Smbsy @smbsy@mastodon.art

Another oldie from a picture book I shelved. For the time being, anyway.

Despite my best intentions, I haven't managed to draw a single thing this week! Not a sausage.

Here's something from a while ago.

I'm not used to recording myself play. It's a bit like hearing your own voice.

Just a little demo of how my backpacker violin sounds.

The tune is a Scandinavian one, called 'Drunkard's Mazurka'.

I don't know why, but I told myself I'd only toot drawings.

It doesn't do any good to hide my other achievements.

Here's a backpacker fiddle I made for myself a few years ago.

It's a full size violin, but in the style of a dance master's kit or pochette.

More musical fish folk 🐟 🎶

Does this count for #mermay?

Badges I designed to promote my band, some years ago.

The Bridge (Bron/Broen) is back on TV tonight.

Here's a little comic I did when the last series ended.

This didn't go so well.

I'll have to try again, and follow the recipe a bit more closely!

Last night I had a go at making charcoal. In preparation for a campfire art session for national volunteer week, later this month.

Haven't used charcoal since school. It sure is smudgy!

Today I knocked together an A3 drawing board.

It's a scrap of 9mm ply, with a lip tacked onto the bottom edge to stop pencils rolling away.

Filled in a few voids, and sanded everything nice and smooth.

Made a straight edge too.

If anyone is interested, this is a very handy leaflet about oak galls, including a recipe for ink:

http://www.jolathwood.co.uk/artwork/oak-gall-ink---a-short-history-and-recipe/

Making my own iron gall ink.

Steeping oak galls in water produces this dark brown solution.

The next step is to add a source of iron. I'm using wire wool.

Getting useful feedback has been hit and miss so far.

The story is set in Taiwan (though it's not explicitly mentioned), and follows a little girl and her parents' day trip up a mountain.

If you think you might enjoy such a story, have children who would, or you have experience writing for a picture book, please give it a read and let me know what you think.

http://smeebsy.com/icanclimbthat/story.html

Thanks!

Here's a test image for a picture book that I put on the back burner.

One day I'll finish it!

Some characters for a musical game I haven't made (yet).

Let's just say they're all in attendance for a spot of dancing. 🎶

Scene from a Tea House.

Inspired by some very hip people I saw drinking craft beers. At another table, there was a couple trying all the dainty cakes. In the corner was a party of smart ladies, in the very best silk dresses.

And I was there too. Sipping tea and watching the world go by.

The protagonist for my picture book.

Picture book character sketches.

Saw a frog today. It didn't have the banjo though. Maybe it's in the shop for repairs 🎶

Hello Mastodon! This is my first 'toot' 🎺📯 Getting back into drawing after a long break. Set myself the goal of illustrating a picture book. Here's a detail from a sketch!