I love to draw angels! They are always a joy to sketch; their peacefulness, beauty, lightness. This week I’ve had the pleasure of creating these illustrations for Westminster Abbey, drawing inspiration as always from the beautiful treasures therein. Tomorrow the Abbey will host an extra-special Family Day, filled with festive music and stories, for which I enjoyed making an angel craft activity.
Christmas Tree Festival 2024
Today sees the start of the Christmas Tree Festival at York Minster, with 70 trees inside the cathedral's Nave, Chapter House and Lady Chapel. I love to imagine Mason Mouse helped hang the decorations!
A New Family Trail for Bath Abbey
Since it's National Illustration Day (thanks to the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration) I thought I'd share this new family trail I created earlier in the year with Bath Abbey. Designed by ABG Design, the trail follows the adventures of Alex the angel as they explore the Abbey and discover its many hidden treasures.
A Unicorn for Westminster Abbey
As Christmas approaches I've been drawing angels for Westminster Abbey. Back in late summer I had great fun creating a unicorn character for the Abbey, drawing inspiration from the beautiful (and numerous!) coats of arms there.
Mason Mouse
This year I’ve had the pleasure of creating Mason Mouse with York Minster. Mason will welcome families, school groups and young folks to the cathedral for years to come, sharing their adventures and discoveries. This weekend saw the opening of Phoenix, a sound and light projection commemorating the 40th anniversary of the 1984 fire at York Minster. Drawing Mason’s 1980s firefighter uniform was great fun!
Creatures Takeover trail for Winchester Cathedral
As autumn approaches I have been working on Christmas illustrations, but for anyone in the area there is still time to experience Winchester Cathedral's Creatures Takeover Summer Trail. It was a joy to work on this project, getting to know characters from the past and present who have played a part in the cathedral's story. Design by Journal.
The Bath Old English Gospels
From draft sketch to final artwork: the Last Supper, part of a series created for AY-PE to feature in an interactive exploring The Bath Old English Gospels at Bath Abbey's new Discovery Centre.
Bath Abbey
Illustrating and illuminating stories for Bath Abbey's new Discovery Centre. For this drawing of Bath's Norman Cathedral I enjoyed taking inspiration from medieval manuscripts, the Abbey's stained glass windows, and a C13th tiled floor discovered during recent renovation works.
Westminster Abbey's Coronation Club
Brilliant to see my drawings brought to life in this trailer for Westminster Abbey's Coronation Club. I have loved creating new illustrations for the project, which launches soon:
https://www.westminster-abbey.org/learning/coronations-for-young-people/coronation-club
westminster-abbey.org/coronationclub
Bath Abbey Exhibition Illustrations
For the past year I've been working with Bath Abbey to create illustrations for a permanent exhibition in its new Discovery Centre, exploring the Abbey's history through stories. This illustration is a particular favourite; Rebuilding the Church. In the late C16th and early C17th, Elizabeth I and hundreds of other supporters - from farmers and fishmongers to sailors and glaziers - worked together to save the church after its closure by Henry VIII had left it in ruins.
Representing the final phase of the Abbey's decade-long Footprint Project, the Discovery Centre is now open.
The Adventures of Reggie the Red Blood Cell
I had loads of fun illustrating The Adventures of Reggie the Red Blood Cell, an eBook for Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company. Reggie, a curious red blood cell, journeys around the body and explores how the organs work together to keep us healthy. You can check out the eBook here.
Some Festive Fun Between Deadlines...
I made this illustration for the Friends of St. Paul’s School Christmas Window Trail back in September but it’s never too early, right?
Thank You (Again!)
The summer holidays have arrived, and what a year it’s been! The teachers and staff at our son’s school have done a fantastic job throughout. I created this as a small gesture of our gratitude. Thank you teachers everywhere!
Thank You
As the months whizz by, the time has come for our daughter to finish preschool. I put this drawing together as a little gift for her teachers in the Butterfly Room, who have been wonderful!
National Writing Day
To celebrate National Writing Day I visited The Mount School York. My first school visit since last March! We talked about books, writing, drawing and what makes us happy. The pupils were so inspiring - they created loads of amazing artwork. Well done everyone, what a fun morning!
A Trip Underground
Playing with palette, place and people.
Light in the Night
I’ve spent a couple of evenings playing with light and colour, experimenting with painting in Photoshop.
More Parental Illustration Duties
I thought I’d create a fresh illustation to celebrate this year’s scarecrow trail at St. Paul’s Primary School, which will be taking place later this month.
Character Development
Here’s a little bit of recent character development, created digitally in Photoshop. It’s always loads of fun getting to know a new character!
Piratey Character Development
Here’s a little character I developed a few months ago, having fun with a limited colour palette. Like me, she’s a fan of stripes!