Upcoming events…
Stay tuned, I’ll post any upcoming author events here. If you’d like to arrange an author visit to a school or other event, don’t be shy, drop me a line.
New profuselyillustrated t-shirt in the Little Shop…
For the fashion unconscious: you too can have a t-shirt with some hand lettering on it.
A new audio recording…
There’s a new video of Becky Smith’s great audio recording of her reading Waiting For Chicken Smith. The video includes the illustrations from the book. It’s one of my favourite recordings of any of my books being read.
New Pencillustration screen print available…
I’m happy to say that the Pencillustration 2-colour screen print is available in the Little Shop.
This new print is A1 and will benefit from a nice frame. It would make a nice gift for someone who yearns for the days of wooden pencils and sharpening – and has an empty wall.
Short film about tall dinosaurs…
See a new film about how I made the illustrations for these books.
DIPPY shortlisted for Cultural Enterprises Award 2023…
The Natural History Museum’s book Dippy: The Nation’s favourite dinosaur is shortlisted in the Cultural Enterprises Awards in the Best Children’s Publication category.
Selected past events…
Make a plush with this FREE downloadable pattern…
A book for Simon and Schuster is now out…
A new novel I designed with the illustrator Lauren Child is out now.
Written by Emma Carroll, it uses the story of Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Match Girl and blends it with the true history of the London Match Girl strikes of 1888. Lauren’s pictures are bold and uncompromising (like the match girl in the story). Black and white dominates this edition and there’s colour in between.
Book promo by profuselyillustrated.com
A new picture book for 2022…
My new picture book is published this Autumn by Prestel/PRH. Hen is a dog, but the story is about sustainability which is a nice word for trying not to waste things. I am doing some screen printing to coincide with the publication and some limited editions will be available in The Little Shop.
While you wait…
Listen to Sira Stampe’s fine reading of Marshall Armstrong is New To Our School. Sira brings out all the black and white, and then adds a little colour to the picture book which is ten this year.
I don’t know how she keeps a straight face.
And then try my reading of The Frank Show on for size. It’s not as professional and polished as Sira Stampe’s performance. It’s more vanilla, that’s for sure.
A lot of mumbo-jumbo.
Ally Capellino profile…
I was recently asked by Ally Capellino what I think of their bags and I said I’ve owned one for a while. See the interview here on their website. They sent me a nice new Jeremy satchel too and I used it in this drawing.
New Studio Stories Episode with Lauren Child…
I’ve been making a series of films with author Lauren Child that follows her creative process when illustrating Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking Goes Aboard (published by Oxford University Press). The latest one is about the graphic designer’s role and yours truly gives an idea of what I add to the mix.
In other news…
The studio is moving in March 2020. Your patience and understanding is requested at this difficult time.
Normal business to resume as soon as possible.
A missive from the Department of Communications and the Arts.
Next month I’ll be doing an author event in Athens at the Athens Concert Hall where the Drawing Words Exhibition is opening. Find out more on the events page.
Waiting for Chicken Smith is published in the US today by Candlewick Press. It’s the same but different.
Lauren Child and I will be speaking about making Lauren’s books as part of the Royal Academy Of Arts’ Festival of Ideas (May 5th at 10.30am). Lauren is very interesting and you’ll probably be surprised to know how she makes her illustrations and her unusual writing process. And there’ll be the chance to ask questions if you need an answer. I hope you can come and join us in May. I’d take the number 9 bus to Aldwych and get off on Piccadilly outside Cordings, but that’s just me.
The British Council’s Drawing Words exhibition…
I’m happy to be included in the British Council’s Drawing Words exhibition, an exhibition of contemporary UK children’s book illustrators. The show is curated by Lauren Child (Waterstones Children’s Laureate 2017-2019) and includes some brilliant artists. The exhibition will be at The British Council, Piccadilly, London and then elsewhere worldwide. Read more about it here.
White Ravens 2018…
Archie and The Bear (written by Zanni Louise) was named a White Raven Book 2018 by the International Youth Library.
Here’s what they said: Without even the slightest hint of preachy-ness, “Archie and the Bear” challenges readers to ponder the importance of being open-minded, of carefully listening to others, and of accepting people – and other creatures – for what they (say they) are. In his vigorous illustrations, renowned artist David Mackintosh plays with different media, contrasting sizes, and varying perspectives to highlight the story’s peculiar rhythm. Pictures, text, and overall design create a seamless unity that easily draws readers into the tale.
It could be you…
I'm giving away a signed and drawn on copy of Waiting for Chicken Smith on publication day. Just tell me what you're waiting for via email. Send your email by September 7th. I'll choose a winner and post the book to you anywhere in the world. Good luck!
September 7th: THE PHONE LINES ARE NOW CLOSED: Kyle Reed in Canada has won the signed book and it will be posted directly. Thank you for entering the competition.
Don't forget your name.
Hot chips photography by Geoff Lloyd.
I made a film of how I make a hand-sewn picture book dummy. I find that they're very useful when developing my book ideas because they are in fact – a book.
My new titles for the Penguin English Library can be seen here…
See the film trailer for Waiting for Chicken Smith…
Here's a written piece about Waiting for Chicken Smith that says something about how the memory plays tricks on history.
Inside Waiting for Chicken Smith.
Good news. And they don't even have bears in Australia.
Robyn Sheahan-Bright interview…
AN interview I did with Robyn can be read here. She sure is nosey.
At all good book shops.
