I’ve changed things up a bit so please let me know if anything’s a bit buggy or just generally annoying. I’ll be adding new illustrations to the portfolio section rather than the blog, and most of my sketches you can catch on Instagram 

I’ve introduced a couple of new styles that I’m developing, but I’m still creating and working away in the same style that you’ve got to know. Please see my Bright page or visit the archived projects at the end of my portfolio feed

So World Book Day came and went this year and I haven’t done one WBD event. I would have but I had deadlines building up like fruit in a sweet shop. I started my MA in Illustration earlier this year so on top of a huge educational project, I’ve got those uni briefs too. And then we adopted a pupsicle. A sausage shaped pupper. 

Meet Benny Rocket. He lives up to his name.

Anyway, even though WBD has come and gone, I did a very quick reading-related warm-up sketch this morning – apart from that, my projects are all a bit top secret at the moment. I’ve opened up a section on here where you can find my R&E for my MA (if you’re that way inclined) and I’ll update you on my graphic novel adventures very soon. 

So a few months have passed and it’s safe to say that my ambitious social media plan didn’t quite work out. As much as it might seem as though I sit on my behind all day (kind of true), stuffing my face with biscuits (also kind of true), I do manage to fit a lot of work in.

After months of working on a mixture of rush projects and two larger ongoing ones, I’m tired. Great to be so busy, but exhausting. You hit a wall, a bit like runners do, when you get about two-thirds of the way through.

It gets particularly difficult when the sun comes out and you’re stuck indoors. Contrary to popular belief, we can’t just get up and relocate to the garden. Have you ever tried seeing a laptop screen when the sun is glaring? Or felt the power of a bright white sketchbook page on the old retinas? Not ideal.

Anyway, for the first time in a long time I have a bit of time before starting my next projects. I’m cramming in as much tidying, invoicing, administrating, portfolio-updating and general nose-arounding as possible. I’ve even checked Twitter. I’ve read some blogs about the constant self-doubt that surrounds authors and illustrators the world over. As much as these ‘rest’ periods make you feel like you’re slacking, they’re essential to stop you feeling burnt out. And you get to empty your head or just respond to things going on around you. Today, I responded to the#NationalGardeningWeek prompt on Twitter by creating this little thing.

Tomorrow, I’ve been told I’m going swimming. My youngest is enjoying my time off even more than I am.

I’ll report back soon.