Philadelphia
Edgware, London (2017) - ink drawing over an original pocket map of Edgware, Hendon and Mill Hill. Portrait details were crosshatched in carbon ink using an antique writing nib.
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There are just a few of these numbered prints left in my studio store, and as limited edition prints, once they're gone, they're gone - although I'm pleased to say that I'll be working on at least one new London map soon, along with some other UK and non-UK locations. To view details of Edgware, visit my studio store (link in bio) and scroll down until you see the listing.
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As always, I'm forever grateful to everyone who has purchased prints, originals, and even just engaged with my posts here on social media - it's hugely appreciated. Thank you!
3 days ago
Planisphère Céleste (2013) - mapping the constellations of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, with portrait details in pencil.
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I'm releasing a new print run of this double star chart, this Saturday 24th September at 6pm UK time (that's 1pm EST). The run is limited to 300 prints, all signed and numbered - be sure to set an alarm if you'd like a low edition number! Prints can be purchased via the link in my bio. You can view the product listing now, but the option to buy won't go live until Saturday.
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Print size is 50cm x 33.3cm, slightly smaller than both the original and the previous print run. Prints are produced using archival inks on a matte 230gsm Hahnemühle stock.
1 week ago
I want to very briefly share my thoughts on space, and the importance of nothingness. The significance of an empty interval. For without the existence of nothing, we cannot experience anything. Like a brief pause between musical notes played, linework in art can only be defined by the space that surrounds it. In a binary medium, it is the emptiness that enables the fullness of the black ink. It is the tails to the heads, the negative to the positive. I think about this a lot with my topographic work - the crosshatching, yes, but especially my contoured work. The gaps between the lines are perhaps more important than the lines themselves. Is the same true for silence? For death?
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Fountains Earth (2019) - ink over an original OS map of Fountains Earth, UK. 15" x 15"
2 weeks ago
A (very) short compilation showing a couple of works in progress, both crosshatched in ink over old boundary maps. I love using geographical boundaries to direct a composition - working up to boundaries, without going over them. It's very similar to working within a coastline.
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I'm sure I've asked this before, but if you could choose my next location of interest - where would it be?
3 weeks ago
A few details of a map in progress. In some of my videos you may have noticed that I press down on the paper with my left index finger, close to where I'm drawing - this is to stop the paper from 'bellowing' or bouncing up and down. I work with original maps in all kinds of states, and as charming as folded maps are, they rarely sit flush on the table when unfolded. I love folds, but... I also hate folds.
1 month ago
Crosshatching compilation... with commentary. The audio is from a recent feature recorded for Turkish TV network @trt2 - this part of the conversation was mostly about my technical process, how and where I start each portrait, and why. You can see the full feature (with the original video) via the link in my bio.
2 months ago
I think I'll work on more of these trench maps soon.
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This one is "Stanway Avenue", finished and sold earlier this year.
2 months ago
Working on another one of those 'stuff all the important bits into one corner' compositions, using equipment sent to me by @uniball_uk - thanks uni-ball!
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Drawing is crosshatched in Uni Pin pigment liners over an original unfolding map of the Thames. Reference via #caneyo
2 months ago
"Virtually all of my work stems from a love of collecting original maps and other paper ephemera - I really enjoy the textures, patterns, history and even smells of aged paper. Maps are particularly interesting because they often tell the story of a specific place. I think my clients appreciate being able to introduce that quality to their collection, campaign or project - and for me, I certainly like exploring the concept of celebrating both people and place, together as one."
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Excerpt from a recent(ish) feature on Shoutout Colorado - this was released a couple of months ago but I forgot to share.
2 months ago
Nothing says 'map' like a coastline - the more rugged, the better. It's one of my favourite constraints to work with.
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Selection of coastal works in ink over various maps, some commissioned, some self-initiated.
3 months ago
Philadelphia prints are now live! See the link in my bio for more info.
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Here's a short sequence of some of my favourite prints, being signed by 6 year old me (sort of)
3 months ago
As promised before my recent holiday, here's Philadelphia! I finished the original last year and will be making prints available this Friday, July 1st at 6pm UK time (that's 1pm EST)
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Prints are limited to an edition of 300 and are sold sequentially according to the orders received - so if you'd like an early edition number be sure to set an alarm! For more details including size and price, follow the link in my bio.
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Original is both painted and crosshatched over an original map using Dr ph Martin's black star ink. The folds of the map were particularly challenging here. I'm used to drawing over folds, but these were very delicate.
3 months ago
NASA lunar map Chaplygin (2017)
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One of my all time favourite map finds, part of a series of orthophotomaps of the lunar surface published by NASA in the 1970s. I have a couple of these tucked away.
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The Chaplygin crater is the large circular pattern to the left, following the structure of the neck. As a key feature it forms the basis of the whole composition. In reality, the crater has a diameter of 123km, which is roughly the distance from New York City to Philadelphia, as the crow flies.
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Original is painted in Dr. Ph. Martin's black star ink (4/4) - this is the 'hi carb' version, which is excellent for covering very smooth or non-porous surfaces. The ink is permanent and dries fast.
3 months ago
Details of Paris (2022) - a private commission crosshatched in ink over an original map of the city. This post shows the uncropped map along with some close ups.
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Thank you all for the love and kind comments on my last upload - it's so uplifting to know that so many of you are interested in my process!
3 months ago
I see lots of new faces here (welcome!) so thought I'd share a short video which briefly explains my process of working with original maps. It also dispels a common misconception regarding my work - "do you see faces in maps?" (the answer is no, not really)
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Audio is from Geomob podcast episode 90 - Ed Fairburn: Topopointillism
3 months ago
I spent the last couple of weeks recharging my batteries in Italy, specifically Bologna, Faenza and further south for a friend's wedding. My partner Viola is Italian which helps me feel like less of a tourist - not that there's anything wrong with feeling like a tourist - it's just always good to experience some of the more authentic places, plus my Italian is non bene (although I'm working on that). We're now back in the UK and back in the studio, easing into one or two different projects.
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I managed to finish this private commission right before we left - these are just a few process clips although I'll be sharing some stills in a future post.
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The portrait is crosshatched in ink (0.03 and 0.05 pigment liner) over an original map of Paris. It's a unique and minimal map, part of an atlas of statistical maps of the city.
4 months ago
Detail of Denver, Colorado (sold 2015) - a throwback to an iconic USGS quadrangle hijacked in ink.
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The geography of this part of the city is a mix of elevation and urban sprawl, which allowed me to combine my two favourite approaches to generating a tonal range.
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If memory serves I used an isographic technical pen loaded with a permanent ink, most likely @drphmartins black star ink.
4 months ago
I found this aircraft service manual in an old book shop. According to the cover the contents are classified, but I'm assuming the information is no longer sensitive given the age of the aircraft.
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Those of you who know me well, know that I'm a bit of a plane nerd. For a long time growing up I wanted to be a pilot, and I was just as obsessive about that pursuit as I am about any other passion in my life (call it an addictive personality) - I learned to pilot gliders/sailplanes and flew a solo flight at 17, but dropped it soon after. I wasn't a bad pilot, but I quickly realised I was a much better artist.
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I also went through intense phases of wanting to be a meteorologist, a professional athlete (I still laugh at that one), and rather fittingly, a cartographer, or as I called it back then, a map maker. It's funny how everything plays out in the end.
4 months ago
For those of you wondering - my signature stamp is my 'real' signature, from about 25 years ago. I had the stamp made in 2012, at the start of my creative career. It was scanned from a birthday card I sent to my nan - I would have been around 5 or 6 at the time. I'm not entirely sure why I started using it as an alternative to my 'adult' signature, but it stuck! I now use it on everything including prints, originals - even invoices and other paperwork.
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This is pigment liner over an unfolding map of the River Thames (Abingdon to Wallingford section), 8" x 9.5" approx.
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Original sold
4 months ago
"Where do you find your maps?"
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Earlier this year I welcomed a film crew into my studio to record a short documentary for the Turkish channel @trt2 - my work was featured in a series of shorts looking at artists who recycle/upcycle rubbish. I've never thought of the maps I use as rubbish (and actually most of them are very collectible), but the general idea of repurposing existing (and often discarded) materials is central to what I and the other artists in the series do.
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This is an excerpt answering my most frequently asked question. For anyone interested in watching the full episode the link is in my bio
4 months ago
River Thames; Abingdon to Wallingford.
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Crosshatched in ink over an original unfolding map.
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Sold
4 months ago
Details.
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Ink drawing over an unfolding map of the River Thames - this is the Richmond to Staines section. The full map stretches from Richmond all the way to Lechlade in Gloucestershire.
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Sold
4 months ago
Crosshatching over an original map of the Thames, the Staines to Richmond stretch. This is about as fast as I go.
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Sold
5 months ago
Philadelphia will be my next major print release, and the next addition to my Collier's US cities series. It doesn't strictly belong in the collection as it's not a map from a Collier's atlas, but it's very similar in terms of scale and aesthetic so I thought I'd include it.
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I'll be sharing some process footage and other details in the coming days. The print release will likely be timed so keep an eye out if you're interested!
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The original is crosshatched in ink using a mapping nib, with some of the flatter details inked by brush.
5 months ago