The force is strong in this one...

My four piece Star Wars card set is already making waves.
One seller is asking an insane amount for just one of them on eBay!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=390033033592

It's a shame us artists don't benefit from these sales. ;-)

Once we've handed our cards over to the sketch card companies, and been paid our nominal fee. That's it. We rely then on our work being seen, enjoyed and becoming collectable. Then, if we're lucky, someone will want to commission some special, personal, unique sketch cards of their own from us! :)

I've just started working on a set of sketch cards for Twilight, inspired by the series of books by Stephenie Meyer, and the recent film. I'll post more images as I finish the cards.

I'm currently enjoying using pencil crayons to create finely detailed, realistic portraits. I received a set of watercolour crayons from Santa, which are nice and soft, but which struggle on the shiny SI card blanks. However, they work well on the Topps blanks and my own cards.

Meanwhile, I'm also finishing some more cards for Strictly Ink, and waiting for my cards back from Topps, for the Galaxy 4 Star Wars set which has just been released.

As a tribute to the announcement of Matt Smith as the actor set to portray the Doctor's 11th regeneration, I produced this special pair of sketch cards.

I am offering them up for sale privately, or perhaps on eBay. I'll post the eBay link once it is set up.

Professionals

Here's my latest batch of cards for Strictly Ink. 53 in total.

Star Wars cards approved (part one)

It's been a great Christmas. I did get a bit of a break at the end, which was a real treat, and involved a couple of sessions of free ice skating! Not only that, I was spoilt rotten by my family for my birthday! Rosie was beside herself with excitement over Christmas and we had to thoroughly tire her out on Christmas Eve, just to get her to sleep. It worked a treat and she enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Day.

I completed my 53 Star Wars cards for Topps and they've now been approved. I tried out a four piece picture(see above). I'm hoping the dealers and collectors will have a headache trying to find the four cards and reunite them...!

As for the celebrity canvas, no news yet, but as soon as I hear, you'll be the first to know(that includes you Barnaby, oh yes!)...

Star Wars cards approved (part twifty)

...here are a few more...

Star Wars cards approved (part thrun)

...and finally...

Sketches, pens and mince pie crumbs...

The title of this post refers to the chaos that has been my desk for the last few weeks.

I feel I'm getting somewhere now, as the number of projects to complete has finally been whittled down to ONE. Yippee!!!! This last task being a set of 53 Star Wars cards for Topps to complete for the beginning of January.

It won't be quite the break I'd planned over Christmas(nothing to do but rest, eat too much and watch TV), but maybe it will be good to keep my hand in and keep drawing. It's always hard going back to work after a break.

I did have a day off last Friday. I got the bus into the centre of Manchester and wandered round the Christmas Markets inhaling the tantalising aromas of food and mulled wine, and admiring the crafty, arty goods for sale. I returned home feeling really Christmassy!

So I've been juggling Christmas shopping and artwork for the last few weeks. And it seems to have somehow come together nicely. The new garland on the mantlepiece, lit with fairy lights is a new feature for our new home, and compliments the Christmas tree in the corner nicely. Rosie is so excited about Christmas, now she understands so much more about it. She'll be more of a joy to be with than usual on Thursday. Today, for instance, I took her ice-skating in the morning, then we played in the snow at the Chill Factore(indoor ski centre), followed by ice-cream, naturally! It's got to be done at this time of the year. She has gone to bed happy and exhausted.

The big canvas portrait is finished and as soon as it has been presented to a certain celebrity, will be posted up here. Until then I am sworn to secrecy, so bear with me. The latest batch of sketch cards for Strictly Ink are also finished and posted above. I will be working on some Professionals ones shortly.

To anyone who may stumble across this Blog, and to the kind people who occasionally give it a glance, may I wish you all a happy, joyous, peaceful Christmas and New Year.

XX

Approved! (Part 1 of 6)

After a bit of prodding, unanswered emails and me resorting to ringing Topps' New York offfices, I finally received confirmation that my cards had safely reached them, and have been approved. I can now show them off. I worked especially hard on this project. Even so, my work pales beside other sketch card artists on this set! I recommend the Scoundrel Art Comunity discussion boards, if you'd like to see the amazing talent on show. :)

Approved! (continued. Part 2 of 6)