Okay. Coming from an African country, I have seen some crazy (and dangerous) insects in my time. Whether I’m right or wrong about the bugs I like or dislike, most people have a thing, a phobia, if you like, about some creepy crawly. For some it spiders, for others its anything that has wings and…… Continue reading Getting into the world of insects
Category: From the sketchbooks
Summer Events. One Down…
The Carnegie Greenaway award winners were announced on the same morning I was doing a workshop in front of around 100 children, where they showed what their picks were for the Winner. This took place at Platform in North London which is quite near where I live. The event was well organised by Islington Library…… Continue reading Summer Events. One Down…
Creatures from African Mythology: Tokoloshe
The mythical Southern African creature, the Tokoloshe is a dwarf-like, mischievous and evil spirit can make itself invisible by swallowing a pebble. Tokoloshes are called upon to cause trouble for others. Its power extends from scaring children to causing illness and even death to its target. Only the N’anga (witch doctor) has the power to…… Continue reading Creatures from African Mythology: Tokoloshe
Creatures from African Mythology: Jengu
The Jengu, from Cameroon, differs in appearance from person to person, but it is said to be a beautiful, mermaid-like figures with long, hair and gap-toothed smiles. A Jengu (plural Miengu) is a water spirit in the traditional beliefs of the Sawa ethnic groups of Cameroon. They live in rivers and the sea and bring…… Continue reading Creatures from African Mythology: Jengu
African Mythical Characters Sketchbook: Impundulu
In the first sketch of a new series, I am going to try to illustrate African mythological creatures and characters. First up is the Lightning bird, or Impundulu. There are likely to be several versions of each of these characters, so your input is welcome. I am hoping to create a set of six to…… Continue reading African Mythical Characters Sketchbook: Impundulu
“Cowboy Come home”
Working with text and pictures. The text is written and the layouts are nearly done. The working tittle is above. Here are sketches showing the treatment of the text which, to me, should be almost illustrated. The final exploration will be to bring type and image much closer together. Recently, agents and publishers have asked…… Continue reading “Cowboy Come home”
The Illustrationist 