Alex Crump - Illustrator
I had a portfolio consultation with @Figtaylor for the Association of Illustrators @theaoi on Monday which I found inspiring. The feedback I got was incredibly helpful and constructive, it’s given me a clear focus on the path I want to follow and a few ideas on how to improve my portfolio – I’ve already started work on refining and streamlining my website.
I’m looking forward to sharing some of the work in progress soon…
#illustrator #theAOI #portfolio #art #creativity
I’ve been a latecomer to the Netflix series #strangerthings – One of the benefits of having such a cool daughter with great taste (the fact she likes it gives me a reason to join in). I’ve been enjoying the characters and the creative storylines. Having grown up playing RPG (#Runequest) with friends, it’s great seeing the geeks as the heroes, makes me feel (almost) cool.
It’s always interesting seeing a villain with little in the way of redeeming features, hellbent on their greatness, how easy it is to see parallels in the real world. I don’t often create such characters – I suppose the closest is this little fellow here, in an unashamed parody of #vecna
Following on from our first book, Niki Naki Noo, Book 2 is in process….and it’s
’Niki Naki Noo Goes to School’
Richard and I will launch a Kickstarter campaign shortly, the book is already written and edited…
If you’d like to support the illustration and publishing process (and receive exclusive rewards in the process), the link below will take you to the Kickstarter site and you can select to be notified of the official launch in a few days time.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/955424415/niki-naki-noo-goes-to-school
#illustration #childrensbooks #kickstarter #crowdfunding #nationalyearofreading #independentpublishers
I’ve been absolutely delighted to have received 3 different awards. Two for book illustration from ‘Global Media'(Lux Life Magazine) and ‘Prestige Awards’ and one for Illustration and storytelling combined (again from’Global Media'(Lux Life Magazine)).
Many heartfelt thanks to all my wonderful clients who have helped me gain this recognition. There’s some great projects coming up in the next few weeks and some exciting news about an ‘old friend’ soon…
This has been an idea in the back of my mind for a long time, so I’ve used the news about Swindon’s intended bid to become a ‘City of Culture’ as an excuse to finally bring it to realisation.
I’ve been fortunate to work for and with different creative organisations in the Swindon area and the desire is certainly there to encourage the right conditions to allow creativity to flourish. Hopefully even the fact that it’s being considered can cast a spotlight on what is already thriving in the town and places of heritage, like Lydiard.
I know I’m not the first (or certainly the last) to wax lyrical about this special place and I’ve always thought it would make a great setting for ‘Wind in the Willows’ with the beautiful house (Toad Hall), a lake for ‘Ratty’, a charming underground ice house (for ‘Mole’ to move in to) and the ‘Wild Woods’ for ‘Badger’ and the ‘Stoats’ – bigger with black on their tail + the ‘Weasels’.
It seemed appropriate top share this with the weather as it is today. I’ve been working on this project (with the author David Atkins) since the warmer days of Autumn. It’s been interesting to look back at some of the initial ideas and designs for the story. For this project I’ve worked really closely with the client and we have had several ‘Zoom meetings’ where I’ve been able to screen share to make some real time edits and alterations. Communication with clients is a key part of what I do and in all projects there are regular meet-ups (virtual or ‘real’) to share and celebrate the progress of the project to bounce ideas off of each other. The increased availability of video conferencing has been really useful when working with clients – I’ve been able to work on projects based in the USA, India, Dubai, Ormskirk and mainland Europe to mention just a few!
For two projects I’ve been commissioned for at the moment I’ve drawn a couple of different buildings/sites, it’s amazing to see the delicate, intricate details on the buildings close up when creating the images. Both these places play major roles in the work that has been written.
