Work in Progress - Penguins

Penguins © Martin Blaney 2011

Are these the cutest animals I've drawn yet!

These are for a new poster I'm currently developing.

Any comments are welcomed.

Original and Exclusive Greeting Cards

Greeting Cards © Martin Blaney 2011

It's been a while since I've updated my blog - I've been unexpectedly busy using my old skills as a graphic designer.

Anyway I've rushed straight back into drawing action and whipped up a range of greeting cards covering cute animals, video games, fishing, moon landings, Christmas, alien overlords and Die Hard!

You can see the full range by following this link

Greeting Cards © Martin Blaney 2011

Greeting Cards © Martin Blaney 2011

Eddie The E.T - Moon Landing

Eddie the E.T. "Who Filmed the First Step" © Martin Blaney 2008-2011

This is Eddie.

He's an extraterrestrial.

His job is to explore the Spaceways without upsetting the cosmic balance too badly.
Unfortunately he's not that good at his job.

This cartoon was part of a trilogy about the moon landing - one of the greatest events in history in my opinion.

Eddie is a comic written and drawn by me. It appears on it's very own page on Facebook where it's been published since 2008. It was once published almost weekly, but due to work commitments the schedule tends to be a little less regular. Well, a lot less regular.

I'm hoping to return to Eddie on a regular schedule at some stage in the future as it's a series I totally enjoy working on.

New Ebay Store

I've set up, or tried to set up, a new store page which links to my Ebay store.

It should update new items and prevent any broken links when sales end.

Unfortunately it all looks a bit messy at the moment, but all the links etc work and I shall have to work on the appearance somehow.


Click here to visit my new page

Best Christmas movie ever

© Martin Blaney 2011

Because nothing says Christmas quite like John McClane vs Hans Gruber.

Too soon...

© Martin Blaney 2011

After all the festive season is nearly upon us....

Well, nearer than it was in January. If you assume we're travelling in time in the traditional direction I suppose. Maybe.

One of my designs for this years bash at generating some Christmas sales.

Kneel Before Bob!

Bob © Martin Blaney 2011

I have a love of 1950s sci fi - from giant ants to saucers on the White House lawn - I can't get enough of them.

Maybe because when I was very little watching movies like Invasion of the Body Snatchers are some of my earliest memories of being allowed to stay up late. It was a treat. It was being allowed to enter the twilight adult world of late night telly - which in those days was probably anything after 6pm.

It was a time of innocence in many ways I suppose, but mostly it was mad scientists, death rays, marauding Martians, giant blobs, atomic mutants, floating brain creatures and, of course, the classic flying saucer.

This design, intended for a greeting card, has taken a dollop of inspiration from that atomic powered era sprinkled with a hint of something Kryptonian.

A print is available on Ebay.

Bow Ties Are Cool

© Martin Blaney 2011

I'm really enjoying Matt Smith's incarnation of the Doctor.

Dark, moody, bouncy, quirky - for older fans of the show he seems to embody the characteristics of Patrick Troughton and Tom Baker in particular.

It also inspired me to produce this little caricature.

A couple of Ipad Sketches

Here's a couple of familiar characters I've sketched quickly on my iPad.

Superheroes with beer bellies always make me laugh for some reason and it's the kind of reboot i'd love to see DC and Marvel embrace.

I'm a big fan of the iPad although I've not upgraded to 2 yet.

A couple of things sold it to me:

Sketchbook Pro is one of very few apps I return to time and time again. On the iPad it almost feels like finger painting and returning to a child like state of drawing for the pure fun of it. I find it completely relaxing.

And the second was using it as a portfolio to show off my work to potential clients and just about anybody else who'd like to see some pretty drawings. The colours just look stunning on the iPad's screen.

(Copyright belongs to their respective copyright holders)

Cute Jungle Scene Print

© Martin Blaney 2010-11

This very cute jungle scene was originally designed for a child's bedroom.

It's a favourite of mine so I've made it available to buy as a print on Ebay which you can visit from my new Buy Stuff page above.

You can't beat a good bit of doodling!

© Martin Blaney 2011

Sometimes I just doodle with random results.

I think this guy has some potential for something - don't know what yet.

If I develop him further I'll be sure to post it.

I like him - let me know what you think.

Work in Progress: Dinosaur Alphabet Poster

Dinosaur Alphabet © Martin Blaney 2011

One of the sketches for my ongoing original illustrated and designed product - a dinosaur alphabet poster.

Children love dinosaurs and so does this illustrator. I can't imagine anything more perfectly suited to me than drawing prehistoric reptiles for a couple of months.

The dinosaurs will make learning the alphabet fun for the kids.

It will feature a range of prehistoric beasts from the gigantic to the tiny.

Dinosaur Alphabet © Martin Blaney 2011

And I like to think it's the natural follow up to my Animal Alphabet poster.

Wow - I love this Google animated thingy

Today's Google is celebrating a dancer called Martha Graham and is by a guy called Ryan Woodward.

I think it's a beautiful thing.

Here it is on YouTube if you've missed it on Google.

http://youtu.be/m6dab7jIr_s

Animal Alphabet Poster also available as a PDF on CD

Animal Alphabet © Martin Blaney 2011

I've put an A3 version of the Animal Alphabet poster for sale on Ebay as a PDF.

It can be printed as many times as you like at both A3 or A4.

Here's an earlier post about the A2 version of the poster http://martinblaney.blogspot.com/2011/04/animal-alphabet-how-to-learn-alphabet.html

If you're interested you can find it here http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170639548755&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

Animal Alphabet © Martin Blaney 2011

Work in Progress: Original Comissioned Caricature

Caricature © Martin Blaney 2011

A nice caricature can really brighten up and add a sense of fun to all kinds of places from company receptions to staff rooms to caravans to the downstairs loo.

And I really can't wait to see the completed colour version of this caricature.

The client asked for something with her parents enjoying their favourite past times, fishing and computering(?), while on holiday with their pets.

I love the overall composition and the look of these characters.

Any and all feedback is welcomed.

How This Illustrator Relaxes

Piggles the Flying Ace Original Painting © Martin Blaney 2011

I have no idea if this is true of all illustrators, but after a "hard" weeks work designing caricatures, characters and illustrations I find myself relaxing by designing caricatures, characters and illustrations.

The only difference being I'm using acrylics instead of pencils and a 6x6 inches chunky Loxley gold canvas instead of a sketchbook and computer.

I've never been much of a fan of painting and paint brushes but I really enjoy creating these.

I've always found pencils a lot more reassuring than brushes not to mention accurate but there's a freedom in producing these which I'm finding refreshing.

It appears to be satisfying a creative need I didn't realise I had.

I'd love to know if this is common among illustrators or creative people in general.

Piggles the Flying Ace Model and Painting © Martin Blaney 2011

 All artwork © Martin Blaney 2011

Caricatures - Billy from sketch to personalised mug and t-shirt

Billy Artwork © Martin Blaney 2009-2011

The story of Billy is a long one stretching back to a distant time or at least the late 1970's/early 1980's.

Over here in England we have a sport called football or soccer as it's referred  to in some places.

One of this particular client's favourite players was a guy called Billy Ashcroft - he played for Wrexham and Middlesbrough in England before moving to Holland.

He was a flame haired behemoth of a man who played both in defence and attack although rarely at the same time. To some he's a minor figure in the sport, but to a small group of fans he's a legend.

Billy artwork © Martin Blaney 2009-2011

The client saw the sketch for a caricature above and asked if I would be able to apply it to a mug or t-shirt. I was only too happy to oblige.

Billy Mug Artwork © Martin Blaney 2009-2011

Above is the design for the mug in the photo at the top of this article (unfortunately the colours didn't photograph very well) and the t-shirt is below.

Artwork © Martin Blaney 2009-2011

Much as I love the whole process of creating an original drawing from sketch to finished artwork there's something about seeing it on an actual product that really excites me.

I hope you like the drawings and all feedback is welcomed.

My New Website Has Arrived

Piggles the Flying Ace © Martin Blaney 2011

The new martinblaney.com site has arrived.

In all honesty I had only just finished the last one, but it had taken so long in development its whole purpose had changed from a purely web portfolio to something a bit more commercial.

With that in mind the old site began to feel clunky and over cluttered - a bit like a spare room which just kept gathering more and more stuff.

What I've hopefully achieved with this one is something which looks more professional and presents something a little more streamlined.

Fingers crossed separating the work into character design, caricatures, illustration, comics and cartoons will make it easier for visitors to find their way around the new pad.

As I produce more and more alphabet posters I hope to add a dedicated shop to it in the future.

It also has Piggles the Flying Ace on the front page who is fast becoming my mascot.

You can view the whole site here www.martinblaney.com

Any comments are welcomed.

Animal Alphabet - How To Learn the Alphabet Poster

Animal Alphabet poster © Martin Blaney 2011

This is my pride and joy - the Animal Alphabet poster.

It's a bright, colourful and fun way for children to learn the alphabet while maybe learning the names of some animals they may not be too familiar with.

Here's a close up of some of the animals featured on the poster.

© Martin Blaney 2011

The printers have done a great job on the poster and it's a piece of work I'm really proud of.

It's A2 which is approximately 59.4 x 42 cm (23.4 x 16.5 inches) and printed on 170 gsm glossy paper.

If you'd like one of these for your children's room, play room, nursery or class room I've got them up for sale on Ebay.

Just click here to get your very own Animal Alphabet poster.http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170648202669

Martin

Character Designs for Teesside University Schools and Colleges

© Martin Blaney 2011

 This was a great job to work on.

The client's brief asked for a series of characters to reflect several of their courses. 

Their purpose is to help promote the University to schools and colleges throughout the region and are branded with the University's logo and Inspire image .

© Martin Blaney 2011

These have been applied to all kinds of things including certificates, data sheets, puzzle games and desk top cut outs.

The puzzles the designs have been applied to.

The client had some very kind comments about the job too:

‘Amazing designs, competitive price and very efficient service. 

The illustrations are fantastic and will inspire our young people in our various activities. 

They have been so impressive we are considering rolling these characters out for wider purposes. Thank you.’

Nicola Doyle, Teesside University, Schools & Colleges Partnerships & Recruitment Manager

Thanks for looking.

Martin