Gordon Brown

Not posted anything for a while seem to be so busy. My website is very nearly ready and should launch next week but to get into the mood for tomorrows local election I've gone all political and painted a caricature of the current PM - Gordon Brown.

May I just add what a great job he's doing (add sarcastic tone when you read that bit.)

Philip Glenister

A while back I did this caricature of Philip Glenister the star of 'Life on Mars' and 'Ashes to ashes' shown on the BBC here in the UK.His character in these shows - DCI Gene Hunt - is fantastic.Anyway,in a bid to get my work out and about I e-mailed his official website with a request to post my caricature (and maybe a link to my blog) on the website.

I got a reply on Sunday from Gareth the website editor who wrote "I have to say that your caricatures have gone down well! We at the website like them and Philip - approves of his ... I'll put it in the miscellaneous pics gallery with a link."

I am now proudly having the caricature displayed on Philip Glenisters official website ... fantastic.

I've put a link to Philips website - it contains various clips from the two shows I've mentioned for those of you who've never seen them.

National Caricature Network (NCN)

Self portrait for NCN profile page

A little over a week ago I joined the National Caricature Network.I thought this really did seem to be something to be a part of.

It was the best thing that I could ever have done - within 2 days of joining I had seen and replied to an advertisement for a caricature artist at the 'Alton Towers' theme park here in the U.K. on closer inspection I noticed that the advert had been posted last year in time for this season and presumed it had now been filled.So I sent a email to the owner of the caricature consession (Mick Hollinworth) introducing myself and asking if a vacancy came up again would he consider me for the position.

Get this ... he only e mailed me back!!!

Although there is no vacancy at the moment he wants to use me as holiday cover etc(I live very near Alton Towers)and one of the artists that works on the consession had offered to come and see me.I spent yesterday afternoon chatting with Mike Carlon,a great guy and a great caricaturist, who showed me the style and approach for live caricatures.I now need to train my little socks off to get used to live style caricaturing and keep Mick and Mike updated.All being well this is the start point of my new career,I have a foot in the door and as long as I impress with my work hopefully, one day I will be working full seasons at Alton Towers as a live caricaturist.

All thanks to the NCN...Cheers guys!

Work,work,work

I'm continuing to work hard at my portfolio (and loving it).I think the critical thing is to get my showcase work together and then launch the website.I don't see ant point in submitting a half cocked website with little or nothing to look at.Folks need a gallery to view in order to see that I catch a good likeness before they'll commission me to do work for them.

At the same time I'm trying to learn how to utilize the Internet and get me out there.People need to see my work.A very positive move yesterday was becoming a member of the National Caricature Network (NCN) I think that this is definitely a step in the right direction.

Odd thing this Internet business.A very useful tool but not of you don't know how to use it.I have a feeling that I'm talking to myself most of the time...no change there then.

Anyhow here's a couple of caricatures for you...

ELVIS

JACK NICHOLSON

Beck.

I've been playing around with all sorts of ideas to make my stuff original e.g. you always see pictures of people proudly holding up their caricature so I had an idea of having the caricature holding up the photograph or a double barrel caricature called "now and then" with two paintings of the same face on one page,one as a cutey pie kiddy and another of what that person looks like today.I don't know if I need gimmicks,just continue with good quality work.

For now I've done this painting of my youngest daughter Becky,it's a great caricature but shows how important the reference picture can be.This is a good photo,but it fails to capture the character of the subject.Beck is a loon,everything is funny to her.She is a whirlwind of giggles.This 'staged' picture fails to capture that.

More stuff...

"How to look good naked."
UK TV Fashion Guru - Gok Wan

"Sweeney Todd" - Johnny Depp

Dr Who - David Tennant

Fear and Loathing...

This was an interesting piece.It was actually a request from a guy on Deviant Art who really loves the film.I find the problem with Johnny Depp is,like myself (ahem), he is virtually perfect. Add to this the fact that he rarely looks like himself in films makes him difficult to caricature so for this one I just caricatured the whole scene.It came out well and I enjoyed doing it (thanks Mark).

As for the film "Fear and loathing in Las Vegas" I know my brother and I watched it but,as ever,illegal amounts of alcohol had been consumed and I don't have a bloody clue what it was about ... same happened with Donnie Darko (Gaz????)