I was recently invited by Philip Wilson to post an article on Blick Studios' shiny new blog For those of you who don't know, Blick Shared Studios is a crackling nucleus of creativity based on Belfast's Malone Road, they're a great source of inspiration for folks like me who are just starting to fly solo in the creative industry.
My post involved a step-by-step diagram of the illustration process, using an illustration I'd recently completed for Philip, which you can see below.
Here's something fun. I've worked on these five realistic guitar illustrations over the space of a year or so now, and I've printed a very limited edition run of each guitar (10 of each). If you're interested in buying a print, why not go to my flickr page for a more detailed view of each guitar. I've signed and numbered each print, and once they're gone – that's it – there won't be another print run. I haven't set up a a paypal store yet, so I can only accept cheques at this stage. By way of an apology, I'll wave any postage costs for delivery!
Okay, I know, I know I've designed the artwork for the Metro Monster Mash for 3 years on the trot – but I'm still really into the finished product and I still get a thrill when I see the Tsides roll past. I'll probably never get to work on this brief next year, but it sure was fun while it lasted.
If you want a closer look at the artwork, just click here
I always seem to find time to listen to Radio 4's Today Programme in the morning, it can be pretty heavy stuff at 6 in the morning (especially in these economically turbulent times). Luckily there was a shaft of sunlight in the form of author Jonathan Franzen.
Franzen was referring to the current global financial crisis, and, instead of the usual doom-mongering the BBC are fond of broadcasting, came an inspiring message; "We're entering some bad times financially, but maybe some good times creatively and artistically"
Seems like a good credo to me.
Incidentally, Jonathan was initially being interviewed about Charlie Brown – it's well worth a listen.
Unfortunately the next article was all about the death of blogging. Not what I needed to hear the day after I've started my own!
Okay – I guess this is it – no more stalling. I'm much too scared to get embroiled in a proper Dreamweaver constructed website at this stage, so I guess that makes me a blogger now, as well as a Designer and an Illustrator!
Welcome then, to the first post of my (Neal McCullough's) new venture in the world of professional graphic design & illustration Hand Drawn Creative. I've been working steadily towards a freelance career for a few years now, but since October I've taken the plunge and have been busily working away at tax & marketing workshops, business plans and other boring 'real world' stuff.
Do keep dropping by – I'll be keeping you up to date with all my latest work as well as some of my favourite found online design & illustration forums.
See you all soon!