...we've found people who like to draw - get the kettle on!..

...Lee & Kirby burning bright...

Avengers 1 - Marvel Comics

On the day of the release of what is possibly the ultimate superhero movie, why don't we take a look at who we've really got to thank for the oncoming spectacle.

Nowhere were the flames of comic book creativity stoked more fiercely and with greater love and passion, than in the ten foot 'Dungeon' studio of Jack Kirby.

Jack in his basement studio

The white hot almost alchemical fusion of Kirby's power and creativity, with Stan Lee's humanistic characterisation, humour and goldanged irrepressible hucksterism, created a brave new world of superheroes. 

Stan and Jack's multitude of Marvel Comic characters continue to edify and entertain us, and influence and inspire us fifty years on into the 21st century!

Stan and that month's Marvels

In popular culture terms Lee & Kirby were the comic book industry's Lennon and McCartney - they revolutionised the worlds of comics and entertainment. 

There isn't a thank-you big enough, but thanks. 

...Castle Acre spring fairs and summer fetes...

Writer Sue Welfare kindly suggested I contact mosaic artist Carolyn Ash regarding her networking Spring Fairs at the Castle Acre Village Hall. 

Without hesitation I signed on the dotted line and will be appearing with a full stall of cards, prints, calendars, comics  and artwork. 

I'll also be dishing out to one and all - or anybody who will listen - pen & ink drawing tips and any advice regarding digital artwork and reproduction. 

I'm looking forward to it, see you there! 

...a giraffe a bat, a lorry a cat - a squid a shark, a lark in the dark...

When I was asked in 2011 whether I could help Hilgay School's Year 6 produce an end of year mural, I thought -'Well I normally work with perhaps the smallest drawing implement (a dip pen), and generally no larger than A3 or A2 - that's about 24" x 17" in english, but what the heck! - it sounds like fun'.

I discussed ideas with the headteacher and then produced a rough design which was then passed over to the pupils.  

A week or so later I spent a morning with the kids - they had already each produced drawings of their own animals and fish to populate the jungle scene. We agreed we would create a feeling of depth making use of foreground and background elements in the picture.  

The children blew up their drawings on the school photocopier until we were able to produce a small proportional layout which Helen at the Ryston Print Centre scaled up to a whopping two metres square! The full size animals were cut out and then traced in place onto the surface.  

With paint donated by the King's Lynn Recycling Centre we began to block in the larger shapes, applying the detail and texture as the work progressed. The students all applied themselves to the task with plenty of energy and creativity - it was clear that up to a point I could pretty much leave it up to them - after all it is their mural.  

It was apparent from an early stage that the natural amazon environment had been displaced somewhat by the appearance of the cabin of a rather large Heavy Goods Vehicle. Not sure about the fuel emissions, but you can't say it's not realistic...

On the day of the unveiling the Year 6 children, after a flurry of Lynn News photography, were each presented with a 'Mega Mural Artist Supreme' certificate in recognition of their vision and hard work.

It had been suggested that perhaps the school would make this an annual event, with a new mural painted each year by the outgoing  students. A year 4 pupil asked me if she could include her teddy bear when she painted her mural - why not?

The students kindly presented me with a gift certificate which I promptly spent on art supplies. Many thanks Hilgay School!

...a drawing of your wife sir? Are you sure sir?...

A big thank-you to Tom Brooke for one of the most enjoyable commissions of last year. This is a piece of work that became known as 'Kitchen Carnage'.

Tom wanted to present wife Emma with a birthday gift of one of my drawings. They already had one of my Pen & Ink illustrations and liked the idea of a family comic strip. The brief essentially was to draw Emma as a superheroine overcoming insurmountable odds, i.e. getting the kids ready for breakfast on a school morning.

I'd like to see world savers Spider-Man and the Human Torch tackle that problem - although Mr Fantastic is married with kids... 

Anyway - with a suitable story, I had a go at the 'Breakfast Adventure!'

I prepared a rough preliminary layout, and this was the script -

'Kitchen Carnage' - marker rough

KITCHEN CARNAGE! 

Panel 1 - Scene setting long shot of your home/Hilgay village
Panel 2 - Close up - Emma blissfully asleep
Panel 3 - Same shot - Emma rudely awakened by crashing sound effects      off panel 

Panel 4 - You guessed it - Kitchen Carnage! long/medium shot - Josh and Finley doing everything but getting ready for school. Remote helicopters and paper airplanes flying out of panel, cereals and lamp also flying...(please advise if these are things they have/would do, or suggest alternatives - Millennium Falcon?). 

Panel 5 - Whoa! Enter Emma - wearing dressing gown/pajamas - perhaps she shouts Josh! Finley! -boys freeze in mid motion 

Panel 6 - Flash of lights, Emma transforms into 'Super Emma' (this outfit or costume can be what ever you want, so ideas please), amidst all the Mary Poppins like breakfast preparations (toast buttered, milk on cereals, juice poured, books/schoolbags packed), and other 'tidykinetic' events, the helicopter and plane come in to land. And I'm sure Emma managed to telekinetically make herself a cup/mug of tea/coffee. 

Panel 7 - Longshot - Josh and Finley all dressed and ready for school look at each other thinking 'That's our 'super' mum!' Emma stands triumphant - another school morning successfully dealt with - back to bed? If only...

If there is a next issue/week/final message blurb what might it read? 

TOMORROW - 'Kitchen Carnage 2!' 'Back to bed' ' SuperEmma to the rescue... 

Anyway - that was the general idea...

'Kitchen Carnage' - pen & ink

Tom kindly provided numerous photos for reference and we came up with the finished article as above.  

I offered to produce a hand-coloured watercolour version, but they had already cut out the middleman and given the kids photocopies and crayons - 'What the..!?'

If there's any doubt, I think we know who the real superheroes are...

Thanks again, Tom and Emma. 

...HAG...we're looking for people who like to draw...

- Nordelph goes vintage with Three Artists and a craft fair -

'Downham Market 2013 Three Artists' 2013 Calendar

How could I resist an invitation to take part in the first Nordelph vintage Craft Fair?

The Nordelph Committee promise a craft fair with a difference promoting a Twenties' musical theme. Popular crafters Belles and Whistles will be participating alongside handmade jewelry, bespoke woodturning, pottery and ceramics, greetings cards, watercolour artwork, and last - but never least - homemade cupcakes! 

'Moat' - pen and coloured pencil by Richard White

I'll be showcasing my latest calendar hot off the Dolphin Graphics presses. 'Three Artists 2013' presents my work alongside the delicate penmanship of dad-in-law Richard White and the lush pencil and pastels of wildlife artist David Goddard.

'Three Artists 2013' features two images from each artist, and presents two months to a page. It's a spiral bound calendar and is printed on 350 gsm stock - each print quality picture can be mounted and framed at the end of the year - if not sooner.

'Lions' - pencil and pastels by David Goddard

What am I thinking? Did I forget to mention driftwood art, face painting, textiles and collectibles. Must be the Martini...

The Craft Fair will be take place at Nordelph Village Hall on Sunday the 6th of May, from 10am to 3pm. Refreshments will be served all day. Join us for not only a trip back to the roaring Twenties', but also an opportunity to grab a gift for someone special - and maybe that's you!

On a more sober note funds raised will be applied to the Nordelph Village Hall, and a stall will be held by charity Lifeline 4 Chernobyl.

You bring the Sobranies' - I'll brush up on my Charleston.

 And no sign of Hugh Grant...