Bourgeois & Maurice

Good afternoon!

A fun little illustration for Amelia's Magazine today, which features Cabaret darlings Bourgeois and Maurice. Their outlandish fashion sense makes them such a delight to draw! Their new show 'Can't Dance' (click for a little promotional video!) is on now at Sadler's Wells Theatre, a venue dedicated to people that can actually dance.

You can read the full interview with the duo by clicking here.

TTFN
xx

Bubbles at the Market

Good evening!

This is the last little post about my Canadian escapades, honest!
I visited a wonderful, buzzing market in a place called St. Jacobs, which had indoor and outdoor stalls where the Amish were working alongside 'regular' folk. All of the smells and colours were quite fantastic and it was a really brilliant trip!
I love to 'people watch', and there were some real characters! One such personality was a clown named Bubbles (I think I was drawn over by the balloon animals he seemed to be mass producing). Unfortunately it was very busy so I wasn't able to stand and draw any of the Amish people's beautifully understated outfits (photographing them isn't very polite so I refrained), but I did make a small observational sketch from a vantage point!

If you are ever in Southern Ontario, it's really worth a visit.

TTFN
xx

Update!

Good Evening!

I would like to direct your collected attentions to the all new misspearlgrey.com!
New features include a 'Motion' section (which is soon to feature an array of projects in which either my illustrations or creations appear) and a shiny new specialist 'Fashion' section! I'm so excited with the new look and I hope you will love it as much as I do.

Please do pop by and have a look around at your leisure!

TTFN
xx

P.S,

A huge thanks goes out to Andy Tyrrell, who has helped me produce something that looks so lovely!

Cat Aids with Simon Amstell

Good afternoon!

Some fantastic news today- the video I put together with fab animator Mari Delellis Lopes is now live and receiving some great reviews already! It was created with my artwork to promote the brilliant Simon Amstell's new stand up comedy DVD.
It features today on the AOL Asylum homepage- please take a look!

TTFN
xx

Oh, Canada!

Good evening!

I thought I might share a few of the scruffy little sketches I have been doing whilst on my holidays in beautiful Ontario, Canada! I have been getting chalky shoes by the lakeside (while walking pooches), watching Ice Hockey practice on a rink in one of the nearby Malls, and trying to train a Budgie to say 'ridiculous'. Later this week I shall be visiting Toronto and watching Yentl.
Until next time!

TTFN
xx

Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration

Good afternoon!

It's finally time to announce the next book feature! Amelia's Compendium of Fashion Illustration features not only my work, but twenty nine other talented illustrators and the collections of a wealth of ethical clothing designers. It is now available to pre-order (just in time for Christmas) by clicking here! How exciting!

TTFN
xx

If I Was You...

Good evening!

I have been finding myself spending lots of late nights at the drawing board recently, but I have been working on a super exciting project with a new client that is due for release soon. I can't wait to share some of the images with you all!
I was also invited to contribute to the wonderful 'If I Was You' project (run by the supremely talented and prolific Sandra Dieckmann), which sees illustrators each submitting a drawing based on their ideas of the last person to be featured. It's trickier to explain than to show you, so please click here to see what I mean!
My subject was fellow illustrator and Cat fancier, Kayleigh Bluck. She was great fun to draw!

TTFN
xx

Go, Team! / Whizz-Bang!

Good afternoon!

So, Autumn is here and the woolens have come out- I'm currently working on lots of projects in the studio, but it's been a little chilly! I'm also putting together a grand website redesign. It should be live very soon! Last night I worked on some balloon animals that will feature- I just love balloon animals!

Today I took some time out of the studio to head to the local Recreation ground and watch the resident Football team take on outsiders on their home turf. The players were moving so quickly that I didn't even try to capture them properly (perhaps another day), but there were plenty of characters on the sidelines. And an air horn, which I cleverly seated myself next to.

In the evening I wrapped up warm to attend a local Bonfire Society fireworks event. This involved a huge procession with people dressed as Tudors and Pirates carrying flaming torches down the Promenade! Apparently it's a very old custom to the South Coast. Afterwards a bonfire was set alight on the beach and there was a brilliant fireworks display- I was always too late to get a good photo! But I didn't mind because I had a polystyrene cup full of Tea and a lovely (if noisy) day.

TTFN
xx

Illustration Rally

Good afternoon!

I was interviewed recently by the fantastic Illustration Rally blog. In addition to rolling illustration projects with which to to get involved, Illustration Rally also has regular features on new artists. I was very privileged to receive an incredibly flattering write up, which you can read in full by clicking here.

Thanks, Natsuki!

TTFN
xx

Relax- It's Nothing Bad!

Good evening!

Still along the lines of fashion based imagery tonight (it's almost over) with a little something I produced for Nothing Bad magazine, where I was touted as 'one of their favourite illustrators around at the moment' (aw, shucks!).
I was asked to illustrate a piece from the latest Giles Deacon collection. I must say that the colourful ensembles and jazzy knitwear patterns made this a pleasure to work on.
You can read the full article by clicking here .

TTFN
xx

Gold Leafed Goodness

Good afternoon!

I recently worked on an especially fun piece for Amelia's Magazine. Philip Levine (the man behind Lazy Gramophone) is famed in fashion circles for his head designs (which you can see at www.philsays.com). Amelia snapped him at London Fashion week taking care of the goody bags for the very talented designer Ada Zanditon- this time with a gold leafed head. A perfect illustration opportunity!

You can read the full article by clicking here.

TTFN
xx

Fashion for Boys!

Good morning!

I was very pleased when I was asked to illustrate a menswear piece for Amelia's Magazine. The patterns and shapes in the Lou Dalton collection really grabbed my attention, so she was my designer of choice! London Fashion week posts are drawing to a close, but I do have a few more to show you yet!

See the full article by clicking here.

TTFN
xx

Magnificent Millinery

Good evening!

This is the second sample of images I have produced for Amelia's Magazine during their London Fashion week extravaganza!
This time looking at some pretty fantastical hats, the full article can be viewed by clicking here.

TTFN
xx

London Fashion Week

Good morning!

Lots of hip young things have hit the Capital this week, with the advent of this year's London Fashion Week! Among other things, I have been busy helping out the writers over at Amelia's Magazine by speedily illustrating in response to their show reviews. First up, a designer by the name of Louise Amstrup. I was impressed by the Beekeeper style swathes of fabric, which were particularly fun to draw. You can read the full article by clicking here.

I've heaps more to show you- stay tuned!

TTFN
xx

Lovely Loot!

Good evening!

I've lots to show you over the next few days, having worked on a few more pieces for Amelia's Magazine! But today something lovely arrived on my doorstep. No, it wasn't the Stork (thank heavens) but it was a Flamingo! Well, among other things! All courtesy of the very lovely Emma at Emma Cowley Illustration. I felt like all my Christmases had come at once- thank you so much Emma! I'm so lucky!

Please do have a nose around her fantastic blog, which is full to the brim with delightful illustration and words woven with her witty charm.

Until next time!

TTFN
xx

AOI Images 34

Good evening!

Last week I was privileged enough to attend the private view of the most recent book release from the Association of Illustrators. 'Images 34' features not only my work, but the work of two of my illustrator friends, Cheism and Emma! It took place at LLC (London College of Communication) in Elephant & Castle on Tuesday evening, where I also received a copy of the annual.

It was really wonderful to be a part of this great exhibition (which is still on, but finishes on the 14th!).

TTFN
xx

One Man and His Libertine

Good morning!

I was given the task of illustrating the Libertines for an Amelia's Magazine article about Reading Festival. It was really good fun! Since I was given free reign to interpret the topic, I decided to focus on Carl and Pete. As this reunion was so eagerly anticipated after trouble within the band in the past, I created a theme to the piece where the boys appear on the same 'wavelength'. You can view the entire article by clicking here.

TTFN
xx

Glamour at the V & A

Good evening!

Another piece for Amelia's Magazine tonight, this time illustrating an article about an evening of Vintage Hollywood inspired glamour at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. A lovely theme, if you ask me! You can view the rest of the article by clicking here.

TTFN
xx

Don't Forget to Write!

Good morning!

I thought I would share the final images for my Ballad Of Magazine submission, after having posted a rough sketch a little while ago.
Since the theme was sending letters, I decided to illustrate this by drawing a Postman doing his morning round. Unfortunately for him, his post has attracted some undesirable attention from the Neighbourhood Canines!
I have since learned just how tricky it is to work on opposite sides of an envelope when the lines are supposed to join up. I also used watercolours for this piece, but discovered after roughing out the design that I have lost my most favourite tin! So I had to make do with a cheap emergency set.

I'm hopeful that the Watercolour Goblins will return my tin soon. Perhaps this will happen when I tidy up the studio a bit...

TTFN
xx

Collaboration with Cheism

Good afternoon!

In amongst preparing for various impending deadlines, I was able to meet up with the lovely Che of Cheism. We put together a couple of little collaborative doodles over drinks in the sunshine, which you can take a peek at by clicking here.
In other news, I will be working on some 3 dimensional projects very soon, so keep your peepers peeled for those!

TTFN
xx

The Rules of Attraction

Good afternoon!

I recently created some illustrations to accompany an article for Amelia's Magazine. The illustrations were done in a relatively short space of time- hopefully all this practice means that my digital painting is improving! There are several things I would have liked to have changed (and several ideas for pictures that I still want to do! Honestly, the article is loaded with fodder!). Still, after so long on the computer I am looking forward to getting my watercolours out again.

Unfortunately, due to a misinterpretation, I illustrated the magazine's creator, Amelia- who didn't actually attend the event! But if you squint very hard you can pretend it is someone else. And she liked it anyway, which is always a plus.

TTFN
xx

Don't Forget to Write...

Good afternoon!

I have been posting an awful lot of 'behind the scenes' work lately, but I hope it has been interesting for you to see how the final images are put together.
This piece is a magazine submission in a most primitive state! But hopefully it gives some idea of the concept I am working on.

I wonder what they're chasing?...

TTFN
xx

Stop, Woah Yeah! Wait A Minute, Mister Postman

Good evening!

I received the loveliest post this morning! A parcel straight from the talented illustrator, Jamie Mills! Post that isn't a bill! That's a winner in my book. Thankyou so much for the original artwork and goodies, Jamie! I'm having the acetate print framed, and the popping candy is fizzing away as I type! If anyone else fancies commissioning a day, so contact Jamie via his blog (link above).

TTFN
xx

Face-fuzzed Gentlemen

Good evening!

Another glimpse into my sketchbook today, with these examples of follicle face adornment! I'm currently working on a piece that involves a rather dramatic moustache, so these are some experimental pieces I put together in order to settle upon my final design.

TTFN
xx

Sleeves that flutter...

Good morning!

I've been a busy bee in the studio of late. In return for my disgraceful blog absenteeism, I'm offering up a little sneaky peek of a current project- finished artwork will hit the blog soon, so watch this space!

TTFN
xx

364 days and 1 pour moi

Good morning!

This is a special thank you to the sublimely talented Jamie Mills of 365 days , for his extra specially themed birthday illustration!
You can view his work and (details of his 365 days project) by clicking here, and do check out his other work as it's brilliant!

Thank you again Jamie!

TTFN
xx

Switzerland

Good afternoon!

This piece was created for an Illustration Rally project. For their latest theme, artists were provided with a country and asked to interpret however they liked- mine was Switzerland. We haven't reached the letter S yet, but I was keen to share my piece with you all!
The mountain became my absolute nemesis and I have decided that they are one of the hardest things I have set myself the challenge of shading. So I had to admit defeat! But the result isn't too far off what I had envisaged.

TTFN
xx

Proof in the pudding

Good evening!

What's this? Two posts in one day?! Yes indeedy- I though it politic to let you know in light of my competition results that the last recipient of an illustrated envelope (through the Hello You Creatives scheme) was pleased as punch with his!

You can read his review here.

TTFN
xx

Results!

Good evening!

Tonight was the prize draw for my giveaway. It was actually a trick question because the little mouse appeared in a couple of blog posts- but everyone who entered was right! So I popped all of the names and a special 'wildcard' into a summery hat...



and then picked a winner at random! And wouldn't you know it...



...it was only the wildcard! Well done to all of the contestants! You'll all be receiving something special in a personally illustrated envelope! Please email me at hello@misspearlgrey.com with your addresses!

TTFN
xx

Almost time to Moove on...

Good afternoon!

Anybody else want some free goodies??
This is the last call for entries into my competition! I had a lovely bit of coverage this week from Hello You Creatives so I might give it a few more days in case I have any late arrivals. A little hint for you- the question has already been answered in the existing comments!

In other news, this is a little sketch from something I have been working on recently. I can't show you the whole piece yet, but I will when it's ready!

TTFN
xx

Competition Time!

Good afternoon!

Here is the announcement... the competition is now officially open!
Have a look at the little fellow below. Do you recognise him?




Eagle eyed readers will spot that he features in a blog post from the archives. But which one?
Comment with the title of the post and you will be in with a chance of winning something lovely (in a personally illustrated envelope!) If you answer correctly, your name will go into a hat to be decided at random at the end of the month.

Good luck!

TTFN
xx

Project Friendly #2

Good afternoon!

As promised, this is the back and front of the last Project Friendly envelope I have completed for Hello You Creatives.
I painted it in Acrylics which was probably not the best idea as when I went in with the fineliner and marker, the ink decided to just sit. Needless to say, I ended up with a fair few smudges to fix.
I hope the receiver likes it!

TTFN
xx

Pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty, Peggy Sue

Good evening!

The sun is shining, the birds are singing, it seems that summer is starting to creep into my studio! I am happy to say that I have multiple projects on the go, so I have been squirreled away working on lots of little treats.
My work featured again today on Amelia's Magazine, along with the lovely Amelia's interview of the band Peggy Sue. You can check it out by clicking here.

I am also going to take this opportunity to announce that I will be holding a giveaway in June, so keep an eye on the blog for further information very soon!

TTFN
xx

Election Fever

Good evening!

This is a little something I quickly put together in light of UK Election frenzy! It features on Amelia's Magazine and is now up during the televised leader's debate.
The concept for this piece is the fact that the Lib Dems are doing well in the opinion polls- but can they maintain this after tonight? Only time will tell!

TTFN
xx

Ballad Of...

Good afternoon!

Today I was featured by the lovely ladies over at 'Ballad Of' Magazine (www.balladof.co.uk). You can have a looksie out by clicking here. And do spend some time on the rest of the site if you can, because it's chockablock with delicious little treats!

TTFN
xx

A Very Friendly Envelope

Good evening!

Would you like a look at some post I will be sending tomorrow? It all forms part of the wonderful idea of Hello You Creatives. I thought this Pirate Lady deserved more barnacles in her hair, but gave her a parrot travelling companion instead. He has since had more colour added to jazz him up a little. I have another to send, so keep those peepers peeled!

TTFN
xx

Marathon Fun!

Good afternoon!

It may be a crop, but this is the end result of a collaboration between myself and Plunge Productions on behalf of the Rockinghorse Appeal. These beauties will soon be seen cavorting at the Brighton Marathon to raise money for this worthy cause.

I apologise for the apparent lack of activity, however it is quite the contrary! I have been working on some big super lovely things. More details soon!

TTFN
xx

Wuthering Heights (for Celine)

Good evening!

I present to you a series of rough sketches of the wonderfully theatrical Kate Bush. I was inspired to pull out the pencils by the very talented Celine, after her post about the very same high pitched songstress!



(My favourite moves come at around 2.25)

There may be a Babooshka post coming this way at some point!