February 5, 2012
Review: Nobody owns the moon
There are a hundred reasons I love this book. For a start: it’s humane and humble; it’s intelligent, witty and observant; it’s egalitarian … more >
January 9, 2012
Ye olde fairy tales
Browsing charity shops is a favourite activity – especially when they give up treasures such as this: … more >
December 26, 2011
How does a czar eat potatoes?
Suffering twinges of guilt (and tummy ache) after a gluttonous Christmas, I’ve been drawn to this simple, satirical book … more >
December 13, 2011
Hurrah for Isabel
At last! I’ve managed to unearth a copy of Ogden Nash’s Custard and Company, illustrated by Quentin Blake. Full of musings on rare animals, angels, knights, … more >
December 12, 2011
Gouache in need of panache..
Having been busy the last few weeks with graphic design projects, I’ve been feeling rusty and short of inspiration when it comes to illustrating. … more >
December 8, 2011
Inspiration and composition from Roger Duvoisin
A few weeks ago, I grabbed a second-hand paperback copy of The Rain Puddle (1965), by Adelaide Hall and Roger Duvoisin, from a local Op Shop. … more >
November 21, 2011
Split-page Australiana
No book has ever made our 4-year-old laugh so much as Crocoroos and Kangadiles. A dingo crossed with a starfish is, apparently, wildly hilarious. … more >
October 31, 2011
Monsters and robots
(But mostly monsters). This is what I’ve been playing around with today: illustrative styles for a couple of characters. … more >
October 28, 2011
Flying Machines
We (boys and I) have been drawing flying machines this morning. So I dug out a favourite childhood picture book: Me and My Flying Machine by Marianna and Mercer Mayer. … more >
October 18, 2011
‘Floral’ adventures in linocut
Making a quick diversion into printmaking: here’s a recent attempt at a nature print. The prints weren’t terribly successful but it was fun to try a different subject … more >
Sketchbook on Flickr
