Jamie Littler's Illustration Blog

'Atomic!' Launches!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Comic book amount of exclamation marks, there)

2012-02-02T07:45:00.000-08:00

Jonny and Tommy Atomic are OFF!!
FFWWWOOOOOOM.
Yup, those random sentences and noises can only mean one thing: The 'Atomic!' series, both books 1 and 2, are released today! I'm going to go hunt them down on a book shelf somewhere, just to make sure it's actually real. I remember when I first got this brief, it felt like a lifetime until they would be out. That was one QUICK lifetime. And I'm...*sob*...so...happy. They grow up so fast. Now that the books have been released, I'm going to hunt down some concept art and sketches of the characters to put up on the blog over the coming posts. And whilst I'm talking about it, the creator and writer Guy Bass is doing a cool peek into the Atomic world and its characters over on his blog. Enjoy!

A Week of Releases!

2012-01-27T07:44:00.000-08:00

Next week is going to be an intense week. Everything I have been going on about over the last few months will be released in one big explosion of stuff being put on shelves (not the mightiest of explosions, I know, but an explosion none-the-less).

First up we have 'Cogg and Sprokit', my mini-series being serialised every few weeks in the magnificent Phoenix Comic. The first episode launches TOMORROW in Issue 4 of The Phoenix, or today if you've subscribed, I think, and I could not be more excited. Let me know what you think of it, I really hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed making it. It is basically one (mis)adventure after another as the dynamic (read; unlucky) duo go in search of treasure, adventure and ways to keep their heads attached to their shoulders whilst doing so in a world full of anthropomorphic animals, monsters and gorgeous sunset vistas. Aahhh. I may have lied about the vistas. If this sounds like your cuppa, and you have not subscribed to the comic, I know you can buy the individual issues in any Waitrose store every Saturday, and from some independant comic stoes such as GOSH Comics in London.

Next up if the fiction series I have been working so hard on with the fantastic and awesome award-winning author Guy Bass; 'Atomic!' Both the books in the series, 'The Vengeance of Vinister Vile' and 'The Madness of Madame Malice' are out on the 2nd of February, published by Scholastic UK, and they are going to ROCK! Guy has written such a fun, energetic, funny and intense story, and it was an absolute pleasure to illustrate it. What could be more fun to illustrate than a story of two boys who are the children of the world's greatest super-hero and the world's most evil, diabolical super-villain?! I've worked super, mega-hard on the illustrations (there's comic sections and everything in this book, take a looksee here), and am thrilled to finally see them on the shelves. But yes, phew. Enough self-promotion. I need to get back to work.

Atomic!

2012-01-19T12:10:00.000-08:00

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!

I am very excited to introduce the twins, Jonny and Tommy Atomic!!
These two are the stars of my first ever illustrated fiction book 'Atomic! The Vengeance of Vinister Vile', written and created by the fantastic Guy Bass and illustrated by, well, me, soon to be released by Scholastic UK. (And the second book, 'The Madness of Madame Malice' will be soon to follow!)
I am SO excited about this series. Full stop. Super heroes, flying islands, monsters and one bad tempered crocodile; Atomic has it all. The story is exciting, action-packed and hilarious. And I have worked my derriere off on this badboy, and am very proud of it. This is the project I have been working on that made me disappear from the blog world for a while, but I believe it was well worth it. I will blog about it in-depth soon, but in the meantime, why not check it out over here? It would be most kind of you, and we can high-five each other whilst saving the world from Vinister Vile.

EXCITEMENT.

Phoenix has Landed!

2012-01-19T11:54:00.000-08:00

Hello, hello!
Well, what a last few weeks! The Phoenix Comic launched (in a firestorm of pure joy and AWESOME AWESOMENESS) on the 7th at the Oxford Story Museum, and what a launch it was!

Photo 1: ISSUE 1, BABY!!
Photo 2: Wonderful illustrator Laura Anderson and myself, clutching onto the precious issue 1 and a rather spiffing folder to collect the issues into.
Photo 3: Phoenix comics! Can you see Cogg and Sprokit?!

So many people turned up, fans, industry folk, comic creators (including the wonderful Sarah McIntyre, whose photos I have cheekily used in this blog post) and children of all ages, and there was much talking, drawing, laughing and such a positive response to a comic that I, as well as many others apparently, think will go far. Not only far, into SPACE, somewhere. And also there was seriously, what, a billion cakes (which tatsed phenomenal)?! Just fantastic. The only thing I was sad about was the fact that I didn't get to meet Philip Pullman, of whom I'm a huge fan, but I was so distracted by beautiful, beautiful Phoenix Comics. And Phoenix cake.

If you don't know what the great Phoenix Comic is, be sure to have a look, why dontchya?! Here!

Happy New Year

2012-01-05T09:13:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year, space cadets!
May it be fruitful and full of fruit. THE PHOENIX IS BEING RELEASED THIS WEEKEND!! Sorry. I'm a tad excited. That's right; The Phoenix comic, Issue 1 shall be released this Saturday, the 7th of January. And long may it continue to soar. It seems to have come round so fast! I know, from the creators I've had the pleasure to meet and from being inside my own head, that we have all worked so hard on this baby, so I really hope you enjoy it!

If you don't know what I'm talking about (who ever does, wheeeeeee) or have forgotten the link or where you can subscribe to the comic, here's that link again. Here. I mean, here.
My on-going shorts, 'Cogg and Sprokit', will be starting in Issue 4, I believe, with a big ol' cover featuring our strapping adventuring duo. In the mean time, here's two sample sneak peeks to tide you over. Happy January, you guys!

Spokit says 'Good Day' (and other such Phoenix related news items)

2011-11-17T09:01:00.000-08:00

And here is Sprokit! Hopefully you will become the best of friends.

In Cogg and Sprokit related news (totally freakin' AWESOME news, more like), The Phoenix comic is now available for subscription on the website (Jumping camels!!) Check it out, you guys, right over here!

And that's not all! Oh no! You can also get a free copy of the special, limited ISSUE 0 (cue thunder and menacing laughing) as of TODAY!!!!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!! With lots of samples of the incredible comic strips which will be appearing in The Phoenix as of this January. I am actually so excited, I could bake a canal boat.
To get your free Issue 0, best follow these instructions, which will explain it a lot better than I could in my ink-induced, half-salivating, half-dribbling, semi-sane state.

Ciao bellas.

Cogg says; 'Alright?'

2011-11-14T10:56:00.000-08:00

Ssssssss'up.

As promised (ages ago, I know...), I shall now begin posting up some designs for my upcoming comic series 'Cogg and Sprokit'. Look at them go! Without wanting to give too much away, hopefully these drawings will just start to show a little about the characters. Maybe. Who knows, eh?! It's so weird looking back on these now that I am well underway working on the project and am used to drawing the characters...they were so new to me back then. I suppose that's because I'd never drawn them before. Did you know I am a part-time detective?

Aaaaaaaanyway, without further ado, here is Cogg! Tah daaaaaah! Sprokit will be soon to follow as well as a few other tidbits, and don't forget that January is when this comic will first see the light of day, like a dinosaur hatching from the egg. I can't wait!

I'm still here!

2011-10-12T11:41:00.000-07:00

Hello hello!

I must apologize for the HUGE silence this blog has had, but rest-assured, it is still alive. ALIIIIIIIIVE I TELLS YA.

I have been very busy recently, very, very busy indeed, with work that, yes, you've guessed it...I can't show you yet. So to compensate, and to actually put something on this god-forsaken blog in the month of October, I have posted these concept pieces which for various reasons won't see the light of day in the book they were meant to be in. They're quite old now...from the beginning of last year, but I have so many of them I thought it might be cool to show them on this blog.

I have been working on many a project, comrades, many a project, including: 'Cogg and Sprokit', my very own mini-comic series which I have mentioned in the previous post which will be launched in The Phoenix this coming January (more concept art to come in the coming months! Oh yeah, I can almost cut through the anticipation with a knife, and serve it on toast to some very well-to-do guests in my toast resteraunt. Oh, and don't forget to sign up to their mailing list...it's chock-full'a good things, including all the incredible-looking new comics that will feature in The Phoenix), two children's fiction books to be released in February (links and more info to come soon, you eager beavers) and my debut children's book (I have been saying that for some time now...but this time it's FOR KEEPS) with Hodder Children's Books, which I'm currently working on but unfortunately won't be seeing the light of shelves until 2013...but still...EXCITEMENT. So...thought I'd say hi, touch base, have a chin-wag, and hopefully it won't be so long until my next post. But if it is, hopefully you'll understand. Until then, life long and prosper!

Introducing: 'Cogg and Sprokit'

2011-09-06T11:49:00.000-07:00

Hello fine readers! And may I say you are all looking mighty fine today indeed. I have some splendid news! In fact...I should have revealed it last week, but I'm rubbish! At last; I can reveal one of the projects I have been slaving over recently...my very own comic mini-series! YEEEAAAAHHH!!

It is called 'Cogg and Sprokit', and will be serialised in the up-coming, awesome, splendid, FANTASTIC British story comic 'The Phoenix', which will be launching this January. I've seen some of the comics that will be within the pages of this weekly comic, and let me tell you; they look incredible. Why, you could see samples of them yourself, as there is a Phoenic newsletter which you can subscribe to on the site. Good times, ahead!

But yeah; Cogg and Sprokit! My very own story about adventurers Cogg (a rather gentleman-like Hippo with a penchant for gadgets) and Sprokit (a lively youngster with the incredible ability to wear a scarf no matter the climate or weather!) Together, they quest on many an epic adventure, discover many a forgotten treasure and vanquish many a devious, malicious foe. Sometimes. For the time being, Cogg and Sprokit will be a 4 pages long mini-story running roughly every few weeks (details to be confirmed), and let me tell you; I have had the time of my life working on it, I hope you guys enjoy reading it! I'll be updating this blog with more information as I get it, and with a few cheeky bits of concept art.

Until then: take care, amigos!

BLOG POST.

2011-08-30T10:57:00.000-07:00

Hello!!

Oh my goodness. After all of those 'Doodle-a-day' antics and regular blog updates, my blog has suddenly become dry as a desert! I must apologize for this. I have disgraced myself. But in truth, I was on a very important expedition that could finally result in the discovery of the yeti (aka; The Abominible Snowman). We are so close.

That, or I have been EXTREMELY busy with work. Yes, that one. But hopefully these lack of blog posts will be made up for when loads of my ACTUAL proefessional work is released...and soon! Woooopheee!! And in this spirit; I get to make an announcement later this week about one of my projects. HUUUZZAAAAHHH!!! I am finally allowed to start revealing some things! So as soon as I get the go-ahead, BAM, it will be omn this blog. Until then; thanks so much for sticking around, and here is a speed painting I did before I disappeared into the depths of deadlines. I think practice is in order when things quiet down...

Ammo Magazine Contribution

2011-07-25T05:15:00.000-07:00

This month in the wonderful Ammo Magazine #7, you will find an illustration by none other than myself. I was really chuffed to be able to contribute to Ammo; I think it's SUCH a nicely designed little magazine showcasing some jaw-dropping work, and so I was flattered to be able to take part. The piece I did for the magazine can be seen above, titled 'Flight'. I was so pleased with the way the colours printed on the mag too; it looks just as it did on my Photoshop screen. Also in this months issue are glorious pieces from my fellow YARNfest dude-ios Hidden Dingbat Collective and Twitter friend and illustrator-maestro Gaia Bordicchia so you know it's going to be sweet. As sweet a deal as you can imagine for a few hard earned quids. If you would like to buy the issue, or at least see more of Ammo Magazine, you can over here, my friends, you can over here. Photos courtesy of Ammo Magazine.

Website Down...FOR NOW.

2011-07-23T04:32:00.000-07:00

Hi guys!

Just a quick note about my website...it expires today, and I am still in the process of updating and rebuilding a new website, so it will be down for a time. I do have an under construction page, but my URL host is messing me around a bit right now and isn't allowing me to link the page to my URL...yet. Blimey, excuse all this rubbish I'm writing; basically, my site will still be www.jamielittler.co.uk but will take a while to come back online. The best place for news and new artwork will be this blog for now, and I'm still more than happy (chuffed, some would say) to read and reply to emails on my usual address: jamieillustration@gmail.com

Thanks so much for your patience! Hopefully it'll be worth the wait; the new site I'm building is a lot simpler and will allow me to update it A LOT more regularily. Good times ahead, eh?

Here There be Faeries...

2011-07-06T09:33:00.000-07:00

Hello, hello!
I've been mega-super-busy doing black and white illustrations for an upcoming book series which is so, soooooo cool, I really can't wait to reveal more. But in a panic of not having updated my blog for a while (I was doing so well last month...but then again...there were'nt evil, ominous deadlines looming over me...), here is an illustration I did JUST before I started on the comissioned illustrations.
It's for an idea I've had for a while...something I tried to do in comic form, then as illustrations...then I was thinking maybe a web-comic...but, for reasons usually related to work-loads etc etc blah blah...not much has happened with it! So for the time being, at least; I hope you can enjoy this as a stand-alone illustration.

Until next time, comrades!

Certain Things and Lizards.

2011-06-29T13:22:00.000-07:00

As I'm doing a lot of black and white drawing and digital colouring at the moment, I'm trying to keep up the watercolour in any spare time I get! Practice makes perfect, and other such cliches.

Thanks for stopping by, troopers!

RAAAARRR.

2011-06-21T03:36:00.000-07:00

A little bit of morning watercolour and pen and ink.

Pointe Blank - Coppelia Final Piece

2011-06-20T08:50:00.000-07:00

Hello there!
Here are some things for you. If you follow me on Twitter, you're probably sick to death of this image by now, but if you don't; here's the final illustration I did for the Pointe Blank Coppelia project. I was very happy with it, all in all! And it was actually immense fun to do, the whole project was wonderful to be a part of. For the other entries (and believe me, they are all really, really beautiful), check out the online exhibition of the project here!

I went for a kind of 'dark, fairy-tale' vibe with this one, and this is always an ingredient to have great fun with. Darkness and despair, that's what I like to see, as I wear my black cape and stand at the top of my tower laughing evilly at the dastardly things I have planned. But yes, it's not meant to be that nasty...just to evoke a sense of Eastern European fairy tale, as the tale of Coppelia itself is rather lovely.

Also, I have begun doing some 'speed-painting' exercises...I've been reading lots of blogs and listening to various animators I respect with all my heart, and a lot of them recommend to just sit for half an hour and speed paint a scene...it teaches you a lot, or so they say (and I believe every word), so...here we go. Half an hour. Painting number 1...I have a lot to learn...but here's hoping it's a step to VICTORY! If only I had a better digital tablet. Mine is so bad, and so un-responsive. Sigh. To have a cintiq...what a beautiful dream...(and to stop blaming my tools...siiiiigh).

A Nice, Summery Picture.

2011-06-09T04:09:00.000-07:00

A villianous-type indeed. This is a bit of personal work I did, which is also a bit of practice for some visual development portfolio stuff I'm trying to get together. Who is this mysterious lass? I have a few story ideas at the moment, and I'm just trying to feel my way through them and decide which one to follow (all for personal fun, of course, but I would like to do something with it all once and if it ever gets done). She's basically a nasty piece of work; you wouldn't want to bump into her on a jolly walk through the frozen tundra, let me tell you.

Doodle #25

2011-06-03T13:06:00.000-07:00

Have a good weekend!

Pointe Blank - Coppelia

2011-06-02T06:50:00.000-07:00

Hey hey!
I thought I'd write and tell you a bit about a really cool project I have been working for recently. It is a project called 'Pointe Blank'; a real mix of absolutely great, talented artists who have been called together by the Birmingham Royal Ballet to create a piece of artwork inspired by the ballet 'Coppelia', which the group will be performing soon. It can be in any style we want, depicting any part of the story we want or any feelings/imagery the story provoked in our heads. It doesn't need to involve the ballet itself; unless you want it to.

I'm not going to lie to you; I've heard of Coppelia but have never seen nor read about it. Which is a shame really, becasue now that I have, I realise it is a great story. Let's see, it has;

1) Magic

2) Alchemy

3) A mad scientist

4) Love, romance and intrigue

5) Eastern Europe

6) Bringing automatons to life

7) A whole village dancing about the place

What's not to like, here? The artwork will be revealed live at the Hippodrome in Birmingham on Monday 13th June and the exhibition will remain up for 2 weeks, and will be online at the Pointe Blank link above indefinitely. It's going to be really great, I'm sooo excited to see the other artist's spins on the story. If you're in the area, PLEASE do come down, it should be really inspiring! If you would like to see some teasers of the artwork by the artists, check it out here at the Pointe Blank blog. Mine is there, but I've posted it here too. Enticing? Maybe.

The very kind and talented Claire Hartley got me involved in this project, so a massive thank you to her, and also, my friend and fellow illustrator Harriet Gray will be exhibiting, so there are many reasons to check it all out. If you can. Of course. Y'know. If not, no worries. Y'know.

Doodle #24

2011-06-01T14:59:00.000-07:00

FOR NARNIA!!! I mean...NATURE!! Just a red squirrel commander doing his thing. Sorry it's not in colour...I have been mega-hard at work today and my eyes are burning and sometimes they scream at me to stop drawing or looking at computer screens. I'm sorry, eyes, I'm sorry. (If there's time in the future though, I may slap a bit of colour on this guy!)

Doodle #23

2011-05-31T16:11:00.000-07:00

RRAAAGGH.

Doodle (actually...more like a character design) #22

2011-05-30T13:22:00.000-07:00

If I've learned one thing in all my years of drawing, it's that I love drawing scarves.

Doodle #21

2011-05-29T13:44:00.000-07:00

Doodle-puss.

Doodle #20

2011-05-27T10:06:00.000-07:00

Foxy.

Adam Had 'Em Flyers

2011-05-27T03:40:00.000-07:00

Wahey! These aren't doodles, I'm afraid, but actual flyers I did last month. It was a real last minute job, and considering, I think they turned out okay. The actual prints the promotor got made came out so dark the illustration became almost unrecognisable...but hey, the client was happy, and that is what counts. I actually enjoyed doing these, I think, with a bit more time, the 'ship front' theme could be quite fun for the future flyers...we shall see. On another note: The Carolines are my brothers band, and they do truly rock. In the most old-fashioned, rocking sense of the word. Do check them out, if you enjoy the odd bit of rock and roll.

Hope you're all doing well!

Doodle #19

2011-05-25T15:03:00.000-07:00

Hello.

Doodle #18

2011-05-23T13:26:00.000-07:00

I had quite a lot of fun with this one...nice and easy going!

Doodle #17

2011-05-22T12:55:00.001-07:00

Quick (reeeeal quick) Sunday sketch. This is an old character that I'm re-working. It's not going to win any awards yet, but I already, in this loose format, prefer this version of the character to the one I designed 2 years ago. Hopefully I've started on the right lines! Happy Sunday to you all.

Doodle #16

2011-05-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

Easy...eeeeeasy...

Doodle #15

2011-05-20T15:15:00.000-07:00

This was an experiment. This experiment did not work. :(

I'm actually not a fan of drawing 'nature documentry' illustrations...I think if the animals look too close to life, you may as well look at a photo. And yet, here I am. Drawing animals relatively realistically. Sigh. I blame it all on the fact that it's a Friday night...(I always do, even on a Tuesday...)

Doodle #14

2011-05-19T12:24:00.000-07:00

Another quick drawing, I put a dash of colour in it to make it a tad more interesting...but I have been colouring all day and couldn't face a tiny bit more. I'm sorry, I cracked! *Cries into hands*

Doodle #13

2011-05-18T11:36:00.000-07:00

A real quick one today...
Thanks for stopping by, you guys!

Doodle #12

2011-05-17T11:46:00.000-07:00

It's been a while since I've drawn a raccoon, so I thought; hey, why not?!
I'm a bit disappointed with the way the colours and textures scanned on this one, but hey, here it is!

Doodle #11

2011-05-16T13:11:00.000-07:00

Well THIS took longer than expected...phew.
MUST GET FASTER. BBBRRMMM.

Doodle #10

2011-05-15T12:44:00.001-07:00

Eeeeeeeeyyyyyy...

Quick Sunday sketch. I hope you like it!

Doodle #9

2011-05-14T04:41:00.000-07:00

This one's a bit different from my usual stuff, but I hope you like it! I was watching a music video of a girl running through a Scandinavian wildiness, and thought to myself: 'That might be quite nice to draw.' True story. So here it is...but really, it was just an excuse to smudge all my pencil lines.

Sorry for the lack of a post yesterday too, there were a lot of problems with Blogger as I'm sure you know. I will do an extra doodle to make up for it! Thanks, as always, for visiting!

Doodle #8

2011-05-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

Quick watercolour toucan today. TOUCAN PLAY THAT GAME.

...........................................Sorry.

Doodle #7

2011-05-11T11:45:00.000-07:00

Here we go! This is waaaay more detailed than I intended, but let's just say it's too make up for yesterday's rather rushed effort. It has to be said though, that I'm not so sure I can keep them up at this level of detail, I think it may kill me. Hah. But I hope you like it!

I went to 'The Making of Tangled' this week; a presentation by some of the Disney movie staff at the Curzon cinema in Soho, London, and it was incredible. Really, really incredible. So inspiring, the artwork and animation was horrendously brilliant, and I got to meet Animation Supervisor Clay Kaytis, the Look and Lighting director Mohit Kallianpur and talent development director Dawn Rivera-Ernster...all of whom were absolutely awesome and friendly, in equal measures. So i thought I'd do a little Rapunzel of my own today, is it was on my mind...

Doodle #6

2011-05-10T15:52:00.000-07:00

Oooo...another one just in time. A bit rough around the edges today as I've spent the whole time frolicking in London, but I plan to get it all back on track and have coloured doodles tomorrow!

Doodle #5

2011-05-09T15:54:00.000-07:00

Bit of an Indian theme going on today...

Doodle #4

2011-05-08T14:27:00.000-07:00

But this is what he REALLY looks like.

Doodle #3

2011-05-07T06:22:00.001-07:00

I've seen a few artists drawing their dogs recently, so I thought I might jump on the bandwagon, as it looked like a nice bandwagon to be on. Here's my dog; Max (Maxamillion Decimus Armacaninus)

Doodle #2

2011-05-06T07:25:00.000-07:00

Doodle a Day: Day 2. Going well so far. Playing around with Photoshop brushes!

Doodle-a-Day...Begins Today!

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

Hello everybody!
I'm going to try and do this 'Doodle a Day' thing in an effort to keep this blog nicely updated and to keep me experimenting and drawing different things whilst working on comissioned work I am as yet unable to show you lovely readers. I may do it for a few weeks...or even a month...I'll see how it goes. I hope you enjoy them!

I am usually a pretty slow illustrator, so this may be quite a challenge for me (this is also an exercise for me to speed up with my colouring...the part of the process I am slowest at...yeeesh, look at me; using words like 'exercise'.), I beg of you not to tar and feather me if I crumble and collapse under the weight of my insane doodle-a-day ambitions. The amount of times I have had to wash tar and feathers off this year is just getting ludicrous, as I'm sure you guys know. This first doodle is a bit of a cheat, as it's also being used as the banner for the Soupa Network website this May, but hey, I maaaay need a headstart. START YOUR ENGINES! Bbbrrrmmmm.

Paper Cub

2011-04-28T11:29:00.000-07:00

Hello there, hello there!
Ooops, it's been a bit of a while since I last updated, and for that; I really must apologize.
BUT I do have some news! Roll up, roll up and prepare to be wowed and astounded, fair citizens! I have joined forces with some incredibly talented illustrators and writers for an online magazine called: 'PAPER CUB!!!!' Just not in capitals or with the ridiculous amount of exclamation marks. It's an online magazine for children of ALL ages, and will have regular content uploaded, inclusing illustrated stories, poems, games, comics and everything in between. But don't listen to me go on about it, it's probably best if you go check it out!

http://www.paperfoxpress.com/aboutpapercub/

The piece above is the illustration I did for the ever talented Robin Boyden's poem '(Too Much) Space', and it was a really great fun brief, hopefully the first of many for this wonderful magazine. I will also hopefully be writing my own stuff for the magazine in the future too, so keep those eyes peeled! It also involves the work of the incredible Laura Anderson, who is as talented as they come, and twice as lovely. So please be sure to check it out! Thanks very much to both Robin and Laura for getting me involved!

In other news, I am working incredibly hard at the moment, and STILL can't show too much, so I was thinking, for the sake of just keeping this blog updated, that I may try and start a 'Doodle a Day' kind of thing...and try my utmost HARDEST to keep up with it. Y'know; draw whatever was on my mind that day. This could get weird. Please check back soon for more, and as always: thanks for stopping by!

The Last Flight of Claudia.

2011-04-11T09:24:00.000-07:00

Aaaaaand here's a few more concept pieces of Claudia strutting her stuff. Looking back at them, there are a few things I would like to change (such as her FACE, haha, but seriously...i would draw it differently now) but there are still elements I like and I am still very fond of the idea. I wouldn't mind having a house like that deep in some haunted woods, but then...I fear people may talk. But yes, indeed, time will tell.

In other news, I have had some serious problems with my email as of late, and have frankly become slightly tired with constantly having to fix the various problems it seems to enjoy throwing my way, so I've decided to move over to gmail! Yup, that's right; I have a new email address:

jamieillustration@gmail.com

That's me!

Claudia the Witch Samples from Years Gone By.

2011-03-30T10:10:00.000-07:00

Konichiwa!
I thought that today, perhaps due to rain induced madness, that I will share with you a project I worked on a few years ago with Templar Publishing which unfortunately never saw the light of day. It was about a witch who didn't quite fit in. But who does, in this day and age? Yes, you've guessed it, I have no idea what I'm talking about.

But what I CAN tell you with some respectable amount of certainty is that I had a really, REALLY fun time doing these samples, and would love one day to re-envisage the idea and try and make it work again. One day...perhaps. But I hope you enjoy these peices! The top one of Claudia the witch feeding her pet is on my website and is my Twitter background, but I think the others have been lurking away in my hard-drive, waiting for their moment to shine. GO, GO!! I'll post some more soon! I hope everyone is well! :D

Canine Comrades and Soupazines.

2011-03-23T09:45:00.000-07:00

Good day to you (it is rather fantastic weather here where I am...)!

Busy, busy week getting lots of things ready for the upcoming Bologna Book Festival (I swear it's ALWAYS just around the corner...), which, once again, I can't show juuuust yet (I'm sooorrryyy!!), BUT, here's a sample illustration I did a few weeks ago involving, that's right, you guessed it, our favourite canine comrades (Wolves). I was actually quite happy with this, which is quite rare for me, but I have to keep pushing my children's book style and making it better. I suppose that's the aim of all artists, you've never got a 'perfect' illustration, it can always be better. You gotta want it! But for now, and on a Wednesday, I'm rather happy with this one. But there is a rumour going round that these characters are being developed into dogs, and not wolves at all...

Oh! And the wonderful Soupa Network has a new zine out which you can read here, and it does involve myself, some jellyfish and a little live drawing event I was a part of last month, as well as the other great Soupa artists who were involved in other events during YARNfest. It's a really great read, and oh yes, it looks gawgeous. Thanks to Jo for putting this bad boy together!

But yes, happy end of March to youses!

Tim & Light

2011-03-17T10:53:00.000-07:00

Hey there! Thanks for stopping by!
This week I have been juggling a few projects, two of them for the upcoming Bologna Book Fair (I'm basically taking a break to write this post from the scary mountain of work I have to do for next week...it's looking at me very ominously...I may placate it with treats...), but one little side-project I HAVE completed is a poster for the brilliant play 'Tim & Light', which is put together and performed by Tucked in Productions.

I saw the play a few weeks ago, which is all done with incredibly designed puppets and masks, (and a great set designed by my friend Lorna Killin), and let me tell you, it was fantastic. I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like it, and it has been garnering some pretty impressive reviews, so it was great to be able to be a part of it all with my little poster. I know it's going on tour around the UK this summer, including some major festivals (and when I say major, I mean MAJOR...), so if you're in the neighbourhood, give it a look see! If you can. Of course. I'm sure their website will keep you posted on the tour dates as and when they get them.
As per usual, thanks so much for looking at this blog, and I'll post some more work soon! Adios, amigos!

AAAAWWWWWOOOOOOOO

2011-03-11T07:59:00.000-08:00

Well, hello there. I thought it was time to get some artwork back up on this blog. Here are some more wolf development sketches, wouldn't you know it?!
I'm quite liking the feel of these guys (soft and furry, now that you ask...), but it seems that, for the time being anyway, these characters are going to be making a slight transition to their domestic cousins...dogs. I'm designing them as we speak (well, actually, I'm writing this, but then I shall go back to designing...um, nevermind...). But I'll tell you what, drawing the wolves as much as I have been has helped me a lot to understand the anatomy of dogs. So, thank you, my lupine friends.

YARNfest...the Aftermath.

2011-02-28T14:16:00.000-08:00

Right, well, here we go, my first live drawing write up!
I took part in the YARNfest 2011 'Cover Wars' event last week, in which 4 illustrators, myself included (no way! Yes way.), representing different creative networks went head-to-head to design a new cover for Hanif Kureishi's celebrated novel 'The Buddah of Suburbia'. Needless to say, I was terrified. Like, completely, dude.

The other artists taking part were all really good and talented, and having done a bit of research into their work, it only added to my already rather large and indomitable pile of utter terror. They were as follows: Claire Hartley representing Ammo Magazine, Robin Boyden representing Paper Fox Press and Hidden Dingbat representing The Hidden Dingbat Collective. A surmountable amount of talent. Meep. And ME (Jamie Littler. Please pay attention). Representing the Soupa Creative Network! Woooo!

Gooooo Soupa!

But, to cut a long story short, it was a great, great night. After a little introduction from us all, it was straight into it, Claire Hartley versus myself. She did a beautiful piece that was really nicely detailed (and we both had to really strip back our style to the bare minimum...we had 20 minutes to do an A2 illustration! 20 MINUTES!! That's like...how long it takes me to get out of bed after my alarm!)

The really nice banners team Ammo Magazine brought to support Claire.

As soon as I started drawing, and managed to control my shakey hand, and got over the fact that I began by drawing my image too high on the page and had to rub it all out again...I got in the 'zone', and managed to block out the fact that we were being watched by a big (and very supportive!) crowd, and I found myself really enjoying it! I even managed to relax enough to hear Hanif Kureishi himself reading excerpts from his book whilst we were drawing, and the guy was incredibly funny. With all the talented artists there that night, who were all incredibly cool and nice to boot, I somehow managed to swing a second place, which I couldn't have been more surprised with! The winners were the brilliant Hidden Dingbats...well done guys! I really was impressed with everyone's design that night, and I really recommend you check the guys out! So yes. I shall definitely be doing some more live drawing in the near future. Who ever would have known that it's just like drawing?
My lotus flower cover...

Claire Hartley and I going HEAD TO HEAD.

Blocking in my colours...wet ink and watercolour...with only 20 minutes...no time to let it dry. But who does have the time, these days?

The clock is ticking. And Hanif Kureishi's reads from 'The Buddah of Suburbia'

The judges JUDGING.

Aaaaand my finished piece. Aw.
Thanks so much to the guys at YARNfest for putting this night on, and to Jo and all the Soupa lot for their support and for being awesome. All the photos here were taken by Clare Kelly (from Soupa...WOOOO! Thanks a lot, Clare!)

Steam Punk Ahoy!

2011-02-23T07:51:00.001-08:00

Hello again!

I've decided to post these two preview pages of a graphic novel idea I have been working on. I started working on the idea at the beginning of last year, but other work has since taken precedence, but I al quite excited about this idea, and would like to come back to it as soon as I can! I don't want to say too much about it, for numerous reasons...1) It still in its early stages and...2) It may never see the light of day, so I don't want to hype it up too much just yet. But needless to say, it does involve machines. And orange.

YARNfest 2011

2011-02-18T02:32:00.000-08:00

Ah yeahs, just a gentle reminder about YARNfest!

Here's the link to their site again, just incase you missed it:

http://www.yarnfest.com/

It's shaping up to be a really, really great weekend. A festival of storytelling, literature, art and illustration, and many illustrators from the network I am a part of; Soupa, will be taking part in the various events, including the Zine Workshop on Saturday. I'm gunna drop by and show my support!

And then on the Monday at the Queen of Hoxton, I will be one of the four artists battling it out in 'Cover Wars!' trying to design and illustrate a new cover for Hanif Kureishi's 'The Buddah of Suburbia', which will then be judged by the author himself and Jon Gray from the design studio Gray318 (gulp). It should be a really good night, the other artists are brilliant and i will be attempting to draw and paint on A2 paper...which I haven't done since college! It will definitely be a site! So yes...I will hopefully see you there!

Stuff.

2011-02-17T03:56:00.000-08:00

Well, I still have to wait a bit before I can show the illustration work I've been working on (I'm very excited, but I can't show it until the stuff has either been released or announced etc...please bare with me!)

So I'm just scouring my sketchbooks at the moment to keep this blog alive! I found these images of WAR (RRRAAGGH) which I thought I'd post, as they are no longer going to be used (I drew this MASSIVE battle scene, spanning numerous pages...it was painful to just drop it, but hey, that's what this blog is for!). But to show I'm not some bloodthirsty beast, here's a cheeky paper cut-out musk oxen as well, for your delictation.

Comissions and YARNfest (21st February!)

2011-02-03T12:33:00.000-08:00

Hey there!
Here's some recent comissioned work I have completed, and I must say (I truely must, no...no really) that I had an absolutely great time doing them. The brief was really open, which is always nice, and I could just have fun with foxes and trees. As I've had a lot of tight briefs and big deadlines recently (not that I'm complaining, actually, I'm kind of rejoicing), it was a real nice breath of fresh air to do something so free and different. Almost like yoga. Or flying an X-Wing in a rogue squadron.

In other news, I will be doing my first live drawing event on the 21st of February at the YARNfest 2011 Cover Wars event, which can be found here.

I'll be representing the Soupa Creative Network and going head to head with three other fine illustrators representing their own respective London Creative Networks as we illustrate a cover for the book 'The Buddha of Suburbia' (which I'm quite nervous about, but extremely excited too...AAAARGH!). Should be a really good night, so if you're in the area, and feel like watching me snap my pencil leads in absolute nerves...book a ticket and come say hi! I'll post more info as I get it!

Pandas, Rats and Cats.

2011-01-18T06:41:00.000-08:00

Hello there!
Well, 2011 is proving to be an extremely busy year already, which can only be a good thing. So, I am most certianly a happy bunny! I've been working on so many things at the moment which unfortunately I am not able to show for another few months, so in the meantime, here are a few sketches and STUFF. The panda and cat illustration was a watercolour comission I did for a dear, dear friend, and it was entirely painted...no digital. This was quite weird for me, but I completely enjoyed doing it and have decided to try and do more completely painted stuff, just to practice the ol' traditional hand. And things. Which leads us to the rat, which was also completely watercolour and ink, and was drawn for my awesome dad.

Happy New Year!

2011-01-05T09:50:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone! May it be bountiful and plenty. I hope you all had a really good one and many happy festive times at Christmas. It all seems so far away now...siiigh.
My new year has already started at about 100000mph, but hey, I am DEFINITELY not complaining. Bring it, 2011.
But yes, I digress, here are some more sketches from that idea I'm working on. I am excited about this project. Very excited. But we'll see what happens...

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T09:55:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much for all the support, following and kind words you guys have given me this year! I hope you all have an absolutely fantasticalabious Christmas, and an even better New Year! Catch you in 2011!

Sketches!

2010-12-21T10:31:00.000-08:00

In the fashion of how things have been going, I thought I'd continue to upload a few more sketches, hot off the sketchbook! Well...actually, the weird antlered creature is my current version of a yeti character I'm trying to come up with for a suitably wintery themed illustration! BING BONG CHRISTMAS! I wanted him to look extremely different from other yeti incarnations...hopefully he's heading that way...

The other designs are from a graphic novel idea I have been pushing over the last few months, I have PAGES of these designs, and intend to put up more as the days go by! Until then, please, be merry in this very merry of seasons!

I Love Handmade blog

2010-12-16T10:16:00.001-08:00

Firstly, the awesome people over at the 'I Love Handmade' blog have done a little feature on one of my pieces and on my Etsy shop, so...basically, a massive thank you to them!

http://ilovehandmadeblog.blogspot.com/

And secondly, I seriously do intend to get some finished artwork up here asap...I know it's been a while...it's mostly because I'm not entirely sure what I'm allowed to show just yet, and I certainly don't want to go around making vicious enemies this close to Christmas. BUT, fear not, my comrades, for I have some roughs and stuff and things.

These thumbs are the first roughs of an illustration I've just completed for The Spoils trading card game, which was a ridiculous amount of fun to do. And the top two images are a few character designs for the Starfish Charity poster I did last month (which has also found it's natural knack at sailing and has crossed the pond over to the States! HUZZAH, HUZZAH, what ho! But what are you doing still reading this?! IT'S MINCE PIE TIME. OH.

STUPID LINKS!!

2010-12-15T07:47:00.000-08:00

AAARGHH! These links!!! They'll be my un-doing!

http://www.thespoils.com

Maybe this will work?

Link problems and Arcane Tinmen

2010-12-13T09:15:00.001-08:00

Hey hey! Recently I have been working with Arcane Tinmen and their playing card game 'The Spoils', which has been absolutely awesome. I'm still in love with children's books and that way of working, and wouldn't trade it for the word, but to be able to draw warriors, monsters and heads being chopped off basically makes the days feel like I'm just drawing scenes from some epic film...with a touch of humour thrown in for good measure. It certainly makes the long days go by quickly, and this is defininately helped by the great guys at Arcane Tinmen. 'm going to post a like to the site here...although I've noticed recently that my links never actually link, you seem to have to copy the URL into the address bar...does anyone know why this might be? Ahhh...computers. Life would be simpler if you could chop their heads off as well.

http://www.thespoils.com/spoils/view.php?pg=home

Oooo...I think this link may work...
I've just finished my first card illustration, which I will put up on this blog asap. In the meantime, here is a little card I did for someone I know, in watercolour, but I cheekily scanned it before hand.

Creative Boom (and my fox)

2010-12-06T07:43:00.000-08:00

OoooOOOOooo...the kind people at Creative Boom have given me a little showcase on their site, which is very cool indeed. Thanks a lot guys! I do have some work to put up on this blog soon, please watch this space!

http://www.creativeboom.co.uk/london/lookbook/london-illustrator-jamie-littler/

The Forgotten Comic.

2010-11-25T09:35:00.001-08:00

Here's a few Lobo concept pieces to get you in a winter-y mood (juuuust incase the weather isn't doing that for you already...), I hope you like 'em! So many wolf drawings in my studio. So, so many.

In other, possibly even more exciting news, whilst my parents were rummaging through their garage, they found loads of my old drawings and school books. I can't believe they found this gem of a comic I did YEARS ago (or so he says...), we're talking, 7 years old or something? I'm guessing. I can't remember. Unfortunately it only lasted one page, which is a shame, as it clearly had legs. It was when I was reading the Asterix comics for the first times, and probably though, 'Holy Smokes! I can copy that!' So here he is: 'Babic the Viking'. Why do a comic based on Gauls when Vikings are ripe for the picking?! Ah, the epic historical drama that will never be...

The funny thing is, I still totally love Vikings and all those dark age loverlies, and my sketchbooks are full of them...

http://jamielittler.blogspot.com/2010/06/oh-dearslacking.html

Starfish Charity Poster

2010-11-17T03:39:00.000-08:00

This is a poster I did for the Starfish Greathearts Foundation Charity christmas appeal, and I must say, it was a real pleasure to work on.

I really enjoyed doing it, and the people I worked with in the charity (Hester, Alice, and Sara...for getting me the job) were all amazing, and, lets face it; totally awesome. So, thank you very much, one and all!

It's for a really good cause (aren't charity's always?), so if you feel that way inclined, please head on over to their website and check it out!

http://www.starfishcharity.org

Etsy Shop

2010-11-08T13:33:00.001-08:00

Hot damn! As promised, and only ages later, I have finally started up my Etsy Shop!
Look, it's over here! Wheeeeee!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/jamielittler

There aren't many items for sale on the shop just yet, but I will be working over the next few weeks to change that. It's a bit of an experiment, I haven't done this before, some I'm just dipping my toe in, testing the waters, and we'll see where we go from there. But hopefully, this is a step in the right direction for people who would like prints of my artwork, and whatever other crazy schemes and items I end up creating for masses of wealth and glory.

If there is an illustration on this blog or my website which you would like to buy, but isn't on the shop (that's quite a lot...yeah, pretty much everything I've ever illustrated isn't on there...I know...), please do get in touch and I shall do my best to get one printed just for you! SSSHHHHAAWWIING.

Oh, and there are still loads of products on the Soupa store which I'm selling that aren't on my Etsy, plus the work of a helluva lot of other talented artists, so it's still a very good idea to check over there now and again. You know. If you feel like it.

http://www.soupa.bigcartel.com/

Ta for now, you lovely people!

Forgotten Designs

2010-11-02T05:09:00.000-07:00

These are some un-used designs for a graphic novel idea I had last year. Looking back on them, there are so many things I'd change. So many. Sigh. It's kind of scary (in the best possible way) how much, and yet subtley, you improve, even in just a year. Elements of the character shapes, right down to their hair, I would completely change now. But hey, I think (and hope...I'll let you guys be the judge...) that there are some fun things going on in there which I like.

I'm still quite fond of the story idea, but, quite simply, I came up with a better one and put this into the dark, dank depths of my hard drive. It is forbidden to go there.

Sketches, Stuff and a tad Nonsense...

2010-10-26T13:23:00.000-07:00

Yeeeeesh, these days feel like they're literally flying by! How are you, you lovely people?! I am tired, stressed, working hard, and still having the time of my life doing this wonderful job. I thought I'd upload a couple of my sketchbook pages, all of them for various things (or just for fun) and all of them work (or don't) to varying degrees. I should probably try and make a habit of uploading sketchbook pages, I know I love looking at the sketchbooks of artists I like, sometimes even more than the finished pieces (just because it's great to see the workings out of images, the immediacy of the line work and the ideas just flowing onto the page...wwwwwoooo, look at me getting all geared up into University annotation mode...), it's just that my sketchbooks can often be an absolute mess and mixture of the good, the bad and the plain un-comprehendable...

BUT YES.
I was thinking of setting up a shop on my website, as I have recently had quite a few requests for prints and such, and really need a nice, easy place to offer such things on my site. I may even try and sort out badges and cool things which bring a bit of sunshine to a cold, winters morning. I'll try and get something like that sorted...a to the s...to the, um, a...right over to the...p.

Ro-but.

2010-10-25T09:40:00.000-07:00

A little poster for you. It was inspired by the classic 'mecha and girl' anime that we all know and love, which is a bit of a departure for me...I tend to draw robots that are big and clunky and look like they are about to die of rust. Not that this robot isn't big and clunky. And I suspect that he suffers from the occasional rust. But you know. As for the girl...sometimes, it's just nice to draw a girl. You know how it is. You know.

Commission

2010-10-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

A little commissioned piece I did last week. Aahh...halcyon days. Autumn afternoons. Luverly chillout music. Birds and bicycles. But enough about my walk home. I had a lot of fun doing this illustration, and it was a nice little break from my 'work' work. AND HOW.

In other news, I fixed the problems on my site, I know some of you were experiencing them, those damn gremlins. It's Flash's fault, I tells ya! Flash and I, we get on like...well...like...a shark and a prawn. A drunken prawn, at that. Still working hard on Lobo and an idea for some illustrated fiction, I will do my best to keep you posted!

Bad Machinery Guest Strip

2010-10-11T10:08:00.000-07:00

Last week is was very happy to do a guest comic strip for the awesome 'Bad Machinery' web comic by John Allison. I've been a fan of this comic, and his previous 'Scary Go Round', for years, so it was a real privelage to add my pen strokes tosomething I'm such a big fan of.

If you haven't seen or read the webcomic, hop to it!

http://www.scarygoround.com/index.php

Trust me, you won't regret it. In other news, I totally nearly grew a beard the other day.

Black and White Ideas...

2010-10-05T05:07:00.000-07:00

An illustration for an illustrated fiction idea I have. Just trying to get back into doing black and white illustrations...

Some More Early Concept Stuff...

2010-10-04T04:37:00.000-07:00

Here's another picture of Lobo with his siblings. Still just trying to get the look right, again, this is quite an early piece, but it was a big leap for me in the direction I wanted to take the look of the book. On a side note, there is a massive, fat patridge sitting on a fence outside. He looks incredibly bored, but I could be wrong, he could just be really studying that one spot on the ground.

Site Update and Twitter

2010-09-29T11:25:00.000-07:00

It was YOU!!!

Wahey, I've updated my site, which I would be hugely happy for you to visit. Why not even bring some friends, there's plenty of room for all...

www.jamielittler.co.uk

I have also joined the ever ellusive twitter, which will act as another blog/thought process/groovy batchelor pad (oh dear) as well as this one, but probably with more frequent musings and inane babble. Feel free to follow! Now if I could just figure out how it all works...

http://twitter.com/jamieillustrate

Thanks!

Debut Children's Book Concept Art

2010-09-22T06:47:00.001-07:00

Well, here we go. I've been given the all clear to start showing some concept art for my debut children's book by Little Tiger Press (http://www.littletigerpress.com), the publishers who shall be publishing my little idea. I've been working on this for a long, long time, just trying to get the look just right, I want this to be a really cool book, and as good as I can make it at my current ability. I've done LOADS of experimentation and concept work, the pile of paper and sketchbook stuff I have for this project even surprised me when I brought it all together for a meeting last week. So I'll just show a few (don't want to give too much away right now...), until I get further on with the book. I'm having an amazing time doing this book, although it's a HUGE departure from what I usually do...using watercolour and pencils as the main medium being the obvious difference, but also not being allowed to draw monsters or other scary things I tend to like to draw. Aaaaanywho, incase you were wondering; the book is about a wolf cub. I hope you like them, and I'll post a few more as time goes by.

Your pal,

Jamie

Blazing Hybrids vs. the Poster.

2010-09-09T15:20:00.000-07:00

Jumping trampolines, Batman! Another Noir poster!! That's right kids, and there's more where that came from. This is quite simple for me, and involves a rabbit/elk/caribou creature which is not of my design, but that of the band Miike Snow, but the brief was to use their logo, and I'm quite happy with the way it looks. On a side note, I saw Scott Pilgrim vs. the World last night, and have become a little obsessed with it.

Alphabet's Heaven Digipak Cover

2010-09-06T02:57:00.001-07:00

Front and Back Cover
Inside Cover

CD Design

This is a comission I have completed recently for an EP cover for a musician called Alphabet's Heaven (I bet you couldn't tell, all that name being everywhere you look on this post...). It was a lot of fun to do, and I'm pretty happy with the results. The EP music itself revolves around a bird called 'Jay' and a journey he embarks on, and the characters he meets along the way. Whilst the characters did appeal to me, I thought I'd try and keep the illustration simple and 'designery' (I made up a word), so I focused more on Jay himself and the beginning of his journey. I'll let the music do the talking.

The inside cover and disc does have more information on it, but not wanting to be some kind of crazed, information sharing lunatic, I took the information off for this post.

I hope you like it!

A coupla NOIR posters.

2010-08-23T06:11:00.000-07:00

Here's two new poster for NOIR. The brief was very much 'surreal', so I tried to make the illustration quite bizarre and mysterious. I like to think of the figure as some kind of tree spirit or something, but really, 'he's whatever you want him to be...'

The two nights were related to each other, so the different posters needed to have the same theme and feel about them to really get this message across, hence the similarity between the two pieces. NOIR have been really cool, giving me quite a lot of regular work, which is always appreciated, and due to the quick turn-around nature of the briefs, allow me to change the subject matter of each poster quite dramatically, which always makes for an interesting brief!

I like birds, I do.

2010-08-20T09:47:00.000-07:00

Spot the difference.
Watercolour and ink sketches of cheeky little blue jays. A friend described them as 'jolly with a big belly that's all ruffley', which, in my opinion, is the best description of my work so far!

Awkward Ideas

2010-08-18T11:33:00.000-07:00

I actually have quite a lot to show you lovely, loyal readers, but this will have to do to start it all off. This is a squirrel idea that I've had ever since my student days (I'm making it sound like I'm a wise old sage, whereas, infact, those halcyon student days were only two years ago...) which I just can't seem to let go, even though I've never found quite the right medium to fit it into. Children's books - the story is too mature...Older fiction - the older kids don't particularily like animal characters (except for the classics like Redwall et al)...so in my mind and sketchbooks this idea shall remain...for now. What can I say, I'm just a sucker for those tribal red squirrels and grey squirrels with swords.

I'll upload more stuff soon, and as always, thanks for looking!

Leaves...

2010-08-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

... a vital ingredient.

'Noir' Poster

2010-08-10T09:33:00.000-07:00

This was probably the most intense deadline I've ever had...3 hours! It was literally a few sketchs, a chosen design and straight to it...no messing or experimenting, just down to the nitty gritty. The nitty gritty being my Photoshop crashing 3 times on me, losing the entire illustration, screaming at my computer, realising I had 2 hours left, and getting used to another computer very quickly. I'm glad I did it though, more than anything just to prove to myself that I can! I really enjoyed the Film Noir feel to it, and whilst there are a few things I would have done differently had I the time (lighting coming through a window for added, nutritious noir-y-ness), and considering the problems, I'm actually quite happy with it.

Playing with Crocodiles.

2010-07-26T03:04:00.001-07:00

This isn't my children's book, but it's kind of how my children's book is looking, I'm really trying to go for a subtle mix of pencil, watercolour and digital painting. This was a bit of fun I had on a small bit of down time, and it was very fun to do.

There is a story behind it, but what that is, I'm not entirely sure...

Badger's and Uzi's

2010-07-19T05:52:00.000-07:00

Another gig poster. This isn't all I'm doing, honest! Although they have been coming in thick and fast recently. The brief was to draw a badger with some uzi's. The customer is always right...

Right, I'm off to keep experimenting with my children's book, I could already fill a whole book with wolf drawings the amount of my character that I've drawn...

Your Tribe, Our Tribe.

2010-07-14T10:40:00.000-07:00

SHAZAM.

No Time for Heroes DJ Night

2010-07-12T03:07:00.000-07:00

Here's another poster for No Time for Heroes.
I was rather happy with this one, if I'm absolutely honest...I was trying to go for a messy/hand-drawn/written feel, which is hopefully there...

No Time for Heroes Poster

2010-06-29T02:46:00.000-07:00

Here is a comission I finished up last week for the awesome London-based promotion company 'No Time for heroes'.

It went through two quite different stages as you can see above. I started out with a flying pig idea, but the decision was made to go down a more serious route, perhaps not including animals as such but a more decorative approach. The image at the top was the final version, complete with adjusted text with I think looks a lot stronger.

The illustration(s) were great fun to do, the client was really chilled about what I could do and pretty much gave me free reign over the job, which is always exciting and was also helpful as the deadline was very much a 2 day job.

Check out their website over here: http://www.myspace.com/inbag

Ta!

The End Result.

2010-06-26T05:05:00.000-07:00

And here it is! Wow, it will be a relief not to see any more of this image on my blog...

I basically added more orange to the lighting to make it really look like the creatures were heading out of a canopy and into a strong light source. Hopefully, this just adds a bit more atmosphere, which I think is incredibly important in 'narrative' illustration, and just basically adds a bit more 'badass', as it is technically known in the business.

I added the branches and foreground leaves, again, for a bit more of a 'canopy' feel, and voila! It is complete. Hopefully you may have found this step by step example interesting. This is a very general approach that I take to illustrations, although I tend to be quite sporadic and never stick to one tried and proven method, I approach each illustration I do slightly differently, but I think this gives quite a good idea of how I tend to work. Digitally, that is. Watercolours is a whole different kettle of fish. Perhaps I will do a watercolour step by step one day...

And never fear! I have other illustrations to put up on the blog which ISN'T this one! WAHEY!

Thanks for stopping by!

Almost there...

2010-06-22T04:13:00.000-07:00

Well, it's almost there.

I coloured the creatures mostly digital, but decided they needed some furry texture, and built that up with watercolour paint which i scanned in.

I then added the lighting for impact and atmosphere, which hopefully brings the whole thing to life a bit more. I'm relatively happy with the way it's going, I think it may need something going on in the foreground to add a bit of depth and a few leaves or branches to add the 'leafy' look. Then, I hope, it will be done! It's taking a while, but then I'm having to try and fit it in inbetween 'real' work. Give me a few more days, and the final will be here!

The Background...BEGINS.

2010-06-17T10:54:00.000-07:00

I started work on the background today in a tiny bit of spare time I had. I went for the red colour scheme for a kind of 'autumn' look, but really, and more importantly, the red adds a bit of drama and 'intenseness' to the action. I think. And hope.

The background was pretty much composed of acrylic and watercolour textures and brush strokes I did on paper and then scanned in, the colours and opacities played around with in photoshop with the odd bit of digital painting here or there.
I'm not sure about it yet...I don't know if the background is a bit too busy or flat at the moment, but I'll carry on working into it and add lighting later...lighting; the savior which can make most things look half decent...

Illustration in Progress

2010-06-15T12:34:00.000-07:00

Here is something some may find interesting. If not, I apologise profusely.

A little run-down of an illustration in progress. I started the illustration knowing that I wanted weird baboon-like creatures chasing a kind of glowing squirrel. It had been a slow day. The ravonous creatures ended up being baboon/racoon/tortoise...thingies, which can only lead to good times. Unless you're a squirrel with stripes and antennae, such as the other creature in this illustration. I have done numerous thumbnail compositions and ideas in my sketchbook, which I will hopefully scan soon. A meteor came crashing through my window earlier, which is near my sketchbook, and I'm too scared to approach it at the moment (aka, I can't be bothered).

I pencilled and then inked the drawing, and scanned it in, and voila, the black and white image is basically what i have infront of me on my Photoshop screen as we speak. Big, scary and balck and white. This fear of where to start on a big white canvas usually leads me to do these colour study things, which is the black and white drawing turned 72dpi so that it's small and easy to move the brush around without being precious about anything (which I have a nasty tendancy to do on digital software...take waaaaay too much time and care over things, getting tied up on small details and often ruining the overall effect). This way i can quickly try different colour schemes and compositional changes, or at least see things I'll have to work out at a later stage (such as what colour the squirrel will be...I'm really not sure yet, I'll see how the rest of the illustration looks when it's done and I'll colour the little fella to balance the rest of the illustration, and to add a little dash of colour.

As you can see, my thumbnails are ridiculously messy and no-where near the standard I've seen some artists do them (or what a client would want from me) but when I do illustrations for myself, I have quite a good idea of what I'm trying to achieve in my head, at least atmosphere-wise, and so I keep it quick and simple just to get the 'feeling' down on paper, just so I feel a bit more 'prepared' for what's to come, and not spend hours on a piece and then realise it looks awful, and having to start again...

Phew. Sorry, the length of this post seems to be getting out of hand! I'll post up this illustration in progress as it happens, so please, drop by and check it out!

As always, thanks for looking!

Oh dear...SLACKING.

2010-06-01T13:19:00.000-07:00

Whoa, there was a tinsey lapse there, sorry about that...

Been very busy recently, sounds like a classic excuse but IT'S THE TRUTH I TELLS YA! My days have been consumed with concept art and try my damndest to get my debut picture book looking as good as can be. It's been really hard work, but hopefully it will pay off when the book comes out and looks lovely and wonderful and at least a bit readable. It's taking a long time, but first books do that, I've been told by many reliable sources, and I'm still as excited as ever.

Unfortunately, at these early stages, it still means I can't show anything just yet, so once again I'm scrounging through my sketchbooks for something interesting to show for the sake of keeping this blog alive and well. Here you go. I will try hard to keep this badboy updated a bit better! Until then...

Flipping 'elf. Oh ho ho.

2010-05-04T03:02:00.000-07:00

Here's another 'fantasy' illustration I've put together inbetween children's book stuff. It's quite nice to work in a different style and subject matter to what you spend most days doing (just keeping things fresh and all that) now and then. Although I've been oing quite a lot of experimentation for my children's book which is certainly pushing me creatively...I'll show some stuff as soon as I'm allowed! In the mean time, elves and dwarfs and all that...

Assassin

2010-04-17T03:52:00.000-07:00

I don't know why, but I've had a really Arabian Nights, 'Prince of Persia' thing going on this week, and as it's my last week before things get really, really busy, I thought I'd put this illustration together. I quite like it, the atmosphere and all, but I kinda wish the characters were a bit bigger, simply because I feel a lot of their detail is lost in the composition...

Aaawww...BUNNIES.

2010-04-06T09:29:00.000-07:00

Easter was certainly lazy, but feeling a tad too lazy, I messed around with paint and stuff, and came up with this. Why I wasn't hunting for eggs is anyone's guess, I need a holiday manager or something.

New Site!

2010-03-31T03:29:00.000-07:00

I have updated my site! Woohoo! It took a while, all this fiddly flash malarky, but it's now there and complete and will hopefully be updated on a relatively regular basis. Promises, promises...

http://www.jamielittler.co.uk

The Beast.

2010-03-16T05:19:00.000-07:00

This is quite an old illustration I did of the Beast from the folktale beauty and the beast...which I found again lurking in my hard drive and decided to recompose and colour. Here is the finished result! Bam.

Your future holds...a massively awesome powder wig.

2010-03-11T03:25:00.000-08:00

I was thinking of doing a set of alternative tarot cards, the above being my version of 'The Tower', but I'm not sure 1) If they're working all that well and 2) If I will have the time and lastly 3) if I can be bothered.

I'm still in the rough phrase of my first ever children's book to be published which is still very exciting, and I am also currently re-doing my website, which will hopefully be bigger, better and updated more regularily. Until then...

Hey, You're Dead!

2010-02-24T02:42:00.000-08:00

Perhaps this is inspired by the Mexican 'Dia de los Muertos', or perhaps it isn't. The first one.

I do like the idea of a happy death. With trumpets. Once again, this is one where my initial colour studies made the illustration look a lot different to the finished piece.

Dame.

2010-02-15T09:18:00.001-08:00

Two versions of one image. I think I'm leaning more towards the first one...I think the black just makes it a bit more striking. And I'm totally all about the strike.

Just trying something a bit different to what I usually do here...