Madden Illustration Blog

It's Good To Tut!

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:37:00 +0100

This is the latest image I have rustled up for The Guardian Weekender’s great weekly column, “This Column Will Change Your Life” by Oliver Burkeman.

I had very little time to complete this image (Partly tight deadline. Partly my own fault) but still managed to apply some of the new techniques i’ve been playing around with recently in my personal work, as well as being able to experiment with more abstract, graphic shapes which is not something I would usually do with a timeframe such as this.

I’m really happy with the outcome of this image; It wasn’t my favourite idea at rough stage, nor was it the AD’s, but went in this direction due to it being a better fit with the layout. The other rough was also very similar in composition to another illustration on the same page.

Both Roughs are below // You can read the article here

Draw North West - Poster

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:41:36 +0100

DNW is a bi-monthly meet-up I started to encourage my fellow local illustrators/animators/artists etc. to crawl out of their freelance caves and socialise/network with their peers. It has been very well received so far and we have a large group of regulars that attend each event, as well as a steady influx of new faces…

There is a poster designed by one of the regularly attending illustrators for each Meet-up. This is my effort!

If you live in or around manchester and would like to come and have a chat about pencils, join the DNW facebook group for more info!

A quick little half-drop repeat pattern using the vegetables...

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:42:43 +0100

A quick little half-drop repeat pattern using the vegetables from the image in my previous with a hand rendered type treatment chucked in for good measure!

National Vegetarian Week - CSMA Magazine

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 09:59:23 +0100

This is my latest addition to the CSMA Club Magazine health section. The article was to coincide with National Vegetarian Week and outlined the fact that, in light of the ‘Horse Meat Scandal’ more and more people are turning to veggie food!

I have been playing around with some new techniques recently, trying to add a few new methods to the digital end of my process. Below is the rough that I sent to the AD.

Blue Collar - Plumber

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:28:34 +0100

‘Plumber’ is the third image in my ‘Blue Collar’ series.

The project is basically a range of Working Class character profiles; I wanted to celebrate those people that get their hands dirty on a daily basis so that our lives may continue, as easily, and as comfortably as possible. Those people that often get taken for granted; ‘The backbone of society’.

For this image I didn’t feel the need to draw out any roughs and just jumped right into making the finished article. I used this tiny thumbnail as a basis for the image.

Blue Collar - Postman

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:17:00 +0100

‘Postman’ is the second image in my ‘Blue Collar’ series.

There are some examples of the preliminary work below.

Blue Collar - Mechanic

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:05:00 +0100

This image, entitled “Mechanic”, is the first in a series of new images from a self-initiated project called “Blue Collar.”

The idea for the project came about when I was explaining my job to a barber. When you hear yourself say, “I basically get paid to draw pictures!” it puts a lot of things into perspective. I sometimes find myself complaining about tight deadlines and difficult clients. The closest i get to manual labour is lifting a scalpel. I have it very easy and I often forget that.

Below, you will find a page from my sketchbook that lead to image above!.

Derek Danger!

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 12:30:38 +0000

I decided I would be an olympic-level procrastinator this morning, by avoiding work my own project and rustling up a little tribute to Robert Ball & Warwick Johnson Cadwell’s wonderful webcomic, Dangeritis.

After spending a lot of time trying to learn 3D software...

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 12:08:39 +0000

After spending a lot of time trying to learn 3D software recently, I woke up this morning with the urge to make something tangible and hand-crafted. I’ve not done any Lino printing for a long time and that seemed like the most satisfying option…

however, I only had a tiny scrap piece of Lino (7x10cm) so the results aren’t the best but I am quite happy with the ottery outcome!

some Brush pen doodles from this morning… including a Noel...

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 13:19:41 +0000

some Brush pen doodles from this morning… including a Noel Gallagh-otter and Qbert!

Love you to death! // Happy Valentine’s Day

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 09:29:00 +0000

Love you to death! // Happy Valentine’s Day

Yesterday...

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 10:06:05 +0000

Something strange happened to my Tumblr. I amassed nearly 900 followers in a single day!! - I really don’t know how it happened but I’d just like to say thank you and hello to my new followers. Hopefully, you will like the work and processes that I post.

I have another Tumblr over at we•am•likes - a rapidly growing archive of lovely illustration. I think you might like it.

I tried my hand at a pretty simple run-cycle… I’m...

Tue, 22 Jan 2013 13:18:00 +0000

I tried my hand at a pretty simple run-cycle… I’m quite happy with the results. Loving this animation thing.
I think he’s some kind of salamander in a leather jacket?

I am really enjoying the style of my recent...

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 13:29:01 +0000

I am really enjoying the style of my recent ‘experimentations’ and was wondering if I would be able to make them move? So I gave it a go… not perfect in anyway, but I’m not an animator.

A Man & His Dog

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:10:33 +0000

A Man & His Dog

I enjoyed making my horse burger so much that i thought...

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 14:20:02 +0000

I enjoyed making my horse burger so much that i thought I’d carry on making stuff for stuff’s sake. It’s been a while since i played around with my work, so i’m revelling in the experimentation and embracing the mistakes!

A quick sketch in response to a UK news item about horse meat...

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 11:22:11 +0000

A quick sketch in response to a UK news item about horse meat being found in Supermarket beef burgers!

Eye Candy Promotional Calendar

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 12:45:00 +0000

I am represented by Eye Candy Illustration Agency and each year they produce a promotional calendar, showcasing the work of a selection of their illustrators. The theme for the 2013 calendar is “Commemorating occasions and events in British History”. The month I was assigned was April and the event I decided to illustrate was “April 16th 1705 - Isaac Newton becomes the first ever scientist to receive a knighthood.”

Map • Eastern Europe

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 12:19:19 +0000

Just before Christmas I was delighted to get a commission that wasn’t at all festive.

I was asked by Shots Magazine to create a Map of Eastern Europe that highlighted all of the major cities. I haven’t ever really dabbled in hand-drawn type before and there is none whatsoever in my portfolio, so I found it slightly unusual that I would be commissioned specifically to do so. However, I’ll try anything once - so I gave it a go… and really enjoyed it.

I welcome similar projects with open arms; I was completely out of my comfort zone but as a result I found myself able to experiment a lot more than I would on an illustration project.

National Nuclear Laboratory

Mon, 07 Jan 2013 12:06:52 +0000

This is a Christmas card I designed alongside Manchester-based design agency, The Raft, for the National Nuclear Laboratory. At a time when I was juggling a few christmas images, and the themes and imagery were getting a bit stale, it was nice to receive a brief that forced me to think outside the [gift] box a little.

This job had a very quick turnaround; I think it was just under a week from start to finish. It was a pleasure to finally work with Creative Director, Phil Howells; a man who once gave me a Silver award in the ‘Best in The North’ competition.

Rough Sketches etc below