50th Birthday

A 'quickie' done for a 50th Birthday celebration - I went, they got the appropriate discount and I've got the headache this morning - must have been the food !! 

My studio

This is my work area in about it's normal state, I don't let it get too disorganised as I can't find anything at all. People often ask me what type of computer I use and, like a lot of graphic artists, the tool of my choice is a Macintosh. I couldn't envisage using anything else and am an incorrigible 'Machead' !!

For the technical it's a MacPro 2 x 2.66Mhz dual core processors, 7 gigs of RAM, 4 x 250 Gig internal hard drives with two flat LCD screens a Dell 24" and an Apple 20" - I'm hoping to replace the Dell with a 30" Apple in 2008. Cost a fair bit but I spend a lot of time sitting in front of this lot and the quality, reliability and ease of use pays for itself - it's good gear.

Also I use an Epson 4800 printer and a Wacom Intuos 3 A5 drawing tablet.

The caricature of me on the wall was done by Vin Altamore of New Jersey, USA it's one of my favourites -check out his link.

Bobtail goanna

Don't do an lot of animal caricatures - in fact I can't think of any - but I had to feature a Bobtail Goanna in a Christmas caricature for some one who has a stifling fear of these small inoffensive creatures. Sadly their habit of sunning themselves on bitumen roads brings about the demise of lot of them.

The client loved the caricature and asked where I got the Bobtail clipart from - cheeky bugger !!

Juanjo Baron

A quick shot back at my Spanish compatriot Juanjo in Bilbao - I was very kind to him !!

The Cobra & others ......

It's been a busy Christmas - and this isn't all of them by a long chalk - couple more to finish and it's into the turkey. New year resolution is to be more organised next year !!

Pablo

A bit of self indulgence here - as a life long Tractor Boy who has kept the faith despite being 12,000 miles from the hallowed Portman Road turf and the fact we haven't had much to cheer over the last few years - check out this sensational goal from Pablo Counago

Oh we still lost the game !!

Ford Cobra GT

These take a while - this is to be used in a caricature commission I'm in the process of completing. A mid 70's Ford Cobra GT ... turned out well, thanks CS3 !

No steering wheel as the driver will be slotted in there.

....... a poor mans Holden though !!!!

Wedding Bells ....

Commissions for weddings are becoming a major part of my work - this was a gift from the bride to the groom. She was over the moon with it.

Not enough sleep ....

Now I've been under stress finishing all of the Christmas Commissions ( ..and there's more than a few ) - this is how Juanjo Baron a Spanish caricaturist sees my calm handling of all this activity. 

He's one very good caricaturist - viva Espana !! .. and thanks Mate.

You can check Juanjo's amazing work HERE.

Padre Plod ..... book cover

Did a caricature of Barry May last year when he retired from the West Australian Police. Barry is a lovely bloke and I had no hesitation when he asked me if he could use this caricature on the front cover of his autobiography. Barry is a very interesting man with a fascinating story to tell.

Despite my heathen non religious ways I found it a great read. 

You can get a copy here

Whoops Barry May and Kevin 'Bloody' Wilson on the same Blog ..... is that thunder !!!!!

Get them legs ................

Now I don't post all my commissions just the one's I'm pleased with or a little bit different.

This is a retirement caricature for a very well endowed school principal who amongst other things 'walks on water'. Fun doing it.

El Caballo Golf Course

At least once a week - more if I can get away with it - I love to have a game of golf. I'm crap at it but really enjoy it. We played at various public courses in the Perth Eastern suburbs until we discovered El Caballo Golf Course, Great Eastern Highway, Wooroloo. What a great course and the biggest amazement is hardly anyone uses it. That is really good as there's no queing up, no balls whistling overhead - BUT - my big fear is they will go bust and we'll have to go back to the very 'ho hum' other courses. So if you live in the Eastern suburbs it's really worth the drive.

Bring a can of Scram though ....  :0)

( This the Par 3 2nd hole ) 

Kevin 'Bloody' Wilson

The renowned Kevin 'Bloody' Wilson well known for his wholesome family shows !!!!

This caricature was completed for the 'Make a Wish' foundation for auctioning at the sixth annual 'Kev Classic' Tournament held at Secret Harbour Golf Links on December 14th.

The 'Make a Wish' Foundation do a brilliant job raising funds to help very sick children realise their dreams - trips to Disneyland, Grand Prix's - anything, anywhere - great.

Kev's happy to help - so am I

  

Aerobatic dump trucks !!!

Just finished a retirement commission for a 'victim' who had an unusual way of parking 100 tonne dump trucks. 

Keastie from the Eastie !!!!

Quick Photoshop CS3 caricature of fellow caricaturist and Australian Cartoonist Assoc member Steve Keast who hails from Sydney NSW.

Graduation caricature ...

Just completed a commission for a gentleman who recently graduated with a doctorate ...... very well received.
He loved it

Everyone on the bus ...

Just finished a commission for a business which wanted a caricature of all the staff - initially for their website - they all now have an individual A4 print, website image and this A2 size collage of the annual picnic trip !

Kevin Rudd

The third member - and leader - of the opposition team.

Barring something unusual happening (fingers crossed !) Kevin Rudd will become Australia's next Prime Minister in the November elections. So far in front on the Polls it would take a major stumble / gaff to blow it !

Photoshop CS3 - harder work than it would seem - he wanted to look like Bert Newton - are they related ?

.......... added version 2 above, still not there, maybe I'll go with the cartoonists on this just do a basketball with glasses  !!

...... never bothered to put this one on my website, I'll revisit it from scratch one day soon, he's really annoying me as PM certainly needs the 'treatment' - licking lips and ear wax - he makes a lot more sense when talking Mandarin !! 

A present from the 'Old Dart'

There's a few caricatures of me popping up of late - this one from a guy in Stoke on Trent, England who trades under the name of 'Coffeejunkie'. My effort at him is posted hereabouts.

Thanks mate - especially for the lush growth of hair !!!

No Waaaay ........

My very good friend from Belgium, Hans DeConinck - known around the traps as Hanzz - has done another assassination on Tel's dial.

Great work mate - looks nothing like me !! :0)

Check out his great work - there's a link to the right

.. the Piggy Bank's MINE !

.... the rush is on, I must get a few more 'Pollies' done before the election.
No 2 of the new Labor trio - Wayne Swan the Treasurer in waiting.

Look at Moi !

Well I finally got her out - not sure if I'm 100% happy with it though. Ms Julia Gillard Deputy leader of the opposition and, barring something unusual happening, will be Deputy Prime Minister of Australia before Christmas ...... not sure if it's mass hypnosis or they've put something in the water !
Has a dreadful nasally voice with an Aussie accent you can cut - they'll need subtitles overseas.
Photoshop Cs3 - just under 5 hours.

Couple of newies.......

Just finished a couple of new commissions that turned out nicely - I really must get the time to do some celebrity shots. I have a Julie Gillard that's busting to get out !!

More cars ....

Couple of recently completed caricature commissions featuring cars a highly stylised Holden HX one tonne Ute ( pickup for those that don't speak Oz !) and a Commodore V8 Supercar. Both were well received ....... but they make the drawing a lot longer to complete 

Wow ! Bob loves my caricatures -

CoffeeJunkie ...

Last weeks 'warm up' image, another caricaturist that travels under the name of CoffeeJunkie and hails from Stoke on Trent in the UK ....... I'll stick to Twinings I think !!

Froglegs

This is an American caricaturist that goes under the name of 'Froglegs' he posted his photograph and the pencil started twitching ..........

Wanna buy a 'T' ....

Here is the original Mr Jagger done in Photoshop early last year - you've seen the picture now get the ........ 

I've opened a little account on RedBubble where you can buy prints of my celebrity caricatures and clothing - in particular T shirts with caricature prints on. Started it off with a greyscale of  old rocker Mick. Looks great on a black T shirt ....... 

Philip Ruddock

My shot at Philip Ruddock, Aussie Attorney General and one of the most astute politicians around. Will miss him as we look destined to suffer 'a change for the sake of change' Labour government. Lived through enough of those thanks .............................

The 'bloody' Eagles ......

I'll have to put extra penalty rates on these - as a Dockers fan I question if this constitutes child abuse. Really cute little guy and pleased how he turned out

Bikers 50th ........

Done a few Harley Davidson caricatures this year, here's another. The Baby Boomers must be snapping them up in their thousands !!

AFL 'Star' .........

Just finished a Birthday caricature for an West Coast Eagles and Chris Judd fan - just about to kick the winning goal against Sydney ...............

'Broels'

Caricature of Peter Broelman, gun editorial cartoonist and caricaturist and currently president of the Australian Cartoonists Association.
Check out his stuff ..... http://www.broelman.com.au/

Surfing welder .....

This one is an interesting concept for a 21st Birthday for a welder - must have a hell of a long extension chord - but it keeps the sharks away !
postscript - he loved it

Hot stuff .............................

Recently completed caricature - gee life's difficult - for a 30th Birthday.

The picture was paid for by all her soccer team mates.

iPhone hunger ......

It comes out in the USA on Friday - possibly into Australia mid to late 2008.
Will my old Nokia brick and series 1 iPod keep going until then .... will dear old Telstra carry it (do they know it exists !) Have they a FUD campaign in readiness ?
I want one NOW .....................

Recent samples

Here are a few samples of work I've completed over the last 12 months. In truth I've just been playing in Photobucket and seeing what it does - not sure if I really like this one !!!

Chris Wilson from Canberra

Quick caricature of Chris Wilson from Canberra ACT. Chris is a cartoonist and a fellow member of the Australian Cartoonists Assoc. He made the mistake of posting his photo on the ACA website - 'Confucius say don't post your photo where caricaturists lurk '

Marion Van Der Wiel

Completed this caricature of Marion Van Der Wiel, a very good Dutch caricaturist and a fellow NCN member. Used Artrage 2.0 software which faithfully replicates traditional painting / sketching methods - still getting the hang of it - but very impressive. As a CS3 owner how do they make software this good ?
At $19.95 - ridiculous cheap - are you listening Mr Adobe !

Something completely different .....

Well away from my normal stuff - I was asked to paint a long dead favourite pet from an old faded photo.
Done using Artrage 2.0 software and finished in Photoshop CS3.
An Australian Cattle dog the Blue Heeler - they can be cranky individuals.
A pleasant change but I was tempted to give him big feet and a huge nose !!!