Overdue Mural blog

Hello, I'm not going to waste time apologising for being a bloggin' loser...we all know that, so skip the part where I gibber on about being busy and all that blarb...and...

Well, here is the blank canvas...previously primed by another company and 

I have done a base coat of the cream colour you see here.

Now can you see why I was so excited about this commission? 

Ooooh, the potential! Gets my toes a tingling...

Inside is divided into two basic rooms, as seen here.

These pictures were taken when I had mapped out the image and started to fill colour.

...After a bit more time.

...And more time. It is now that disaster struck... 

Salt started to come through the walls, blooming 200 year old brick work. 

Unfortunately I lost a day and a wall of work to the great salty problem of 2011.

I should have known, salty sea dogs n' all that.

...Couple of different angles on the progress.

There that should do it!

Now, the FINISHED PIECE:

Yarrrrr, here's be hopin' ye likes it!

As you can see, I use only the best paints, for this I used an amazing eco friendly, extremely vibrant, brilliant masonry paint which I have used several times before and they are great! If you want to know contact details for the company, I would be happy to pass it on. 

Thank you to the education centre that had me in to do this project, it really was a pleasure to work with all the kids and staff! They all made me feel very welcome :)

Also, a special shout out to the paint master Kieran whose idea it was for the big ol' skeleton on the exterior wall, yarrrrrrr!

I'll try for another blog sooner then this one, soon will be all the wedding art work 

which I'll post up after our wedding day! 

Exciting...

Hope all is well with you chaps?

 Right, now to cook a monster sunday dinner, yay!

x

Yarrrrrr Pirates!

Pirates canteen!

Ahoy there chaps! 

Sorry about the old blogging delay but these here pirates have been keeping me occupied. I have been asked to do a 'canteen' mural at a local education centre, so...I figured Pirate Canteen!!! To sell my idea I got all carried away and did two super shiny watercolours to propose the piratical aspect....

And here they be!

Hurray, it worked...I am allowed to be as piratey as my seafaring heart desires....yaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

 So, watch this space for some mural action in the next few weeks.  

Hopes ye all's be well me hearty's!

Pirate Nats of the Good Ship 'Burrow' x

Pause in art?

Howdy! Not a break in art work, just a break in Illustration Friday! I am currently working on a mural project design which is taking a bit of time up and have a school fence design to be drawn up for laser cutting and wedding plans and a potential small print publishing offer which I have to get my portfolio up to scratch for.....so busy busy, I will upload what I am working on soon as I get the opportunity. 

I hope all is well with you all !

Nats x

IF - Safari

Howdy howdy, 

How is everyone doodling this week?! As you can see, I have been massively self indulgent this week in interpreting the theme Safari...

Why not? Thats what I say Gosh Darn It! I have wanted to draw a Scarlet Macaw ever since a beautiful photo of one appeared on my wall of inspiration...

Also, I have been reading the amazing book 'Water for Elephants' and been stolen away and heavily influenced by their menagerie. (Read it! read it read it read it, you will thank me later...and read it before you watch the film, which is also very good, well done Pan Face Cederic Diggory, sterling job!) 

So... Don't be shocked if circus paintings start appearing, AND I am off to my cousins circus themed wedding next week!!!! Exciting! It would be madness if circus work DIDN'T start appearing! 

I also have been looking to push my page composition and angles which I managed to get into this piece. The three little chappies holding onto the balloons don't look quite so sure of the situation as young Mr Macaw. I have subconsciously named this picture 'Escape to Africa'. Even though I'm pretty sure all these animals aren't even from the same continent. However, upon arrival (...and they will get there, by jove!) the friends will all live together helping each other out! Hurray!

Love it!

Have a splendiferous weekend full of all your favorite things!

Nats x

I.F. - Beginner

How do? 

This week I have dug out the ink pen I bought with good intentions many moons ago. Anyone who knows me will know that I have a love for line work, and really get excited about the works of the likes of Quentin Blake, Rackham and E.H. Shepard. Unfortunatly, I am power mad and superbly over bearing on my own line work, working with a tiny brush and ink, ensuring complete and obsessive control over EVERY LINE!

So... 

'NOT THIS WEEK!' I thought to myself and armed with an impulsive and decidedly disobedient ink pen, I have had a go at a style I would like to experiment with more. Admittedly it took much more paper and patience to get an image I am happyish with, but persistence is my middle name!...and by the 5th attempt my old militant methods started to sneak back...gosh darn it! 'Back fiend! Back I say!!!'

Needa hows, here is my image for 'Beginner' for the Friday Illustration, the little chap doesn't seem too fussed that he got snagged whilst out partaking in a spot of Cheese-Thievery...

Any advice/ criticism on this one would be great! In this style, like a little mouse learning to pilfer dairy products, I too am very much a beginner!

Cheers! 

Have a great week chaps,

Nats x

Illustration Friday : Lesson

Life Lesson 1

Morning! The sun is shining, the world is round and I spent yesterday drawing and painting monsters...life is good. 

I interpreted this weeks 'lessons' theme as 'sibling lessons'; Older siblings trying to impart knowledge on the too eager and unwilling to listen young'uns.  I am sure my brother and sister will sympathise, 

even now... 

But thankfully they have not given up on me yet! 

No monsters were harmed in the making of this image, unless they got tummy ache from all the chocolate I had to use to bribe them to stay still long enough to draw them. 

Righto Chaps, back to work....

Hope you all have a spiffing week,

Nats x

Illustration Friday - Bicycle

Ellooo, this week I have be mainly thinking about: Baby birds! 

They seem to be everywhere at the moment with the whole Easter Ma Bob and Spring and all things chocolaty! Next doors chucks have just hatched a new baby fuzzy thing, he is tiny and terribly eager, running to always be close to his mum, often bumping into her and falling over... very cute! 

Mouse, one of our little chucks, laid her first egg on Easter Sunday... she looks very chuffed with herself and has taken to doing glory laps of their pen before going to bed at night.  

I got all carried away with my friday illustration picture this week... the theme be bicycle! Luke mentioned bicycle powered flying machines, Leo Da Vinci Stylee and from there my bird brain found this! I truly hope the little chappy in the picture succeeds on his mission and the little peepers are up and flying in no time! 

Righto chappingtons, full of the flu and boggey-things, I am off to feel sorry for myself.

Enjoy the royal wedding!

Nats x