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BackIn Search of Perfected Eccentricity - A Chris Riddell meeting
Posted by Jo Moore on Mon 06 Feb 2012
With supreme confidence and assurance (he has given a talk or two in his time) Chris Riddell took us through a whistle-stop tour of his prolific work. To begin; slide after slide of sketchbook drawings. Chris uses his sketchbook for his many ideas and projects-that-might-be; 'Memoirs of a Mouse', 'Vlad the Tickler', 'A Walk in the City' to name only three. Hundreds of ideas, some to be developed others to remain solely as ideas. He describes his sketching as acting like "piano exercises", a way of keeping his hand and eye in. Well, from the slides he showed there did not appear to be one bum note - no scribbling out, no hastily pasted over pages. He seems incapable of making an ugly mark on paper. Each page revealed a profusion of vividly rendered characters from hideous trolls to the fairest of whispy maidens. He clear loves drawing facial hair…and noses! For Chris the sketchbook allows "freedom" away from a brief. It's reassuring (and slightly depressing too) to hear that even he gets the run-around from clients who want to work with him because they "love his humour" and then proceed to stifle and squash any creativity out of a project.
He then answered the standard question "why did you become and illustrator?". Through a series of charming drawings depicting the young Master Riddell, he told the tale of spending many hours sitting in a pew while his vicar father gave the Sunday service. Given a pencil and paper to keep him occupied he would draw his favourite things (knights and castles mainly) and at the end of the service a kindly, elderly lady would give him Wine Gums and he, in turn, would give her his drawings. It was then he decided that he wanted to draw pictures and be given Wine Gums!
His political cartoons echo the strong tradition of British satire exhibited in Gilray and Rowlandson; biting wit and forensic insight all beautifully rendered. The skill of the political cartoonist is being able to come up with the goods week after week and to be able to "tell a story" in a succinct and direct manner. He succeeds at both admirably. He talked about the practical issues that dogged early colour cartoons in the newspaper and says now that "everything is in colour" being able to draw in black and white is sometimes a pleasant relief.
The final section of the slideshow was showcasing his latest book project Alienography. Based on an idea he's had since 1985, but somehow never taken up by a publisher, it's a totally personal project written and illustrated by Chris. The book's premise is 'how to spot an alien invasion' and allows Chris free reign to draw all the weird and wonderful aliens and creatures he can imagine. The all-singing project features foil, flaps and even a card game (like rubbish alien Top Trumps) and is clearly a project fired by passion.
After a short break, in which Chris spent the entire time signing books and talking to 'fans', we resumed with a Q&A session. We learned that Chris used to least like drawing "bicycles coming towards you" (now solved), that he loves Google images, that through his drawing he is "in search of perfected eccentricity". He gave some great advice about the current climate for illustrators. That the growth in digital media and platforms is a "golden age of accessibility" and "not to wait for commissions" but to develop your own projects and personality through your work. He stressed that though this route you can be employed for being you.
To use a word that is bandied around rather freely, the evening was truly inspirational. We'd like to thank Chris for taking the time to come along and share his amazing work with us. To find out more about Chris's work with Paul Stewart go to http://www.stewartandriddell.co.uk/
Socky-Wocky-Doo-Dah!
Posted by Jo Moore on Mon 06 Feb 2012
As light snow fluttered down we all crammed into the book shop for a very entertaining evening. Nick and the author Elizabeth Lindsay read aloud from the book to musical accompaniment and we all joined in to sing "Socky-Wocky-Doo-Dah".
The Book Nook made everyone welcome with sock colouring shapes for kids and drinks canapes for the grown ups. A fabulous stripy sock cake was cut by Nick and Elizabeth and buttery slices where liberally handed round. Parents and kids waited patiently for Nick to sign copies of the book. Colourful paper socks hung from the ceiling and guests were invited to wear their jolliest socks (Zoe Tucker's being most notable). Go grab yourself a copy of this very jolly book Socks by Nick Sharratt and Elizabeth Lindsay published by David Fickling Books and it's out now.
Images wanted asap for B.i.G. Promo Slideshow ASAP
Posted by Penny Dann on Mon 06 Feb 2012
Images wanted asap for B.i.G. Promo Slideshow
Thanks to all that sent in their images for the promotional flyer, they are fantastic..
We are so demanding, now we would like an image from you all for a slideshow that we will run at the Glug event on Friday 24th Feb.
Please send one good quality jpeg no bigger than 5 MGB as soon as possible to
info@brightonillustrators.co.uk
Don't delay, do it today!
NEXT MEETING CHRIS RIDDELL
Posted by Siobhan Harrison on Thu 12 Jan 2012
Icky, Sticky Award
Posted by Jo Moore on Fri 06 Jan 2012
Amazingly, a book I had worked on jointly with top illustrator Nick Sharratt was nominated for the Royal Society Young People's Book Prize. Never heard of it - neither had we! The Prize, is awarded annually to a children's book that has promoted science to young people and our book; The Icky, Sticky Snot and Blood Book which deals with the respiratory system was on the shortlist. The book was created and art-directed by Sally Symes, written by Steve Alton and the amazing pop-ups were paper engineered by Corina Fletcher (who has previously spoken at a BiG meeting).
The Royal Society boffins waded through over 100 titles to compile a shortlist of six books which were sent to participating schools to vote on. We were invited to attend the award ceremony at the very prestigious Royal Society itself in Pall Mall and Nick, Sally and I represented the team. The ceremony was rather sweet and we were made a great fuss of. As the nominees were read out short videos made by the schools about each book were show to much amusement (one school's kids all had white coats and safety goggles on!). We were also hoping to spot one of the other shortlisted authors; Professor Robert Winston, but alas, we wasn't able to attend.
Sadly, we didn't win the top prize which went to How the World Works (or the ten grand prize money!) but we had a lovely evening before heading back to Sussex. I'm hoping that after 22 years of being an illustrator my late brush with a book award won't be a one-off!
See how the Icky, Sticky Snot and Blood Book works on Corina's website http://www.corinaandco.com/the-icky-sticky-snot-and-blood-book/
Robot City Book Signing
Posted by Paul Collicutt on Mon 12 Dec 2011
Robot Invasion!
Posted by Jo Moore on Tue 11 Oct 2011
Don't miss the chance to see robots, space toys and artworks by renowned Sussex illustrator and BiG member Chris McEwan. Chris has raided his studio to share his amazing collection of all things spacey. A real treat - guaranteed fun for kids of all ages! http://www.lawsonmcewan.com
Hove Museum and Art Gallery, 19 New Church Road, Hove, BN3 4AB. See http://www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk for more details.
15th October to 21st February 2012. Weekdays and Saturdays 10 am - 5 pm | Sundays 2 pm - 5 pm | Closed Wednesdays
Tom Paine Press in the Lewes Artwave 27 AUGUST - 11 SEPTEMBER 2011
Posted by Penny Dann on Thu 25 Aug 2011
THE TOM PAINE PRINTING PRESS & PRESS GALLERY proudly present their Artwave 2011 exhibition, featuring:
prints by Jonny Hannah "More Junk from McVouty's"
Creative typography by Peter Chasseaud,
Creative typography by John Christopher at Flowers & Fleurons
Hope to see you on:
FRIDAY 26 AUGUST, 6-8pm (and later)
at:
THE TOM PAINE PRINTING PRESS & PRESS GALLERY
151 HIGH STREET (opposite Bull House and Westgate Chapel)
LEWES, EAST SUSSEX
BN7 1XU
EXHIBITION OPEN EVERY DAY DURING ARTWAVE (27 AUGUST - 11 SEPTEMBER)
Paul Slater Exhibition
Posted by Siobhan Harrison on Tue 12 Jul 2011
Paul Slater Exhibition at The Union on Greek St, Soho. Exhibition viewable by appointment only.
http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2011/july/exhibition-paul-slater-at-the-union
“Fred’s” Festival Round Up
Posted by Penny Dann on Mon 25 Apr 2011
OK so I'm not Fred, but in the spirit of the round ups Fred used to undertake for the printed mag we have collected together some top Open House info sent in by members of B.i.G. Thirty years since a small group of artists in the Fiveways area came up with the idea. Look how it's grown, organised trails and brave independents showing throughout the city and beyond.
So go forth and investigate!
Vicky Woodgate is taking part in a Pop Up shop at
Into the Woods. Fiveways area
Artists Open Shop
8 Grantham Road, Brighton BN1 6EE
www.intothewoods.co.uk
Open all of May
Tuesday-Fridays 9am - 1pm
Saturday and Sundays 11am - 6pm
Serving Extravagant High Tea
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Jessie Ford, Claire Clifton, Frank Pudney and friends
3 St George's Place, Brighton BN1 4GA (Central Trail)
Prints paintings, cards and illustrative goodies.
Open 10am-5pm each weekend from 7th -29th May
Our lovely web-meister Tim Jukes has his own Open House on the Queens Park area
42 Hendon Street, Brighton BN2 OEG
Open 12am-6pm each weekend from 7th -29th May
Look out for the vintage tea shop!
Also in the Queens Park area Emily Milne Wallis is showing at the Yellow House, 5 Cuthbert Road, BN2 0EN www.yellowhouseart.com
Open each weekend 7th-29th may 12 noon-6pm
Nina Petersen is at 22A The Drove Brighton BN1 5AF 01273 546088
"All things printed – a bit for everyone"
At this May's Open House festival she will be offering framed or mounted screen prints of stylish designs and colours – at affordable prices plus tea towels and baby garments featuring Nina's 'Little Monster' designs. To find more information about Nina's work and the venue visit the Glooh Baah House www.facebook.com/pages/Glooh-Baah-House/196776637029704
or go to: www.petersen-design.com.
Open 11am-6pm each weekend from 7th -29th May
Jan Barger is showing at 17 Rugby Road, Brighton BN1 6EB as part of the Beyond the Level Trail www.beyond-the-level.org.uk
Exhibiting pieces combining drawing and papier mache. Open 11am-6pm each weekend from 7th -29th May
Carol Seatory and Belen Gomez and Gary Thompson are part of a group showing at Carol's place.
Nine by Nine www.troyohlson.com/dra_map.htm
9 Park View Terrace, Stanford Road Brighton
BN1 5PW - Part of the Dyke Road Arts Trail
Open 11am-6pm each weekend from 7th -29th May
And bringing up the rear - Penny Dann is showing pictures for kids' rooms and selling signed books at
202 Ditchling Road Brighton BN1 6JE - part of the Fiveways Trail.www.fivewaysartists.com/trail.php
Open 11am-5pm each weekend from 7th -29th May
Tea and cakes available in a beautiful garden.
Diamond Geezer!
Posted by Jo Moore on Mon 21 Mar 2011
Nick Sharratt was one of the judges recently for the Blue Peter competition to design the official emblem for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. He put on his suit and Blue Peter badge and went along to Buckingham Palace on a lovely sunny day to do the final judging alongside presenter Barney, brand consultant Martin Lambie-Nairn and fellow illustrators Emma Chichester-Clark and Tony Ross. The judging took place in the balcony room at the front of the palace and at one point in the proceedings they were accompanied by the Queen's Guards Band, marching in the grounds outside the window. One of the tunes they played was YMCA but the judges resisted doing the actions!. The results have just been announced and the winning design is by 10-year-old Katherine Dewar.
Norman Rockwell Day Trip
Posted by Penny Dann on Mon 28 Feb 2011
A B.i.G. coachload sett off for Dulwich Picture gallery on 15th February.
A fantastic show in a lovely setting, so we urge those of you that didn't make it on the day to go along and study the artist's stunning technical ability and humour and marvel at his long career. Check out the Flickr pics for a record of the day, mostly taken in the pub!
Comics Festival in Angouleme by Nye Wright
Posted by Angela McKay on Thu 10 Feb 2011
The 2011 Festival International de le Bande Desinée in Angoulême is completely different at every turn. Each year this venerable, old gray lady of a town is taken over by world of comics for a week. But she doesn’t then spend the rest of the year trying to forget it. The streets are all named after famous cartoonists, and lovely old buildings in the old town have multi-storey murals that delight young and old.
In fact, the amazing house we stayed in — with one of the warmest, and most welcoming families we could ever have hoped to meet (Gertrude and I secretly hope that our family ends up being half as cool as Manon, Jeanne, Sandrine and Pierre) — was just around the corner from this guy.
Each day you walk the cobbled streets of the city to go between exhibits on the Franco-Belgian new wave, the pavilion of young talent or the showcase gallery show of the Festival’s 2011 president Baru. And then each night, you retire to one of the towns many quirky little restaurants for a delicious French meal, and then head to a café/bar for a drink (or 6) late into the night. Then repeat the next day.
The Musée de la bande desinée down the hill from the city and across the river hosts a great year round exhibit focusing on the history of comics. It has come great temporary exhibits, and a bookshop that makes high art aficionados and geeks alike drool.
Then heading back up toward the city proper, you come to the Cité de la Bande Desinée, a converted old factory that now does rotating year round shows and exhibits (this is where Baru was). Amazing to think that a town that doesn’t host either a theme park or act as the home to a lunatic comics collecting hobbyist has spent public funds on building and maintaining this things.
Then, throughout the Festival, there were talks and events, including Paul Gravett talking about under-appreciated British pioneer Leo Baxendale.
And there was the wonderfully self-deprecating, but wonderful insightful Charlie Adlard.
There was the venerable lion of 60s and 70s French Metal Hurlant, Moebius.
And an odd morning session on the American New Wave, featuring John Pham, Marc Bell and Dash Shaw. At one point, it looked like the moderator, not sure what to make of his panel, gave up and started texting…
The best part about the convention for me however was the number of people there reading comics. They weren’t looking for lunch boxes or mint condition action figures. They were there to read, buy and enjoy comics.
One of my favourite rituals of the French Festival circuit is the “Dedicace” line. People wait patiently for hours to get a dedication in their books by their favourite authors. But these are no mean “Thanks for showing up, he’s my signature.” No each author dutifully draws some original piece in the reader’s book– and spends ages doing it — and does it for free!
The highlight for me of the whole festival however was the Concert de Dessin. Making graphic art is a solitary process where an artist disappears for weeks, or months as a time, suffers silently, alone making stuff. Then one day, they present some work, but the process of making it is a distant memory enjoyed by only one.
In these concerts, artists riffed overhead as the musical stylings of a love story played in their heads. And we got the watch the creation of a comic in much the same way we listen to a concert and hear a story in music. I loved it. It transcended the solitary nature of visual art with the performance nature of the concert. And in the end, I was moved by the plaintive emotional journey of the luchador they ended up drawing to the music.
It was also nice to see a friend face at the concert as Manon — the lovely elder daughter of the family with who we stayed — was working there as an usher to help people find seats in the sold out shows.
It was a total surprise also that two the “cartoonists without fear” who’d been drawing for our delight was French BD heavy hitters Dupuy and Berberian!
Anyway, I’ve got some more Rosetta Stone to curl up with so that my French next year is not so paltry and I don’t find myself jealous of the communication stylings of native 3 year olds.
Looking forward already to FIBD 2012!
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Tweets
- We've got illustration legend Chris Riddell speaking to us tonight! Come along, 8pm, King And Queen. All welcome!
- RT @geoparkin Anyone know who's selecting the BiG work to be exhibited at the Feb @glug event? Count me in if poss.
- Coming to our meeting this Thursday? We have illustration giant Chris Riddell coming to talk to us 8pm, King and Queen. http://t.co/IXAsYhLl
- A date for your diary, the fantastically talented Chris Riddell. NEXT MEETING Thursday 26th Jan. @ the King and Queen pub Brighton.
- @carlos_g_m Done!
- Our Christmas party is tonight! 8pm, Upstairs at the Freemasons. Free drink for early birds.
- Here's the sketches from Alice themed Life Drawing with @BrightonDrawing for @bigillustrators http://t.co/zxgl1fpY
- You heard the lady RT @PennyDann Anyone not drawing tonight meet in the Nelson on Trafalgar Street, drawers come by after!