit with some colour.

The predator mask came straight out of one of the comics I got recently.

stick around for some fun fun fun.

Another MG -

2010-06-25T08:24:00.000-07:00

...continued

2010-06-23T09:08:00.000-07:00

Some kind of MG. . .

2010-06-22T08:42:00.000-07:00

Vintage Ford - Textured

2010-06-21T09:04:00.000-07:00

Vintage Ford

2010-06-20T04:09:00.000-07:00

Triumph

2010-06-18T04:44:00.000-07:00

Surf Season

2010-06-14T09:28:00.000-07:00

Vintage Car Season

2010-06-12T00:39:00.000-07:00

There was an annual vintage car show on my road last weekend, so I took lots of pictures and I'm now in the process of illustrating them for all your vinatgy needs.

Stick around, its gunna be a bumpy ride - I mean, theres going to be lots of pictures.

Remember updated daily.

Hopefully /Maybe the last post about specs

2010-06-11T08:36:00.000-07:00

So I think I took two original pen drawings of glasses and squeezed it hard enough to get all these images out of it. I think my supply has ran dry. . . coming soon, or rather tomorrow, vintage vehicle season!

Geekchic!

2010-06-09T08:50:00.000-07:00

Developmental stages and final imagery. Experimenting with textures and scanned in hand-drawn images.

T-shirts Designs!

2010-06-08T08:43:00.000-07:00

MAH! Spectacles!

2010-06-07T10:18:00.000-07:00

I'm going crazy for specs at the moment

2010-06-06T03:30:00.000-07:00

ZAP!

2010-06-04T16:19:00.000-07:00

Who wants laser glasses? . . . who doesn't!

Shouldv'e gone to . . .

2010-06-04T16:17:00.000-07:00

I can't see without my glasses. . .

2010-06-04T16:06:00.000-07:00

Four Eyes

2010-06-03T11:02:00.000-07:00

Some kind of gang. . .

2010-06-01T11:02:00.000-07:00

Wolverines!

Doesn't everyone think its Monday today!

2010-06-01T10:27:00.000-07:00

Saw this funky old school automobile on my way home from getting a haircut - yes its too short and its not sunny anymore anyway, my ears are cold! - so I took a few snaps coz I never leave without my camera and voila!

2010-05-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

Latest. . .

2010-05-19T11:46:00.000-07:00

Now another year of university is over so I guess i should keep drawing, don't wanna be rusty in September!