Mum's the Word Designs mk.II

Here's some more designs for Max the puppy in Mum's the Word. This puppy's got a lot of adventuring to do.

Mum's the Word Designs

And he gets an image in for today, with 5 minutes to spare! Hah - there is no way I forgot that I was meant to be posting some developmental stuff for 'Mum's The Word' every day until its release (on the 7th of February! Repetition - repetition), no way at all.

I have sketchbooks and enough watercolours pages to make more sketchbooks filled with designs for Max the puppy...he originally started life as a wolf character I had in mind quite a few years ago, and slowly became more and more domesticated and, well, puppy like. So we thought - chuck a collar on that wolf, he is now a puppy. A bit like sticking a fork in a potato when it's done. But with a puppy. And no fork. That would just be cruel. We (we, being the wonderful team at Hodder and myself)thought that making the character into a dog, and bringing him into a house environment instead of the wilds, would make the character and his relationship with his mother more recognisable and relatible for the audience, more cozy and familiar. Unless you live out in the wilds. In which case; I'm dreadfully sorry. Maybe next time. It's so weird to see these designs again - it feels like so long ago now that I did them...

Mum's The Word

I do believe I said that this was going to be a good year, and the beginning couldn't get much better than this! My debut picture book, 'Mum's the Word', written by the ever-so-talented Timothy Knapman, will be released on the 7th of February, published by Hodder Children's Books!

Look, it's over here, and also is available all over the online dimensions and in all good bookshops (I've always wanted to say that!), and I really couldn't be more excited.

It's one of those weird things where I finished this book at the beginning of last year, and had to keep quiet about it. A year passes, new projects come and go, and suddenly this blasts back into my life like a fiery ball of awesome excitement! I'm very, very pleased with the way it's come out, I worked so hard and learned so much whilst working on this project, the printing is lovely (and it's in hardback! That's like, un-heard of these days!) and Timothy Knapman's humoruous and touching lyrics are a just so energetic and fun to read.

The books is all about a little puppy (secretly named 'Max', after my own late dog, Max, who was not late when I started this project, more just on time) and his heart-warming relationship with his mum. And believe you me, despite what the illustrations above would tell you - the book does have words in it. Just not on the files on my computer. Sigh. As a celebration of its release, I will post some developmental work onto my blog every day leading up to the release next Thursday, so stay tuned, lords and ladies!

Cedric LeGrande (and Jamie) says: 'Happy New Year!'

A Happy New Year to you all! 2013 is already looking to be busy and brilliant for me - I have a few new children's book/fiction projects that I'll soon be working on which I'm very excited about and hope to be able to share with you guys soon.

Some great comicy related news too - the Phoenix Comic has gone digital! So all you people across the vast oceans who have so far been unable to read this fantastic weekly comic, and for those people that just like reading comics in a digital format, now's the time to get involved! The app can be found over here! I also have a new comic series, the idea of which I have been working on for a few years now, which finally looks to see the light of day, thanks for the incredibly kind folks at the Phoenix Comic (as well as more mis-adventures from Cogg and Sprokit!). I am over the moon about this, hopefully it's going to be a huge, awesome, epic adventure of Victorian-fantasy proportions, but yes, once again; More on that SOON.

Wow, I've just spent this entire blog post speaking in cryptic suggestions and riddles of things to come. What about things to NOW?! Here's a pug. I call him Cedric LeGrande.

And here's to a fantastic and exciting 2013!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, every one. And a flippin' jolly New Year too, that's always a plus. And Flirtini's all round! That's Mighty Boosh. But in all seriousness, it's been another amazing year, and I thank all those who made it so for this medium-sized illustrator. I hope 2013 blow's everyone's minds in its stupendousness-ness and outright propensity to overjoy the senses. It's going to be an exciting year! IT'S CHRISTMAAAAAS!

Christmas Crisis

Bing bong bing bong CHRISTMAS!!! YES. This weekend see's the release of my new two-part Cogg and Sprokit story, 'Christmas Crisis', only in The Phoenix! I had great fun doing this strip; there were a whole load of cliches and 'saving Christmas' kind of things going on with it, so I just thought: 'I'm going to make this as silly and as fun as I can in 8 pages', which was...well, fun. And Christmassy. I hope anyone who reads it enjoys it! It definitely got me in The Christmas spirit. Unfortunately for everyone around me, that was back in October, when I was making it.

I'm seeing more and more about the Phoenix in the interwebs and around the sites and digital engines, which makes me so happy. It is SUCH a fantastic comic, one that I believe really is individual and unlike anything else out there, and it means so much to see it building up a great reputation and an even bigger subscription base. I still get a massive buzz whenever it comes through the post box. In case anyone was interested, I have also included the first version of the cover I did, which can be seen above. We went for a red background in the end as it was way more striking and 'Christmassy', and I do believe it changed slightly again (the text, at least), which I think looks even more striking. Which is a good thing really, as it was the final, printed version. Maximum strikinginess. And it can be seen over here!

Also out this month, just in time for Christmas, is what some have called: 'The Ultimate Gift'. And I am not one to speak against some. I will quote The Phoenix themselves here, as they say it all rather well:

'We have finally finished creating The Phoenix Gift Box! This is a lovely box that includes a mini comic, some badges, some stickers and most importantly a 5 week subscription to The Phoenix! It retails for £14.99 and is basically an amazing xmas present. You can buy it from us here.'

And it really is a great Christmas present. So if you know any children, or any comic lovers, or anyone who likes well produced, creative and fantastic awesomeness, you could do worse than supproting our little indie publication! But yes, that's the end of my sales pitch, I shall be posting some more illustrations soon!

Free Kitchen! WAAHOOO!!

After a dramatic return from Thailand (I walked through Gatwick passport control at about at least 2 metres per minute, I thought to myself; 'It is nigh time for a blogpost, Mr. Littler'. Right you are, Jamie.

Thailand was AMAZING, and a much needed break, and it was the first time in my memory I have been trekking into a jungle, ridden elephants, climbed into caves and ridden a quoadbike over forested mountains, whilst meeting some of the friendliest people around (the Earth, Just hangin'. Y'know), and I have come back feeling refreshed and raring to go with illustration and other such creative activities!! Just in time for the Christmas break. But here's another personal children's book illustration, just to say hi.

'Hi.'