tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-122124812024-03-13T06:48:28.633+00:00shelley scrapsMusings of a roving illustratorJohn Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.comBlogger384125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-49831387405595584052023-12-01T17:14:00.001+00:002023-12-01T17:14:39.298+00:00Riding the Waves<p> Since shifting my blog platform to the in-built system on my Wix-run site, I've left this Blogger blog largely untouched, however I notice the imported images from here lost some quality in the transfer, and all the image captions were lost, so I'd like to keep this old ship afloat!</p><p>Here's some nautical themed images from the archive!</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKccMxpI7kzOmYnavigsNYLNtsKnGCCnIIQLSy0koanabUw_9Ncutm_POU74CVw6sYkuLohIM6ty80PYvUomHyqpQlWkTtYdpTNgu1XWcbdkPulH4A5Oizi2_vigS6vMXQ71T261QEAQznqaLBcUgoNaLnsMbFdKoALAzyGFXsfwfT-zHaCQA0/s1457/canoeinthemist02_72.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="1457" height="433" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKccMxpI7kzOmYnavigsNYLNtsKnGCCnIIQLSy0koanabUw_9Ncutm_POU74CVw6sYkuLohIM6ty80PYvUomHyqpQlWkTtYdpTNgu1XWcbdkPulH4A5Oizi2_vigS6vMXQ71T261QEAQznqaLBcUgoNaLnsMbFdKoALAzyGFXsfwfT-zHaCQA0/w640-h433/canoeinthemist02_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From <i>A Canoe in the Mist</i> (written by Elsie Locke, Jonathan Cape, 1987)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNHgHodYMxjcYO1zVrLCLm0Oh6E8b9RZH4srdz705b3aPcoLVBN4qvPhIohgB3LoV7O-Mym-ZdAaS3eAz3ZmhJbwGdI-K8x4omqLTNYHvDI5i67w8OLzHD-MtJnJdp5BkHwXgFhXkqEAC6LzAgvv8_l9VhKiMf2wmEHOLfMlYGfSCwe0Nua5N/s2000/myst02_72.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1239" data-original-width="2000" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNHgHodYMxjcYO1zVrLCLm0Oh6E8b9RZH4srdz705b3aPcoLVBN4qvPhIohgB3LoV7O-Mym-ZdAaS3eAz3ZmhJbwGdI-K8x4omqLTNYHvDI5i67w8OLzHD-MtJnJdp5BkHwXgFhXkqEAC6LzAgvv8_l9VhKiMf2wmEHOLfMlYGfSCwe0Nua5N/w640-h397/myst02_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From <i>The Mystery in the Bottle</i> picture book (written by Val Willis, Scholastic UK/Farrar, Straus & Giroux 1991)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kBDAm0kjfgYjTplBIUSkMj6UT8sI6LtOithVibfzIP6FU7SJoXfbvwjye8-iCPKH3IR2_TBlA0x5znRPqZsawivUwJCZIJ1owOW71hH7UkIJPzwU_4-cVKIjMPs0Y1Iv2IvczWmn1rlzlOogZPfk-YDCqwOoHFUCl6XTDROwt3C7MZY9qtfV/s984/peer02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="679" height="928" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9kBDAm0kjfgYjTplBIUSkMj6UT8sI6LtOithVibfzIP6FU7SJoXfbvwjye8-iCPKH3IR2_TBlA0x5znRPqZsawivUwJCZIJ1owOW71hH7UkIJPzwU_4-cVKIjMPs0Y1Iv2IvczWmn1rlzlOogZPfk-YDCqwOoHFUCl6XTDROwt3C7MZY9qtfV/w640-h928/peer02.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From <i>Peer Gynt</i> picture book (abridged from the story by Ibsen, words by Yo Kawasaki, Hyoronsha, 1991)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0r2BjlSxiauVM-sdBOg6XuTJ3onLmvWS2KiMl9spjlZdzYV8IhiSXuCr0H7Ekgu4DsgoUBlQb-hxQ8noVnyPxsYmCpjgaZr41wFWAaUlwbHZqZBG_2iNnd678wIiCFgmO_tPwsAHa6REUAdX4CkqQNEX2Hyrc0WCiykBpnX4odWmObRVzo98/s590/bella3.12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="400" height="856" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF0r2BjlSxiauVM-sdBOg6XuTJ3onLmvWS2KiMl9spjlZdzYV8IhiSXuCr0H7Ekgu4DsgoUBlQb-hxQ8noVnyPxsYmCpjgaZr41wFWAaUlwbHZqZBG_2iNnd678wIiCFgmO_tPwsAHa6REUAdX4CkqQNEX2Hyrc0WCiykBpnX4odWmObRVzo98/w582-h856/bella3.12.jpg" width="582" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From <i>Bella Baxter and the Lighthouse Mystery</i> (written by Jane B. Mason / Sarah Hines Stephens, Aladdin paperbacks, Simon & Schuster, 2006)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92elVzfYAKGspQdkHYzCKV5qjXvLv0IjLfHu0PrrM9DFVnzjoQGg3lsc5GqD3YEOBVYmraFz9h3ELqpHALbd59dBJ0ioc3mCDiaYXiX94bFr22WDMyP0QFh5dcrEHvSrC58FVTvvX1m9EXoKXEr0Wc5dsb8fZ45R_PxxJibQGyY60KRyu1T42/s1400/ningyo10.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="848" data-original-width="1400" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92elVzfYAKGspQdkHYzCKV5qjXvLv0IjLfHu0PrrM9DFVnzjoQGg3lsc5GqD3YEOBVYmraFz9h3ELqpHALbd59dBJ0ioc3mCDiaYXiX94bFr22WDMyP0QFh5dcrEHvSrC58FVTvvX1m9EXoKXEr0Wc5dsb8fZ45R_PxxJibQGyY60KRyu1T42/w622-h376/ningyo10.jpg" width="622" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From <i>The Little Mermaid</i> (Hans Christian Andersen, Hyoronsha, 2006)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lhk6hznPujfveYivYiwECzGim7zoQTlVxr6g_WYFX8-f9jTDFr-ilQdmQNpuoNlorO_3yn28ia7pUUDXZIh1dV2ZTEaPs0183x-fWdaAui1l06eLBT66vdruxZEIP0geoTEX88j9w0iAsythhXgpWHmzp0AqSmSFBAyzx1UVGux5J9NTMMGw/s590/boat01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="502" data-original-width="590" height="557" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-lhk6hznPujfveYivYiwECzGim7zoQTlVxr6g_WYFX8-f9jTDFr-ilQdmQNpuoNlorO_3yn28ia7pUUDXZIh1dV2ZTEaPs0183x-fWdaAui1l06eLBT66vdruxZEIP0geoTEX88j9w0iAsythhXgpWHmzp0AqSmSFBAyzx1UVGux5J9NTMMGw/w655-h557/boat01.jpg" width="655" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From <i>The Boat in the Tree</i> picture book (written by Tim Wynn-Jones, Front Street 2007)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjj9gdNp_MNOfSm9u-TCb7zi9kihRe3s248prrWM8KAWc7FGoy37PsbOIXCi8sDGYf3lO85kZPtxrGSY17ENHvT7JWg8EZWSmUkSEhP0RhDWgQhZyHNbsG2JS9JM8AJ_sgD8AoJEnmcu7if3AwHYr5RYS6iFW5kqc2_VJ4Bb4PmM_0hVt7tPZM/s2322/mirrors02.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2322" data-original-width="1702" height="774" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjj9gdNp_MNOfSm9u-TCb7zi9kihRe3s248prrWM8KAWc7FGoy37PsbOIXCi8sDGYf3lO85kZPtxrGSY17ENHvT7JWg8EZWSmUkSEhP0RhDWgQhZyHNbsG2JS9JM8AJ_sgD8AoJEnmcu7if3AwHYr5RYS6iFW5kqc2_VJ4Bb4PmM_0hVt7tPZM/w569-h774/mirrors02.jpg" width="569" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Charlie Bone - The Castle of Mirrors (海にきらめく鏡の城) (written by Jenny Nimmo, Japanese edition published by Tokuma Shoten 2007)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZmAElNbyFL3x4fD4vUzTvJOAb92A6C-hLgzQ-wVQulEetSGRv_Wpt2Iv2DplvCI-EPaVy3pnWlyImqkWB78hVaiundfs-Y-chHu8YSPjHMnAgdpe89nIlJb5_oPgnOJDVkaLnJ9EmjFlL8iuQCEBCY3eRB0NEEFnqEaOh8txHcikRRpcDndm/s1200/DaldyrescueCH2FP_72.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="805" height="839" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZmAElNbyFL3x4fD4vUzTvJOAb92A6C-hLgzQ-wVQulEetSGRv_Wpt2Iv2DplvCI-EPaVy3pnWlyImqkWB78hVaiundfs-Y-chHu8YSPjHMnAgdpe89nIlJb5_oPgnOJDVkaLnJ9EmjFlL8iuQCEBCY3eRB0NEEFnqEaOh8txHcikRRpcDndm/w564-h839/DaldyrescueCH2FP_72.jpg" width="564" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From <i>Daldy to the Rescue</i> (Douglas Walker 2021)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg501Yw7qb6iyFVFcha_2L9di8HEKyUeJh2726CN081dw_ANkUrhiKutG_Paa4hLyxmFsqAS9tIgBxeRYJIBlJ-BKtRTNipXC2rIIvOtDkEpZ_Kb9PfdGs1j1pjr-KakR1pNvSFJacGJmqJ7BU74YmG1AAaSSt0KYbW5jvQvHLqPeZnnnlcXu4O/s9882/deodarLINEch8b.tif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="9882" data-original-width="7076" height="886" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg501Yw7qb6iyFVFcha_2L9di8HEKyUeJh2726CN081dw_ANkUrhiKutG_Paa4hLyxmFsqAS9tIgBxeRYJIBlJ-BKtRTNipXC2rIIvOtDkEpZ_Kb9PfdGs1j1pjr-KakR1pNvSFJacGJmqJ7BU74YmG1AAaSSt0KYbW5jvQvHLqPeZnnnlcXu4O/w633-h886/deodarLINEch8b.tif" width="633" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From <i>Deodar's Voice</i> (Douglas Walker 2021)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-28514476066993517142020-01-17T15:04:00.003+00:002020-01-17T15:04:57.403+00:00Blog MigrationDearest readers, I have some news to announce!<br />
<br />
Blogger has been the home for my blog for many years, but with a new website – it’s time
for a new blog too. This is my last post in Blogger, as I'm integrating everything into a brand new website, launching today! Please follow my new blog here:<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_81176821"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.johnshelley.com/blog">https://www.johnshelley.com/blog</a><br />
<br />
Many thanks everyone - see you on the new site!<br />
<br />John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-16663320582519992742020-01-01T10:41:00.000+00:002020-01-01T10:41:16.517+00:00Happy New Year 2020!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRMNwHcgZ3M/Xgx2geh8sOI/AAAAAAAAMA8/m48GVVxyySUfhfHz28E4aRUvRyzYiQUNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020newyear72LT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="971" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRMNwHcgZ3M/Xgx2geh8sOI/AAAAAAAAMA8/m48GVVxyySUfhfHz28E4aRUvRyzYiQUNwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020newyear72LT.jpg" width="620" /></a></div>
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<br />
Happy New Year of the Rat everyone! It’s a delicate new decade, promising lots of challenges, let's keep it in safe hands!<br />
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Things have been slow and steady here, the last weeks up to Christmas I've been tied up with house repairs and curating <a href="https://www.scbwishowcase.org/picturesatplay-exhibition" target="_blank"><i>Pictures at Play</i></a>, the biennial SCBWI exhibition in London. But from the new year onwards it will be solid focus on new ideas and art projects.<br />
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Watch this space!!<br />
<br />
Happy new Year everyone!John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-86855932179442329942019-11-02T09:23:00.000+00:002019-11-02T11:35:21.377+00:00Inktober 2019 - the last 16 drawings<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C7wR4s2PggE/XbxbIbBM4AI/AAAAAAAALtU/pAwNB7WVkuIdFfpdAIrK8bKyFId5mx8VQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober16_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="964" data-original-width="1500" height="410" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-C7wR4s2PggE/XbxbIbBM4AI/AAAAAAAALtU/pAwNB7WVkuIdFfpdAIrK8bKyFId5mx8VQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober16_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 16: WILD</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Here are the rest of my Inktober drawings for 2019.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaFw88xuD6g/XbxbUnjrhLI/AAAAAAAALtY/UlnlNEvsGbk2GUtxqnY9VzOLFyqo06OEACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober17_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1221" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZaFw88xuD6g/XbxbUnjrhLI/AAAAAAAALtY/UlnlNEvsGbk2GUtxqnY9VzOLFyqo06OEACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober17_72.jpg" width="520" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 17: ORNAMENT. Lack of time & scanner meant this was a quickie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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During the month, though I never seemed to have much time for contemplation, I was repeatedly asking myself, where is the essence of what I do? How can I connect with that mysterious flow of creativity, when things seem to just come together, almost by themselves, without me having to think too deeply - let the rhythm flow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1fwsEgdA2wM/XbxbmQw3VMI/AAAAAAAALtk/V-kcv7lOP5o9XATfiZr7AoqTNsUB7U5yQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober18_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1500" height="462" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1fwsEgdA2wM/XbxbmQw3VMI/AAAAAAAALtk/V-kcv7lOP5o9XATfiZr7AoqTNsUB7U5yQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober18_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 18: MISFIT. Drawn while watching a BBC4 documentary on Eric Clapton. Maybe it had an influence!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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That is the goal of all our art of course, and one of the attractions of Inktober. Another reason why I didn't want to prepare anything in advance, it's all about responding to the prompts in a short space of time. Immediacy is paramount. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GPkdm_4IFtw/XbtMcbG4B8I/AAAAAAAALtI/NsZQ2OqDML0gdUJkwQ4eglqwQxYg8P-JACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober19_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1470" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GPkdm_4IFtw/XbtMcbG4B8I/AAAAAAAALtI/NsZQ2OqDML0gdUJkwQ4eglqwQxYg8P-JACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober19_72.jpg" width="588" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 19: SLING. Another late one, drawn in the morning before I had to rush out, time was very short - but I've had some lovely comments on this one!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ironically, it was often the most last minute drawings, squeezed in before going out, or racing the last minutes before midnight, that produced the most satisfactory drawings. Why does it always seem to be the case that the more pressure is on, the better the result (within reason)? Sometimes the more time I have to do something, the more consciously I mull over things, the more laboured it becomes, the flow of creativity becomes a dribble. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XzzacRtKZJA/XbxeDaV2kHI/AAAAAAAALtw/ql3gx3WcsIEQJI1ZuD5dqKxNBPjXWyRGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober20_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1492" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XzzacRtKZJA/XbxeDaV2kHI/AAAAAAAALtw/ql3gx3WcsIEQJI1ZuD5dqKxNBPjXWyRGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober20_72.jpg" width="596" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 20: TREAD. This might have been a reflection on the pressure of the day!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I don't like the way things ebb and flow with my brain. I like deadlines, I work best with a bit of time pressure, so long as it's not too much and prevents me spending enough time or energy on the drawing. When the balance is right on some days I'm on a roll, then something knocks me of my inspiration perch and I'm working like a slug for the next day or two. I don't like the way I can't control this. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_V0NsMIhbCs/Xbxe-As7bPI/AAAAAAAALt4/K3SJYM8jQ9oxk9-cuV_4mBmVxwGz3UuAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober21_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1242" data-original-width="1500" height="528" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_V0NsMIhbCs/Xbxe-As7bPI/AAAAAAAALt4/K3SJYM8jQ9oxk9-cuV_4mBmVxwGz3UuAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober21_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching up again with a first edition for Day 21: TREASURE. The end of a tough week, and an unashamed self-portrait. Nothing pleases me more than rooting around in old book shops for hidden illustrated gems. Mister Beardy pointed out I drew the second N in antiquarian the wrong way around - I could fix that digitally, but decided to share again here in raw form, mistake and all!</td></tr>
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But we're not robots, the fact that creative energy is a bit of an untamed beast that refuses to be switched on - or off - at will is all part of the humanity of drawing. I wish I could pin down the algorithm that results in making good art. What programme do we need to follow? Drink this! Eat that! Do X, add Y, squared, and result = Zzzzzzzz....... Formulas rarely work when it comes to the mental process of making pictures.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v5QaOJBLSko/Xbxgfv49q4I/AAAAAAAALuE/AAz8GbyQjfoyEpDutO0M32qiKQLIK7lHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober22_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="1500" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v5QaOJBLSko/Xbxgfv49q4I/AAAAAAAALuE/AAz8GbyQjfoyEpDutO0M32qiKQLIK7lHgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober22_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ghost Writer, for Day 22: GHOST. Back up to speed at last - this was a lot of fun to draw. </td></tr>
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Getting enough rest though certainly makes a difference. And getting out the house every day! I was definitely enjoying myself a great deal at this point in the month.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-waqB72zZj2M/XbxgxuZ3nVI/AAAAAAAALuM/ouXGUoYoOQkPBSJabgLXQWjsHty9QRylACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober23_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1292" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-waqB72zZj2M/XbxgxuZ3nVI/AAAAAAAALuM/ouXGUoYoOQkPBSJabgLXQWjsHty9QRylACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober23_72.jpg" width="516" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 23: ANCIENT This turned out to be a bit of a tribute to one of my 'ancient' illustration heroes Arthur Rackham (I've been a lifelong fan & collector of his work). I was enjoying the fun, and allowed the love to flow, though it didn't start out with that intention!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bb2MLFA__AQ/XbxjDZZyT_I/AAAAAAAALuY/QMtqk9Lw-LIDvkM75Xk5Yk0pwRo7UCpYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober24_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="1500" height="518" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bb2MLFA__AQ/XbxjDZZyT_I/AAAAAAAALuY/QMtqk9Lw-LIDvkM75Xk5Yk0pwRo7UCpYQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober24_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Continuing a fairy tale theme for Day 24: DIZZY. Not the first time the best laid plans have been scuppered by weather. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
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There was more time pressure towards the end of the month as builders began demolishing my downstairs fittings, and I slipped into being a day late with posts again, but by this point the end goal was in sight, so onwards steadily....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dXg8nvG2tfY/XbxjhfPorwI/AAAAAAAALug/u_OqzFhXYTY_zmBvLpTurZCHce9qp4UjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober25_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1369" data-original-width="1500" height="584" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dXg8nvG2tfY/XbxjhfPorwI/AAAAAAAALug/u_OqzFhXYTY_zmBvLpTurZCHce9qp4UjQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober25_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 25: TASTY. Another roaringly busy day today, barely time for a quick inky feast before bed. But at least I got my scanner working again!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-05cM7UNuPeU/Xbxk43r_w3I/AAAAAAAALus/QiF834mKYfM1Y2lYZVsG_tpeGVYrKrKvACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober26_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1566" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-05cM7UNuPeU/Xbxk43r_w3I/AAAAAAAALus/QiF834mKYfM1Y2lYZVsG_tpeGVYrKrKvACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober26_72.jpg" width="612" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 26: DARK - Busy times again, so another drawn late, disentangling from the day!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RlqDsZ87r2A/XbxlyQVZpPI/AAAAAAAALu0/8BrY4OZrssYfEFNAy9xt0ykme0ybJE70ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019inktober27_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RlqDsZ87r2A/XbxlyQVZpPI/AAAAAAAALu0/8BrY4OZrssYfEFNAy9xt0ykme0ybJE70ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019inktober27_72.jpg" width="600" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 27: COAT. Still catching up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NU4lB9zg1tc/XbxmIlOftFI/AAAAAAAALu8/s-1JZ0B_QH0DOEy4lQNDWgj68SRo5OMfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019inktober28_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="1500" height="444" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NU4lB9zg1tc/XbxmIlOftFI/AAAAAAAALu8/s-1JZ0B_QH0DOEy4lQNDWgj68SRo5OMfwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019inktober28_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 28: RIDE. At last, back up to speed. No more catnapping! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4c2Mb4lQT-M/XbxnuO3fSbI/AAAAAAAALvI/Hhs58qPrWjw8QW7gxgxzF2wkSDsk-rrEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober29_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1459" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4c2Mb4lQT-M/XbxnuO3fSbI/AAAAAAAALvI/Hhs58qPrWjw8QW7gxgxzF2wkSDsk-rrEQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober29_72.jpg" width="582" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 29: INJURED. A change of tone for this drawing, and a difficult subject to approach without appearing glib, after all I'm drawing from my studio in comfortable Norwich, with no experience of war. But when I think of the pain suffered by the people and cities of Syria, and continue to endure, it puts our imagined injuries into sharp perspective.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EaAfJiRZwho/XbxokMpNcYI/AAAAAAAALvQ/ynuqbBomzaQIn1zn4xOurqfNPcCD7-JnACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober30_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1307" data-original-width="1500" height="556" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EaAfJiRZwho/XbxokMpNcYI/AAAAAAAALvQ/ynuqbBomzaQIn1zn4xOurqfNPcCD7-JnACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober30_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 30: CATCH the Wind! A seasonal theme on the eve of Halloween </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eRiHMx_QH-o/XbxpcBnjhjI/AAAAAAAALvc/uDg6kCHktQAbysJhb7gPO29YOdu0QQ54ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober31_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1451" data-original-width="1500" height="618" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eRiHMx_QH-o/XbxpcBnjhjI/AAAAAAAALvc/uDg6kCHktQAbysJhb7gPO29YOdu0QQ54ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober31_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final Day 31! RIPE old age.</td></tr>
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So it was done! Inktober was so much fun this year, despite a couple of tough periods during the month, with computer/scanner breakdowns, volunteer commitments, and building work on my house. But got there in the end, and on time! <br />
<br />
<br />John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-49478410271078520842019-11-01T16:07:00.000+00:002019-11-13T14:51:01.213+00:00Inktober 2019 - The first 15 drawings<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ucZUuBWF2tE/XbsNk1BMeyI/AAAAAAAALqM/XVvQzBckdmQ92cbH6xLm2XolbZ4O9P6hACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober01_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="1413" height="606" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ucZUuBWF2tE/XbsNk1BMeyI/AAAAAAAALqM/XVvQzBckdmQ92cbH6xLm2XolbZ4O9P6hACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober01_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inktober 2019 Day 1, and the prompt word was: RING</td></tr>
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<br />
It's that time of year again, and once more I entered the maelstrom of feverish scribbling that is <b>Inktober</b>. Here are the first fifteen of my daily drawings (Days 16-31 to follow).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d7c_wuNodJ0/XbsOmBITOPI/AAAAAAAALqU/1lR_GqUG9FYuinR2wUQG1BXuWDi68qdGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober02_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1151" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d7c_wuNodJ0/XbsOmBITOPI/AAAAAAAALqU/1lR_GqUG9FYuinR2wUQG1BXuWDi68qdGQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober02_72.jpg" width="490" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2, prompt word: MINDLESS</td></tr>
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If you've not heard of <i>Inktober</i> before, it's a social media challenge, where participants create and post online a drawing made in ink (of whatever kind), one a day throughout the month of October, using the hashtags "Inktober" and "Inktober2019". Artists are free to draw whatever they like, but some choose specific themes to work on, or follow the official list of prompt words (there are also several non-official prompt lists).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OJAdEksbaq4/XbsO5HJIFCI/AAAAAAAALqc/bRTHboPvUwY4LXHdoutL9TkdRK0Bmat_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober_03_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1495" data-original-width="1500" height="636" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OJAdEksbaq4/XbsO5HJIFCI/AAAAAAAALqc/bRTHboPvUwY4LXHdoutL9TkdRK0Bmat_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober_03_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bear Baiting</i>. Day 3, and the prompt word was: BAIT</td></tr>
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Personally I like the challenge of the official prompt list, not because I'm particularly inspired by the words, which can sometimes appear rather lumbering on face reading, the challenge is finding a way to fit the word with an illustration that digs beneath the obvious, that is both personal and coherent. And if you can add layers that respond to the prompt word on multiple levels all the better. The interesting challenge of Inktober is as much about ideas and interpretation as it is about drawing. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DRhpFRsdtVg/XbsPKFZiAAI/AAAAAAAALqk/Bte14YjOqPArWknh1jQrQEJBM4W3us7wwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober04_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1399" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DRhpFRsdtVg/XbsPKFZiAAI/AAAAAAAALqk/Bte14YjOqPArWknh1jQrQEJBM4W3us7wwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober04_72.jpg" width="558" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Frozen</i>. Winter is coming folks, people need our help. This was inspired by a guy who regularly sits out on a pedestrian bridge near where I live. I've not seen him for a while now though, I hope he's okey. Day 4's prompt word: FREEZE</td></tr>
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This year I drew everything using the same pen, no experimenting with various tools. That's probably something to do with a certain degree of chaos at the moment - there's a lot going on this month in the household - dummy submissions, major building work on my house, volunteer commitments with SCBWI and so on, Inktober was squeezed in between these, I wouldn't say I was particularly relaxed during this process! And that's all on top of all the chaos in the news...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJFiu-h_qKM/XbsXNAifmDI/AAAAAAAALqw/hDjyQzKpxFwSjsakrnV5Y5H7DuWcQU-MACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober05_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1452" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJFiu-h_qKM/XbsXNAifmDI/AAAAAAAALqw/hDjyQzKpxFwSjsakrnV5Y5H7DuWcQU-MACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober05_72.jpg" width="618" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 5: BUILD. (an allegory of our times)</td></tr>
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All the drawings were made without pre-October preparation, no drawings pulled out of the stock draw or created/planned ahead. I looked at the word on each morning, considered what I would draw during the day, and drew it in the evening, sometimes later. Twice I fell behind a day, it happens, but managed to catch up before the end of the month.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-THsGiulaUow/XbsYcz29FpI/AAAAAAAALq8/7C0ZOI0vMGUmpgi3cikZLQjbY6I6AQyVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober06_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1354" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-THsGiulaUow/XbsYcz29FpI/AAAAAAAALq8/7C0ZOI0vMGUmpgi3cikZLQjbY6I6AQyVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober06_72.jpg" width="576" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 6: HUSKY. I've been listening to a lot of smokey old jazz recently</td></tr>
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These are rather different from commissioned drawings - more about a
meandering flow of ideas, somehow the constraints of illustration briefs
can place barriers on the way we approach work. If I think - oh, this is for publication! It becomes a task, a job. Inktober is great, because although the task is still there, I don't feel the pressure of professional requirements to closely match a brief, there is a theme, but so much freedom to express and explore. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qoTwYAc5ES8/XbsZBfBrYNI/AAAAAAAALrI/ZOY9bvA8WNseP3dcgsJZ6sL8Y49giobzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober07_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1182" data-original-width="1500" height="504" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qoTwYAc5ES8/XbsZBfBrYNI/AAAAAAAALrI/ZOY9bvA8WNseP3dcgsJZ6sL8Y49giobzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober07_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 7: ENCHANTED. By the time I posted the drawing the clock had turned midnight, but no matter, as they say, he who pays the piper calls the tune. </td></tr>
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<br />
It has been suggested I "do something" with these drawings - perhaps
publish
them in a book? A colouring book perhaps? Or perhaps sell them as prints? I'd need to test the market for that, do get in touch if you're interested! - I have a LOT of black &
white drawings, most of which just sit in sketchbooks or otherwise
gathering dust, I'm not very good at merchandising/selling my work to the general public outside the parameters of the illustration business. I once started, but quietly abandoned an Etsy shop, I'm not a great shopkeeper for my own work, something I need to look at more carefully!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gr-4KuBM2Rc/XbslgYlZVyI/AAAAAAAALrU/y_Hf1uMSBtokLqcqFyR-MsKNiDp09il4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober08_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1491" data-original-width="1500" height="636" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gr-4KuBM2Rc/XbslgYlZVyI/AAAAAAAALrU/y_Hf1uMSBtokLqcqFyR-MsKNiDp09il4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober08_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 8: FRAIL</td></tr>
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Also, as my Inktober drawings are fundamentally sketches I'd want to
redraw some much more neatly if I were to sell them - but then of course
they'd lose their immediacy. You always sacrifice something when you take a vigorous sketch and redraw it precisely, it's like caging a wild animal.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkiPqooHdSA/Xbs7J8dvaHI/AAAAAAAALrg/kTWyoBJ2CHsZ9bqzJPQVysGV5VSNmd-JQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober09_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1429" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zkiPqooHdSA/Xbs7J8dvaHI/AAAAAAAALrg/kTWyoBJ2CHsZ9bqzJPQVysGV5VSNmd-JQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober09_72.jpg" width="570" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 9: SWING</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JMmw6eYITq4/Xbs8n68MScI/AAAAAAAALrs/B5BBt66A2kYHSEJZ2UVJd8Isy0QCcDm2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober10_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1466" data-original-width="1500" height="624" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JMmw6eYITq4/Xbs8n68MScI/AAAAAAAALrs/B5BBt66A2kYHSEJZ2UVJd8Isy0QCcDm2ACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober10_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 10: PATTERN</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-boAbvqDpag8/Xbs9vzxI_KI/AAAAAAAALr0/QUGKCKuexZEdjDZlX4ug2cCYubGVh3yxACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober11_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1377" data-original-width="1500" height="586" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-boAbvqDpag8/Xbs9vzxI_KI/AAAAAAAALr0/QUGKCKuexZEdjDZlX4ug2cCYubGVh3yxACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober11_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 11: SNOW. A very simple one this day, as I was up very early for a London trip in the morning. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gui-p3oHdm8/XbtAaas9DDI/AAAAAAAALsA/s4H_eOM9LG8mGM-J5Rkh41qQh6dns2GEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober12_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1172" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gui-p3oHdm8/XbtAaas9DDI/AAAAAAAALsA/s4H_eOM9LG8mGM-J5Rkh41qQh6dns2GEwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober12_72.jpg" width="468" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 12: DRAGON. Drawn on the train to London. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0bztU8fQfRc/XbtB4pOtsfI/AAAAAAAALsM/Li7qc7X47RQhU5tfwlDwNec5ewvB7-xMACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober13_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="1500" height="516" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0bztU8fQfRc/XbtB4pOtsfI/AAAAAAAALsM/Li7qc7X47RQhU5tfwlDwNec5ewvB7-xMACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober13_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 13: ASH. <i>Aschenputtel</i> is the German version of Cinderella, recorded in the Grimm Brothers' Household Tales in 1812.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pf61vG9dHjg/XbtCsYRzujI/AAAAAAAALsU/XrTVThWXhawJrwsEd07eMe0tbiTEPqPqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober14_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1373" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pf61vG9dHjg/XbtCsYRzujI/AAAAAAAALsU/XrTVThWXhawJrwsEd07eMe0tbiTEPqPqwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober14_72.jpg" width="548" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 14: OVERGROWN. This is one of those drawings that kind of took on a life of it's own. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nAZGx78VWhw/XbtDIVCYLZI/AAAAAAAALsg/9yJiaLjE5u0ekjTUz6yDS4E_XUZgTc6BwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2019Inktober15_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nAZGx78VWhw/XbtDIVCYLZI/AAAAAAAALsg/9yJiaLjE5u0ekjTUz6yDS4E_XUZgTc6BwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2019Inktober15_72.jpg" width="624" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 15: LEGEND. The table is based on the historic medieval round table preserved in Winchester, where coincidentally SCBWI is holding it's Annual Conference in early November.</td></tr>
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So what next? I'm considering carrying on doing daily drawings, maybe
after a short break! Will I do it next year? Well, who knows! More
pictures on the way from the second part of the month in the next post...<br />
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<br />John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-23774140301906643242019-07-27T07:00:00.000+01:002019-07-28T02:25:10.099+01:00More Tokyo train travellersI'm approaching the end of our current month-long visit to Japan, so here are some more train sketches. <br />
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For me it's been a month basically looking up old contacts, finding the current buzz of what's going on for illustrators, and peering through the busy noise of central Tokyo, where I'm staying.<br />
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Usually nowadays I stay in areas outside the circle of the Yamanote line, though I was based within it for over half the 21 years I was "permanently" living here. As mentioned previously, my relatively central location means train journeys have been much more hurried and shorter affairs. It's a very different vibe staying in the central wards, and, although I loved being just a cycle ride from Shibuya in the '90's, now I think if I were to return to Tokyo my ideal location would be a little more relaxed, just outside the busiest zones, but within easy access reach of them.<br />
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It's pretty pointless thinking of ideals though, I'm making no plans while daughter is at school, and budget would dictate a great deal!<br />
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Anyway, here are a few more, often very quickly drawn and scribbly, sketches.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaqzqjXwYEKrHAh6VTbjgIcg-Iuk-YqWEHUzB4uOWiWf8UAQ3UvwXT2RI4yNDEfwjs6icwEh5mWtQe-09Nl3nWwrTBGI5eaIsFCx46yjixWLAOlgtJAO_e9SfPlWcVeO8UH9K/s1600/IMG_20190727_114702LIGHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1098" data-original-width="801" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivaqzqjXwYEKrHAh6VTbjgIcg-Iuk-YqWEHUzB4uOWiWf8UAQ3UvwXT2RI4yNDEfwjs6icwEh5mWtQe-09Nl3nWwrTBGI5eaIsFCx46yjixWLAOlgtJAO_e9SfPlWcVeO8UH9K/s640/IMG_20190727_114702LIGHT.jpg" width="466" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzBZG5JY61p4t4t1fgOfmjQAoMQ9VvjxhfK32_r2fsXVZrIHKAz3hoR5b_K97xEvQkuiSdPGF8zSJW8C1YxFeIF5WdO5xWP3x4hvx4g2FFn3zS_tfdPCXQp_UaG8cZGsyfSS6/s1600/IMG_20190720_104041LIGHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1299" data-original-width="941" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzBZG5JY61p4t4t1fgOfmjQAoMQ9VvjxhfK32_r2fsXVZrIHKAz3hoR5b_K97xEvQkuiSdPGF8zSJW8C1YxFeIF5WdO5xWP3x4hvx4g2FFn3zS_tfdPCXQp_UaG8cZGsyfSS6/s640/IMG_20190720_104041LIGHT.jpg" width="462" /></a></div>
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<br />John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-56588742622574828412019-07-18T06:30:00.000+01:002019-07-18T17:08:18.212+01:00More Train Snippets!Some more train sketches from my current sojourn in Tokyo. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyR0pEW_Lxurb208bYpiFli06kQdyJXCRMfokCTDcN8d7agOty1PYxeLH32yjKqVa-fy0G4Xqy7FxOdYLoFas31WxtiCCmPzuvq7MkJw268Ak4HxdwMusDvWYJUs5uMgGrXayq/s1600/IMG_20190717_103134LIGHT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1184" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyR0pEW_Lxurb208bYpiFli06kQdyJXCRMfokCTDcN8d7agOty1PYxeLH32yjKqVa-fy0G4Xqy7FxOdYLoFas31WxtiCCmPzuvq7MkJw268Ak4HxdwMusDvWYJUs5uMgGrXayq/s640/IMG_20190717_103134LIGHT.jpg" width="472" /></a></div>
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I've been here over two weeks now and it's been a remarkably wet and cool July until now, the rainy season just carried on and on, with some significant downpours adding to the general drizzle. The cooler than expected weather meant getting about town was more efficient (if you could avoid being poked in the eye by umbrellas) but the general gloom was definitely sense in the mood of train passengers....<br />
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As mentioned in my previous post, I'm based in a central part of the city this trip, so trains tend to be more bustling, and I'm taking shorter journeys, which has made sketching a little more of a scribble-it-down-when-you-can kind of affair. Most of the passengers nowadays are engrossed in phones...<br />
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Or books.... <br />
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I've a lot of drawings abruptly cut short!<br />
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Well, I'm in Japan until the end of the month, so hopefully a few more sketches to come. And the weather is starting to turn! John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-35506973236007901602019-07-11T05:11:00.000+01:002019-07-11T05:11:59.235+01:00Tokyo Train sketches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEHHoNVNX-scZ2O0PU4LVneYIZfR__sZ8C_k2ax98lbUaxhlKKNbLhcSW2sbP7XMxaB-3-_Y1pClCaZkjbV-wntR4OH0lOT-zSi33lg-a5vNxc3oJV0xLUh4rl5Pm9CcaUqym/s1600/IMG_20190708_090351LTBright.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1467" data-original-width="1050" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipEHHoNVNX-scZ2O0PU4LVneYIZfR__sZ8C_k2ax98lbUaxhlKKNbLhcSW2sbP7XMxaB-3-_Y1pClCaZkjbV-wntR4OH0lOT-zSi33lg-a5vNxc3oJV0xLUh4rl5Pm9CcaUqym/s640/IMG_20190708_090351LTBright.jpg" width="458" /></a></div>
I'm back in Tokyo throughout this month, and, as is my habit, have been drawing people on trains again.<br />
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As I'm staying in a central part of the city this time there are not so many long commuter train journeys, so sketching has been sporadic, on short journeys with bustling trains, when people move, get on and off more frequently, and (in many cases) block my view of my drawing model. So I'm getting a lot of false starts like this!<br />
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You've just got to get on with it.... and be quick!!<br />
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However, when the opportunity arrives, some sitters are remarkably good models, especially when they're half asleep... <br />
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<br />John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-70830264223826345152019-07-03T02:16:00.000+01:002019-07-03T02:16:39.304+01:00Summer 2019<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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To all my followers,<br />
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Wishing you all the very best for a whale of a summer!<br />
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John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-7558145312738373032019-01-02T09:35:00.000+00:002019-01-02T09:35:55.140+00:00Happy New Year of the Pig!<div class="" style="-webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-break: after-white-space; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;">
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In the Chinese zodiac the pig (or wild boar as it’s celebrated in Japan) is known for being compassionate, artistic and jovial. In a year that promises to be full of many challenges, these qualities will be muchly appreciated! Wishing all my followers good fortune, empathy and tolerance in 2019! </div>
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I'll be doing my best to make it a year of creativity through art :)</div>
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John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-20279273678481204622018-12-19T00:26:00.002+00:002018-12-19T00:26:59.024+00:00Seasons Greetings! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w3TfK9lKchY/XBmP3PsCw0I/AAAAAAAAKeA/hA4X7Iq5pnMcwPMiVVFb-nGsOCtIp3gqACKgBGAs/s1600/xmashousetreeFINAL_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1020" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w3TfK9lKchY/XBmP3PsCw0I/AAAAAAAAKeA/hA4X7Iq5pnMcwPMiVVFb-nGsOCtIp3gqACKgBGAs/s640/xmashousetreeFINAL_72.jpg" width="544" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">Wishing all my friends and followers the very best for a fantastic Festive Season.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-56305470052720245572018-11-04T13:06:00.000+00:002018-11-12T20:16:55.958+00:00Inktober Wrap-upHere's the final batch of drawings I made for Inktober this year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #15202b; color: white; display: inline; float: none; font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "segoe ui" , "roboto" , "ubuntu" , "helvetica neue" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; word-spacing: 0px;"></span>’Expensive’. Day 22 </td></tr>
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What a month it was! With a pending house move and deadlines to contend with, October proved a pretty hectic month all around. I wasn't sure it was wise to attempt another daily drawing activity like #Inktober straight on the back of the September <i>House of Illustration</i> challenge, but pen and ink is my favourite medium, how could I not? I love the challenge, even though time was limited and I didn't have chance to prepare, pre-plan or draw anything before the start.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">’Muddy’. Day 23</td></tr>
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Because of this, I decided to stick with the prompt words, some of which caused a lot of head scratching - I didn't want to draw blandly comic renderings of the prompts, though some clearly lent themselves to such approaches than more nuanced interpretations. That's half the fun though, coming up with ideas that take the prompt words in directions beyond the obvious. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">’Chop’. Day 24. Returning to the theme of <a href="https://www.fukuinkan.co.jp/book/?id=1415" target="_blank">one of my picture books</a>!</td></tr>
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Every sketch was made on the day, I'd wake up with absolutely no idea what I would draw for that day's challenge, worry about it while I got on with other stuff, and then set to work in the evening. Gradually due to other pressures it grew later and later before I started, by the time I got to these drawings I was squeezing them in just before bed at 12 midnight and beyond.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">’Prickly’. Day 25</td></tr>
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Does it show? Perhaps it does. When the pressure is on, I tend to fall back on tried and tested methods, so drawings are less about experimentation, less exploration of style, and more focus on rendering an idea, drawing it as best I can under the circumstances. One of the positive things about pressure is that it encourages things to flow, you don't over think, or play about with directions, you just decide something, knuckle down and get on with it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XEs18bU_npM/W97goOaqTPI/AAAAAAAAKUI/rodyK2jU5SI_4v4sud_WbTUlDDNP2zFjwCLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook460_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1180" data-original-width="1200" height="628" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XEs18bU_npM/W97goOaqTPI/AAAAAAAAKUI/rodyK2jU5SI_4v4sud_WbTUlDDNP2zFjwCLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook460_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'Stretch'. Day 26</td></tr>
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Sometimes it's difficult to pare down, when the pressure is on it's hard to be zen-like and elegantly drop something minimal onto the white page - in my case fatigue encourages me to gnaw at a drawing, go for broke with cross-hatching, rather than pull back and touch in something lightly. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qbRv9p4AchQ/W97gtqE93NI/AAAAAAAAKUQ/oleG5bMBVIUbOQ9wimjcVqbIaUhv-2E6gCLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook461_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1190" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qbRv9p4AchQ/W97gtqE93NI/AAAAAAAAKUQ/oleG5bMBVIUbOQ9wimjcVqbIaUhv-2E6gCLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook461_72.jpg" width="634" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">’Thunder’. Day 27</td></tr>
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Fortunately, it's the kind of thing I like to do, it's getting to honest, unadulterated closeness with your creative flow. Some of the drawings ended up as more of a 'meal' than I'd intended, some I looked at the next day and thought - ah, I could have pushed this a bit more, or simplified that a little, but on the whole I'm pleased with them all!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zIC4FZf-u7g/W97gy8PzkCI/AAAAAAAAKUY/r54nWN8H-9cRTMKsacghgX4nfltHXwXRQCLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook462_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1189" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zIC4FZf-u7g/W97gy8PzkCI/AAAAAAAAKUY/r54nWN8H-9cRTMKsacghgX4nfltHXwXRQCLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook462_72.jpg" width="634" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">’Gift’. Day 28</td></tr>
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Virtually all these drawings were sketched with a Pilot Hi-Tec-C pen, either 0.4 or 0.5. Day 28 'Gift' was a slight exception as I drew the figure in a Kuretake <i>Fude-gokochi</i>, and finished it with a Pilot pen. One of the earlier drawings (Day 6 'Drooling') was drawn entirely in a <i>Gokochi</i>. and another (Day 13 'Guarded') was in a sepia pen, but otherwise I stuck to my favourite Pilots. When I'm tired and want to just work away at a drawing the Pilot with it's hard, fine-point tip is always my first choice, though my published illustrations are nearly always in a traditional dip pen and ink bottle.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WnptrCTVLMI/W97g4wLjahI/AAAAAAAAKUg/ykzpZIvQKo0Wrc6EIhwukzI3yBmYbK_RgCLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook463_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1133" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WnptrCTVLMI/W97g4wLjahI/AAAAAAAAKUg/ykzpZIvQKo0Wrc6EIhwukzI3yBmYbK_RgCLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook463_72.jpg" width="604" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">’Double’. Day 29</td></tr>
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One of the big lessons I learned from Inktober last year was to experiment and expand my use of pens, but for this year, consistency and familiarity were at the heart of it. For years I only used dip pens for final art, and my sketchbooks, drawn with more convenient disposable pens, were a separate, looser activity. But the combination of exhibitions and Inktober has bridged the gap between sketchbook art and commissioned professional work for publishing. I've yet to illustrate a book using Pilot or Kuretake pens, but it might be on the horizon! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ARmm9R4o44g/W97g-L15e9I/AAAAAAAAKUo/B3UR8g78XTU8h4BhAbaNiT5bzWKnrjO3wCLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook476_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1200" height="546" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ARmm9R4o44g/W97g-L15e9I/AAAAAAAAKUo/B3UR8g78XTU8h4BhAbaNiT5bzWKnrjO3wCLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook476_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">’Jolt’. Day 30</td></tr>
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Well, now we're into November, and I'm enjoying some time off these
kinds of daily challenges for a while. I've been galvanised by these exercises, but I need to crack on with winding
up some deadlines before I move house, then pack..... and I especially need to pick up the pace with my stories and book dummies!!!! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gRvSygu75bU/W97g9y57bfI/AAAAAAAAKUk/hYjK8UYcRDcGlu9zqO8iJy4XeVS4EnOOQCLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook482_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="1200" height="596" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gRvSygu75bU/W97g9y57bfI/AAAAAAAAKUk/hYjK8UYcRDcGlu9zqO8iJy4XeVS4EnOOQCLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook482_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">’Slice’. Day 31 - the last one, for Halloween!</td></tr>
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<br />John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-11753099414583171072018-10-22T15:40:00.000+01:002018-10-22T15:42:11.492+01:00Week 3 of Inktober 2018Well here we are at the third week of #Inktober 2018, I'm surprised I'm still able to keep up... just about! It is getting ever tougher though - with so much going on for me at the moment (house move preparation, deadlines etc), it doesn't take much to fill the day's schedule, a lot of these drawings have been squeezed in right at the end of the day.<br />
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But still hanging in there!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jt1OaHjB6hA/W83ej3G0oTI/AAAAAAAAKOA/vxIVYYsvmeU2S28PYHOB-TItGddnTDliQCLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook415_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="1200" height="606" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jt1OaHjB6hA/W83ej3G0oTI/AAAAAAAAKOA/vxIVYYsvmeU2S28PYHOB-TItGddnTDliQCLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook415_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">‘Weak’, for Day 15. Sometimes the darkest places are near the brightest lights. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5M4BdDqLqF4/W83duRT4BcI/AAAAAAAAKNY/fE9skozvyMsSuOqq0EMOLD_B0EfUiYxkQCLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook416_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="967" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5M4BdDqLqF4/W83duRT4BcI/AAAAAAAAKNY/fE9skozvyMsSuOqq0EMOLD_B0EfUiYxkQCLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook416_72.jpg" width="514" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">‘Angular’. Day 16, in anticipation of my forthcoming house-move! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6VZYh8inebM/W83dznPOrOI/AAAAAAAAKNc/96XQ9jFjV2Ya32qhaZy-egF78pZ1AuohgCEwYBhgL/s1600/sketchbook417_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="914" data-original-width="1074" height="544" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6VZYh8inebM/W83dznPOrOI/AAAAAAAAKNc/96XQ9jFjV2Ya32qhaZy-egF78pZ1AuohgCEwYBhgL/s640/sketchbook417_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">’Swollen’. Day 17. Inspired by air-bags. Safe driving folks! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zAt7ouMHvYA/W83dznrVi3I/AAAAAAAAKNk/6vUcuN94n1sK21wkKSfi8vSc66A-GvvtwCEwYBhgL/s1600/sketchbook425_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="984" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zAt7ouMHvYA/W83dznrVi3I/AAAAAAAAKNk/6vUcuN94n1sK21wkKSfi8vSc66A-GvvtwCEwYBhgL/s640/sketchbook425_72.jpg" width="524" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">’Bottle’, for Day 18. Another late night experiment!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QWzX-LEZnUY/W83dzosHCXI/AAAAAAAAKNg/K1yZ8keR_jMzWXSJMZ2_nzb1oiyzl6IkQCEwYBhgL/s1600/sketchbook426_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="916" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QWzX-LEZnUY/W83dzosHCXI/AAAAAAAAKNg/K1yZ8keR_jMzWXSJMZ2_nzb1oiyzl6IkQCEwYBhgL/s640/sketchbook426_72.jpg" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">’Scorched’. Day 19 rather speaks for itself. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gHuw0AjlOXw/W83d0rReSEI/AAAAAAAAKNo/3jTe_1WCQDMLm77KfeI7H4LP7aDB6vaQQCEwYBhgL/s1600/sketchbook427_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1074" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gHuw0AjlOXw/W83d0rReSEI/AAAAAAAAKNo/3jTe_1WCQDMLm77KfeI7H4LP7aDB6vaQQCEwYBhgL/s640/sketchbook427_72.jpg" width="572" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">’Breakable’, for Day 20. Our fragile planet, beset by man-made disasters. Save the earth!! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfhUaInIwtI/W83eCK_G9oI/AAAAAAAAKNs/4DZQvMqQ3B8AmJh9FQXqB7WWzoWNvUweACLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook428_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1092" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfhUaInIwtI/W83eCK_G9oI/AAAAAAAAKNs/4DZQvMqQ3B8AmJh9FQXqB7WWzoWNvUweACLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook428_72.jpg" width="582" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">’Drain’, for Day 21. A Sunday-night late rainy scribble, though here in Shelleyland it was actually quite dry outside. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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The final week's drawings ahead.... if I can make it!<br />
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Please follow me on Instagram and Twitter @StudioNIB to see each one as it goes live!<br />
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<br />John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-82609852606391190572018-10-15T11:15:00.001+01:002018-10-15T16:09:18.996+01:00Week Two of Inktober 2018 - and a nomination!Here are my daily drawings for the second week of Inktober 2018.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qroy5cfShY0/W8RaxB1fKdI/AAAAAAAAKKw/dKCao3GF0JgQWpJ-Bndo9_D9-qYPQK_9wCLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook406_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1200" height="630" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qroy5cfShY0/W8RaxB1fKdI/AAAAAAAAKKw/dKCao3GF0JgQWpJ-Bndo9_D9-qYPQK_9wCLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook406_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Day 8, the prompt word was 'Star’. </td></tr>
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It's been a very hectic week, as I'm moving house in a short time and have been busy with preparation, and with a work-load of deadlines I'm trying to clear up before the move. I'm beginning to regret taking on Inktober this year, but hanging in, just about!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bDVJzyeF9ig/W8Ra1NnsICI/AAAAAAAAKK0/fCj5ZEJ1wsAE7N-rF7e8Af9h8Ywdp6iqwCLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook409_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1013" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bDVJzyeF9ig/W8Ra1NnsICI/AAAAAAAAKK0/fCj5ZEJ1wsAE7N-rF7e8Af9h8Ywdp6iqwCLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook409_72.jpg" width="540" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Day 9 the prompt word was 'Precious', so I had some fun with Tolkien. </td></tr>
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All of these drawings have been created on the day with my usual choice of Pilot Hi-Tec-C pens, no special theme, just my immediate response to the official Inktober prompts. Due to limited time, I've tended to just get stuck in straight away, so the subject matters vary quite a bit!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r_FguWaXXME/W8Ra7Pwtb1I/AAAAAAAAKK4/LypOTRYnATIEcYMxtPoH2De5JYQmg3v4ACLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook410_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="991" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r_FguWaXXME/W8Ra7Pwtb1I/AAAAAAAAKK4/LypOTRYnATIEcYMxtPoH2De5JYQmg3v4ACLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook410_72.jpg" width="528" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Day 10, and the prompt word was "Flowing"</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nTFKzKHblj0/W8Ra_w0omBI/AAAAAAAAKK8/BvkfXIFbQ6waBCbc1mLCxMD8oqWRFxspACLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook411_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1050" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nTFKzKHblj0/W8Ra_w0omBI/AAAAAAAAKK8/BvkfXIFbQ6waBCbc1mLCxMD8oqWRFxspACLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook411_72.jpg" width="560" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Day 11 the prompt was "Cruel". Persecution of wildlife for sport is something I'm deeply concerned about. Keep the Hunting Ban! </td></tr>
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I'm not moving far, currently I'm on the edge of Norwich, but have found my outlying location somewhat remote from the hub of the city, so am moving closer into town. As a non-driver and former London & central Tokyo resident I've never really felt at ease in the quiet suburbs, so the centre of town beckons. More on the house move later!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9jnuZwRb1ko/W8Rh66j8d4I/AAAAAAAAKLQ/I1wRA8dGDHgugxzUWmrFsqbk3fVk9rqwgCLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook413_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="1200" height="564" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9jnuZwRb1ko/W8Rh66j8d4I/AAAAAAAAKLQ/I1wRA8dGDHgugxzUWmrFsqbk3fVk9rqwgCLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook413_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 12 and the prompt word was "Whale". </td></tr>
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As the week wore on time limitations started to take their toll, and the weekend saw me working all the way through too - these last were drawn right at the end of the day, just about squeezed in! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a9sR5yOAGBM/W8RiK4A_vII/AAAAAAAAKLY/nONed03SGXk4o-Ohr-u8m1fBdn7wYSp-gCLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook393_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a9sR5yOAGBM/W8RiK4A_vII/AAAAAAAAKLY/nONed03SGXk4o-Ohr-u8m1fBdn7wYSp-gCLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook393_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 13 for the prompt word "Guarded". Drawn with a hard-point sepia Kuretake pen for a change. Late in the evening again? “Tut, tut!”</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uygoh477hso/W8RiPTyGlrI/AAAAAAAAKLc/r6jLaM1-lQ4wtq1CEknGju4-AJoYzcGhQCLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook414_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1236" height="620" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uygoh477hso/W8RiPTyGlrI/AAAAAAAAKLc/r6jLaM1-lQ4wtq1CEknGju4-AJoYzcGhQCLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook414_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 14, and the word is "Clock". Very apt, as I was working all day on Sunday, so just time to to scribble this last minute. </td></tr>
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My other news this week is the announcement of the <a href="http://www.alma.se/en/Nominations/Candidates/2019/" target="_blank">candidates for the 2019 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award</a> at the Frankfurt Book Fair. To my great delight I can reveal that I've once more been chosen as one of the nominees from the UK.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xhl4093JTnI/W8RjQxKlrTI/AAAAAAAAKLs/ZeYTQfPYLiIk-gBks9C13AQCkwI0s2ybgCLcBGAs/s1600/nominatedcandidates680x425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="680" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xhl4093JTnI/W8RjQxKlrTI/AAAAAAAAKLs/ZeYTQfPYLiIk-gBks9C13AQCkwI0s2ybgCLcBGAs/s640/nominatedcandidates680x425.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">http://www.alma.se/en/Nominations/Candidates/2019</td></tr>
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I was absolutely astonished to hear of my selection last year, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award is one of the most important children's book prizes in the world, my inclusion in the list of 235, a tiny figure amongst all the giants of publishing, did a tremendous amount to make me take stock, and reassess my work in publishing. <br />
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That I've once more been singled out for the 2019 shortlist is remarkable, and incredibly humbling. Though I personally doubt I have anything approaching the stature or worthiness to win, as one of the organisers told me at Bologna, it's not the award that's important, everyone on the selection list is honoured. My deepest gratitude to those who've nominated me. <br />
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<br />John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-91147714097860591232018-10-08T10:27:00.001+01:002018-10-08T10:49:43.553+01:00The start of Inktober 2018My, October already! I can hardly believe it.<br />
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These last few months have been focused on buying/selling my house and preparation for a move into Norwich, punctuated with regular illustration deadlines for clients in Japan this summer - virtually all of my commissioned work this year has been outside the world of children's publishing. Because of that, I leapt at the chance to have a go at the House of Illustration's 1-inch drawing a day challenge last month, it was exactly the tonic I needed! I'm immensely honoured and grateful to the <a href="https://www.houseofillustration.org.uk/" target="_blank">House of Illustration</a> and John Vernon Lord to hear that my work was chosen as one of the winning three entries. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XYRoyBQ4l78/W7sZR5vfInI/AAAAAAAAKJU/vZbyOMhHwnYBuxpjCMfPTKXR14hnhHn7ACLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook396_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1538" data-original-width="1188" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XYRoyBQ4l78/W7sZR5vfInI/AAAAAAAAKJU/vZbyOMhHwnYBuxpjCMfPTKXR14hnhHn7ACLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook396_72.jpg" width="494" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inktober 2018 Day 1, prompt word: "Poisonous". Such a sweet, rosy apple, won't you just try it? #SnowWhite </td></tr>
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Well, that was September, and now here we are in October, and another daily drawing challenge - <a href="https://inktober.com/" target="_blank">#Inktober</a>! I wasn't sure I'd participate in this year, after last months' exercise I have a lot of stuff I need to concentrate on, not least my own story ideas, as well as those regular overseas deadlines... I love Inktober, but there is a fine line to tread between these commitments being an inspiration and focus, or a burden, a procrastination or distraction from stuff you need to get on with.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1thbX8tY0MA/W7sZksYe8xI/AAAAAAAAKJc/joR65q6_CvUJYTsx-uTgTM3ZtiR6MR3ygCLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook391_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="1597" height="450" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1thbX8tY0MA/W7sZksYe8xI/AAAAAAAAKJc/joR65q6_CvUJYTsx-uTgTM3ZtiR6MR3ygCLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook391_72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inktober 2018 Day 2, for the prompt word: "Tranquil". I often feel this way, but it's not a self-portrait, honest!</td></tr>
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Last year, Inktober gave me a tremendous boost, it really helped to revitalise my pen work, giving me fresh stimulation, determination to focus on the type of work I really want to undertake. By the end of the month I was spending more time on Inktober drawings than I was on my other work - it really took over! I wasn't sure I'd be able to contribute this year, straight after the September challenge, but it was of such value to me last year, if John Vernon Lord can draw 1-inch images for an entire year, I can at the very least manage 2 months! So yes, I am doing it again this year, and here are the first week's images!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WjkIiGgNq98/W7saO7MjwdI/AAAAAAAAKJk/kQDWsN_Q_QspmO0waVvH5vK5LSJ8bQPWQCLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook399_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1245" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WjkIiGgNq98/W7saO7MjwdI/AAAAAAAAKJk/kQDWsN_Q_QspmO0waVvH5vK5LSJ8bQPWQCLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook399_72.jpg" width="530" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inktober Day 3, prompt word: "Roasted". Trying not to lose my head over Inktober this year. </td></tr>
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I'm so far keeping closely with the <a href="https://inktober.com/rules/" target="_blank">official 2018 prompt list</a>. Some of those prompt words may be an awkward fit for my genre of work, but half of the challenge of Inktober is in exploring ways to interpret the suggestions in a manner that inspires you to create interesting images. Illustration is not just about drawing a literal rendering of a prompt, it's only partly about drawing, with these kind of exercises half of the challenge is the way you expand, or commentate on proposals to portray wider feelings or concepts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OLWS3HqOcx8/W7sadOcNzMI/AAAAAAAAKJo/MFGjcKNKUfgdXfAKZ55ycasQEcTG-s3RgCLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook400_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1322" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OLWS3HqOcx8/W7sadOcNzMI/AAAAAAAAKJo/MFGjcKNKUfgdXfAKZ55ycasQEcTG-s3RgCLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook400_72.jpg" width="528" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inktober Day 4, prompt word: "Spell". Double, double, toil and trouble! I tried a different, softer paper, and a 0.05 finepoint pen for this, hence the somewhat scratchy finish. </td></tr>
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Scattered through this post then, are my first week's worth of Inktober drawings for 2018. Each was drawn on the day I posted, I've made no preparation at all for Inktober this year, and am trying to narrow the time spent on each image... for the moment anyway! You can follow my daily postings on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/studionib/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/StudioNIB" target="_blank">Twitter</a> @StudioNIB, or on my <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleyillustration/" target="_blank">Linked-In</a> profile. Fingers crossed I'll be able to finish the month!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P0QKnA2QcnM/W7sasr8DotI/AAAAAAAAKJ0/x4TdZkBumoYPWc4YRw0cmu4z6j3cvTFegCLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook401_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P0QKnA2QcnM/W7sasr8DotI/AAAAAAAAKJ0/x4TdZkBumoYPWc4YRw0cmu4z6j3cvTFegCLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook401_72.jpg" width="532" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inktober Day 5, prompt word: "Chicken". Or in this case, the house with chicken's feet.... a modern day Baba Yaga. I didn't get much sleep the night before I drew this, which might explain the interpretation!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JkaxNxc-Sxw/W7sa4iLXBCI/AAAAAAAAKJ4/LkzuN5vD520SQljh0VPQVp3L1NlvHAB_wCLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook402_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1258" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JkaxNxc-Sxw/W7sa4iLXBCI/AAAAAAAAKJ4/LkzuN5vD520SQljh0VPQVp3L1NlvHAB_wCLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook402_72.jpg" width="536" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inktober Day 6, prompt word: "Drooling". I tried a different pen for this, (Kuretake Gokochi), which gives a somewhat heavier line, closer to a dip pen.... my love of classic illustrators coming out a bit here perhaps! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nf1-fK-Hyuo/W7sbMWNq9VI/AAAAAAAAKKE/h7KsnZiF7V0R0oAFcN2WuMUEjqBn-VztQCLcBGAs/s1600/sketchbook403_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1013" data-original-width="1003" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nf1-fK-Hyuo/W7sbMWNq9VI/AAAAAAAAKKE/h7KsnZiF7V0R0oAFcN2WuMUEjqBn-VztQCLcBGAs/s640/sketchbook403_72.jpg" width="632" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inktober Day 7, prompt word: "Exhausted". The refugee crisis has weighed heavily with me, the awful plight of those fleeing conflict has been somewhat overshadowed by other news lately, but I can't think of anything more exhausting or distressing. Back to a Hi-Tec-C 0.5 for this, small scale drawing. </td></tr>
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<br />John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-77092831552757316262018-09-30T21:54:00.000+01:002018-09-30T22:18:37.600+01:00One-inch drawings - the final 12!Well, it's the end of September, and the final day of the House of Illustration's one-inch drawing a day challenge. It's been a lot of fun, the 1 inch square small scale has been a fascinating project, I should work at this size more often! Here are my last twelve drawings, from 19th - 30th September, each created on the day with a 0.1 multiliner pen bought in Japan many years ago. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio67S50FFyY10mvQILZ202-rjzo6BWYF4eBmNwl8NiQJvYo0ec0RPqKRMYGNjIAQX1nqDk_WJmY_J8Lxrwugn1FwHeJgEGNKxn-I4YBIRbmHmxNlikK8iVSjSBRfja0UQPEe-f/s1600/3rdset1inch72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1223" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio67S50FFyY10mvQILZ202-rjzo6BWYF4eBmNwl8NiQJvYo0ec0RPqKRMYGNjIAQX1nqDk_WJmY_J8Lxrwugn1FwHeJgEGNKxn-I4YBIRbmHmxNlikK8iVSjSBRfja0UQPEe-f/s640/3rdset1inch72.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When they were posted on Instagram and Twitter each of these had a title, without them, it's a rather random selection when I put them all together here! But there are themes. <br />
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Tomorrow it's the start of #Inktober2018, so more daily inking. More challenges? Am I going to take part this year? We'll see, at least there are no size restrictions!<br />
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<br />John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-48839992470667099762018-09-19T08:28:00.003+01:002018-09-19T08:58:16.317+01:00One-inch Drawings Part 2 Here's my second set of nine drawings for the <a href="http://www.houseofillustration.org.uk/" target="_blank">House of Illustration</a> challenge, each just 1 inch square, drawn daily, one small drawing a day, from 10th-18th September.<br />
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Some day's I've been busier than others, I usually start with little idea of what I'm going to draw, I'm surprised I managed to get so far! Many other artists have created some superb work in colour for this project, but I decided to stick to B/W pen and ink. And so it hopefully shall continue till the end of the month.<br />
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All these drawings I'm posting daily on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/studionib/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/StudioNIB" target="_blank">Twitter</a> @StudioNIB, by all means please follow me there! John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-676779531071117812018-09-09T16:32:00.000+01:002018-09-09T17:07:13.900+01:00Tiny pictures for SeptemberThis month the <a href="http://www.houseofillustration.org.uk/" target="_blank">House of Illustration</a> in London is running a daily art challenge to create a 1-inch (26mm) square piece of artwork every day of the month and post to social media. The idea was sparked by their currently running exhibition of the work of <a href="http://www.houseofillustration.org.uk/whats-on/current-future-events/john-vernon-lord-illustrating-carroll-and-joyce/" target="_blank">John Vernon Lord</a>, who drew daily one-inch square drawings as an exercise for a whole year. This challenge is just for a month, but it's the kind of thing that appeals to me, and I've decided to give it a go. Here are my drawings for the first 9 days of September, each one drawn on the day.<br />
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Although John Vernon Lord works largely in black & white there are no restrictions on materials for this exercise, many illustrators are joining in and producing work in full colour, but for me, B/W is at my core, so I decided to stick to monochrome.<br />
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Here's one of the above with a penny coin for a sense of scale:<br />
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Next month is Inktober, so similar thing, <i>definitely</i> in ink, but no size restriction and with theme prompts, so it looks like I'll be pen and inking for the next few weeks. Yikes!<br />
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I've no idea what I'll be drawing tomorrow, any requests?<br />
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It's not too late for anyone to join in the challenge, <a href="http://www.houseofillustration.org.uk/news/latest-news/the-house-of-illustration-drawing-a-day-challenge?platform=hootsuite" target="_blank">here are the details</a>. <br />
You can see my daily pictures on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/studionib/" target="_blank">Instagram</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/StudioNIB" target="_blank">Twitter</a> @StudioNIB, please follow! :)<br />
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<br />John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-7925759931895654852018-08-02T09:58:00.003+01:002018-08-02T10:00:56.133+01:00Summer 2018<br />
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Summer Greetings to all my friends and followers!<br />
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Sending you the best of wishes this mid-year, hoping you're staying cool and taking care in the heat. It's a working summer for me, but hoping for some pastoral down time too.<br />
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May this summer find you peace and tranquility!<br />
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<br />John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-75655230020880153142018-04-06T11:13:00.002+01:002018-04-11T09:12:24.864+01:00Bologna Book Fair 2018<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The 2018 Bologna Children's Book Fair took place from 26th-29th March. This was my fifth visit to Bologna, but it's been six years since I was last at the Fair, book deadlines have kept me away since I stepped down from volunteering with the biennial SCBWI Stand, so this was a very overdue return to the Halls!<br />
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Preparation & Planning</h3>
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Partly I was there to report on the Fair for <i>Words and Pictures</i>, the journal of SCBWI British Isles (<a href="http://www.wordsandpics.org/2018/04/illustration-feature-bologna-book-fair.html" target="_blank">my essay on the Fair is here)</a>, but for my personal agenda I had three very distinct plans for Bologna. Firstly, to hear the announcement of the winner of the <a href="http://www.alma.se/en/" target="_blank">Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award</a>, for which I was enormously gratified to be shortlisted this year. I hoped my nomination would raise my profile in the UK, perhaps help me sell the rights to some of my overseas books. And of course, in the unlikely case that I actually won, naturally I wanted to be on the ground to celebrate!<br />
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Secondly the Fair provided me with a personal deadline to get some new picture book dummies together. As an illustrator, I've struggled to get back into writing after a long hiatus, for the past few years I've had my hands full with commissioned art deadlines, books authored by others, and, although my own story ideas have been a-plenty, expanding them into solid book submissions hasn't been easy. Bologna on the horizon helped me get over some hurdles, so the Fair began working for me before I even got there. I found myself polishing picture book dummies right up to the morning I flew.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspiring work from Taiwan</td></tr>
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Thirdly, I wanted to catch up with my overseas clients, who I haven't seen face-to-face for quite a while, absorb the creative energy of the Fair, recharge my batteries, refocus on my direction, my work etc., and especially be inspired by fine international books! <br />
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I was a little late querying people for appointments so didn't have quite as many as I'd hoped, but there were enough. I took with me three picture book dummies, copies of my 6 most recently published picture books, a colour portfolio showing spreads from older books, plus a B/W portfolio of line work for novels and sketchbooks. Also a pile of freshly printed A5 promotion cards, most of which stayed in my room!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHsGDBMx2qE/Wsc848rvpMI/AAAAAAAAJSg/livz0OUFwHg5AG52RsO0AH8sMvPZNXJ3gCLcBGAs/s1600/2018-03-27%2B11.17.12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FHsGDBMx2qE/Wsc848rvpMI/AAAAAAAAJSg/livz0OUFwHg5AG52RsO0AH8sMvPZNXJ3gCLcBGAs/s640/2018-03-27%2B11.17.12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the Illustrator's Walls - no I wasn't tempted!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h3>
Enlightenment</h3>
<br />
I've spent much of my career as a commission-seeking professional illustrator, working to the contract, and not so much as the submitting storyteller. Changing from the jobber to the writing, story developing, author-artist requires a very different frame of mind. In the past I sought art commissions at Bologna, and was quite awkward showing dummies of my own stories, but this year was very different, with dummies at the core of my focus. I'm not really seeking commissions from Bologna any more unless it's something that really keys into my own vision, what I'm really looking for is to become more fluid at storytelling with both pictures and words, to master the art of picture-book making in it's entirety. What I aim for is a stock of self-written dummies to submit, either directly or through an agent, to a small group of selected editors I have a strong working relationship with. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uxz_rK-rm3E/Wsc74O65DjI/AAAAAAAAJSY/hakEfu6VBCYg6kfieW6Sffyi7mqST5SIgCLcBGAs/s1600/2018-03-27%2B12.51.46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uxz_rK-rm3E/Wsc74O65DjI/AAAAAAAAJSY/hakEfu6VBCYg6kfieW6Sffyi7mqST5SIgCLcBGAs/s640/2018-03-27%2B12.51.46.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Announcement of the winner of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award at the Illustrator's Cafe</td></tr>
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<br />
That, in essence, was my pursuit at Bologna. After Jackie Woodson was announced as the winner of the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award there was a lunch event at the ALMA stand with a small table displaying her wonderful books. These are books she wrote from the heart, her background instilled into every story, her authors voice speaking out clearly to her readers. As the jury stated, “In language as light as air, she tells stories of resounding richness and depth.” I thought for a moment, what if, in a fantasy moment I actually had won, and they were my books laid out on that table? How many of them could I actually say were <i>my</i> stories? The answer is - none! Now, don't get me wrong, I'm proud of all the books I've worked on, especially those in the last 10 years or so, with some fine, fine writers, but inevitably as most of them have been written by others there is something missing in my repertoire - my stories! <br />
<br />
It struck me suddenly that every time I work on a commissioned book written by someone else, I'm taking a step outside my core imaginative realm to meet the vision of the writer (or occasionally editor). If it's a small step, close to my "core inspiration", then it's going to be a fantastic book, the meeting of worlds, the best of collaborations - there are some titles I've worked on that definitely fit this! But some of my less personalised works have been big stretches away from that core to meet the conditions of the project. They're still valuable and worthy jobs, but they're not "my world". I realised that the "core" part of our creativity is actually a very delicate and shy creature, it's easily suppressed by outside factors, the smaller it shrinks, the harder it is to connect with it, and if you really neglect it, something that could disappear entirely.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5VyjH2WoxvY/WsdHq7zv1NI/AAAAAAAAJT0/KR1No9GjQIs-TdGeL1iN9oNQgbnH09kxQCLcBGAs/s1600/creativemonster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="739" height="530" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5VyjH2WoxvY/WsdHq7zv1NI/AAAAAAAAJT0/KR1No9GjQIs-TdGeL1iN9oNQgbnH09kxQCLcBGAs/s640/creativemonster.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have to nurture this little chap in his tiny green garden. </td></tr>
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<br />
Of course we all do some things to pay the bills, my entire income is from illustration, working to commission is a key part of that! But parallel to this work we must look after, grow and explore that creative core - it's core material that makes great books that resonate with others - it's the honest voice from our personal kingdom of experience and imagination. Examples of these kind of books were displayed all over the Fair! The good news is that, finally, thanks to Bologna, I’ve begun to overcome long-standing story-making hurdles, and am finally seeing solid results.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ntY9sjuW8GQ/WsdAgSqbd4I/AAAAAAAAJTg/Pd_vrIOBhKUKhMMJ6ZzkgjhVwbSv6PTNgCEwYBhgL/s1600/2018-03-29%2B14.00.16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ntY9sjuW8GQ/WsdAgSqbd4I/AAAAAAAAJTg/Pd_vrIOBhKUKhMMJ6ZzkgjhVwbSv6PTNgCEwYBhgL/s640/2018-03-29%2B14.00.16.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exquisite titles in the selected works bookshop</td></tr>
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<br />
<h3>
Being the Businessman </h3>
<br />
One very good bit of advice I had from another SCBWI member (thank you Andi!) was that as a widely published illustrator I should stop thinking of myself as an artist at Bologna, and start thinking like a businessman. I was there to show my new projects and market existing books, not primarily to seek random commissions. This lesson sank in very quickly. After the the first day, I realised my colour portfolio didn't show my older books properly so I left it in my room. Most of the postcards I'd had made stayed there too!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UE3anW-Ei8M/Wsc9R5ApnfI/AAAAAAAAJSk/1CzSR8o54yQRDTo9U0__ozxIs5Hq8MwnwCLcBGAs/s1600/2018-03-29%2B12.18.47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UE3anW-Ei8M/Wsc9R5ApnfI/AAAAAAAAJSk/1CzSR8o54yQRDTo9U0__ozxIs5Hq8MwnwCLcBGAs/s640/2018-03-29%2B12.18.47.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two of my picture books on the shelves of the Holiday House stand</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNvYwiAup8U/Wsc9lGmqpwI/AAAAAAAAJSs/lhHL3ZBH8AgwOoZdsapLA9mbjAzfDcAkQCLcBGAs/s1600/2018-03-29%2B12.19.19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iNvYwiAup8U/Wsc9lGmqpwI/AAAAAAAAJSs/lhHL3ZBH8AgwOoZdsapLA9mbjAzfDcAkQCLcBGAs/s640/2018-03-29%2B12.19.19.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With editor Grace Maccarone from Holiday House</td></tr>
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<br />
My dummies went down very well, but I was less successful in selling the rights to my previous titles. I've a lot of books published in other countries that have not been released internationally, for which I own the international publishing rights, so I was hopeful to negotiate overseas reprints for them. I didn't think to make appointments with rights staff though, when I met publishers it was with editorial staff to talk about future illustration projects, not to sell the rights of my existing Asian and American titles. Most US, and nearly all UK publishers don't buy overseas books anyway. My American editor told me though that there is no special protocol, I should have as much chance as anyone at selling book rights, so this is a lesson for next year! If you want to sell rights, you need to make appointments with the "right" staff!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vSUmsGTceRk/Wsc9wro7_kI/AAAAAAAAJSw/MAN8HP4NUmYjAeQribqMVYFbZfslgEfcACLcBGAs/s1600/2018-03-26%2B12.20.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vSUmsGTceRk/Wsc9wro7_kI/AAAAAAAAJSw/MAN8HP4NUmYjAeQribqMVYFbZfslgEfcACLcBGAs/s640/2018-03-26%2B12.20.08.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching up with old friends from SCBWI Bologna - Dana Carey, Andi Ipaktchi, Susan Eaddy</td></tr>
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<br />
<h3>
Highlights</h3>
<br />
So Bologna was revealing and rewarding. It seemed for me a different, perhaps more mature experience from previous visits, with very positive feedback from publishers on my story ideas, and I left with a new clarity about my work. Here are my top ten memories:<br />
<br />
1) Seeing many old volunteering writer and illustrator colleagues from SCBWI Europe and the rest of the world.<br />
<br />
2) Discovering a string of immensely fine books (especially French ones) that have inspired and refreshed my vision.<br />
<br />
3) Catching up with my US and Japanese editors/art directors, who are all fantastic. One particular highlight was celebrating with staff from my Japanese publisher Fukuinan Shoten their winning of "Best Publisher of the Year" (Asia).<br />
<br />
4) Being nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2018. I had absolutely no <br />
illusions about my chances of winning, but it was an incredible honour to see my name bracketed as a UK entry. My deepest gratitude to those who nominated me. <br />
<br />
5) Partly as a consequence of 4), having a revelation of sudden and profound clarity about my work, my career, my 'voice', the stories I have to tell, and the direction of my art.<br />
<br />
6) Being hugged by writer (Sir) Michael Morpurgo after I reminded him of a picture he once bought of mine at a charity auction (artwork from the 2003 book <i>Lines in the Sand</i>). He still has the drawing on his wall, and still loves it.<br />
<br />
7) Bumping into the lovely author/illustrator Adam Stower again, who co-ran a picture book retreat event for SCBWI BI last year and enormously restored my jaded spirits.<br />
<br />
8) Sketch-Duelling at the SCBWI Stand with the marvellous American picture book creator/illustrator Paul O. Zelinsky.<br />
<br />
9) Receiving a unanimous thumbs up to my latest picturebook dummy from every book industry professional I showed it to. <br />
<br />
10) On the very last morning having an unexpected happy surprise reunion with my UK editor from the early 2000's, who I haven't seen in over 14 years and is back in children's publishing. That really was the cream on the cake.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-37259991241553874032018-01-01T22:28:00.000+00:002018-01-01T22:28:15.522+00:00Happy New Year! <div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="9taor" data-offset-key="cpn2p-0-0">
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<span data-offset-key="cpn2p-0-0"><span data-text="true">A very Happy New Year of the Dog to all my followers!! </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="eabpl-0-0"><span data-text="true">2017 was tough for a great many people in very many ways, here's hoping this year the strength and determination of the Dog shall guide all my friends and followers to greater success!</span></span></div>
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John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-45148107031654579212017-12-20T13:47:00.000+00:002017-12-20T13:47:16.455+00:00Christmas 2017<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lPAXqWWnKH8/WjpOEnJdmnI/AAAAAAAAJCo/KrGec3D-pA80pUS7eLwsUYZRtlQYtPHzgCLcBGAs/s1600/xmas2017_72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="879" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lPAXqWWnKH8/WjpOEnJdmnI/AAAAAAAAJCo/KrGec3D-pA80pUS7eLwsUYZRtlQYtPHzgCLcBGAs/s640/xmas2017_72.jpg" width="562" /></a></div>
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Sending festive joy and warmth to all my friends and followers! <br /><br />Amidst the challenges facing the world, may this Christmas bring you peace, hope and inspiration.John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-77571841567878092832017-11-19T12:55:00.000+00:002017-11-19T12:55:35.997+00:00Alt-Write: creative reactions to uncertain times <span></span><br />
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<span data-offset-key="enhh5-0-0"><span data-text="true">Here's my illustration contribution to "Alt-Write: creative reactions to uncertain times", a collection of new stories, poems and illustrations from leading names in the children’s book world. It's to illustrate Andrew Fusek Peters' poem "Salmon". </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lAawXyg3wjE/WhF7yF42UpI/AAAAAAAAI1A/phuUxR_YV_47LB_CwVpNyz5avqtogaAvQCLcBGAs/s1600/2017-11-07%2B19.46.33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lAawXyg3wjE/WhF7yF42UpI/AAAAAAAAI1A/phuUxR_YV_47LB_CwVpNyz5avqtogaAvQCLcBGAs/s640/2017-11-07%2B19.46.33.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<span data-offset-key="enhh5-0-0"><span data-text="true">At-Write is being funded by a <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/alt-write-creative-reactions-to-uncertain-times-book-poetry#/" target="_blank">crowdfunding campaign</a></span></span><span data-offset-key="enhh5-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span><span data-offset-key="enhh5-2-0"><span data-text="true">. </span></span></span>The original artwork is available </span></span><span><span data-offset-key="enhh5-0-0"><span data-text="true">for sale </span></span></span><span data-offset-key="enhh5-0-0"><span data-text="true">on the campaign page</span></span><span data-offset-key="enhh5-2-0"><span data-text="true">. Please support! </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="enhh5-2-0"><span data-text="true">The book is full of luminaries from the world of children's books in the UK, with a cover illustrator from Chris Riddell and contributions from amongst others Frank Cotrell Boyce, Carol Ann Duffy, Jackie Kay, Patrice Lawrence, Sarah MacIntyre, Susan Price, Michael Rosen, Nick Sharratt, Jane Ray, Alex Wheatle and Jane Yolen. </span></span></div>
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<span data-offset-key="enhh5-2-0"><span data-text="true">Here you can find the original <a href="https://youtu.be/-c6oAvqWPm4" target="_blank">campaign launch video</a>. There's also a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/altwrite/?fref=ts" target="_blank">Facebook Group</a>. Please share the campaign! </span></span></div>
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John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-58186388400172930762017-11-01T09:06:00.000+00:002017-11-01T14:09:32.314+00:00Inktober 2017 - the final week!... Or rather 10 days, to finish off the month-long daily-ink-drawing exercise that ran through October.<br />
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I've really enjoyed Inktober this year, though at times it has been a rather big distraction! Here are my last installment of drawings.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pwqhUN9jiu4/WfhyZG0OYGI/AAAAAAAAIxs/FXVRDcZR8x0Oxprd2cGD8RuaR7zgCnADACLcBGAs/s1600/2017sketch_john_shelleyMN72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1000" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pwqhUN9jiu4/WfhyZG0OYGI/AAAAAAAAIxs/FXVRDcZR8x0Oxprd2cGD8RuaR7zgCnADACLcBGAs/s640/2017sketch_john_shelleyMN72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">'On the Trail', for Day 22. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O0Xz7wCRhZw/WfipbFH0WRI/AAAAAAAAIx8/yTjSLt6KH-gb-NIY026tdjnWefMY7ikXACLcBGAs/s1600/2017sketch355_John_Shelley72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="994" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O0Xz7wCRhZw/WfipbFH0WRI/AAAAAAAAIx8/yTjSLt6KH-gb-NIY026tdjnWefMY7ikXACLcBGAs/s640/2017sketch355_John_Shelley72.jpg" width="636" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">“Oh look, so juicy!” for Day 23. What could possibly go wrong? </td></tr>
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<br />
I've learned a lot from this exercise this
year, it's really given me a chance to grapple with the capabilities of
my materials - though it's a shame I didn't try line & wash, or do
more with brush pens (reminder- need to buy more Kuretake!).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-13AX1Eocz00/Wfip4m64iTI/AAAAAAAAIyA/KNq4tmKc3E4Tf4sXG0eUgLnJ_twrUuyawCLcBGAs/s1600/2017sketch356John_Shelley72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="681" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-13AX1Eocz00/Wfip4m64iTI/AAAAAAAAIyA/KNq4tmKc3E4Tf4sXG0eUgLnJ_twrUuyawCLcBGAs/s640/2017sketch356John_Shelley72.jpg" width="434" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For Day 24 the prompt word was “Blind”.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-axObMjFsyNU/WfiqyExum-I/AAAAAAAAIyM/Ph8hKjF0rIAHCVW-3giAL3Uruh1zsELagCLcBGAs/s1600/2017sketch367_john_shelley72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="702" data-original-width="1000" height="448" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-axObMjFsyNU/WfiqyExum-I/AAAAAAAAIyM/Ph8hKjF0rIAHCVW-3giAL3Uruh1zsELagCLcBGAs/s640/2017sketch367_john_shelley72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">“Moon Ship”. Day 25 and I couldn’t resist a bit of whimsy for the day’s prompt ’Ship'.</td></tr>
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I had hoped to do some more brush-pen and also ink & wash drawings in my studio, but the second half of this month has entirely been in Pilot HI-TEC-C pens, basically because I've been busy with work and a London event, because I love them, and because they are remarkably portable and easy to use. The pressure of deadlines meant that studio time is for commissioned work, these drawings on the other hand are sketchbook activities drawn in the kitchen, the lounge, on the train etc, and to a very short deadline (mostly drawn in 1 day, at most 2 days!) so I stuck to the medium I'm fondest of - that's just the way it worked out. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9LpMWNIyXCU/WfirJaNtJxI/AAAAAAAAIyQ/_w4medQhCsQkuRc-WUC-HEjdVLNvGuReQCLcBGAs/s1600/2017sketch368John_Shelley72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="679" data-original-width="1000" height="434" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9LpMWNIyXCU/WfirJaNtJxI/AAAAAAAAIyQ/_w4medQhCsQkuRc-WUC-HEjdVLNvGuReQCLcBGAs/s640/2017sketch368John_Shelley72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">“Squeak!” For Day 26. After the heavy detail of the previous day's post it was a relief to do something simple and fun!</td></tr>
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I don't often join in social media group-art exercises but
Inktober is very much my kind of thing, this year is only the second
I've attempted, and the first I've joined in from Day 1. I loved it!
More (it has to be admitted) than current commissioned work because it's almost
entirely down to me what I draw, with just the optional prompt words for
guidance - it gets me exploring the corners of my imagination,
challenges me to draw every day, and pushes the boundaries of where I
want to take my work.<br />
<br />
When I get into "the zone" it kind of takes over, some drawings grew on
the page and took rather longer than planned, sometimes well into the
early hours. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3dtM-9FifPc/WfiruUbej9I/AAAAAAAAIyY/GDwKxR7v8lIhvvFejqbIdAigMKZaeOeAgCLcBGAs/s1600/2017sketch310_John_Shelley72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="722" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3dtM-9FifPc/WfiruUbej9I/AAAAAAAAIyY/GDwKxR7v8lIhvvFejqbIdAigMKZaeOeAgCLcBGAs/s640/2017sketch310_John_Shelley72.jpg" width="462" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">‘Climbing to the High Notes’ Day 27's prompt word 'Climb'. This was initially inspired by a recent visit to the National Gallery in London, where I saw <a href="https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/lorenzo-costa-a-concert" target="_blank">‘A Concert’</a> by Lorenzo Costa. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ugocof9_8kw/Wfis-va0htI/AAAAAAAAIyk/hL7WVumpm1sOB5MkNKa6NwFITI1VYNB8QCLcBGAs/s1600/2017sketch345_john_shelley72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="748" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ugocof9_8kw/Wfis-va0htI/AAAAAAAAIyk/hL7WVumpm1sOB5MkNKa6NwFITI1VYNB8QCLcBGAs/s640/2017sketch345_john_shelley72.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> “Falling under the spell of the Siren’s song” was for Day 28's prompt word 'Fall'</td></tr>
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Some evolved from completely different ideas, some I've looked at afterwards and realised in
retrospect - oh, it would have been better had I done it this way, or that way, tweaked
this or that.... but they are drawings of the moment. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-smV_nXXcWOI/WfixMTovLQI/AAAAAAAAIyw/hYD9LDawb90ArmJd1jBJEKRcKCFOdEu8QCLcBGAs/s1600/2017sketch309_John_Shelley72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="967" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-smV_nXXcWOI/WfixMTovLQI/AAAAAAAAIyw/hYD9LDawb90ArmJd1jBJEKRcKCFOdEu8QCLcBGAs/s640/2017sketch309_John_Shelley72.jpg" width="618" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">‘United.’ For Day 29.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-os4szskayxI/Wfix_ZEI9WI/AAAAAAAAIy4/tqfKbaI8_WodfL_uWkcmtEY2O4juBqiRACLcBGAs/s1600/2017sketch375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="1600" height="496" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-os4szskayxI/Wfix_ZEI9WI/AAAAAAAAIy4/tqfKbaI8_WodfL_uWkcmtEY2O4juBqiRACLcBGAs/s640/2017sketch375.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">‘Found.’ For Day 30. </td></tr>
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Despite some heavily crafted compositions these are ultimately
sketchbook drawings, exploratory, sometimes a little rough around the
edges, but that's what gives the drawings their appeal for me, I'm not sure they
would be as challenging if everything was planned out and drawn over a
long time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ebpBw6PDDxI/WfiyUXuNwkI/AAAAAAAAIy8/27vT2Wjjuc8AP3Tc_mFuLmKBJ3fUPDnJgCLcBGAs/s1600/2017sketch376John_Shelley72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="668" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ebpBw6PDDxI/WfiyUXuNwkI/AAAAAAAAIy8/27vT2Wjjuc8AP3Tc_mFuLmKBJ3fUPDnJgCLcBGAs/s640/2017sketch376John_Shelley72.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And finally... ‘Mask.’ For the final Day 31. A Halloween theme - not all witches cavort on broomsticks you know.</td></tr>
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Will I be doing it next year? Well it depends on circumstances, deadlines etc. I hope so. First I need to catch up on housework and some sleep. But I will definitely be filling my sketchbooks and posting the results, maybe not at such a frenetic pace, but exploring the byways, pushing the boundaries!<br />
<br />John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12212481.post-91901903420687911882017-10-22T20:41:00.002+01:002017-10-22T20:50:26.851+01:00 Inktober 2017 - Week 3This Week 3 of Inktober has been odd, I've actually had a fair bit of work to get on with, but amidst the clamour of deadlines Inktober had the loudest voice, gradually things began to become more and more elaborate! All the drawings over the third week were created in a Pilot Hi-Tec fineoint, either 0.4 or 0.5, I tried as far as possible to follow the optional prompts.....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b6Z4S3oGQXQ/WeztKU3oqFI/AAAAAAAAIvU/qlIHWKQxfTAT-qcO0H1W2-ylDQ33MuS9ACLcBGAs/s1600/2017sketch308_John_Shelley.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="740" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b6Z4S3oGQXQ/WeztKU3oqFI/AAAAAAAAIvU/qlIHWKQxfTAT-qcO0H1W2-ylDQ33MuS9ACLcBGAs/s640/2017sketch308_John_Shelley.jpg" width="472" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 15 of #inktober 2017 and the prompt word was ‘mysterious’. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m5l-_lV_zkU/Weztb9aGV8I/AAAAAAAAIvY/HytvG9NcL2swlQ71iBTf7RkpxCgkUh9yQCLcBGAs/s1600/2017sketch341John_Shelley72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="723" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m5l-_lV_zkU/Weztb9aGV8I/AAAAAAAAIvY/HytvG9NcL2swlQ71iBTf7RkpxCgkUh9yQCLcBGAs/s640/2017sketch341John_Shelley72.jpg" width="462" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">‘Promenade’. Day 16, and something traditional for the prompt word: ‘fat’.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-otK5BlCP5zQ/Wezt63KMw-I/AAAAAAAAIvg/CJd-yT_9QEQK8zwELnFbcJ42ytTCFzeGACLcBGAs/s1600/2017sketch344_john_shelley72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="1000" height="464" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-otK5BlCP5zQ/Wezt63KMw-I/AAAAAAAAIvg/CJd-yT_9QEQK8zwELnFbcJ42ytTCFzeGACLcBGAs/s640/2017sketch344_john_shelley72.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">“Graceful Dreamer”, for Day 17. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7HL9yGC06Tw/WezuTmzzZwI/AAAAAAAAIvk/iDf1ZCcWzq46nw5G-IAvrjcPL3o_Mxg6gCLcBGAs/s1600/2017sketch346_john_shelley72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="666" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7HL9yGC06Tw/WezuTmzzZwI/AAAAAAAAIvk/iDf1ZCcWzq46nw5G-IAvrjcPL3o_Mxg6gCLcBGAs/s640/2017sketch346_john_shelley72.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">‘Dirty Old Town’. Day 18, and the prompt word was “filthy”. I like the slightly off-white paper in my larger sketchbook, it particularly seemed to fit this drawing. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jXRfhsNucmc/Wezver3c7yI/AAAAAAAAIv8/SVaLKsOjSPQ_HKamNX2XbzF5kyo4XA7PwCLcBGAs/s1600/2017sketch347_john_shelley72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="712" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jXRfhsNucmc/Wezver3c7yI/AAAAAAAAIv8/SVaLKsOjSPQ_HKamNX2XbzF5kyo4XA7PwCLcBGAs/s640/2017sketch347_john_shelley72.jpg" width="454" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">“Clouds”, for Day 19. I drew this for Inktober, but also as a birthday gift for my sister-in-law, who now has the original drawing. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2CPcPitQTg/WezuyEJAFlI/AAAAAAAAIv0/VJZY_-Vr4igRPrPHFFo8iciCY0BZmJAcgCLcBGAs/s1600/2017sketch353_john_shelley72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="879" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2CPcPitQTg/WezuyEJAFlI/AAAAAAAAIv0/VJZY_-Vr4igRPrPHFFo8iciCY0BZmJAcgCLcBGAs/s640/2017sketch353_john_shelley72.jpg" width="562" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">“Deep”, for Day 20. In contrast to Day 21 which followed, I knew exactly what I wanted this drawing to look like from the word go, and it pretty well turned out that way. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6yUaEQjkiX0/WezwOus5PVI/AAAAAAAAIwI/YYJMIS0xSawdNtQ7XEZmZYb8S8_VSrJcQCLcBGAs/s1600/2017sketch354_john_shelley72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="794" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6yUaEQjkiX0/WezwOus5PVI/AAAAAAAAIwI/YYJMIS0xSawdNtQ7XEZmZYb8S8_VSrJcQCLcBGAs/s640/2017sketch354_john_shelley72.jpg" width="508" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">“Furious Wind”, for Day 21. Coincidentally on the day that Storm Brian swept the UK! This was a drawing I started with the intention of making it quite simple, but it grew, just like the storm. </td></tr>
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Things were getting very labour-intensive by the end of this week, I actually have commissioned work to get on with (but it just goes to show how much I'm enjoying this exercise!). Possibly I'm cutting back for the rest of the month.... but it takes me where it takes me. John Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12667956500314198121noreply@blogger.com0