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New designs based on the Autumn theme. Experimenting with composition, collage, ephemera and abstract figures. (click for enlargements).

Jennifer from American Educator was in touch with an illustration request. Their Ask The Cognitive Scientist column was featuring an article about disruptive behaviour in the classroom. The only specific requirements were that Rodin’s The Thinker was to be incorporated into the opening illustration (a regular thing) and that no violence was to be depicted.

Seasonally-inspired image, merging hi-tech and lo-tech collaging techniques.

I like to depict different ways of displaying drawings or unfinished artworks. This is a new take with the addition of a mysterious viewer.

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Walking through the park I spotted a tiny piece of curled string which caught my interest. I've used it as a basis for creating some abstract figure forms.

This is an illustration made for Case Western Reserve University. A wraparound cover image for Think magazine. The story revolves around Anirban Sen Gupta’s quest to develop synthetic, life-saving blood. A project he has been working on for years, securing grants, including a $2.75m award this year from the U.S. Department of Defense. He’s also a key member of a University of Maryland team that recently was awarded a $46.4 million federal grant to develop a freeze-dried blood substitute that, if successful, has the potential to save thousands of wounded soldiers’ lives - and civilian lives, as well.



Above, the finished illustration.



The printed version, Fall/Winter 2024 issue.

This was a challenging job in a number of respects. A lot of content was required and mostly of a very technical nature. This involved liaising with Sen Gupta who supplied various references to the cellular structures and nanoparticles involved in the project. With so many elements to be included I was keen to avoid a multi-coloured look so settled on a limited palette which suggested both medicine and the future of biological development.



Above are the original concept drawings. Instead of focussing on creation, as in the first two drawings, it was decided instead to feature Sen Gupta himself, the project leader. Bottom right is the approved concept sketch.



For accuracy, photos were taken of Sen Gupta. My objective was to simplify his features while still maintaining a good likeness. Above are some of the process stages.

More from an ongoing series/project, Masked & Anonymous. At some point I hope to collate the series in a small volume or perhaps issue some individually as prints.
The collection here are printed small and mounted on the front of matchboxes .

Experimental image, merging bits of drawing, text and ephemera.

More sketchbook pages. Whatever else is going on I like to keep these 'unconscious' drawings on the go. Although they are the polar opposite of more considered work they often contain the seeds for new projects.

Jennifer at Experience Life magazine got in touch with a feature on the critical role of nitrates in helping the body make nitric oxide, a beneficial gas the body produces, essential to maintaining good health. A lead image and five spots were required for the article.



Above is the finished illustration along with two preliminary visuals which were made to establish the layout and tone of the image.



Above is the published spread from the November/December 2024 issue.



Two of the other spot images included in the feature.



This is the colour palette I was sent for inspiration. I used this as a guide when rendering the completed drawings.