TABLE BIRDS

Conclusion

2009-09-01T14:58:00.000-07:00

It is the intention of the author Brent Hardy-Smith of the blog Table Birds to present an account of the work produced in response to a self initiated brief that has been set for the duration of the masters stage of a masters in Design and Art Direction at Manchester Metropolitan University .

Brent Hardy-Smith is a practicing illustrator and full time design educator at the University of Huddersfield.

An interactive printing event has been created in response to the web based campaign site for

Chicken out.

It has been an intention to investigate if the practice of illustrating can be better utilised by the Web/Internet.

As a starting point the author would like to introduce a quote and passage from his Learning agreement;

‘Illustration must either elucidate the text or adorn it. It may do both: sometimes it does neither.’
Frank Weitenkampf 1919

One of the earliest examples of the historical practice of illustration is The Illuminated Manuscripts. These contained sequences of pictures that formed visual commentary on its text.

Illustration through the centuries has continuously performed such commentary on text but has diversified out into areas of text such as newspapers, editorial, publishing, advertising and more recently websites.

The above three posters were produce for the charity organization by a collaboration between The Light of Life Foundation, ad agency Lowe NY and the Illustrator Keith Negley.

Many processes for illustrating coexist to service the areas of text and can strongly suggest the look of a period in history. For example illustration styles may have ‘a fifties print or a Victorian engraved’ look to them.

The practice of illustration can be executed by utilizing a variety of traditional and new artist materials. From painting to drawing mediums, wood block to engraving and new digital image production software packages.

All techniques serve a purpose in the assisting of producing illustrations that perform the functions of being instructional, informational, erudite, elaborate, entertaining, amusing and probably many more.

Websites are interactive by nature and thus utilise an animated image as opposed to a static 2D illustration. The Internet is predominantly utilised by illustrators to showcase work produced for more traditional print based markets for illustration.

With this knowledge the author decided to adopt an art direction approach to the self initiated brief with the intention of commissioning himself to produce the illustrations. The decision to adopt an art direction persona is to enable the author to gain a deeper understanding of the processes a commissioner of illustration possibly adheres to and help investigate the working practice of commissioning illustration work.

The author discovered the Jean Marie Dru’s Disruption technique and decided to utilise the technique to produce a strategy for the Chicken out campaign.

What is the Disruption technique?

Synopsis by Barnes & Noble.com

To put it simply, disruption is about uncovering the culturally embedded biases and conventions that shape standard approaches to business thinking and get in the way of clear, creative thinking. It's about shattering those biases and conventions and setting creativity free to forge a radical new vision of a product, brand, or service. It's about spearheading change rather than reacting to it.

In Disruption, Dru shows you how to harness the enormous potential of this concept. He introduces innovative strategies for breaking down creative barriers and shows you how to analyze traditional approaches from new perspectives. Next, he provides valuable tools for identifying and cataloguing conventions, including "what if," "multicultural analysis," and the "disruption bank." He then demonstrates-with the help of dozens of galvanizing examples from around the world-how to apply this knowledge systematically to create innovative competitive strategies, marketing campaigns, and operations plans that can revitalize your company or department.

What is the strategy that the author produced by utilising the disruption technique?

After studying the text for the online Chicken Out campaign I decided that the campaign could benefit from it’s participants being given a chance to be more active or act as activists. Not activists in the sense of animal welfare protesters kidnapping workers that worked in animal experiment centers. This would damage the image of the Chicken Out campaign by being associated with this type of action. I decided to coin a phrase “The Art of Protesting” and by this I intend to tap into an emerging and blossoming craft scene being developed on line by such blogs and groups as the Make Lounge and Etsy

As a direct response to the comments and feedback from running my Illustrated in full colour throughout blog where people were nostalgic and comforted by re discovering illustrated gems from there past and spoke of having personal relationships with images from there childhood in particular.

I decided to combine protesting by producing illustrations that have vintage patterns as there starting point.

It soon became apparent that the protest or production of the protest must be a reward for the participant this is based on observations that successful websites offer the participant a benefit by interacting with them rather than just being a place to give information.

The proposal for an event is to offer the participant the chance to engage with the text of the online Chicken Out campaign by:

• Asking the participant to produce a protest banner at the event.

• To select the type illustration to use on the banner.

• To choose which type of table bird they would like to protest about.

• To offer a choice at every stage of the banner production.

• To leave the venue with the banner and by this very action to be active by protesting in a public space at some point by the very fact that they are carrying a protest banner.

• To engage other people with the Chicken Out campaign and direct them to sign up on-line.

imaged sourced from amazon

It is the intention that the protester is considered to be a cultured art collector a trend spotter/setter and a part of a wider cultural artistic movement “refer to blogs”. If other people that come into contact with the produced banners have the desire to own a banner for it’s artistic merits then as a payment for the artefact they would hopefully sign up to the on-line campaign and feel that by supporting they have the right to own the artefact. This is the strategy developed by studying the Disruption technique. It is intended that this approach does not detract from the facts of the animal welfare issue being protested about but brings a cultural change through the appreciation of art created in support of the animal welfare issue and elevates the protest away from the “Kidnapping protesting perceptions”.
How did the author produce it?

To facilitate the production and staging of the proposed event I have had to produce a series of illustrations in direct response to the text produced for the Chicken Out campaign utilising

“Sun on their backs”

and “Factory Farming”

to produce iconic illustrations.
Text would be utilised to produce a border effect with the text also being decorative in its visual appearance so as to avoid a confrontation with the eye.

The initial intention was to produce a silk-screening facility but this was deemed to be too complicated and labour intensive for an event, this is when the title of “Table Birds” was considered to be a process as well as the name given to chickens produced for consumption. “Table” made me think about table top publishing and how this is now more widely available to the general public, this suited the notion of protesting and being in control of what you do as an individual “free to think for yourself and engage with others”.

To use an actual table to produce protest banners about table birds seemed to be a fortunate and logical process to engage with. It also has a feeling of early printing presses and the notion of “the People” spreading the “word” to the masses without censorship or interference from “the state/government”.

I was concerned that such a basic archaic device may detract from the notion of an on-line campaign; this is when I realised that in order to produce a printing press table I would have to engage with and use modern digital technologies to produce this as a printing facility. This process keeps the digital edge to the campaign and asks a question about how much of an artisan are designers in this age of perceived technical wizardry? Is digital a craft?

I have engaged with a variety of art direction practices during the PG CERT AND Diploma stages that have enabled me to put into practice an art directed project for the Masters stage that utilizes the practice of illustration as it’s main visual communication platform. These are as follows:

• Time management

1. Setting boundaries/ parameters, these act as a means to focus on what needs to be achieved “a critical path”. Without the boundaries the project becomes too open and its direction can become derailed and change direction on a “whim” rather than a considered and researched/developed outcome. The boundaries act as a tool that can be utilised as a creative aid or an evaluation means with which to pursue an outcome for a projects lifespan.

2. Setting a timetable at the beginning facilitates art direction to evolve.

3. The set timetable must remain flexible to allow for research to continuously inform the response to the brief.

4. Allowing time to experiment with methods of inquiry and strategies of thought along with practicing with processes.

5. Organising time to offer input from peers and the target audience.

6. Allowing realistic and generous production and testing time that will facilitate for continuous experimentation.

• Adopting a research methodology
• Identifying collaborators.
• Being open and flexible to respond to findings from research and testing time.
• Research production techniques and processes to utilise as idea generation tools.
• Engaging with historical and new pioneering communication design practices.
• Engaging with historical and new pioneering practices form other fields of practice other than design practice for example “the sciences”

The practice of animation will continue to provide an online interactive service to the Internet. As a direct result from engaging with all of the above practices I can conclude that the practice of illustrating can exist with the Internet as more than a supplier of images that illustrate bodies of text. Illustration in association with art direction can achieve a uniquely interactive and tactile relationship with text for the consumers of the information available on the Internet. This is possible by utilising current and future technologies to give text a physical existence outside of its confinement of being only available to be read and or interacted with on screen.

The production and staging of this event for the Chicken out campaign is testament to these claims.

Finally I have re-engaged and continue to practice as an illustrator as a direct result of studying Art Direction and have researched and developed a contemporary illustration style that has provided personal confidence to develop new relationships for the Internet with the practice of Illustrating.

Previous illustration style.

Newly developed illustration style.

Chicken legs as binding test inspired by David Hughes and The Chase

2009-08-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

This book has always remained in my mind since first seeing it many years ago and I just had to get it out of my system, so I recently attempted to re-interpret the concept but you just cannot better it I think.
See The Chase with this link
See David Hughes with this link

Live printing event

2009-08-26T14:45:00.001-07:00

Newspaper print experiments

2009-08-26T14:40:00.001-07:00

Snow Queen print experiments

2009-08-26T14:34:00.001-07:00

Chicken print and rubbing experiments

2009-08-26T14:26:00.001-07:00

Below is an example of rubbing.

Swift print experiments

2009-08-26T14:17:00.000-07:00

All the final artworks for the printing blocks

2009-08-12T17:24:00.000-07:00

All of the artworks are done and ready to be laser etched and produced to make the 1 metre squared table bird printing tables. The laser cutters are going to be busy!

Standard bird finished artwork for printing block

2009-08-11T17:55:00.000-07:00

The first finished final artwork for table birds exhibition, illustrating the Chickens out campaign text from their site.

Type test for factory chickens

2009-08-10T15:15:00.001-07:00

Factory chicken test part 1

2009-08-10T15:07:00.000-07:00

First digital go at utilizing Frans Masereel reference

Factory chicken final illustration

2009-08-10T11:13:00.000-07:00

Soon to be made into a printing block and put into a context

The Chickens with the Sun on their backs have arrived

2009-08-06T14:53:00.000-07:00

I have just completed the five chicken illustrations that will be used to represent the free range chickens at my MA exhibition in October.

I have utilized some type ornaments from a previous post to create templates for the sun image on the back of the chickens, the type ornaments were from a 50's book.

The next step is to get the printing blocks made that will put them into the context that they have been created for.

The sun on the back of a free range chicken

2009-07-27T16:59:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not, this will soon be a wing on a free range chicken illustration.

£2 pound chicken repeat pattern test

2009-07-22T14:22:00.000-07:00

Tesco £2 chicken digital sketch idea

2009-07-20T15:22:00.000-07:00

A quick digital sketch idea for an icon to represent a £2 chicken.

New sketches

2009-07-01T17:34:00.001-07:00

Ian Pollock

2009-07-01T16:31:00.001-07:00

Frans Masereel

2009-07-01T14:41:00.000-07:00

Frans Masereel Web Link

Skinny laMinx

2009-07-01T14:40:00.001-07:00

Skinny Laminx web link

Angie Lewin

2009-07-01T14:36:00.001-07:00

Angie Lewin web link

Charley Harper

2009-07-01T14:20:00.001-07:00

Charley Harper web link

Jill Mcdonald

2009-07-01T14:12:00.000-07:00

Pat Hutchins

2009-07-01T14:03:00.001-07:00

Robert Stewart: Design 1946-95 by Liz Arthur

2009-07-01T13:57:00.000-07:00

Robert Stewart web link

New Flux Work

2009-06-24T05:17:00.000-07:00

The Puffins are really beginning to freak me now!

2009-05-22T13:09:00.000-07:00

I have decided that fate is taking over now!

Another Puffin book found me today as if by magic.

It is the Puffin book of magic by Norman Hunter and illustrated by the brilliant Jill McDonald.

I now have three Puffin books to blog so I have decided to dedicate this weekend to showing them all to you, they are possibly too exciting to show!

The Story of Margarine

2009-05-22T12:45:00.000-07:00

Published by unilever in 1960.

Designed by Peter Gauld, F.S.I.A.

I have drawn a blank so far with attempting to find any useful information about Peter Gauld but it looks like he produced a great deal of public information literature.

This publication contains everything that I need to know to become an expert about margarine, go on ask me anything!

I think the Puffins are following me!

2009-05-20T14:24:00.000-07:00

Something strange is happening!

Today another Puffin annual found me and it's just as good as the other, it contains a page of poems by the brilliant Ivor Cutler and if that's not enough they have been illustrated by the goddess of illustration Sara Midda.

I am in Puffin heaven and you will be soon.

Ferry to Adventure

2009-05-19T13:55:00.000-07:00

Published in 1944 by Peter Lunn. I found this first edition in a tiny book shop in Holmfirth "Last of the Summer Wine country".

This book has been illustrated by R.A.Bartlett.

You feel as though you are experiencing the sense of being a spy and actually participating in the war time adventure due to the brilliant use of view point that the illustrator has utilized.

Found a Puffin today

2009-05-19T13:49:00.000-07:00

I found number one Puffin Annual today published in 1974, it contains stories, puzzles and poems etc.....

Importantly if plays host to some of my favourite children's illustrators including Tove Jansson.

I will need a full weekend of scanning to do this justice, it is worth the wait thought the cover has to be seen to be believed.

Blog gift

2009-05-17T15:05:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to say thanks to Nath over at le-petit-oiseau

I really appreciate that you have taken time to comment and show your support to this project.

So here is an Owl from the Alonso post as I know that you find owls to be a real hoot!

Cheers!

Brother Alonso

2009-05-17T14:44:00.000-07:00

I think this publication is by Tom Hamil, it is outstanding and beautiful.

The 1950's were amazing all the energy and experimentation leave you breathless.

Picasso's Ceramics

2009-05-15T14:11:00.000-07:00

Do you admire Picasso, are you fond of Owls?

If the answer is yes to both of the above questions then you will love this book.

The publication is full of amazing ceramics by Picasso, so many, to many! so I focused on the owl ceramics.

I hope that you are interested in these fabulous items.

Let us see if any of you are prepared to Twitter about this find "Twitter! did you see what I did there, oh well never mind"

Red Hill

2009-05-14T14:07:00.000-07:00

Who would have thought that the humble little sparrow would be the inspiration for this stunning set of illustrations.

The character of the main bird is excellent and the illustrations are very expressive.

The Thief and the Blue Rose

2009-05-08T14:44:00.000-07:00

Translated from the German story By Elizabeth D. Crawford and illustrated by Ursula Schaeffler who obviously enjoyed pressing down very hard with oil pastels.

Published by Richard Sadler Ltd in 1963.
SBN 85410 002 4

Adrian Wiszniewski

2009-05-08T14:08:00.000-07:00

I found this catalogue of one of my favourite artist, his work has been a great inspiration for me over the years.

Follow this link to read further information about the work above.

Landscape was painted in March and April 1987 during the artist's residency at the Walker.

Signed Pollocks to Give aways

2009-05-07T13:55:00.000-07:00

Ian Has been in touch and is very pleased to sign the stamps!!!!!

Here is your opportunity to win a set of Royal Mail Mint Stamps by one of the most highly respected illustrators.

I found these in my loft whilst searching for something completely different and discovered that I still have two sets, I was represented by the same agent called the inkshed as Ian for fifteen years and he lives quite near to me. Ian agreed to sign the stamps for me many years ago and I never managed to meet up with him for one reason or another but I am going to contact him and try to persuade him to do the deed this time so it may be a set of signed stamps we will wait and see.

Ian Pollock is one of the all time greatest illustrators in my opinion and instills a deep belief for me that pen and ink beats computer generated illustration hands down.
You understand that a real human being is completely connected to the subject, medium, narrative and can utilise the universe that exists within a blank piece of paper and then there is light! so to speak.

Creation is the word that best describes Ian's illustrations for me, what do you think?

To win this set of stamps "possibly signed" tell me in one word only by posting a comment below and the winning comment will be drawn out of a hat on the 21st of May 2009.

Remember one word only in the comment, if you use more than one word your entry will be automatically disqualified.

Good luck! the winner will be posted on the 22nd May 2009

Philip II of Spain

2009-05-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

Wrapper design by Peter Edwards from 1964 published by Everymans Library.

This project is just one adrenaline rush after the other for me at the moment.

I do not want to say anything other than I worship at the feet of this illustration, it has figure drawing, costumes, swords, ships and facial hair but look at the use of two colours.

I have a horrible feeling that this may be Peter Edwards who illustrated for Thomas the Tank Engine, I do hope not as I am not a fan in any way shape or form of TTTE.

Brer Rabbit part 9

2009-05-05T13:56:00.000-07:00

Here is part nine of Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox illustrated by William Backhouse and published by Collins, London and Glasgow in 1969.

Life on the Sea Shore

2009-05-04T15:47:00.000-07:00

I could stop this blog here! In my opinion this is the best type of illustration, it is honest hardworking and beautiful.

The use of colour and composition married with the craftsmanship of the illustrator reduces me to an emotional state.

Better than Durer for observational drawing "lets hear your comments on that statement"

Written and illustrated by E.A.R. ENNION and published by Chameleon Books, Geoffrey Cumberledge, Oxford University Press in 1948.

I think that Angie Lewin who I posted on an earlier post would be interested in these illustrations and Skinny La Minx who runs a brilliant blog to showcase her stunning and inspiring creations.

Brer Rabbit part 8

2009-05-04T15:09:00.000-07:00

Here is part eight of Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox illustrated by William Backhouse and published by Collins, London and Glasgow in 1969.

The Dormouse Book

2009-05-03T13:11:00.000-07:00

I dare you not have your heart melted by this cute little creature created and illustrated by Elizabeth Skottowe.

This is a great resource for anyone producing cute characters for greetings cards for example.

At first sight I thought that this publication was going to be predictable but yet again my own preconceptions have been challenged and this book has inspired me more than I could have ever imagined.

I hope that you all take time to look through the illustrations they are so well crafted and endearing.

Brer Rabbit part 7

2009-05-03T12:07:00.000-07:00

Here is part seven of Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox illustrated by William Backhouse and published by Collins, London and Glasgow in 1969.

Mystery Magic and Adventure

2009-04-30T13:55:00.000-07:00

An Anthology for ordinary Boys and Girls

I have found visual treasure!

If you are after 1950's decorative reference then look no further as this collection of decorative elements are stunning.

They have been utilized to great effect to separate the verses in this beautiful publication.

The illustrations from this publication will be posted shortly but for now there is far to much beauty here to drool over.

They been produced by Jack Townend.

At this point I want to express how inspired I get by viewing 1950's work and I have found another book from the 50's that has some extremely stunning illustrations of the seashore.

I am delighted to see what I assume to be a 50's influence at this current time in contemporary print makers such as;

Angie Lewin

Dee Beale

I hope that other people will be as inspired as I am being by this find, published by Basil Blackwell, Oxford 1956.

Brer Rabbit part 6

2009-04-30T13:52:00.000-07:00

Here is part six of Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox illustrated by William Backhouse and published by Collins, London and Glasgow in 1969.

10,000 hits celebration Swiss Handkerchiefs box

2009-04-29T13:37:00.000-07:00

Saw this and loved it but I might get some strange looks if I use the pretty handkerchiefs that are contained within.

10,ooo hits today and within one week I have seen the hits rise and rise so who better to celebrate with than the Swiss, just because they are so interested in design and usually good at it.

And they call it Puppet Love! though I guess they'll never know!

2009-04-29T13:27:00.000-07:00

I have found a stack of good finds today and here is the first one.

From 1950 with illustrations by Denys J. Thorpe

Sorry about the rubbish title link to Donny and Marie!

Brer Rabbit part 5

2009-04-29T13:15:00.000-07:00

Here is part five of Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox illustrated by William Backhouse and published by Collins, London and Glasgow in 1969.

Camberwick Green

2009-04-28T15:03:00.000-07:00

Well now then, this find kind of freaked me a little, it brings back memories of being off from school ill. I never really liked this television program but I'm loving the translation of 3D models into 2D.

I am not to sure if this was aired outside of Britain, I would loved to know!

Here's the facts, the characters were developed by Gordon Murray.

The illustrations for this story book have been produced by Peter Adby.
SBN 603 0 1531 X

I hope that you have enjoyed meeting this lot, "that Windy Miller seems to be a bit of a handful" and I just want you all to know that I did not get to see this TV show very often as I was a healthy little country boy and we didn't have access to a television set very often.

Dealt the key to the Kingdom

2009-04-28T14:52:00.000-07:00

Here are the first two ever hands of cards by Tony Meeuwissen "represented by Folio" electronically dealt online I think?

First hand

Second hand

As I know nothing about card games apart from snap I have not got a clue which hand wins, anyone got any ideas?

Brer Rabbit part 4

2009-04-28T14:46:00.000-07:00

Here is part four of Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox illustrated by William Backhouse and published by Collins, London and Glasgow in 1969.

This is me!

2009-04-27T15:35:00.000-07:00

I am impressed with this cover illustration, it encourages me to go and waste time in perfect bliss on a riverside somewhere drinking cider.

No information about the illustrator is printed in, or on the book, it was Published The Book Club.

The cover really makes me want to read this book, illustration doing it's job!

The key to the Kingdom

2009-04-27T15:03:00.000-07:00

Tony Meeuwissen devoted tree years into producing the illustrations for this book, I found this in a seconds book sale, the dust jacket is slightly torn but it was still in it's cellophane wrap another gem of a find for just £2.

I always wanted a copy of this delightful book and now I can share it with you but in a new way I hope, I intend to deal a random hand of cards each night for your visual pleasure.

Tony Meeuwissen is represented by Folio

You can purchase prints of some of the cards at the link below;

Buy Prints

Published by Pavillion Books London 1992
ISBN 1 85145 925 1

Brer Rabbit part3

2009-04-27T14:58:00.000-07:00

Here is part three of Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox illustrated by William Backhouse and published by Collins, London and Glasgow in 1969.

Festival of Britain

2009-04-26T15:37:00.000-07:00

Abram Games' (1914-96) logo for the Festival of Britain.

Oh look what I have found!

This text is from The Museum of London website of past exhibitions and has so much information about the event.

Between May and September 1951 the nation celebrated the Festival of Britain. After the devastation of war and years of austerity the Festival aimed to raise the nation�s spirits whilst promoting the very best in British art, design and industry. The London based centrepieces of the Festival, the South Bank Exhibition and the Festival Pleasure Gardens in Battersea, were the most visible elements of a Festival which was celebrated in cities, towns and villages all over Britain.

I wanted to concentrate on these illustrated advertisements, these are the first few that caught my eye as I read through the guide.

I will post more as I work my way through it.

Please sit back and enjoy the beauty of these illustrations.

Interviews/ Jean Christian Knaff

2009-04-26T15:29:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to let you all know the brilliant news!

Jean has kindly agreed to be interviewed and has provided the missing alphabet images for me to publish.

Watch this space!

You can purchase his new book at this link.

BUY THIS BOOK

Heidi cover

2009-04-26T15:01:00.000-07:00

This book cover is from the 1970's published by Abbey Classics London, there are no illustrator credits.

Brer Rabbit part 2

2009-04-26T03:28:00.000-07:00

Here is part two of Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox illustrated by William Backhouse and published by Collins, London and Glasgow in 1969.

Repeat pattern for book jackets

2009-04-26T03:20:00.000-07:00

25th post, to celebrate I plan to serialize Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox

2009-04-25T14:10:00.000-07:00

This is the 25th post and it means that I am one quarter of my way through this project.

To celebrate I have decided to serialize this timeless tale of Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox, so over the next twelve days I will post one story each day. This will still count as one find.

I found this book today in a local second hand book shop, it is a first edition and cost £1-50 pence. It has no dust jacket but is in excellent condition.

I have also decided to utilize this find as my first giveaway "this appears to be something that you do on blogs!". When I have finished posting the entire book I will set a competition and the winner will receive this beautiful publication.

The book is illustrated by William Backhouse and was published by Collins, London and Glasgow in 1969.

It is a very bold and dynamic illustration style the heavily utilizes an anthropomorphic technique for visual communication.

Visit the link below to discover more information about anthropomorphic technique.

Anthropomorphic at Design Observer

I hope that you will enjoy the stories as they are posted, you could save them for bed time and enjoy them with a mug of hot chocolate.

Mr Knaff

2009-04-24T11:34:00.000-07:00

Due to the overwhelming response, over 7000 hits in 3 days I have decided to attempt to take this blog a little further than I ever intended to. I am going to attempt to set up an interview with Jean Christian Knaff.

The reason for this is firstly that I found this copy of his animal characters book and A,B,Y and Z are missing.

So I thought that due to the fact that I contacted Jean last year via Facebook and confessed to him that he is the reason that I wanted to become an illustrator due to his visual playfulness and stunning drawing technique amongst many other things, that I would contact him and ask if he would provide the missing characters for me to post on this site.

This is totally uncharted territory for me but I think that the outcomes will be well worth the attempt.

Please let me know what you think to the idea and if you have any questions that you would like to put to Mr Knaff

I will contact Jean over the weekend and let you all know his response, if this works out I know have the desire to contact other personally inspiring illustrators as follows and in no particular order;
Martin Chatterton
David Loftus
Ian Pollock
Sarah Ball
Fiona McVicar
Russell Mills
Anita Kuntz
Jeff Fisher

Work in progress

2009-04-24T06:55:00.000-07:00

Some sketch book workings out for a project that I am currently producing, it is based to produce some illustrations of the spring flower, Snake's Head Fritillary based on some mid-century ceramics surface pattern designs.

Mishka by Victor G. Ambrus

2009-04-23T12:52:00.000-07:00

Roll Up! Roll Up!

Please welcome Mishka to this little band of illustrated gems, this is one of my all time favourites!

This is a delightful story about a little boy who seeks fame but can only play one piece of music on his fiddle.

It is the energy in the line work and the vivid and simple colours married with the excellent layouts for the spreads that makes my spine tingle when I look through this book.

This is my "find of Finds" so far I really hope that you are all able to stay friends with Mishka and that you are excited that he is now learning to play a new piece of music.

I first met Mishka a couple of years ago in our local library and I recently utilised him for a commission see illustration below at my portfolio site Eyedrool.

Imagine my delight when yesterday poor little Mishka was in the withdrawn section because the book is damaged.

Published by Oxford University Press 1975
ISBN 0 19 279710 7

Ignored Oven Glove

2009-04-22T14:22:00.000-07:00

I found this oven glove in my kitchen draw today, I bought this at some point last year from a charity/thrift shop and had forgotten about it and never really appreciated it's beauty.

I saw it today whilst searching for last minute items in the rush to get the children to school.

From the draw was this beautifully draw face starring out at me and I had a "Wow" moment, so here are the girls in all there (1970's I am guessing) glory.

They are based on a kind of Eastern European folk art I think but I hope that you have enjoyed meeting them and I feel ashamed for ignoring them "shame on me!".

Design Sponge!!!!!!!!!!The last 24 hours???????

2009-04-22T13:56:00.000-07:00

What a day, I don't quite know where to start.

The image above is of the book items and games that I have found and blogged about to date, I have included some ceramics that I have found today whilst serching for illustrated items.

I have started to pick up quite a few beautiful ceramics and this has inspired an idea for the next blog, I will keep you all posted but it may not be what you are thinking.

The real news is that I sent a message to Grace at Design Sponge last week with the intention of just saying thanks for producing such an inspirational site and that she might be interested in my humble little project.

Design Sponge only go and feature it on their site, I'm in shock I have never been featured before and I cannot believe that I have recieved over 3000 hits in 24 hours and so many lovely comments. I am still attempting to find out how I reply to the comments.

Thank you so much Grace and Design Sponge for your interest and support you will be rewarded!

This image is a selection of "Finds" from the previous few weeks that will feature very shortly.

This image is of todays "Finds" including an oven glove that I found in our kitchen draw and have never really looked at until commencing with this project. I will be posting these "Finds" as soon as I can stop myself from just looking through them.

Blue Bird

2009-04-21T14:18:00.000-07:00

Brian Wildsmith.....Maurice Maeterlinck's
Blue Bird
1976

A brother and sister, Tyltyl and Mytyl, are visited one night by a strange old woman who at first sight resembles an acquaintance of theirs. She is a fairy, she tells them, and is searching for the Blue Bird which alone can restore health and happiness to a little girl who is ill. Will the children help her in her search?

The children agree, and their quest leads them to many places whose existence they had not before dreamed of - the Land of Memory, the Palace of Night, the Palace of the future. But in none of these do they find the Blue Bird.

These are the notes that accompany this book that has been wonderfully illustrated in a pattern like approach, sometimes it resembles Klimt and it can tend to rely on textures and pattern too heavily.

The illustrations are at their very best when depicting a pastoral scene, I think that the art direction of the book and by that I mean the design of the layouts are not sympathetic to the beautifully crafted illustrations.

I am of the impression that a more organic approach to the layouts and typography, that allowed the illustrations to visually dance around the text could have resulted in a most memorable publication.

Having said all of this, I am still very much impressed with the overall approach to the illustration style.

10 pence well spent today and there is so much more to come.

I have also been given an opportunity to visit a book shop cellar where the owner keeps the old dust covers and reject books before he throws them out, I cannot wait!!

Butex?

2009-04-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

Found this curiously named box of "Table Stationery?"
The print quality of the text is beautiful and the quality of the paper remains intact. The name is a bit off putting but the beauty of the product and illustration quality make this a quality find and a very unusual one. The choice of motif and the colours have a very early English atmosphere to them that capture the fine weather here in England at this present moment.

I think that I will start utilizing my "Butex" at lunch time just to raise the tone in the studio, well it would be rude not to we are English after all.

Picture Posers Party Game No. 64

2009-04-20T12:02:00.000-07:00

Following on from an earlier find, here is another party game that proves in England we knew how to party, I tell thee!

The production quality in the print is outstanding..

I have such respect for the type setters from this period it was a true art form.

I have scanned the instructions just so that you can all download and join in the fun with us all here in "Merry England".

Help?

2009-04-19T14:08:00.000-07:00

I bought an apron for my daughter off the 50 pence rack in our local hospice shop this weekend and this is the the surface pattern from the material that it is made from.

We would really like to know where the material is from and who created the surface pattern design.

I think that you will agree that it is so vibrant that you cannot help but feel uplifted by it's boldness and confidence in mark making.

We made chocolate chip and almond cup cakes and they were even more bold and the mark making is now all over the kitchen.

Canaries. Never judge a book by it's spine!

2009-04-19T13:53:00.000-07:00

This book is brilliant! I took absolutely no notice of the spine in the shop as it looked uninteresting.
How wrong could I have been!, I have learnt a valuable lesson by starting this project and that is you should never judge a book by it's spine.

Because I have embarked on this project I have found that I look further and I have begun to challenge my preconceptions about things. It's great because I have started to value illustration much greater than before for example; the cover of this book is so attractive to my graphic design tastes that I would have judged the illustrations to be boring and not match the ambitions of the cover image.

I have realized that the cover is doing a point of sales job for the period of time that it was designed in to attract the market it is aimed at. The inside illustrations are performing the no nonsense job of informing a canary breeder as to what they should know to be successful and enjoy their hobby.

This project is re-educating and re-informing myself in art direction and the role that illustration performs in relation to the market it is supplying.

I would still really love to see some canaries bred to look just like the one on the cover, it reminds me of Volts Wagon's for some reason?

The Wizard of Oz

2009-04-18T15:04:00.000-07:00

I like to think that you will all agree that this is truly a find.

It was published as part of Splendour book series in 1958 by the publishers W.H.Allen London.

Author L. Frank Baum

Illustrations by Maraja.

This book is A3 in size and contains too many illustrations to scan all in one go so I decided to scan the chapter headings for now as I feel they tell the story so beautifully. A true marriage of text and image working hard together.

I will post highlights of the other illustrations soon but I can't put this book down at the moment, it is in excellent condition and a steal at £1 for two, yes there is another from the series that I bought today I will post the other very soon but for now enjoy the Splendour of this book.

The Nutcracker illustrated by Fumiko Hori

2009-04-17T13:35:00.000-07:00

Here are some outstanding illustrations for a very well known piece of music.

The illustrations are by Fumiko Hori and they totally challenge the usual Victorian style of illustration that is normally associated with this tale.

They were produced in 1974 and still have a contemporary feel.

The book is a very special gift to me from my daughter, she bought it with her "own money" when her primary school decided to clear out the old books from their library she has great taste and it is a special favourite of mine.

Fantasy bird chopping board

2009-04-17T13:32:00.000-07:00

Beautiful black and white line drawing, don't know who by or when just love it!

Charity shop find at 70 pence mint condition.

Fantasy Bird Cup

2009-04-16T13:26:00.000-07:00

I found this cup in a 10 pence box full of unwanted drinking vessels outside a christian cafe.

I know nothing about who has produced the surface pattern design as there are no markings but I just love the motifs that have been used and the colour pallets appear to be so modern.

The bird motif reminds me of the illustration work by Sanna Annukka

A Morning at the Office

2009-04-16T12:46:00.000-07:00

This is a book that I recently exchanged in a local book store, it is a story by Edgar Mittelholzer.

It is the cover illustration by Charles Raymond that really appealed to me, I was not aware of either the author or the illustrator prior to this acquisition.

Having read the story the I have built a relationship with this illustartion, it captures the exact mood and intrigue of the story.

The figure is turning out of his chair and engaging with the viewer in a very neutral and relaxed manner. You feel as though you are engaging in a conversation with him about how his world is changing and how he is making sense of the racial tensions.
Mostly you are discovering about how he lusts after a fellow worker.

The simple almost automatic drawing style and limited use of clour perfectly embelish the text of the story. The simple line work captures the simple aspects of everyday life. The faded colours represent the jaded and well used office that has a dusty and sun kissed appearance.
By focusing on a single figure it has represented the narrator and by selecting the pose for the figure you truly feel that he has just turned around and told you about his day.

Enchanting Folk Art of La Palma

2009-04-15T14:45:00.000-07:00

The following piece is an Oxfam find, 99 pence for such an attractive piece of folk art.

It is a wooden block painted with enamels that give it a real gloss shine.

Please read the description as it says it all, beautiful, sumptuous and a pleasure to own.

I love the motif of the bird, that is why I have included an enlarged scan.

"Flipping the Kipper" The jolliest game for old or young as many as wish can join the fun

2009-04-15T11:59:00.000-07:00

Another great find! This is in excellent condition, I am always impressed with the colours achieved by the printing techniques on these game boxes.
The royal blue and use of tint set against the black is very effective.

The muted flat colour with black overprint for the paper fish are easy on the eye.

These rules evoke a very "English" outlook to organized fun, It feels like such an innocent time but I think that people around the world possibly think that we still talk to each other like this and still live our lives in a similar way. Actually I have some friends that would love to still live like this.

Please take time to read these rules they are really funny!

Seven Minute Tales Author Rhoda Power Illustrations by Margaret Gordon

2009-04-14T14:46:00.000-07:00

Cover Design By Brian Denyer

First paperback edition 1969
These stories are taken from Rhonda Power's Here and There Stories originally published in 1945 by Evans Brothers Limited.

This is a charity/thrift shop find, it is a hardback edition in excellent condition. I suspect that the black and white illustrations are from the original publication but the styling of the sun faces makes me think 1960's?

It does not matter though as I think that this set of black and white illustrations are some of the most beautifully crafted illustrations that I have ever seen.

The cover design did not appeal to me instantly but has grown on me however the cover image gave no indication as to how stunning the inside illustrations would be.

I would really appreciate some comments about this set of illustrations just to see if anyone else shares my love of them.

Expect to see these images heavily influence the work that I will be producing for my studies.

How to Cook Perfectly with Electricity

2009-04-14T14:31:00.000-07:00

Wow! this is the best 10 pence that I have spent in years! I could have probably bought 20 half penny "Mojo's" lets see if anyone remembers them when I suspect that this brilliant little book was published.

This style of illustration is being emulated so much at the moment but the originals are usually the best in my opinion.

This publication was published by The Electrical Development Advisory Division of The Electricity Council, "Great name for a band, I imagine they would sound like a cross between Arcade Fire and TV on the Radio"

The design credits are Ivan Brissenden

National Trust Childrens series "The Buildings People Lived In" Illustrated by Peter Rice

2009-04-14T14:06:00.000-07:00

This is a delightfully illustrated book about the sort of buildings that people lived in produced by Peter Rice for the National Trust in 1973 SBN 85122/049/5.

The incredible use of line work incorporating flat spot colours and graded tints brings the subject into being a visceral pleasure for children and adults.

The square format is easy to hold and digest visually.

The use of features from the buildings as borders adds a sense of place and space.

Follow this link to find other titles illustrated by Peter Rice

Follow this link to the National Trust official web site

A bit of scanning fatigue has set in on this last image.

Henny Penny Nursery Record Book illustrated by Shirley Hughes

2009-04-13T13:01:00.000-07:00

The following spreads have been illustrated by Shirley Hughes for a Golden Voice Nursery Record Book, I have been unable to find a date that they were produced or any further details.

This was found in a rubbish box in a bric-a-brac shop and was about to be thrown out.

The illustrations undulate and weave themselves around and into the text. Shirley Hughes worked extremely effectively when restricted to two colours for some of the spreads and as ever here characters pay respect to the text that the illustrations adorn.

This is a real find for me I relish this genre of animal drawing, I hope to find out what year they were produced, if anyone knows please get in touch.

I would love to know if anyone has examples of any of the other titles in this series;
The Tree bears
The Lost Toys

A huge thank you to Linda Lewis for finding this link to some other great examples from this series.

Follow this link to see what she has found.

This is a link to Linda's blog.

"Russian Traditional Dress" set of postcards from 1962

2009-04-12T14:28:00.000-07:00

This is a set of postcards depicting Russian Traditional dress, they were produced in 1962 and it indicates that the drawings are by N. Vinogradova.

The following drawings represent dress from the North of Russia.

This set depict dress from the South of Russia.

This final set depicts costume from Central Russia.

The print quality of these postcards is not brilliant, the printing is slightly offset and appears blurred on closer inspection.

The drawings are functional in appearance as they are a visual documentation of Russian traditional dress. These images appeal to me because they are performing a vital cultural recording job and still they contain artistic merit and the illustrator has breathed life into the national dress. For me they keep the traditional dress alive and vibrant, this is a series of working illustrations and as such illustrates what a key role the practice of illustration plays in recording cultural heritage.

I acquired these post cards as reference for a book about traditional Russian folklore stories that I illustrated for Time Life about ten years ago.

I have found a site where you can by a set.

I hope that by posting these that someone else can utilize them as reference for any future projects.

South Africa Today 1966

2009-04-11T13:20:00.000-07:00

This is a book that I found in a second hand bookshop, it is a annual review by The Financial Mail and incorporates South Africa Review.

This book has some effective print and production qualities, they have used a variety of printing techniques that include such things as tracing paper overlays, different stocks of paper and spot colours, it has to be seen to appreciated.

The designers of the publication are Hortors I think that they were a printers in Johannesburg but I have been unable to find out any more than this.

The front cover is designed by Peter Eliastam I have found out that he is a fine artist and was a lecturer at an institute in South Africa, this is all I have found out so far.

The cover is technically outstanding in my opinion and would have taken a lot of effort to produce, imagine how quickly this could be produced today utilizing vector software design packages.

This is a sample of some of the amazing illustrated adverts that appear in this review publication. They are so simple and effective.

The following illustrations were produced by Marion Menzies, I have been unable to find out any further information about the illustrator.

These are some of the finest examples of ink drawing, the characters are brilliantly observed.
The article illustrated is about "The Young Executives" of South Africa in 1966.

This is another advert from the publication that utilizes illustration, there are so many outstanding examples of advertisements in this book that I will post some more soon.

Merry Months in Pictures and Rhyme

2009-04-10T12:56:00.000-07:00

There are no dates on this little book, I picked this up in a charity/thrift shop for 99 pence.
What has attracted me to this book is the innocent charm of the illustrations and how they illuminate the text warmly.

The condition of the book is excellent and has retained the sharp print quality, it has obviously been stored and forgotten.

The only details on the book are;
Published by W.H.C. London, W.1.
"SUCCESS SERIES"

At a guess I think the illustrations have a stylistic look of the late 1930's or early 1940's?

JOE AT THE FAIR BY DOREEN ROBERTS

2009-04-09T14:23:00.000-07:00

Joe goes to the fair. He drives a dodgem-car, hurries past the 'haunted house', tries his luck on the sideshows, laughs in the hall of mirrors. Candy-floss, coco-nut shies, roundabouts, and ghost-trains... all the fun of the fair is here, and Joe enjoys every minute of his crowded, wonderful day.

These are the sleeve notes that acompany this stunningly illustrated book about a little boys day at the fair.

I found this book in a second hand book shop in a half price sale box at 50 pence, it is in amazing condition.

This is the book that has inspired me to set the blog project up because it is illustration at it's best in my opinion.
This book has taken me out for a day at the fair and I have enjoyed it every bit as much as Joe! I hope that you can join us at the fair.

The book is published by Oxford University Press London
ISBN 0 19 279682 8

Find out about the Author/Illustrator

Find out how you can get to see some of the original illustrations for yourself.

Rook illustration for The Snow Queen project

2009-03-26T14:41:00.000-07:00

Another illustration for the up-coiming research festival project.