Mike Scribbles

Moleskin Characters

2011-12-10T07:19:00.000-08:00

The very latest moleskin efforts for your viewing pleasure.

Coin Opera 2

2011-10-09T10:40:00.003-07:00

I'm currently working on the pencils for a book cover illustration. The book is called 'Coin Opera 2' and will comprise of both poetry and illustrations themed around computer games.

Fun times.

Drawings from Japan

2011-09-25T08:56:00.000-07:00

Opening page in my sketchbook with my masked mascot. Started in England, finished in Japan.

Observational sketches, included a dog statue from the Fifth Station at Mount Fuji, a train signal from Fuji station and a temple that is part of the Toshogu Shrine in Nikko.

Lady at an Onsen (Japanese hot springs).

Observation sketches of a man reading on a Shinkansen (bullet train), and one of the buildings at the Kiyomizudera shrine in Kyoto.

I didn't get as much drawing done in Japan as I normally would've liked - my travelling companion was not artistically inclined so it seemed a little unfair to make him sit around while I drew pictures for hours on end...

... guess that means I'll have to go back next year!

Japan Photography II

2011-09-20T14:32:00.000-07:00

Japan Photography I

2011-09-20T14:25:00.000-07:00

Fairy Liquid Campaign

2011-08-10T10:55:00.000-07:00

Again during my time at Digitas, I had the opportunity to produce concept illustrations for a rich media campaign.

Under the guidance of Art Director Tom Ollivier, I put together the illustration below:

The idea behind the banner is simple - the addition of Fairy Liquid transformed the sink into a tropical paradise.

The illustration successfully sold the idea into the client, who subsequently approved the concept for production. The project then entered design phase, where Art Director Bec Brodie used my illustration to create the design below:

Finally, the design was animated by Motion Designer Sylwia Bernatowicz . Play below for the finished video:

Fairy rich media banner from Sylwia.be on Vimeo.

Nissan - Behind The Hit

2011-08-06T04:18:00.001-07:00

A few months back my previous agency, Digitas, put together a digital campaign for Nissan called 'Behind The Hit' - intended to celebrate the launch of Nissan's new crossover vehicle, The Juke, and endorsed by pop act La Roux.

The campaign has finished now so it'll be ok for me to show my involvement - I produced concept illustrations for the website prior to design, as well as writing the majority of website copy.

Below you can see one of my illustrations, through to design:

The campaign took the form of a music competition, where users' were challenged to create their own song for entry into the contest. The song itself had to be made on the 'Behind The Hit' website using the mixing tools provided on the site.

The winning entry would have their song remixed by La Roux and performed live at a launch gig, supported by the likes of Delphic amongst other acts.

The campaign was immensely successful and was great fun to work on to boot. Although the contest has finished you can see the site itself here.

Moleskin Scribblings

2011-08-05T02:40:00.001-07:00

A few sketches spewed forth from the belly of my moleskin.

A HUGE leap forward!

2011-04-13T05:28:00.000-07:00

Booya! I've started my new job at HUGE as a copywriter / illustrator! (read all about them here) They're only heading in one direction - forward.

My new job has kickstarted my creativity, so check out my latest moleskin sketches and progress on the new painting. Enjoy!

Logomotion

2011-03-07T05:55:00.000-08:00

Step-by-step development of my header image for my website (coming soon!) below. Typography is not one of my natural talents, so crafting the header proved a serious brain drain.

'Scribblepunk' will be the identity of my pop-surrealist illustration "brand". The image at the bottom is the final design.

Moving on!

2011-02-24T04:01:00.000-08:00

I'm about to exit my current company, after 2 1/2 years of employment. It's been an interesting ride to say the least, so I thought a little illustration for my (soon to be ex) employers and colleagues wouldn't go amiss.

War Horse

2010-11-24T05:54:00.000-08:00

To arms!!!!

Growth

2010-09-30T10:55:00.001-07:00

I'm a little disappointed with how the scanning process has warped the tones and subtlety of the colours. Otherwise just another image from my sketchbook, focusing on colour balance.

Teenage Tantrums

2010-09-20T03:14:00.000-07:00

Another gem excavated from depths of my sketchbook. The Hiroaki Samura influences are there for all to see!

Wonderfully Weird

2010-09-12T11:09:00.000-07:00

Doodles from the recesses of my sketchbook.

Siege Gulls

2010-09-05T04:05:00.000-07:00

I recently completed work on my latest painting - Siege Gulls - after two to three months of on/off work at the weekends.

The image was inspired by of all things, office politics, and the relationships and patterns people form with one another. I get especially sick of the grovelling attitude some people have towards figures of authority - like parasites latching onto someone who they believe will benefit them in some way.

So the core school of thought behind the painting is around 'parasites'. As per usual I have put my own pop surrealist twist on proceedings, with a potential ambigious narrative in place for others to fill in.

Is Mr. Birdhouse guy coming under attack from a swarm of parasitical birds, ready to strip him bare of his resources? Or are the birds simply in search of the shelter that Mr. Birdhouse will offer them?

I'll post some sketches soon, as work begins on my next painting.

A Tasty Offfering

2010-08-06T06:47:00.000-07:00

Again I have been slacking off the blogging front. Whilst much time has passed since my previous post, I have been a busy boy with much to report on.

Back in July I visited Paris and attended the Offf Festiva l , a mini creative festival (yeh! the clues in the name) that focused on animation, illustration and advertisement. The festival took the form of multiple presentations from the very best of the best within the creative industries. Highlights were the following:

Tara McPherson

McPherson is just one of those lucky people whose career has snowballed to propel her to illustration rock stardom. She’s effortless endearing, churns out work, and has a well defined style – she’s the complete package! Her presentation was definitely the highlight of the show for me. I always get ‘child dizzy on too much lemonade’ syndrome when I see a famous illustrator break down their style.

Julien Valée

Ok, you know when you see someone’s work and you can’t believe you’ve never heard of that person before. That was the vibe with this guys work. All hand made with a little visual/digital trickery thrown in for good measure. I was flagging a little on that day, so actually fell asleep part way through the presentation; however Valée’s charming work soon dragged me back to full consciousness.

Non-format

Again I’d never heard of these guys, yet I’ve been exposed to their work many times without ever realising it. As an ex-intern of the AOI, I was shocked to discover these were the guys behind the logo for Varoom! (AOI’s illustration magazine) – They’ve been under my nose the whole time! Kjell Ekhorn put together a witty and amusing presentation that broke down the life cycle of a new style of work, going from being a hot original concept to a forgotten relic of a past trend. One core reason behind Non-format’s success is that they know when it’s time to start afresh, scrap an old style and break out a new one.

On the artwork front, things have been slow – as ever my full-time job takes precedence over my personal commitments. However I’m still slowly working my way through some new images which I’m hoping will pop up on this blog at the end of August.

Poetry Posters!

2010-05-05T10:35:00.000-07:00

As mentioned in my previous blog entry, I recently completed a commission for the Poetry Society, producing two posters to be sold as part of an education pack to schools around the UK.

I’ve done a few collaborations in the past with my brother on some his poetry based projects, so creating illustrations designed to complement poems was something I’ve had moderate experience in, all be it at an amateur level.

I completed accompanying illustrations for two poems – the first was ‘The Night Crow’ by Sujata Bhatt. The second was ‘Introduction To Poetry’ by Billy Collins (whom I’m told is one of the most well known poets in America!).

‘The Night Crow’ was full of imagery that lends itself particularly well to visual mediums, so my illustration was a very literal translation of the poem. My first rough received instant approval from the client, so the transition through to final artwork was a painless process:

Leaving me with the second poem – ‘Introduction To Poetry’. Buoyed by my previous success, I felt confident I could wrap this up with my first attempt as well. Yet Poetry is a fickle beast, and my initial roughs were met with disapproval by the client. After around seven roughs and a day at a museum searching for inspiration, I finally cracked it. The final image is suppose to convey the sense of euphoria that poetry can provide - along with the rich and fertile imagination that is the driving force for the poet. Or something like that.

Did I just spill my guts?

2010-05-01T05:23:00.000-07:00

I think it would be a fair criticism to say that I have allowed my blog to become a desolate wasteland over the past few months. Being a proactive illustrator has become less and less of a defining feature of my life recently – a fact that regularly irks me and leaves feeling of regret and guilt in equal measure.

I fear I have fallen into the routine of the average yuppy – that is operating an endless cycle of working the day job and then blowing out at the weekends. Behind this weekly grind, there exists a little-but-oh-so-potent voice at the back of my head urging me to rediscover my enthusiasm for my personal creativity and find the discipline required to realise my ambitions.

Despite the apparent lack of productivity, I have had a small victory fairly recently – that is the completion of my first professional commission. I have painted two posters for the poetry society designed to complement two very unique poems. Completing these commissions presented a fresh challenge for me, and it was certainly a very positive experience dealing with a client in a professional climate. Luckily for me, the client was relatively painless to work with, and seemed pleased with the end product. I will blog about this in full once I am allowed to publish the final posters.

In other news, I have recently started working towards a series of around 10 paintings for what I hope will double as a backbone to both a concrete portfolio and allow me to exhibit some of my work.

On a final note, in future I plan to start using my blog to review sources of interest and inspiration, rather than purely focus on my artwork alone. With this in mind, there are a couple of websites I’d like to mention that I have stumbled upon of late – firstly http://listen.grooveshark.com/ - a music site much akin to Spotify that includes a more niche range of music in its library as well as loses the irritating adverts.

Secondly I’d like to mention a musician I had the pleasure to see at a recent Leonard Cohen tribute night (run by my brother) which I attended. She is called Fiona Bevan and you can listen to her music at http://www.myspace.com/fionabevan - she plays an entertaining blend of acoustic indie folk that is perfectly complemented by her exciting vocals. If you like the music of Leslie Fiest, then you’re certain to enjoy what Fiona has to offer.

Ittan Momen

2009-11-29T08:04:00.001-08:00

No space for art in my flat makes Mike's blog a very dull and quiet place...

Any-hoooooo knocked this up over the weekend for my brother's book.

You remind me of home

2009-10-27T07:56:00.000-07:00

Finished off this little number today. It's possibly the smallest painting in the world, standing at a teeny tiny 3x2 inches (!). I had to create a special shrink ray to shrink my hands to enable me to paint the finer details (honest gov'nor!).

Aka-shita

2009-10-26T10:39:00.000-07:00

A quick illustration for my brother. He asked me to draw a mythological Japanese beastie called Aka-shita, which means "red tongue". I would've like to have coloured it but my brother asked for a quick turn-a-round.

Since I completed Fen, I've moved out of home and into London. Unfortunately all my wondrous arty materials are still at home (I've only partially moved in). As a result though I haven't had much time to illustrate as I would've really liked, hense the lack of any online activity over the past month.

Fen

2009-09-20T08:02:00.000-07:00

I don't like painting photorealism these days, nor do I have any experience at painting animals, so forgive me if the proportions are a little wonky.

This painting is a present for a good mate of mine - it's a painting of his young lady friend's horse, better known as Fen.

Created with acrylic, goache and wax crayons. It's a warm up for the new, traditional direction my next few pieces will follow.

Progress

2009-08-28T11:12:00.000-07:00

Hmmm, I guess one post in the whole of August isn't good form.

Here be progress on the horsey painting. It looks a lot better in real life, honest 'guv! Also note the little painting on the mini-canvas. I'll post both up when they're done, which shouldn't be too long 'cuz I'm faster in acrylics then I am with digital painting!

In other news, I've entered a couple of pictures in Images: The Best of Contemporary British Illustration (the Association of Illustrators annual competition). Having been sent a (free!) copy of the Images book, I'm confident I can at least get selected to appear in this years book. I will keep y'all posted!

Yo! Yo! Ninja!

2009-08-09T11:54:00.000-07:00

Man I need to stop slacking off on the blogging front. The last couple of weeks I haven't been out at the weekends which has given me an opportunity to do a bit of catching up on the art front.

The first image here is a painting I've started today which will eventually be a gift for someone. Im just having a bit of fun with it as I warm up for my next painting project where I intend to flex some more creative muscle.

The second image is a half finished sketch from my sketchbook which I'm still working on. I really need to do more sketching, I've been slacking off on that as well of late.

I know the pics are a bit fuzzy and staring at them for too long may well incur blindness, so please approach with care, but what can ya do eh? Blame the camera, that's good enough for me.

Finally I've done a lot of illustration work recently at the Agency for Toy Story, McDonald's and (as ever!) Nissan. I'll post a few once the pitches are done and dusted.

Polar Playground Parade

2009-07-19T11:59:00.001-07:00

FINALLY after months of on/off work during the weekends, behold in all it's majestic glory (!) my latest digital piece - Polar Playground Parade.

Produced using mixed media, including goache, acrylic, graphite, ink, digital and a whole host of textures both produced by myself and some taken from CGtexture.com (thanks to the guys who maintain this site!).

What with me being a full-time munchkin at the Agency now, I'm finding it harder and harder to find the time to illustrate (one day at a weekend isn't enough). So! I've decided to take a break from time consuming digi-wonders to focus on my goache and acylic work, and hopefully produce some rather spif-tastic paintings for others to have a moochy-skooch at! I realised during my work on 'Mars' that it's actually faster for me to paint normally than digitally - how's that for a creative paradox?

The Shape of Springs to come...

2009-06-14T06:53:00.000-07:00

Finished this funky sketch today. It would make a good painting....

Peek-a-boo!

2009-06-14T04:36:00.000-07:00

Getting there...

Storyboard Madness!!!

2009-06-07T10:55:00.001-07:00

Hello again folks! Here is a mock storyboard I made a while back for an idea for a Lucozade Advert. Make of it what you will, I put it together for the fun of it, so don't expect to see an advert based on this any time at all!

A storyboard I have put together for a short film. I met Director via the website 'Shooting People' and answered his advert for a storyboard artist. The film is about a lonely chap who calls a helpline and has a chat to the operator about his issues. By the end we discover the operator himself is in the same predicament.

On the illustration front I'm still toiling away on my digital piece. It's sort of reached the stage where I am sick of the sight of it. It'll look fantastic when it's done, but what with full-time work, finding the time to get to the 'done' part is proving trickier and trickier these days...

Mars

2009-05-16T08:19:00.000-07:00

What ho! 'Mars' is complete.

There are lots of little nods in this piece. Composition wise it's a tribute to Hiroaki Samura (Blade Of The Immortal illustrator), who has been an influence on my style since I was about 15!

The piece was completed for 'Fuselit' - a creative magazine made by my brother and Kirsten Irvine. Every issue they provide a new word (which is the theme for that particular issue), and then contributers use this word as a starting point for a creative piece. This can range from music (each issue has a free CD), to poetry, to art, to short stories, etc.

'Mars' is the word for the latest issue (14) - so I went for the whole 'war god' angle, with the usual oriental twists that are predominant in my work. The planet itself is the eye of the warrior in this piece.

The drawing in the top left incorporates all the themes from every previous issue of Fuselit.

Created with goache, acrylic ink, graphite, digital on watercolour paper.

Feedback appreciated!

Sketchbook Works

2009-04-18T06:05:00.000-07:00

A couple of funky little experiments for you to have a mooch at.

Winter Samurai

2009-04-10T09:54:00.000-07:00

Sneaky peak of ongoing work on one of my digital pieces. I'm about half way through, currently colouring in the character's in the background. You would've thought they would be quick and easy but noooooo! They're actually really frustrating and niggling.

The character featured in this preview also featured in an earlier post. I decided to incorporate the character into my digi piece. Exciting stuff huh?

Still my Easter Art weekend has started strongly. Hopefully I will get another post in before the holiday is out.

God Speed!

Mars Attacks Part Deux

2009-04-05T12:35:00.000-07:00

What ho! fellow online activists! I return again with progress on "Mars". I have spent another weekend pouring endless hours into art, with both 'Mars' and the snow-based digital wonder (see post below) slowly ticking towards completion.

In other news, the storyboard I produced in my previous post is to be scrapped! Turns out the...how shall I say..."verbally challenged" guy who briefed me in forgot to mention some valuable info about the scenario. The day after I completed the storyboard, the Creative Director filled me in in aforementioned missing valuable info, resulting in my previous effort having to be chucked.

I shouldn't complain really - storyboarding is a hell of a ball, and I feel lucky to have a job where I can have a crack at it. The good that has come out of this mishap, is that apparently I will have the opportunity to work with TBWA (another, bigger agency) in putting together new storyboards.

With next weekend being Easter, I plan on using the extra time off to finish Mars and, fingers crossed, finish a digital piece as well.

Until then - adios amigos!

When Purple Rain freezes over...

2009-03-30T12:33:00.000-07:00

...You get Purple Snow! Temporary of course. A sneaky peak of one of my lastest digital work.

I have three in the works that will hopefully see me take my skills to a new level of sooper-dooper ness.

I lost my phone this weekend. I walked off and left it on a train, man I'm stoopid. I was also a bit under the weather today, so couldn't make it into work. I'm a little annoyed because I'm learning Flash at work, and its one less day on the 30 day free trial I'm using.

I'm hoping to post some reviews of picture books and other illustrators work, in the future.

Apologies for incoherency of this post - I'm dead tired and am struggling to get my thoughts in order.

Mars Attacks!

2009-03-22T10:51:00.001-07:00

K, where to start? I have'nt been blogging for a couple of weeks, which is a tad naughty of me I much confess. I blame it on the combined effect of working a full-time job, trying to have a social life and also working towards my long term career plan of becoming an illustrator. The numbers just don't add up - somethings got to give, and over the last two weeks its been the art!

To redeem myself, I have done nothing but paint this weekend, which brings me nicely to the above painting. As you may notice from one of my previous posts, I had already started a similar painting - two weeks a go, I managed to fluff up that very painting, and ended up having to chuck it. Boo Hiss.

Depressing as that was, I regrouped and restarted the piece, determined to make it even better than before. As you can see from above, 'Mars' (as it is titled) has come out a lot smarter this time.

Next week I've booked a couple of days off work, so I can have a long weekend spent slapping up 'Mars' until it's finished. I've also made a start on a few digital pieces, which will be putting in an appearance next week.

Sketches

2009-03-01T12:38:00.001-08:00

A page spread from my sketchbook. Picture on the left is a winter samurai with lolly pop club (graphite and pencil). On the right is a nomad wandering through a field (acylics, wax crayons).

On The Board...

2009-03-01T12:34:00.000-08:00

Started this painting today - it will be submitted to Fuselit when it's done, although I've already missed the bleeding deadline.

Sneak Peaks

2009-02-22T14:12:00.000-08:00

Couple of teasers on upcoming projects. Apologies for poor picture quality. I will look into replacing them soon.

Chasing The Tiger

2009-02-22T12:06:00.000-08:00

Ok, this is a concept for the cover for a comic that I am currently working on with the Copywriter from work. Basically we both agreed that the current Udon-produced Street Fighter comics were, quite frankly, bleedin' rubbish!

In order to put right this wrong, we decided to produce our own spin on the Street Fighter mythology and give the series a comic worthy of its legendary status.

The first issue is set between Street Fighter 1 & 2, and focuses on Sagat. The idea is he's in decline after the beating he receives from Ryu, hense his vulnerable pose, gesturing to the scar on his chest. The Tiger is a symbol of Sagat's spirit. Or something like that.

Welcome to Trippy Scribbles!

2009-02-22T11:55:00.000-08:00

After an awful lot of faffing about I've finally gotten around to starting my own illustration blog.

The plan is to regularly post sketches, works in progress and finished pieces up on here for anyone who stumbles upon here to have a gander at!

So from here on in, enjoy!