Allow me to sweep the dust off the place.

I've been terrifically busy lately, which I would like to think excuses the lack of drawings, and the updating of the blog.

Except that it doesn't. I'm always terrifically busy, it's just a different sort of busy at the moment.

What actually happened was that I got really really sick of the internet, and by extension my computer. I deleted my Facebook (which I actually highly recommend. To my surprise I do not miss it at all.), turned off Skype, everything. Except twitter. I stopped drawing too, though this just may be because "drawing" has become synonymous with "Wacom tablet" for me these days. I've started messing with a sketch book again though, and I'll be back doing colourful things soon enough I am sure.

In any case, here are some pictures that'll get me into the swing of things. I've taken a good look at my work lately, and I know exactly what I want to improve, and why. The how is proving a tad more difficult but hey ho.

Carey Mulligan, yo. 

This last image I'll replace with a decent scan when I get an opportunity. They're Tintin characters, lest you're unfamiliar, doodled during a lunch break. 

See? I'm trying to start using a sketchbook again. 

With a smile on your face and a tear right in your eye.

Sorry I didn't post last week. This week will be very brief as I'm in a bit of a rush.

I did a drawing of Chrestomanci as a bit of a tribute to Diana Wynne Jones, who sadly passed away recently.

Just a quick job. I like her though.

A small section of the Mother's Day card I made for, well, my mother. 

This is a picture of The Doctor, from Doctor Who. It's <i>by far</i> the most popular thing I've ever posted on Tumblr. The power of fandom eh?

This is Jack, Linton, and Sonny, from John Allison's excellent Bad Machinery. It's an excellent read and I highly recommend it!

I drew a picture on paper! I didn't have a clue what to draw so I just did some hair, and then took it from there. 

Roll over Beethoven.

Just a quick update today, which reflects the images themselves I guess. Each one was done pretty rapidly.

Simple cartoon of Eva Green done whilst watching Casino Royale. 

Trying out a new colouring technique. It's some way of perfect, but it's in the right direction (the poor girl looks like she has a rash on her face). The original sketch is here.

I have reinvented the men's nightie everyone. Now you can sleep safe at night. 

The worst Paul McCartney I've drawn? Certainly, but I'm short of decent material this week. 

Remember that I've a tumblr that has assorted sketches that I don't put up here. Feel free to ask me questions too.  

So it's to the gallows with the long lost Kingdom of Light.

I'm late updating because I didn't think I had any pictures to upload here. Clearly I am massively forgetful, because I do. Here are three of the better ones.

This is a quick cartoon of Rebecca, personal style blogger who has a website here. I've drawn her once before when I was first trying to work out how to draw again. My style has changed a fair bit since then, it's fair to say, and sped up considerably. (I mean, these two styles aren't really comparable when it comes to time, but in general...)

I drew this because apparently I draw too many skinny women. 

I then recoloured it, and it ended up like this. Which I prefer. 

I did a very quick one off comic.

Things we learnt from this:

1. Not inking the backgrounds is not at all "time-saving", and looks considerably worse.
2. Things may not be as obvious on paper as they are in your head.
3. Pay attention when colouring.
4. Probably more things.

Because he doesn't know how to love.

I've mostly been experimenting with different ways of drawing/colouring this week, with varying degrees of success.

Not sure what I think of this one, even now. You'll note I wasn't really paying attention to the pencil settings, thus the big ol' chunky lines, but the results aren't that bad. 

I suspect this lady isn't very nice. 

This is possibly the least successful picture here, but in an odd way it's the one I'm most pleased with. It's not great in and of itself, but it's a good stepping stone.

This was an extremely quick draw and colour job that I did whilst watching Boardwalk Empire. It came out pretty nicely though I thought.

I saw an elderly guy in the street dressed like this yesterday and thought it was brilliant. I hope this is the 2011 look for the older person. (I actually saw him again today, in much the same get-up but with different trousers and trainers...he's actually much older than I first realised/drew).

Oh yeah, it's Barça versus Arsenal tonight at the Camp Nou. If I have my way it will be a repeat of last year's Messi Show, but we'll just have to wait and see. Either way it'll be a good watch. 

"The slow dance of the infinite stars"

I know, I know, two posts within a week. Alarming.

Anyway let's roll on with this. To begin, a commission I did for someone to give to their brother for his 16th birthday (16, right? Am I right Mike?). It's going to be printed A3 size, so that will be pretty great to see. 

I was also asked to draw an astronaut for a primary school display, and a "rafonaut" for a book review/community website that my friend helps with. (You can find it here). Obviously I took advantage of this by adapting the same image. I am not even the slightest bit ashamed. 

Astronaut: 

"Rafonaut": 

This is going to be on a t-shirt, so, you know, that's pretty cool. 

Also, whilst doing the pencils for this I couldn't resist turning him into one of those shadow skull people things from the library episode of Doctor Who. Revel in my geekiest moment: 

Oh, and finally for today, here's a very quick, scribbly drawing of a lady. I do like scribbling, I have to say. 

Most, if not all, of these have already been on my tumblr in the last day or so. I really want to make this blog a bit different, but I'm not wholly sure how to go about it at the moment. I'll have a think about it I suppose. 

Also, no, the title has no relevance to the content of this post. Nevermind eh?