Storm Cats

Bleak Expectations

Constable & Robinson recently contacted me to design the upcoming hardcover adaptation of Mark Evans' Bleak Expectations – a Radio 4 comedy series which parodies the work of Charles Dickens. The story pokes fun at all the familiar stereotypes: asylum-ridden mothers, pitiful orphans, cruel headmasters, and so on.

Anyway, the book has plenty of material to work with, and the art director Sarah Castleton was very encouraging about making the cover both beautiful and funny. I did a few sketches utilizing classic motifs of victorian design, with a comedic twist and plenty of little details to look for:



The dark blue sketch was approved, with the decision to quiet down the gold decorations a bit.



And there you have it.

From the Vault

I was digging through my old files today, and found a few illustrations that were done 2-3 years ago.
None of them have ever seen the light of day...until now!
Enjoy:

Arabian Nights

I forgot to add this to yesterday's update: Tales of the Arabian Nights jacket for Castle Books.

Vinyl Menace

New Spot illustration for a Cowbell Magazine article about nonsensical "return of vinyl".

Print 20 Under 30

I'm very honored to be chosen by Print Magazine as one of this year's "20 under 30". Every year the magazine features 20 artists and designers under the age of 30. I've always looked forward to this issue, so it's like a dream come true to actually be part of it.







And I didn't even know this until I got my hands on a copy, but in the back they have a write-up about Vintage UK's 3D classics, under a picture of my Jules Verne cover. Exciting stuff!

HOW Magazine

Well I guess this is just the month of Magazines. I have my very own page in the newest issue of HOW, alongside many of the best young designers out there.

Happy Holidays