The Hand Drawn Creative Blog

Classic Kicks…

Following on from my Old Skool Vans illustration last week, I can now exclusively reveal my latest footwear related masterpiece. I told you I LOVE sneakers, I think this shows everyone just how much! 

Global Domination…

It's been pretty crazy lately in HDC Towers. I've been promoting, marketing & cross-pollenating all over the shop. So you can now find trace elements of Hand Drawn Creative all over the internet. I'm now trading as a contributing Illustrator on istockphoto, selling limited release prints & postcards on my new online store at Etsy and creating virtual goods at Viximo (still not sure what virtual goods actually are. Apparently you can trade them on Facebook, Bebo etc.) I've also moved my portfolio over to carbonmade, have a little peek, it's awfully swish! Right, next up – Tee shirt designs for Threadless!

New Sketches Today…

I've not been on top the blog lately. There's been a lot to do – craft fairs, exhibitions to organise, contacts to make, self promotion in general, can take up a lot of time! I'm working on about 3 or 4 personal projects at the moment (a lot of them are at the 'roughs' stage). So to keep everyone involved in the whole creative process, I've posted a few roughs here. Hope you like 'em.

Nu Shooz!

I'm a committed sneakerfreak – have been for years now. I've got more wardrobe space than my wife when it comes to shoes. So I'm now working on a collection of trainers (sneakers) I have loved, lost & longed for over the years; the first example of which is below:

It's the"old skool' from Vans. I'll put them all up on the blog as soon as they're finished!

Rrrruff!

Here's a little job I was commissioned to do for a friend's birthday a few weeks ago, his best friend is Rudy, an English Bull Terrier named after the infamous Rude Dog from Rude Dog & the Dweebs. Here's the result:

If you like Rudy and you're thinking of a different gift for an animal lover you know, then give me a call. I'd be delighted to create an original, illustrated commission.

Never Give Up…

I went to a little Q&A session in Belfast's recently renovated Ulster Hall recently featuring Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy, Tim Wheeler of Ash and Duke Special. The theme? Songcraft. I'm no songwriter, but I can see the similarities between writing a song and creating an illustration. It was an interesting way to spend an hour – lots of inspiring conversation for would-be songwriters et al. Neil Hannon arguably stole the show, coming over as the dry, arch  Wildean wit one would expect. One thing he said really stuck and I may well adopt it is a mantra: "If absolutely everyone is telling you you're shit – then give up!"

Cool Pete Fowler Toys!

Found this in a dusty corner of Forbidden Planet today and couldn't pass it up – Pete Fowler collectible vinyl figures for under a tenner? Get in!

Look at the detail in the packaging as well as the typography – marvellous! I'd have bought this, even if I didn't like the band (which I do). If you're not familiar with his prodigious talent, check out Pete Fowler's work here. I've been a fan since the early nineties, you might notice his work from Super Furry Animals' album artwork. Great piece of branding on the band's part, and although it isn't breaking news, I just thought I'd share a great find with you.

A Busy, Busy Week…

I've been busy doing cool stuff I love – that's the important thing! I've been drawing lots & lots of cool, rare guitars for a new project based on my earlier collection of five vintage guitars. I'll not go into all the details here, but I will give you a preview of all the guitar illustrations. This is why I haven't been writing any posts lately!

Vintage Fair Fun…

 

Yesterday's Vintage Fair (Frock Around The Clock) was a blast, I didn't break the bank by any means, but it was a great opportunity to meet up with like minded folks and catch up with old friends who flocked to the fair in their droves. I'd mentioned to many passers-by "do visit my website!", then later remembered you can't actually buy anything from here yet! So if anyone wants to buy one of the prints or postcards seen at the Fair, do contact me by email or telephone. And don't be afraid to leave comments on any of the posts here on the blog. 

The Hand Drawn Creative Stand! Manned by my ever glamorous assistant Jules (who also appears to be promoting San Pellegrino for some reason)

Oh Mighty Pencil…

 

Phew! Busy morning. I've been blazing through the morning finishing this illustration (you may have seen the rough sketch on the blog last week). Here's the full story… I've been a committed twitterer for about 3 or 4 months now; you can meet all sorts of interesting folks there. And I'm finding it's usually people of a more creative leaning that are using it. It's also great for following thramblings of very famous people like Jonathan Ross, Charlie Brooker (v. good), Stephen Fry etc. It's really, really cool if these famous people start following your own tweets. This happened to me last week. I was listening to Neil Halstead's excellent new album Oh Mighty Engine on the equally excellent Last.fm. Later that day I checked my Twitter stream and discovered that Neil was following my tweets! Okay, so it may not be all that exciting to everyone! But it definitely cheered up my day, and I thought to myself "I must do an illustration for him"… you know, just to say thanks. So here it is, the finished article. I do hope he likes it!