Science and Industry Museum visit

I know this isn't really illustration but it is one of the many places I visit for inspiration. I have had a few concept ideas rolling around in my head and I thought this place would help me with some mechanical looks, some metal panel bodies and more so engines.

 Sometimes I can visit this place for a specific thing but leave with a completely different idea, so I do believe it has great significance to my illustrating.

Tatton Park Visit

My fiance and I took the kids to a usual Tatton park visit as it was a nice day. When we got down to the farm area to feed the animals, we came across an unexpected treat. Kirsten Harris-Jones had an exhibition on in the farm and also a 'find the beastie' trail for the kids. it was great and her illustrations are quite charming to say the least. I did get told to get moving by the family as I had been inspecting and reading the display for a little too long, ha.

Manchester Print Fair No9

Another year already and another fantastic print fair at the Peoples History Museum in Manchester. It is always good to keep your finger on the pulse in the design world as trends and styles can change so much in only a year. Had a chat with one of our uni tutors, John Powell-Jones, who had his stall set up again. I also bumped into a couple of our level 6 Graphic Designers who also had a stall. Ben Couch, fellow student and good friend, are now thinking of getting a pitch for next years fair.

1.2.3

This post is part of my PDP for Uni. We was asked to blog the best 3 pieces of advice we have received whilst on our degree course so far. This was easy for me as I had already asked the three most influential artist's to my current working method/style, this very question.

    1. "Talent and hard work has to be there, but I think networking is as important - if not more so. At this point in my career, the best advice I can give is to be professional. Answer emails on time, be dependable and don't be late on projects. It seems simple, but it's harder than you think".

                                                                                                                                     Britni Brault
    2. "Practice, practice, practice. Oh and also to never give up, never surrender...have a plan B and C just to keep the lights on and food in the fridge, but stay the course".

                                                                                                       Jeff Nishinaka
    3. "Draw. Sketch. Doodle. Just keep at it, there's absolutely no short-cuts, no magic bullet, no substitute for practice".
                               Rob Turpin

Manchester Art Gallery with Ben Couch

Whilst we was already in Manchester, we thought we would check in on the art gallery. The exhibition had changed since my last visit and inside I came across some helpful research for our project 3.

 These above are digitally modernised images from very old woodblock prints by Utagawa Hiroshige. The flash on my camera didn't work on the originals, sorry.

A Day Out With Ben Couch, MMU Library

Well the MMU lived up to it's build up, it's huge. Ben Couch and myself went for a visit to find some research that our local libraries don't stock. We almost got lost when we was on the North wing when we should have been on the West wing. We got what we needed though, good day.

MMU School of Art, All day event with Simone Ridyard

Sorry this is a little late in posting but on the 20th March, there was an all day event produced by Simone Ridyard (Urban Sketcher). As soon as the tickets became available for this day, I quickly pounced and booked my ticket.
For the work I am currently doing, this was a must to be there.
It lived up to my expectations and more, it was invaluable for my studies. There was talks and demonstrations from the founders of S.A.I, (School of Architectural Illustration). I was lucky enough to meet Don Coe, F.S.A.I Chairman, Richard Rees, S.A.I President, Shona Coppin, Keith Hornblower (watercolour expert), Tim Richardson and Joe Robson, plus of course the marvellous Simone Ridyard. Between this group I was bound to pick up some valuable tips of the trade, and oh yes I did. From what pens, paper, brushes to use to tips on perspective which I thought I was quite good at in the first place. I cant explain what happened that day but I think I found my niche. I have always loved buildings for some reason and what with this day and the current work/project I'm doing, something clicked into place in my head and I now have a serious focus, or path I would like to follow.
They brought with them only ten books to sell so as soon as they opened the box, I took off for the front, elbows out, hurdling seats, I wasn't missing out. I didn't, I was second in line. Anyway, here are a few pics I took on the day;

Top left; Shona Coppin. Top right; Keith Hornblower. Bottom left; Don Coe, Simone Ridyard and Joe Robson. Bottom right; My very own signed book that I faught hard for.