Brighton Illustrators Group

Glug!

2012-02-24T18:02:24+00:00

Get along to the next Glug networking event at New England House

In Search of Perfected Eccentricity - A Chris Riddell meeting

2012-02-06T17:47:09+00:00

With supreme confidence and assurance (he has given a talk or two in his time) Chris Riddell took us through a whistle-stop tour of his prolific work. To begin; slide after slide of sketchbook drawings. Chris uses his sketchbook for his many ideas and projects-that-might-be; 'Memoirs of a Mouse', 'Vlad the Tickler', 'A Walk in the City' to name only three. Hundreds of ideas, some to be developed others to remain solely as ideas. He describes his sketching as acting like "piano exercises", a way of keeping his hand and eye in. Well, from the slides he showed there did not appear to be one bum note - no scribbling out, no hastily pasted over pages. He seems incapable of making an ugly mark on paper. Each page revealed a profusion of vividly rendered characters from hideous trolls to the fairest of whispy maidens. He clear loves drawing facial hair…and noses! For Chris the sketchbook allows "freedom" away from a brief. It's reassuring (and slightly depressing too) to hear that even he gets the run-around from clients who want to work with him because they "love his humour" and then proceed to stifle and squash any creativity out of a project.

He then answered the standard question "why did you become and illustrator?". Through a series of charming drawings depicting the young Master Riddell, he told the tale of spending many hours sitting in a pew while his vicar father gave the Sunday service. Given a pencil and paper to keep him occupied he would draw his favourite things (knights and castles mainly) and at the end of the service a kindly, elderly lady would give him Wine Gums and he, in turn, would give her his drawings. It was then he decided that he wanted to draw pictures and be given Wine Gums!

His political cartoons echo the strong tradition of British satire exhibited in Gilray and Rowlandson; biting wit and forensic insight all beautifully rendered. The skill of the political cartoonist is being able to come up with the goods week after week and to be able to "tell a story" in a succinct and direct manner. He succeeds at both admirably. He talked about the practical issues that dogged early colour cartoons in the newspaper and says now that "everything is in colour" being able to draw in black and white is sometimes a pleasant relief.

The final section of the slideshow was showcasing his latest book project Alienography. Based on an idea he's had since 1985, but somehow never taken up by a publisher, it's a totally personal project written and illustrated by Chris. The book's premise is 'how to spot an alien invasion' and allows Chris free reign to draw all the weird and wonderful aliens and creatures he can imagine. The all-singing project features foil, flaps and even a card game (like rubbish alien Top Trumps) and is clearly a project fired by passion.

After a short break, in which Chris spent the entire time signing books and talking to 'fans', we resumed with a Q&A session. We learned that Chris used to least like drawing "bicycles coming towards you" (now solved), that he loves Google images, that through his drawing he is "in search of perfected eccentricity". He gave some great advice about the current climate for illustrators. That the growth in digital media and platforms is a "golden age of accessibility" and "not to wait for commissions" but to develop your own projects and personality through your work. He stressed that though this route you can be employed for being you.

To use a word that is bandied around rather freely, the evening was truly inspirational. We'd like to thank Chris for taking the time to come along and share his amazing work with us. To find out more about Chris's work with Paul Stewart go to http://www.stewartandriddell.co.uk/

Socky-Wocky-Doo-Dah!

2012-02-06T17:30:23+00:00

As light snow fluttered down we all crammed into the book shop for a very entertaining evening. Nick and the author Elizabeth Lindsay read aloud from the book to musical accompaniment and we all joined in to sing "Socky-Wocky-Doo-Dah".

The Book Nook made everyone welcome with sock colouring shapes for kids and drinks canapes for the grown ups. A fabulous stripy sock cake was cut by Nick and Elizabeth and buttery slices where liberally handed round. Parents and kids waited patiently for Nick to sign copies of the book. Colourful paper socks hung from the ceiling and guests were invited to wear their jolliest socks (Zoe Tucker's being most notable). Go grab yourself a copy of this very jolly book Socks by Nick Sharratt and Elizabeth Lindsay published by David Fickling Books and it's out now.

Images wanted asap for B.i.G. Promo Slideshow ASAP

2012-02-06T15:49:17+00:00

Images wanted asap for B.i.G. Promo Slideshow
Thanks to all that sent in their images for the promotional flyer, they are fantastic..
We are so demanding, now we would like an image from you all for a slideshow that we will run at the Glug event on Friday 24th Feb.
Please send one good quality jpeg no bigger than 5 MGB as soon as possible to
info@brightonillustrators.co.uk

Don't delay, do it today!

NEXT MEETING CHRIS RIDDELL

2012-01-12T10:56:27+00:00

Have we got a great meeting to kick off the New Year…yes it's multi-talented, award winning illustrator, Guardian cartoonist and consummate sketcher Chris Riddell. What's not to love? Guaranteed an entertaining evening. All welcome. Please note the change of venue for this meeting: The upstairs room of The King and Queen pub, 13-17 Marlborough Place, Brighton. Meet at 8PM, grab a drink from the downstairs bar and join us for the meeting (use the stairs on the right hand side of the entrance).

In the meantime check out previous BiG speaker Sarah McIntyre's great blog about her visit to see Chris in December.

http://jabberworks.livejournal.com/446651.html#cutid1

Icky, Sticky Award

2012-01-06T12:23:43+00:00

Amazingly, a book I had worked on jointly with top illustrator Nick Sharratt was nominated for the Royal Society Young People's Book Prize. Never heard of it - neither had we! The Prize, is awarded annually to a children's book that has promoted science to young people and our book; The Icky, Sticky Snot and Blood Book which deals with the respiratory system was on the shortlist. The book was created and art-directed by Sally Symes, written by Steve Alton and the amazing pop-ups were paper engineered by Corina Fletcher (who has previously spoken at a BiG meeting).

The Royal Society boffins waded through over 100 titles to compile a shortlist of six books which were sent to participating schools to vote on. We were invited to attend the award ceremony at the very prestigious Royal Society itself in Pall Mall and Nick, Sally and I represented the team. The ceremony was rather sweet and we were made a great fuss of. As the nominees were read out short videos made by the schools about each book were show to much amusement (one school's kids all had white coats and safety goggles on!). We were also hoping to spot one of the other shortlisted authors; Professor Robert Winston, but alas, we wasn't able to attend.

Sadly, we didn't win the top prize which went to How the World Works (or the ten grand prize money!) but we had a lovely evening before heading back to Sussex. I'm hoping that after 22 years of being an illustrator my late brush with a book award won't be a one-off!

See how the Icky, Sticky Snot and Blood Book works on Corina's website http://www.corinaandco.com/the-icky-sticky-snot-and-blood-book/

Robot City Book Signing

2011-12-12T13:18:54+00:00

Saturday 17th Dec 2011 @ Dave's Comics in Sydney Street Brighton from 12.

Paul Collicutt is signing books and giving away some free stuff as well. His new book The Guide To Robots will be available and there will also be Christmas cards, free illustrated book plates, exclusive square badges and a free limited edition print.

Robot Invasion!

2011-10-11T12:02:44+00:00

Don't miss the chance to see robots, space toys and artworks by renowned Sussex illustrator and BiG member Chris McEwan. Chris has raided his studio to share his amazing collection of all things spacey. A real treat - guaranteed fun for kids of all ages! http://www.lawsonmcewan.com

Hove Museum and Art Gallery, 19 New Church Road, Hove, BN3 4AB. See http://www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk for more details.

15th October to 21st February 2012. Weekdays and Saturdays 10 am - 5 pm | Sundays 2 pm - 5 pm | Closed Wednesdays

Tom Paine Press in the Lewes Artwave 27 AUGUST - 11 SEPTEMBER 2011

2011-08-25T09:09:49+00:00

THE TOM PAINE PRINTING PRESS & PRESS GALLERY proudly present their Artwave 2011 exhibition, featuring:
prints by Jonny Hannah "More Junk from McVouty's"
Creative typography by Peter Chasseaud,
Creative typography by John Christopher at Flowers & Fleurons

Hope to see you on:
FRIDAY 26 AUGUST, 6-8pm (and later)
at:
THE TOM PAINE PRINTING PRESS & PRESS GALLERY
151 HIGH STREET (opposite Bull House and Westgate Chapel)
LEWES, EAST SUSSEX
BN7 1XU

EXHIBITION OPEN EVERY DAY DURING ARTWAVE (27 AUGUST - 11 SEPTEMBER)

BiG Summer party Thursday 21st July

2011-07-21T12:06:59+00:00

It's that time of year again when we get together over a summer drink or two. Thursday 21st July, 8pm - Midnight at the lovely Temple Bar, 121 Western Road, Brighton, BN1 2AD. All very welcome, bring your friends, and free Pimms for the early birds. A return visit for DJ Simon who will be spinning the vinyl on his cute japanese decks.

Hope to see you there. Cheers, the BiG team x