Something for the weekend 9

This week has seen me mostly getting ready for a well deserved break.
On the subject of holiday I wont be doing another post for a couple of weeks as I need time to recharge the batteries, but expect normal service to return mid November.

Whilst on instagram I did come across some videos that I think are a great representation of how a tattoo program can be made, when done with respect for the tradition.
http://gypsygentleman.com/#/episode5


I tried to share the videos here (but failed) I strongly urge everyone to give them a shot as they show great tattoosit's doing what they do best, without all the bloody drama, etc etc.

I also managed to get some drawing and tattooing done this last week. I did this chest plate in one sitting (about three and a half hours tattooing)

I also moved this along, one more session will see this finished.

Something for the weekend 8

Sometimes I really find it hard to believe how quickly the weeks pass by, and this one felt especially quick!
Keeping on top of work and other projects has left me struggling slightly to find anything to share this week. With that in mind I'm posting some pictures from my instagram account, it's worth checking it out if you have never given it a look. I find it a pretty nice way of searching for inspiration.

I was also 'digging' around in my photos and found a few more pictures from Japan, hope you like them.

Something for the weekend 7

First of this week, I am going to share my schedule for the first half of next year:

Milano Tattoo Convention
8, 9, 10 of February

Brighton Tattoo Convention
16, 17 of February

In the second half of June I will be guesting at a shop in Germany (details will come nearer the time)

I of course will be in the shop working hard and continuing to work on new projects.
This week has seen me progress with the skateboard and start a new sleeve of Shishi.

I'm also trying to do quick drawings before tattooing most are around the 10/15 minute mark. They are an excellent way to sharpen my mind before I begin work and they give me the chance to try ideas without any pressure. The paper is approximately 8cm square (the snakes are wider) and I use a good old Biro, no pencil underneath just straight in with pen.

Something for the weekend 6

This week has seen me start a few new drawing projects (because I'm a glutton for punishment)
alongside the aceos, I have the Fudo Myo print on the go, I've started thinking about a couple of book ideas. Finally the skateboard that has sat in my work space for ages, possibly 4/5 years has received promotion and is now in the process of getting some attention.

This week also saw one sleeve finished

and another one move closer to completion.

Something for the weekend 5

I've had this week off of work and like most times my body decided that I was due a head cold, which combined with the bad weather we've had in Brighton, means I got some drawing done.

I have a tricky cover-up to do next month and it was the perfect time to try and get my head around some ideas for it. The client has requested Shishi (Temple dog/Foo dogs) a male, female and a cub.
Below is sleeve I've done before but due to the cover-up and the client request, I wont be able to use as much colour in the new work.

The plan is to have the male at the top of the arm (his mouth is open) and the female and cub on the forearm.
These are rough sketch's that I will either stencil on and refine as I tattoo, or use as a reference and draw them straight on to the skin.

Finally with the rest of my time off I decided to do a smallish (A3) coloured image. I haven't drawn any snakes for a while so I went with that and peony. The initial sketch was drawn out with a 3h pencil and gone over with a fine line pen. It was then traced on to Bristol paper and coloured using copic markers.

The first doodle, the red pen is used to make additions and corrections.

Part way through colouring

The finished article, if I receive enough interest I may do prints of this.

Something for the weekend 4

This week is a proper look at the aceo/atc project that I'm working on. My wife introduced me to the idea, they seemed like the perfect way of finishing colour illustrations without the need for much space and most importantly time.

The cards themselves are pre-cut to these dimensions 63x88mm or 2.5x3.5".  For those that are interested, I'm using Copic markers, Staedtler Triplus fineliner pens for colours. With Uni pin fine line pens for black, sizes 0.1, 0.2.

The plan with the aceo's is to put them up for sale in the near future and eventually, when I have enough images, to collate them in a book of some sort.

I will also be sorting through some of my original drawings/sketch's, watercolours etc and putting them up for sale. I've decided it's high time they went to good homes rather than sitting in draws or folios. So keep an eye out for more information.

Finally this preparatory drawing of Fudo is for a Giclee print that will be sold at the Brighton Convention. I'm not sure how many I will have done, but I want to do a high quality edition, I think the size and the detail I intend to do on the piece deserve the extra time and money. Again more info when I have it.