I’m in the middle of painting a limited number of life-sized (and slightly smaller) Captain Sneer cutouts to be showcased in bookshops and libraries from Albany to Perth.

The first Sneer is already on his way to Albany where his final destination will be the display window at Paperbark Bookshop.

Before he left my dog, Lacie, and I had a quick photoshoot with the ol’ fella.

 

Nothing beats the sketchbook for recording all those funny little ideas that flit nonchalantly through the head. These are a few favourites from my 2016 sketchbook .

 

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending the Asian Festival of Children’s Content in

Singapore, courtesy of writingWA who sponsored my trip.

This was an opportunity to not only present and share my beliefs in illustrating but absorb a slice of book culture in Asia.

I also managed to catch up on some sketching during my flights including this cliff sketch.

My first session was a rigorous round of Duelling Illustrators with the talented Soefara Jafney. This game sees two artists simultaneously
illustrating a book read by – in this instance – author, Julia Lawrence. It was extremely fast paced and I may have broken a sweat…

 

Following the session I enjoyed signing and giving away the drawings to children that had watched the bloodthirsty battle.

 

I was privileged to review portfolios to several illustrators during the conference. It was a fascinating process to see how each illustrator gets their inspiration and issues they have to deal with, everything from cultural barriers to mould growing on their artwork due to the climate.

My main presentation was on a topic I find fascinating, stealing from masters. Learning and adapting methods and systems from other artists to potentially use

them in your own work. This classic quote sums it up; ‘standing on the shoulders of giants‘.

I presented this to a full room with standing space only.

 

Overall, the conference was an enjoyable success and I enjoyed hanging out with some WA talent including illustrator/authors Kyle Hugh Hodson, Chris Nixon, Kylie Howarth, Julia Lawrence, Jen Barnyard, Perth Writer’s Festival‘s Maria Alessandrino and Fremantle Press‘ Claire Miller.