Robin
2017
Untitled, unfinished study of a juvenile Robin. Coloured pencil on live-edged oak,
12″ x 24″ approx.
An initial experiment in contouring a non-cartographic surface, using my own wildlife photography as reference.
#tbt to this portrait drawn in ink over a Bacon's map of Birmingham, UK. This was a private commission from last year (I'm currently closed for private commissions)
✉️✨ Back to the present day, and I'm blown away by the positive response to my new mailing list! Lots of you have signed up already, and you're all in for a chance of winning one of three Artist Proof (AP) prints of Brooklyn, pictured in my previous post. If you'd like to enter simply follow the link in my bio and sign up by October 5th ✨✉️
I'll be using my mailing list to update you on new releases along with exclusive insights into my practice, inspirations and life in the studio. Thanks!
3 days ago
I now have a mailing list! I'll be using it to send out updates on my practice, early info on new print releases, plus exclusive insights into my inspirations and studio life.
To mark the launch of my mailing list I'll be giving away 3 Artist Proof (AP) prints of Brooklyn to 3 randomly selected subscribers - so to enter all you need to do is follow the link in my bio and sign up by October 5th.
Thank you all for being here, supporting what I do, and of course thank you all for your well wishes in my last post - I'm pleased to say that Viola and I are settling into the new place, and are no longer unwell. Admittedly we're still surrounded by boxes and navigating parts of the house still feel like an episode of Takeshi's Castle, but... we're getting there 💙
5 days ago
Ink drawing over an antique map of the Thames, Bampton to Eynsham. This has been beautifully framed and is currently at @outregallery in Melbourne, as part of their annual invitational Vanguard exhibition which opens tomorrow, Friday from 6pm. See their profile and web links for details.
.
I haven't posted much lately as I've been crazy busy with life stuff. My partner Viola and I were due to move house a few weeks ago... everything was ready, removals were booked... then we got sick! I couldn't decide which was worse, the fever, the late summer heatwave, or the unpleasant packing which we still had to finish. We were in the middle of a Venn diagram from hell. Still unwell, we had to postpone our move. Fortunately the removals company were very accommodating at finding a new date for us last-minute, and we finally moved in yesterday! Today I'm mostly unpacking my studio. It's a more practical space than the last studio so I can't wait to get going again.
1 week ago
More details of a drawing in progress, a boundary map of Woolwich, London.
4 weeks ago
Crosshatching compilation - this time a mix of older works, recent works, and one or two future works currently in progress - all drawn in ink over paper maps from my collection. As always my videos are recorded in real time (no timelapse footage)
1 month ago
Details of a new Thames miniature, this time the stretch between Bampton and Eynsham. I love working around the winding river and surrounding villages.The shape of the river itself is almost gestural in places - a sort of geographical calligraphy.
This map is on a long journey to @outregallery in Melbourne, and will be included in their annual invitational group show Vanguard, an exhibition featuring "artists who are leading the way in their creative practices and forging ahead in new frontiers. Each artist brings something totally exceptional to the table - from their execution and technique, to their innovation, creative vision and idiosyncratic flair"
Vanguard opens in September at the gallery's Fitzroy location.
1 month ago
Delighted to see Plymouth featured in an article over on @beautifulbizarremagazine - it's been selected alongside some incredible works as a preview for this year's art prize entries.
I chose to enter Plymouth specifically because I feel it's one of my most successful recent works - a satisfying balance of tone, colour, and composition.
2 months ago
Détails de Paris - #tbt to one of my favourite commissions of last year
2 months ago
Making progress on this boundary map of Woolwich. Not a huge amount left to go now.
.
I've enjoyed utilising the blank space in the lower right corner - in contrast to the tighter map details, it's allowed me to 'stretch my legs' - or rather my right hand. I've gradually built the layers up to a point at which the line direction of the crosshatching no longer matters.
.
Really grateful to have more of these boundary maps in my collection - I've already made a start on the next location!
2 months ago
Currently crosshatching over a map of Woolwich, London. Sharing a few of the details so far.
3 months ago
From one Manhattan to another.
.
I realised the other day that I never shared this map in its finished state, only a progress photo. So here it is - Manhattan, NY - a miniature(ish) portrait study crosshatched in ink over an original antique map of lower Manhattan.
.
This was part of a fantastic selection of works curated by @supersonicart for their recent Faces and Figures group show which I was more than happy to be a part of.
.
The original sold but I'll be making a limited number of prints available when my studio store reopens - further details will be announced here on my socials (including Threads!) in due course - don't forget you can turn on post notifications if you want to be sure you don't miss any posts from me.
3 months ago
#ad I'm delighted to share this official portrait of Harrison Ford as @indianajones with you all! It was commissioned by @disneystudiosuk to celebrate the release of #indianajones and the Dial of Destiny, out now in cinemas only. The composition is formed around the NYC island of Manhattan, a key location of the movie and a welcome challenge for my process. Scroll right to see a few close ups of the artwork. Huge thanks to Disney for the opportunity!
3 months ago
To say that I have a fear of blank paper after years of drawing over maps might be a slight exaggeration. Here's a compilation of process clips of recent works around the River Thames, including some new footage of the portrait I shared a few days ago. Thank you for all of your kind comments on that post! Audio is an excerpt from a short documentary made last year for Turkish TV network TRT2.
3 months ago
Some more crosshatching over a pocket map of the River Thames, this time the stretch between Oxford and Shillingford, just shy of Wallingford. This is an indulgent level of crosshatching - building countless layers, wearing the pen down - it almost becomes a different medium, a different technique. I'm often told I must have a lot of patience to do this sort of work, but that's not totally accurate. My patience is unremarkable at best. Doing this sort of work grounds me, it becomes meditative, hypnotic - I'd say it actually improves my patience. I'm sure a lot of you can relate.
3 months ago
#tbt to some crosshatching highlights. Lots of you will have already seen these clips, but with nothing new to share just yet I thought I'd put a few of my favourite sequences together as a new compilation. The audio is an excerpt from episode 90 of the Geomob podcast, in which Steve Feldman asks, how did you begin turning old maps into portraits? (my full, unedited response is a bit more convoluted than the snappy soundbite you hear here)
4 months ago
Crosshatching over Manhattan, New York - a few short clips showing parts of the process. The original sold shortly after my in-progress post a few days ago, although it's likely I'll make a limited number of prints available later in the year when I reopen my studio store. For now, you'll be able to see the finished map in full later this week as part of @supersonicart 's group exhibition, "SUPERSONIC FACES & FIGURES" opening at supersonicart.shop on Friday, May 5th at 1PM PST.
5 months ago
Progress shot of Manhattan, a new miniature crosshatched in ink over an original atlas map of Manhattan, New York.
.
I'm at that final stage in which the last 20% of a drawing seems to take 80% of the total time (anyone else experience that phenomenon...?)
.
This work is for @supersonicart 's group exhibition, "SUPERSONIC FACES & FIGURES" opening at supersonicart.shop on Friday, May 5th at 1PM PST!
.
To request a collector's preview or purchase work please email shop@supersonicart.com
.
Sold
5 months ago
Just want to share a quick update on my work, and what's happening in the studio. In short, a lot is happening - I've been very busy with commissions lately - exciting opportunities which I just don't want to turn down. I'm also chipping away at my own self-initiated works for a handful of galleries and of course, my studio store reopening - huge thanks to everyone asking about new prints and originals, I promise they're coming! It's a lot to juggle, but my partner Viola and I like being busy, and we're so incredibly grateful.
.
As outlined on my website, I still have no availability for private commissions at this time - the only new bookings I'm taking are non-private commissions, eg. editorial works, works for brands, etc.
.
I realise I've not posted anything new for a while now... but please know that as always, I'm getting things done behind the scenes, planning new works, finishing new works, ticking boxes. I can't wait to share the fruits of my labour with you all. In the meantime, thank you for being here 💙
.
Images: A mixed bag. Bordeaux... Buffalo... and a few shots from around the studio.
6 months ago
Throwback to some crosshatching over original maps of the Thames. These are sections of a (very) long Stanford's map of the river from Lechlade to Richmond, published around 1950-1960. I worked on these last year and plan to continue the series.
.
Some of this footage was recorded on my old phone, hence the change in quality - the cleaner, sharper footage is from my newer phone. I prefer a phone over a DSLR or any other camera setup as it's less obstructive over my workspace, and frankly more convenient. Anything else is overkill.
.
Sometimes I'm asked if I speed my footage up at all - the answer is no, all of my recordings are played back in real time.
6 months ago
#ad In celebration of the new @disneyplusuk and @20thcenturyuk release Boston Strangler, a new thriller starring Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon, Disney+ commissioned me to create a bespoke portrait of Loretta McLaughlin, one of the main characters of the movie.
.
Boston is one of my favourite locations to work with, and this pairing unfolded so naturally. As a historical city, Boston is dynamic in shape and full of character, with a jagged coastline and radial road layout. My portrait of Keira is weighted towards the northeast corner of the map, utilising the space of the surrounding area. Scroll for close ups.
.
This was a lot of fun to work on - thank you @disneyplusuk and @20thcenturyuk for the opportunity!
.
#bostonstrangler is available to watch now, streaming exclusively on Disney+
7 months ago
Repost of Barbi over maps of Marquette, Michigan; Sheets XXVI and XXIX. Thought I'd share something warm today.
.
Thank you all so much for your kind comments and messages on my last post, John Wick over Paris - I was blown away by all of the wonderful feedback. Can't wait to share some new work again soon 💙
.
Reference: @barbisubotic_ via @cane.yo
7 months ago
Here's my official poster for @johnwickmovie commissioned by @lionsgate and approved by Keanu himself! It's one of 12 posters created by 12 different artists from 9 countries.
.
This was an absolute joy to work on... huge thank you to the folk at Lionsgate for the opportunity!
7 months ago
Process footage of Pisa, crosshatched using a 0.03 pigment liner over an original atlas map of Pisa, Italy.
.
0.03 is, as far as I know, the very smallest size of pigment liner. Any thinner and you might as well whisper to the paper or simply will each line into existence.
7 months ago
You may have spotted this in my stories yesterday... @lionsgate have announced the @johnwickmovie artist series, and I'm thrilled to be part of the lineup! 12 artists, 9 countries, 1 John Wick. Stay tuned 🔥
7 months ago
Sharing a few favourite 'miniatures' today while I keep busy in the studio. I say 'miniatures' because although these are some of my smallest works, some are still huge compared to the work of true miniaturists.
.
These portraits are all drawn in ink, on various maps. The very smallest maps are themed postage stamps (yes, I collect stamps too...)
.
If you're interested in art on a truly miniature scale, check out a few of my favourites - in no particular order - @dinabrodsky @artandsuchevan @yychuls @tobaccoandregrets @blakegore @dejvid.knezevic @lorraineloots @known.asmyself
7 months ago
Bradford (2022) - ink drawing over an original 1917 boundary map of Bradford, UK.
.
This was very much a compositional challenge, working inside geographical boundaries and balancing some extreme, almost gestural shapes within the landscape - swapping light for dark and dark for light.
.
Original sold
7 months ago
Very happy to see this feature in today's copy of The Observer (UK paper) - there's a similar feature over on the @guardian too
8 months ago
Pisa, Italy (2023) - a small portrait in ink, crosshatched over an original antique map of the city. Scroll for details.
.
I've been working on this on and off over the last week, mostly to warm back into some of the larger maps I've been progressing.
.
It's been a bit of slow start to the year, in a welcome sort of way - my partner and I were so busy towards the end of last year that we felt we could really use an extended break over the holidays. Back in the studio now though, and while it feels late to say this, I hope you're all having a wonderful 2023.
.
I see lots of new followers here - welcome! If you'd like to find out more about what I do, have a look through the 'Takeover' highlight in my stories or the @mymodernmet interview pinned at the top of my posts.
9 months ago
A few favourites from 2022. I'm sure it's a bit early to say this, but I can't believe how fast the year has gone - you've all kept me and my partner Viola very busy, and we're so incredibly thankful!
.
I'm currently working on some new offerings - new locations, new originals, new prints. A lot of our prints have sold out, and some runs are very low. It's bittersweet - wonderful, but also a little daunting as I know I need to release more.
.
I'm always open to suggestions - where do you think I should go next?
10 months ago
Edit: sold out
.
You may have seen little bits of this Plymouth map in my reels recently - here's the full, finished version. It's been an absolute joy to work on! I'm releasing a limited number of prints of Plymouth this Friday, December 2nd at 5pm UK time (that's 12 noon EST). There are 50 prints in total, all signed and numbered. Prints are sold sequentially, so if you'd like an early edition number be sure to set an alarm! You can view the size, price and other details now via the shop link in my bio, but you won't be able to hit 'buy' until Friday.
.
On the subject of prints - just want to say a very warm thank you to all of you who have kept my partner and I busy in the packing room over the last few days and months. A number of our print runs have sold out which is just a dream for us. So really, thank you.
.
Original is crosshatched in ink using a
@fabercastellglobal fountain pen (a current favourite) over an antique pocket map of Plymouth, UK. I'm really into coastlines and geographical boundaries at the moment, and this map has both. I think those constraints make an excellent starting point.
.
Original sold
10 months ago