Finished!

New Drawings

Yesterday I began a new drawing, it will probably be the beginning of a series, don't seem to be able to do many stand alone pictures. This one was inspired by an article my lovely literary agent, Isabel Atherton of Creative Authors, sent me, knowing I would love the work of Domenico Gnoli.

I had to start a drawing straight away. The influences are: Gnoli, of course, Edward Gorey, a long time favourite, as well as the brilliant Paula Rego and one of my first artist loves, Balthus.

Below are three examples of Gnoli's drawings.

Forging ahead with my new epic!

I had a great response on social media to my idea of an illustrated epic story for older children based on a dream I had which was, and this is how the dream appeared in my head, 'Game of Thrones meets the Hobbit under the auspices of The Dark Crystal.

I am now forging ahead with the idea in earnest. Stay tuned, stay very tuned!

Game of Thrones meets The Hobbit under the auspices of The Dark Crystal

Some time ago I began making little gnome like creatures which were unofficially called Lumpies. Then after selling a few of them I had a dream in which I wrote a story about the Lumpies and other similar creatures. In my dream the book was hailed as 'Game of Thrones meets The Hobbit under the auspices of The Dark Crystal'.
The next day I began this picture which I have been posting updates of. A while after I began the drawing I sent a photo to my son, Gabriel Hooper, who took one look at it and said, 'I dreamt that last night!'. I have taken this as a sign that I need to follow through with this epic illustrated story for older children.
Here is the more, or less, finished first illustration.

I have an exciting announcement to make.

Little Pink Dog Books, Armidale, NSW, Australia are going to publish my very first children's picture book in which I am both writer and illustrator.

The book is called Edward's War and it will be hardback, full colour. This is their first book publication so very exciting for all of us.

You can read all about Little Pink Dog Books on their website: https://littlepinkdogbooks.com/
and their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LittlePinkDogBooks/

Edward's War will be published in 2017!