Just re-launched my illustration website:  Story Portal

And my new Jewellery website: Sylph Studio

Chris

Amanda Lillywhite - about children's educational publishing and a charming agent

A lovely blog article about illustrating for Children's Educational publishers and also some memories of Mike Graham-Cameron:

http://www.crazypanda.com/amandalillywhitl.html

Thank you Amanda.

Dissertation Question?

Hello my name is Jon Lancaster I am an Illustration student at the University of Sunderland. I am currently working on my Dissertation question which is:

Does an Illustrator as writer have a more definitive view of their work in comparison too two separate contributors?
I was wondering if any of your available illustrators may be able to share some their experience with working with writers, or writing themselves and if working with a writer can create a more definitive view of their work, or if a writer might possibly hinder the illustrators vision.

If any of your illustrators could take the time to answer this question that would be much appreciated

Thank you Jon

If any GCI illustrator has the time and inclination to tackle Jon's question then drop Duncan a line and he'll give you Jon's email address. 
 

I got the belly bug!

Bellyboarding bug, that is! What is a bellyboard? Simply put...it's a surfboard that you ride on your belly in the breaking waves. No tedious standing up required! (Much appreciated by less athletic types like me!)

Bellyboards have been around since the beginning of the 1900s in this country. They're designed to be ridden in shallower water than 'stand up' surfboards and are ridden by all ages. There haven't been many about for a long time, most people in the shallows have those new-fangled foam bodyboards, while bellies are made of wood, mostly marine ply. But recently the bellyboards have just started gaining popularity again. They ride lower in the waves than a foam board and much faster, which makes for lots of fun!

Anyway, here's mine:

Before I gave it a little paint job.........

...and after!

And in September I am entering the World Bellyboard Championships! (Just for the fun of it you understand, my surfing ability won't win me any prizes!) Wetsuits are banned for this event, so pray for warm waters for me! I'll let you know how I get on. 

The Outsider Folio Society Competition

I am never sure if entering competitions is a good idea, the risk of damaging a fragile ego is so great!  However as I get older I seem to be less upset by the results, so here goes.  This is my entry for the Folio Society's competition to illustrate "The Outsider" by Albert Camus.  I re read the book a while ago and have not been able to get it out of my head and this style (based on the art of Modigliani with a nod towards Schiele) was what illustrated my dreams,  Entry number 1,347 I think!  Fingers crossed!!

Yet another year!

Best wishes for 2011!

John

These are the lenticular images of Zac I have sent to some publishers with a card featuring the synopsis of the story. They are rather diminutive in size and might get mistaken for Christmas cards, but maybe this will work in my favour:)

Each publisher has a different policy when it comes to submissions, many asking not to be sent manuscripts. So I'm hoping these cards give a bit of a taster and beg to be followed up:)