Eek, Sheep!

 SUPER BAAAAAAAAD! My new collaboration with the MIGHTY Danny Pearson, 'Eek Sheep!' is out NOW! Expect wooly mayhem, seaside adventure & plenty of jelly!

'A community is thrown into chaos as a flock of hungry sheep take over the local town and cause mayhem! All the people want to do is live in peace once again, but who will be brave enough to stand up to this wacky woolly army?'

You can order a copy here!

(I TOLD you there'd be plenty of jelly!)

 

(You might just find a certain illustrator lurking on the cover too if you look carefully!)

Supernan's Day Out - behind the scenes

 

In celebration of the publication of Supernan's Day Out, the sequel to Superdad's Day Off & the 4th collaboration between me & the brilliant Phil Earle I thought I'd share some of my process & initial sketches for the book. 

Being brought up by the seaside reading superhero comics the British seaside resort & superheroes are subjects very close to my heart so in Supernan I had to opportunity to indulge myself in both so that's a bit of a bonus! I decided to base the seaside resort on an amalgam of Blackpool, my hometown Hastings with a little dash of vintage Coney Island into the mix

This was my very first sketch for the cover which is hidden away on the back of my sketchbook. At this point I hadn't read the book but I'd seen the precis & we wanted to echo the wraparound cover from Superdad's Day Off. Here's some more early pics of nan (on the back of an envelope!)

This was my initial rough which I sent to the publisher. They liked nan's styling but Phil thought nan needed to look a bit older & more frail so I had a little rejig.

They liked this version so I added a bit of colour...

(& added a sneaky cameo of me with an inflatable fish & an ice lolly shhhh!)

A few more sketches of the clifftop hotel being drenched by a tidal wave & my first sketch of Gladys, Nan's best friend

PUBLICATION DAY FOR SUPERNAN'S DAY OUT!

 

Supernan's Day Out by the brilliant Phil Earle & me is published TODAY! (Thursday 6th May 2022)

'An unexpected family secret has hilarious consequences in this action-packed story from Phil Earle and illustrator Steve May - perfect for superhero fans. Plane crashes, robberies and fires were not what Stanley was expecting on a day out at the seaside with his nan and the other residents of her care home!

Nan doesn't know about his superpowers, so Super Stan can't step in to help as it would blow his cover. Luckily, though, another mysterious superhero seems to be on hand, saving the day.

But who could it possibly be?'

This is the sequel to Superdad's Day Off & is full of colourful hilarious action. It's my 4th collaboration with Phil & publisher Barrington Stoke & I always relish our projects. 

I loved illustrating this book & it was huge fun relating the antics of Stan & his nan & reimagining a seaside town which was part Hastings (my hometown) part Blackpool with a tiny smidgeon of Coney Island in the mix somewhere. Being brought up by the sea reading superhero comics the British seaside resort & superheroes are subjects very close to my heart so in Supernan I had to opportunity to indulge myself in both so that's a bit of a bonus!

Nip down to your favourite bookshop & tell them me & Phil sent you (or alternatively you can order a copy here)

A Postcard from the Great British Summer.

This was inspired by an extremely damp June evening spent in Queens Park the other night. Being a Hastings born lad I actually love the seaside in the rain so this is drawn with great affection. To sharp stones under your feet, vicious seagulls, the acrid smell of vinegar on chips & the steady patter of rain! Rule Britannia!
 

Postcard from an English summer

Happy holidays! (& please practice 'safe sun'!)

A glimpse of summer...

Well, with January shaping up to be pretty horrible all round here's a glimpse of summer from some newly arrived run ons from my agents Arena Illustration's 2016 calendar where I get to be Mr August! There's dinosaurs & ice cream in it- what's not to like?

Here's the original from way back when...

Hastings Independent Artist Profile

I was extremely flattered (& blushing) by Kate Renwick's lovely artist's profile which was featured in issue 25 of the Hastings Independent.
As some of you might know, I was born in Hastings & spent my childhood & teenage years there & the article was published immediately prior to my band Das Fluff's incredibly enjoyable gig in Hastings on the 20th March.
It was the first time I've played back in Hastings for many years (we'll draw a veil over how many!) so was a particularly special gig to me.

Dinosaur hiding in ice cream van (slight return)

Where else would you hide if you were a Brontosaurus* at the seaside?

*I know, there's no such thing as a Brontosaurus see previous Apatosaurus post

Disclaimer : Occasionally my detractors take issue with accuracy / plausibility of some of my images & with this one I will hold up my hands & admit that Fab lollies & Sky Rays were probably made by different ice cream firms so might not really co-exist within the same van. I am extremely sorry if anyone is offended*

*apart from creationists who spoil dinosaurs for EVERYONE!

...is so bracing

Dreaming of the seaside - my drenched Soho homage to John Hassall's famous Skegness design

Hot Dogs

Mmmmm... some tasty new seaside-based work served with a healthy dollop of sauce 'n' pomade

(click to view closer as usual)

(not many animals were harmed in the process)

(honest...)