Here’s the drawing from yesterday with some watercolour added.
Otter and Friends…
New stuff… Very much enjoying using the brush and sepia ink for line work lately….
Here’s the initial rough, note the changes in the Echidna, a little more reference material was in order…
‘Squeek’.
Todays warmup…
And some colour….
Here’s the latest ‘Wind In The Willows’ drawing with a little colour added…
The Wind In The Willows (inked)…
… and here’s the inked version, I intend to add some colour at some point.
The Wind In The Willows
Yesterday I watched a wonderful ‘Wind In The Willows’ cartoon with my sons, this is what I came up with in my sketching time in front of the TV last night….
Preliminary Sketchings…
I have a special personal project on the go right now and it’s fairly involved in terms of prelimary sketches and preperation, here’s one of the sketches I’ve produced. The model is the fabulously versatile Lindsey Hooten.
More Waterfalls….
I’ve been painting and drawing waterfalls for the past week or so, here’s one I sketched in front of the TV last night (acrylic).
I’m Selling Stuff….
here’s a link to a new blog, I have a fair few sketches, paintings and pieces of line art on offer, feel free to pop over to:
Sketching A Waterfall In Acrylics Part two…
Sketching a waterfall in acrylics (new video)
Swanrider….
Due to work commitments, This painting’s been sitting unfinished against the wall of my studio for a while, I’d love to finish it. Anybody want to commission this one? It’s a large piece (74x 100 cm) (acrylics, I’d like to finish it in oils though…)) email me for details…. pocockillustration@gmail.com
New Blog- I’m selling stuff…
In the spirit of all good Januaries across the globe, I’m having a sale… Of much of the artwork around my studio. (puts on salesmans’ hat) If you’re after a piece of art, or a gift for somebody, then look no further than here:
http://studioartsale.wordpress.com/
The Wild Girl…
A preliminary for a new painting, very much looking forward to getting on with this one…
the model is the very lovely Lindsey Hooten.
A Fairy Tale….
Last nights’ telly sketching… I drew the original of this one a few years ago and wanted to have another bash at it…
A Bookish Dragon…
I’ve been having a tidy through my old hard drives and came across this, thought I’d post it here….
Happy Festive Season TO One And All….
Hope you have a wonderfully relaxing and enjoyable time…
…And Her Friend…
Just finished this one a few days ago, I’ve been tinkering a little with the colours and am now (more or less) happy with it.
remember… illustrations (c) Aaron Lee Pocok 2011 (unless otherwise stated).
Today’s warmup Drawing…
Every day, before I sit down and begin whatever commission I happen to be working on, I try and get at least half an hour of sketching in. It’s a practise I’ve adopted for the past couple of years and is a great way to warm up before I start, every now and again I’ll produce something in that time that I may take a little further down the track. This was a redraw of a very old sketch and I’ve ironed out a few kinks and am far happier with the way it’s turned out. I’ll definately take this one further…
Bonding…
The lovely Michaela- http://eltear.deviantart.com kindly allowed me the use of a brilliant photo to produce this sketch yesterday…
Tree-Stealer…
Hmm… I seem to have a tree-thing happening again, I drew this one yesterday in my lunch break, due to a lack of postings recently, thought I’d add it here…
‘Its like this you see’….
An older drawing, recently inked. I haven’t sat down and inked anything like this for a while and felt the urge last night, I found it very calming after a day that was all very much ups-and-downs. This one’s for sale (email me for price). I’d be happy to run signed prints off also… A4, inks on 300gsm watercolour paper.
Owl Fae…
Sorry for the lack of posts recently, I’ve gotten into the projct I’m working on and it doesn’t allow me too much time for anything else, anyway… here’s an illustration from my recent ‘Journey Into Faerie’ book (co-authored with Sally Odgers). Here’s a link to the book below if you fancy purchasing one (you can even click on the ‘look inside’ button to have a wee browse…)…
Original Art on Offer…
I, (along with a multitude of creative types) am offering a piece of original art an original line art drawing, size: A2 (really quite a large drawing…on Arches 300gsm medium watercolour paper) at a snip of a price if I may say so… for a very worthy cause, the supremely talented author/editor Terri Windling has hit a crisis and needs the help of her fellows, if you’d like to see what’s on offer or even offer some support somehow, please visit:
http://magick4terri.livejournal.com/
I’m donating this piece for $250.00 (Australian)…
Painting Piglets…
It’s Monday morning here, and I don’t have time today to add a commentary, but I thought it’d be nice to show the progress shots of this illustration, of course, if anyone has any questions they’d like me to address, please feel free to ask…
How much fun would THAT be?….
Recent stuff….
A Small Bloke Sitting On A Crow…
A sketch from last night. I’ve been focusing on so many other things lately but it was great to tap back into Faery for a spell
Pegasus.
Sorry for the lack of posts lately, I’ve been doing a lot of teaching work, exhibited at a fantasy/sci-fi convention and have generally other things that have taken me out of the studio (that can be a very good thing at times…). I have managed to sneak in the odd doodle here and there. Here’s one I worked on last week…
Interview…
I’ve just been interviewed by the lovely Jenica at her website Design Montage, feel free to pop over and have a look….
http://designmontage.com.au/2011/11/aaron-pocock-illustrator/
Griffin in flight….
Todays drawing. Another Griffin I’m afraid. This particular creature gave me somewhat of a hard time trying to work out a suitable design for the stamp set (although (and maybe for that reason) it turned out to be my favourite)). I’m still having a hard time working out proportions and the way they move etc, but enjoying the challenge as always.
Griffin…
Today’s sketchings… Still very much enjoying the ‘mythical creatures’ theme.
Daily Doodlings….
I’ve been scratching away at new work for my portfolio lately but still want to keep my eye and hand co-ordinated. Here are a couple of doodles from the last couple of days…
The first drawing is the lovely Freyia, (singer-songwriter from London) she has the most incredible facial features and those eyes….
In The Paper Again…
Here’s another newspaper article, this one was to promote the art and books I have available for sale in the regional art gallery (the Logan Art Gallery)….
Cassius Croc…
Cassius Croc was a lazy, indulgent wastrel who always ate far too much for his own good and (to his poor long-suffering wife’s dismay) constantly forgot to replenish his supply of Enos…
Shameless Self-Promotion…
Last week I was interviewed by the local newspaper, the Logan West Leader, the paper came out today and I was absolutely floored to see that (somehow) the Gods of journalism had deemed me worthy of a slot on the front page…. Here’s the mugshot and the article….
The Chase….
I don’t know why, but I had the overwhelming urge to put a ‘dance’ tune together, hopefully managing to put a little of my own spin on it…
United We Stand…
New music, very much in a ‘world music’ style. My (musical) reaction to events currently taking place in the world…
Warrior Mermaid…
Doodling in front of the telly last night. It was good to get some sketching done after a hectic week, (continuing the ‘Mythical Creature’ theme)….
Re: mermaids… check out the new ‘Mermaids and Mythology’ magazine (from all good newsagents). Issue one has just surfaced (ahem, please pardon the pun)… here’s the link to their website, my art has been/will be featured regularly, the magazine is packed full of art, interesting articles, beautiful mermaids, facts and fiction…
Lucy and Tumnus…
Recently completed this one… Still playing with the watercolours and getting a little more confidence together slowly…
Mythical Creatures ‘Maxicard’ Set….
I just found this image on Australia Post’s website, the items are called ‘Maxicards’ and they come as a set of six postcard sized images (complete with said stamp) housing my original artwork in (almost) it’s entirety. Here’s a link to the products page:
http://shop.auspost.com.au/stamps/stamps-issues/mythical-creatures
Stamp Issues available at…..
Hi guys, just a quickie to remind you that the ‘Mythical Creatures’ stamps are available from the Australia Post online shop, here’s the link:
http://shop.auspost.com.au/stamps/stamps-issues/mythical-creatures
Lucy and Tumnus…
I’m currently working on a Narnia painting of Lucy and Mr. Tumnus. I’ve met a few challenges along t way with this one and thought I’d post it as it’s not always plain sailing and sometimes it’s necessary to change track…
One of many rough thumbnails I made to sort out the scene I wanted to go with.
I popped the thumbnail into photoshop and layed a quick colour layer over it to give me some idea as to where I was going colour-wise. This part of the process took approx. 15 mins.
Just refining the drawing a little here. As you can see, little changes here and there creep in as I have more ideas along the way…
Along the way, I showed my wife, who (in no uncertain terms (as is her style)) suggested I should make the scene more intimate. I must have been thinking as a cinematographer with that early version… I set about redrawing the scene with a closer view. (much better) Next, I traced the drawing then laid it onto the watercolour paper (Arches hot Press 300gsm)…
The next step was to strengthen the lines. I used sepia gouache with a small-ish brush to acieve this (probably a 0 or 5/0). When the line work was complete, I added some tonal washes to show areas of light and shade. Taking care not to go too strong with the colour as the whole scene will be painted with predominantly cool hues.
So, this is where it stands at the moment. I’ve laid in some washes with both cerulean and pthalo blue. The highlights were made with white gouache. Not being too fussy at this point, keeping it loose, but controlled. I’ll work on the figures next and have a look at how it all sits together before I proceed. I’ll post the completed art as soon as it’s ready.
Mythical Creatures- Maxicard Image…
There won’t be many chances to see the stamps in their entirety, and this’ll be about the closest you’ll get. I’ve chosen my personal favourite (The Griffin). This comes from a set of six postcards complete with a stamp on the front of the card called ‘maxicards’. Available from the Australia Post online shop (or in stores). Here’s the link to the products page:
illustration (c) Australia Post 2011
My New Stamp Set…. ‘Mythical Creatures’.
Australia Post have put out a new set commemorating ‘Stamp Collecting Month’. I was fortunate enough to be chosen as the featured illustrator for this set which was right up my alley. The challenge was to work at a size that would allow for detail without being too overwhelming, not an easy feat, but the guys at the philatelic were happy with them and it’s great to see them out there at last. I’m a very happy boy. The stamps are available in many formats, including first day covers,minisheets, maxi cards, and for the first time ever in the country a set in 3D, Australia Post have also put out a prestige format booklet containing the immense amount of preliminary work I put into the creation of the images… (available from Australia Post outlets across Australia). here are the designs…. (c) Australia Post 2011
Yesterdays Doodles…
A couple of quick drawings from yesterday…
Here’s what I did with the lion drawing….
Hubble…Bubble….
I repainted this witchy image yesterday as part of my watercolour practice. (see yesterdays post for the older version…) I liked the painting but wasn’t completely happy with it, then I popped it into photoshop, added a flat blue wash, picked out the highlights and now I’m far more satisfied. Cheat? me?
Furry friends….
A recent watercolour exercise…I’m working on some new stuff for my portfolio right now and this is one of the doodles I produced whilst attempting to get my watercolour skills back up to scratch…
And here’s a quickie from a while back….
More Mer-maidens
A recent sketch with some colour added… Just some more traditional exercises, I’m not tackling anything too elaborate as I’m getting re-aqcuainted with traditional mediums…. I’ve used acrylics here, I don’t play with acrylics very often as the colours seem to get duller as the paint dries and it frustrates me enormously. I thought however, that those particular qualities would work well with this particular scene as I was after a more muted look than normal, allowing for the blue and white of the falls to illuminate the piece.
A Step Or Two Further…
I’m putting together a new portfolio, just traditionally painted for a change, and in order to produce work of as high quality as I can, I’m setting about getting my watercolour skills up to scratch, here’s what I came up with today (based on yesterdays doodlings…)
Bunnies….
Not much to report right now, a couple of projects on the go…keeping busy as always. Here’s a quick Peter Rabbit watercolour doodle I scratched away at before starting work yesterday.
And here’s the initial pencil sketch before I added the inks and colour….
A Gentle Way To Travel…
sure beats cars and buses and planes and trains… And at this speed, you get to slow down and enjoy the view.
Interviewed….
The wonderful Selina Fenech has just kindly plugged me and my art via a lovely little interview over at her website:
http://selinafenech.com/2011/artist-spotlight-aaron-pocock/
Feel free to pop over and have a read and whilst you’re there, have a look at some of her own fabulous artwork….
Schmoozing with famous people…
I spent a wonderfully different weekend at the brilliant CYA conference in Brisbane. It’s true… I crawled out of my hidey hole and ventured out into the big wide world and spent Saturday and Sunday surrounded by lovely books and book lovers, creators and editors. I made some new friends and rekindled some old friendships… Had a great time. There’s something about spending time with like minds… (particularly when you’re an artists) it helps to keep one grounded (or at least quite happy in orbit. I was happily humbled (the brilliant Sarah Davis) gave my portfolio a very honest critique and as she cast her discerning eyes across my doodlings and scribblings, I somehow felt a part of me open up and prepare for my next wave of learning… it’s an incredible experience, to be in the company of peers and masters, it helps you to look at your work in a completely new light (and wish the very same light was switched off at times…). So anyway, now I’m all recharged and raring to go. I’ll be spending my spare time (chokes on coffee… spare time?) painting new work for my portfolio… For those interested, I’ll be moving back to traditional mediums for this, I’ve been itching to make the switch for a while so I’ll be using this time to get my painting back up to scratch. I started a new one in watercolour this eveing…ah watercolour! Such a liberating medium…
Back to the conference… What an action -packed two days… I sat in on some incredible lectures, Anne Spudvilas and Sarah Davis were so very inspiring, got to chat to some big named authors, I offered advice where it was needed, signed autographs, carried tables, drank coffee, drew pictures… drank coffee…. drank coffee (etc). I’m very much looking forward to next years conference. Tina Marie Clark and Ally Howard work their socks off to make these events so very enjoyable for everyone. Highly recommended!
A Mothers Love….
This recent colour study is for my beautiful wife Katrina, who’s unswerving devotion to her family fills me with love and hope.
More New Music…
Here are a couple more tracks I’ve been working on lately…
New Music…
Quiet Moments…
Recent drawing (see earlier posts) with some colour added in photoshop. Trying for a more traditional look than usual, muting the colours as opposed to saturating them, I’d like to build on this a little…
Mermaiden and Child…
My latest Mer-doodle… Having lots of fun with these.
Colouring line art in photoshop…book illustration…
Recent youtube demo. I’ve been asked often how I go about painting in photoshop and how I make the art look as though it was painted traditionally. This one addresses those questions, feel free to have a look and shoot me any questions you may have…
Mermaid
I’ve been terribly busy with a childrens book project for the past couple of months, thankfully I’ve just completed it and can come up for air. Due to the involvement it required I haven’t been sketching anywhere near as much as I’d've liked so I plan on rectifying that until the next big job comes along. Here’s one of the sketches from last night….
Turn And Face The Sun
My latest recording….I listen to a lot of new age/mike oldfield type of music whilst I work and very much enjoy creating my own stuff, see what you think……..
Reflecting In Ink…
Inked this one yesterday whilst on the telephone to my dad, some drawings aren’t content just sitting there in pencil, they cry out to have some ink laid down, makes the thing feel ‘finished’ (or something…)…
Eastern Moon… New music.
Anyone for a belly dance?
Reflecting…
A sketch from a night or two ago. I realise I haven’t been sketching too much lately, due in part to my busy workload and my need to get some music out of my system, my apologies, I’ll get doodling again before too long…
model-
Reborn…
I’ve been a musician for nearly 25 years now and have had many a great time playing with bands and goofing around in recording studios, nothing beats the thrill of playing live but I’m a 40-something, married father of two young boys and have to confine my musical escapades to sneaky musical doodles on various bits and pieces of software, (until I’m a 50-something old fart who yearns to bring back the good times from his youth by playing in one of those dodgy ‘tribute’ bands or a blues band or something….) nevertheless, it exorcises the music-demons in me and I get to share it with the world on youtube- YAY for youtube… Here’s my latest musical effort, it’s kind of a Gothic/New-Agey/Mike Oldfieldy/Instrumental of sorts…
One, Two, Three…
Recent art. I don’t hide the fact that I like drawing trees. Here’s the sketch, the line art and the finished painting…
Old Dwarf….
I have a job on the go and I’ve been staring at it for nigh on twelve hours, my head hurts, by eyes are aching and I’m about to go to bed, but I say this in my files and thought I’d post it here before I turn in….
A Book About Fairies, by gosh and by golly….
I’ve been banging on about this picture book on and off for a while now. Written by the remarkably talented Sally Odgers and illustrated by yours truly. It’s a handy little (fictional) jaunt into the realm of the Fae folkses and partly a field guide as to what one can/could expect on such a trip. It’s available from Amazon.com, or from my very own website (where signed copies can also be arranged, and much of the interior artwork can be found as prints (go to the ‘shop’ section of the site)…
http://www.pocockillustration.com
Bridge Troll….
Added some colour this afternoon to a recent drawing (see earlier posts…).
Doodling Mermaids…
Spent some time in front of the telly last night doodling mermaids, needed a little relief from the draining day I had, water….calms the soul.
click on image for a better look….
