For a creative collaboration (about which, more to come), I had signed up for a workshop at Hausprint with master lithographer Simon Burder, having picked the brains of two printmakers I know. There is so much value in learning in person from people who know their stuff; in experiencing the … Read More
Given an opportunity to be the latest artist on show at The Trampery on the Gantry, a creative workspace in London’s Olympic Park, I’ve had an exhibition to pull together from existing work for its Village Hall and shared studio. I know the space well – I was one of … Read More
One of the reasons why we make Studio Snack, a food podcast about design, is the opportunity to do a creative experiment each month. For this month’s Pride special, I’ve indulged my love of drag and a good bagel in watercolour illustration, iPad illustration and typography. But there’s more than … Read More
It was like playing a harp… On a big sketch on canvas, I’d decided to show the way reeds glitter in the light by way of gold embroidery. Cody Dock is a favourite spot for a screen break tea break – so, tea bags for a colour wash. I had … Read More
Behind the scenes of the Vianne’s Confession illustration… Drawing used to be the part of my design work that clients never saw – the workings-out; the thinking on paper. And though my sketch illustration is now a visible thing, I still explore that way. Commissioned to illustrate a collaboration between … Read More
I’ve designed catalogues for central London exhibitions – printed, with high production values, for sale as souvenirs. But why design one for a solo show in a café? Well, the PDF catalogue for Hello, Petal, my exhibition of botanical work, is there to help. It can be looked at via … Read More
I do like a proof. Yes, they’re necessary to check quality – but there’s also something lovely in their utility. Colour strips. Registration marks. And on a giclée test giclée print, details of all of the prints lined up like a colour swatch… The test for my Hello, Petal exhibition … Read More
You would think that a blogpost on sketches in an exhibition has no place here. But here’s a thing: one is on glassine paper made for packaging; the other takes a technique I use in short pose life drawing and applies it to something else. Both are unpredictable – and … Read More
This has been long in the planning… The sharp-eyed will have noticed a broadening-out of the work. I’ve been looking at the array of skills and knowledge I bring together from decades of design practice, constant creative exploring and unstoppable nosiness. My most adventurous clients and collaborators are already using … Read More
Translation. That’s an odd word to use for visual communications. But one of the most interesting parts of my work is spotting a connection between two apparently-unrelated things and using it to invite people in to the words, or to an idea. Some of that work is subtle. Some of … Read More