The Hand Drawn Creative Blog

Black Market This Weekend…

To coincide with this weekend's Black Market at the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, I've re-released a few prints and added couple of new ones too. I've printed a few simple illustrations that some people seem to love (Camper Van being one of them) and added a couple of illustrations of two of the Guitar World's design classics – the Stratocaster and the Les Paul. All new prints are available from the Hand Drawn Creative Store (naturally). But why not pop down to Belfast's Custom House Square this Sunday from 12-4pm and pick one up in person. (98% of my customer base will find this physically impossible, but hey, y'never know!)

Party Like it's Friday Night…

Last Friday saw me enjoying a beer for the first time in ages! The occasion? My Cousin Joanne was hosting a super cool party for her 40th Birthday. Seriously… I wish my 18th, 21st & 30th birthdays were half as cool as this. 3 bands and a DJ! that's pretty cool – it was in the Black Box too! (Belfast's hippest arts Venue). Of course, yours truly had to get involved – designing this funky invite seemed like a fitting birthday present.

Lovely Wee Badges!

Fresh up on the HDC Store this week my new super fresh set of badges! I think they look the business. It's so strange seeing my work on something other than paper! I've got them posted up at $6.00, which works out at about £1.00 per badge (bargain!) I've already kitted out my denim jacket and my messenger bag with them. Wear will you put yours?

Introducing iGuy…

A new illustration just to show everybody that I can draw men as well as women. This Chap enjoys lugging his laptop around town while checking his tweets on the iphone and simultaneously catching up on the best of this week's podcasts on his ipod. You'll be able to get your hands on him on my istockphoto profile very soon.

New HDC Product Incoming…

Hi guys, in preparation for the Black Market next month I've just sent some splendid new postcard designs off to the printer. They'll be available on the HDC Store too (of course!) probably from 16 April. I've expanded on the 'Petrolhead' theme to include vintage & quirky European automobile classics, shrunk down some more classic guitar illustrations to postcard size and drawn up a limited release of illustrations of some of my favourite sneakers. Hope you like 'em!

Pretty Inspiring Stuff…

Heather Sloane of Belfast's premier Illustration collective Atto tweeted me a great piece of news yesterday; "did you know you were featured on Vectips?" No, I didn't know that. So I followed the link she supplied. To explain, Vectips is a great site offering tips, tricks and other great Adobe Illustrator resources, I was amazed to be included in their Weekly Vector Inspiration post.

My work is in good company with other (much better) world-class illustrations. You'll find my stuff halfway down the page under the supercool OBEY poster design. It seems folks are starting to take notice. Pretty cool huh? Well… I was impressed anyway.

A Good Day…

…and I didn't even use my "AK" Just in case you didnt already know, I've moved/sidestepped into e-commerce via the Arts & Crafts portal Etsy. There's a link to your left under Ker-ching! that'll take you directly to what I've imaginatively titled: 

Catchy, don't you think? Anyway, you'll find all my printed output here for sale at remarkably affordable prices. Today has seen an awesome day of trading, due to a great write-up on Mitch Putnam's OMG Posters Site. Seriously folks, I've really struggled to keep up with today's orders. And considering the tough times we're all going through right now, that makes today a great day for the fledgling Hand Drawn Creative. So by all means keep browsing, I'll be printing new stock very soon to replace the rapidly depleting merchandise on offer. And once more, a BIG thank you to everyone who continues to support what I'm trying to achieve here.

Modes of Transportation…

Just popping up an illustration for you to look at while I'm finishing up my latest range of postcards for my Etsy store & next month's Black Market. It's a lovely old Vespa Scooter!

Further Arts Fair Fun Planned…

Hi again folks, following hot on the heels of last month's Black Market at Belfast's Black Box Venue, I've just signed up for the next event which will be held as part of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival. Belfast loves its festivals these days, most of them I'm not that bothered about, but this one is pretty good; you've got proper comedians like Ross Noble, DJs like Gilles Peterson and great music from Candi Staton and Teenage Fanclub. Personally I can't wait for it!

Last time out was great – there was plenty of passing trade and most folks were happy to have a chat about my work, so I got to meet some really nice people and make a few quid into the bargain. The added bonus this time around will be that it's being held in the Festival marquee, so I'll probably try and hang around afterwards for the Teenage Fanclub show, they're always a great live act.

As you can see to the left – there's a top-notch poster to advertise the event, designed by the Black Market founder Ryan Darragh, it's a beauty alright. I've added the official blurb below here to give you all good reason to attend:

Black Market is a celebration of creativity and the DIY spirit, a marketplace showcasing the work of independent artists, designers, illustrators and crafters alongside bountiful stalls from collectors of records, books and vintage clothing. The event offers a chance to meet these talented creatives, to purchase their wares, trade ideas and hopefully leave you feeling inspired to create things yourself. In this special festival market we encourage you to get involved; watch craft demonstrations, play homemade instruments from Really Rubbish Orchestra or get scribbling at the ‘Draw-In’. Our stall holders provide the entertainment with live music, caricature drawing by PJ Holden and live painting with Kev Largey and others. As always, delicious sweet and savoury home-cooked food is available, with guest DJs throughout the day.

From HDC's point of view, you should pop along and check out the latest merchandise & product I've printed up. There should be 3 new sets of postcard designs available by the time 10 May swings round. I'll make sure to upload new examples before the show.

Let's Take Stock…

Hi Gang, just a reminder that Hand Drawn Creative illustration can now be found at istockphoto. I'll be honest, it's been tough adhering to their strict codes of practice (keeps the plebs out, don't you know), but after a few months of wrangling, editing, research and repeated submissions I've finally been accepted as an official contributor. It all feels worth it too, I've already received a 5 star review from a fellow contributor and am working at building a healthy portfolio of work, that should work away in the background to raise me a steady little passive income. I've just added a new illustration I've worked on today (see below) Exciting times, spread the word Illustration fans!