Being prepped on the friday was a good way to prepare for the Saturday, because it was Insane!  Locked in place for the day there was no let up.  Sketch followed Sketch,  each different and diverse yet equally challenging.  

There were a few of the regular requests, Optimus Prime, Spider-man, Venom, but I was kept in check with
some of the sketches that were asked for.

Wether it be Cat-woman on Red:

MOVIE FrenZY "Not G1!"

Or even a portrait of a quirky young lady with the'EYE of SAURON' on her head. :)

Yep I sketched it all.

This Event seems to get bigger and better with every show and the cosplay has now become such an integral part, it now also seems to be filtering into my sketches.  I guess the show now just would not be the same without it.

Okay, what do I say about this last weekend?
Well, I had a lot of fun :)

A big part of which was down to the great people that attend these shows.  Opposite is The Scooby Gang from Mystery Inc. that helped look after my wears while I went on a secret mission.

Shhh can't tell you, it's a secret.

What I can tell you about is the show.  I decided to travel down and attend the friday as it had an early opening from 2-7.  Straight away I was sketching, and one of the early sketches set the tone for the weekend.  Hulk vs. Steam-punk Chicken on a burning train.  Ok' I can do that.

As seen below :D

The JOKER holding a sock puppet.

COSPLAYING WITH ATTITUDE.

This weekend was my second time as a Guest at the EMS show.  For the uninitiated, that's The Entertainment Media Show, not Emergency Medical Services or any other variation that may pop into mind.  I had a 5.20am start, early for me so I was glad I actually got there just before the doors opened to the general public.

I  was situated in amongst a line of other Artists and friends, sandwiched directly between two writing legends, Dan Slott (Amazing Spider-Man & Chris Claremont (Uncanny X-men).  It was was great to chat with two writers I admire and to also find out they were great guys to boot.

There was a nice mix of media guests at the show, it was good to see Dean Cain chatting away and being charming to everyone and Matt Smith the 11th Doctor carrying a pair of boxing gloves, that he got Frank Bruno to sign.  I also saw a few familiar faces and a some new ones. 

I had the usual mix of Transformers and Superhero requests, I also got to draw the Ninja Turtles and a nifty Nightcrawler.  

Although it was slow on the Sunday the company more than made up for it.  I had fun with the Cosplayers, and got the Uncanny Chris Claremont to sign my well read X-men book.  
Which more than made up for it.  

Who can ask for more?

STAR WARS
GALACTIC FILES
Sneek Peek:

Celebrating the 35th Anniversary of A New Hope, Topps is releasing its most ambitious Star Wars card set to date! 

I am producing 100 Full-Colour Sketch which will include characters, creatures and vehicles from all 6 films. 


As well as the Expanded Universe 






Sketch Cards to be available in selected packs of the New Galactic Files

Here's just a small teaser!

This time last week I was preparing for AA.  No not Alcoholics Anonymous (he says every time) but Auto Assembly.  The UK's premier Transformers Convention.  Case, check, Prints, check, Sketch paper, check, Alcohol, check.  Well the bar is mighty expensive!

Yes it is the AA convention where you pack your own alcohol.  Then again what do you expect when you hold a convention at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel.  I am not quite sure if the Hotel staff quite knew what to expect.  Hundreds of Transformers fans descended upon them for the 3 day event.  From the 9th August to the 11th, the Business class and pilots suits disappeared under a rainbow of assorted Transformers T-shirts.  With the occasional cosplay Optimus Prime waiting for service at the bar.

The event proper, started at 11.00 on the saturday morning where (us guests) had to do the walk of shame.  Yes I do cringe each time.  Then I think the organisers like that.  Waiting out back to discover what theme music you will be walking out to.  I was under threat of "Im a love man" by Otis Reading.  Though to my great relief, it was simply the Cantana music from the Star Wars bar. (Im sensing a theme here)


Once settled in I soon found I became booked up for sketches on the Saturday, for the entire weekend.  I think a pre-sketch list may be a good idea for any future events!


My highlight of the weekend came on the Saturday night.  Where the Cosplayers came out to play.  The incredible opulent surroundings served all those crazy fools well.  Not only did they come out in force, but also in high quality too. With so many good costumes the judges made a wise desicon and served an excellent curve-ball by announcing the winner to be the swarm of scraplets.  (You really have to see it to understand.:)

The great thing I find about Auto Assembly is the atmosphere. I do a lot of big commercial shows. With a lot of money behind them. The difference with AA is the family feel. Everyone that comes together, thats works so hard by giving their time up to create something great. This show does not have big money backers, but instead a lot of people with a lot of heart who enjoy their hobby.  Everyone that is involved, the organisers, volunteers, fans, collectors, and even the guests. All play a small in making the show what it is.

A whole lot of fun.

As the Transfans say "Till all are one"

Last Saturday I attended the 2nd ever Manchester MCM Expo Event.  This was the first time at the event for me so I wasn't quite sure what to expect.  Yes, I knew the sort of crowd that would turn up, but I really did not know how many people would show.  For one of the hottest days of the year in a season of unprecedented rainfall, this was quite a crowd.  

Not only did they turn up by in their thousands, but also in an almighty sea of costumes. Cosplayers are certainly a dedicated bunch.  Though I could understand those ladies that turned up in next to nothing, (as their favorite character in mini-knickers) I could not quite get my head around the hordes in what can only be described as sweat wear.  If they were wearing it, they were most definitely sweating!

All in all though it made a fun and arguably more interesting day for me.  I was locked firmly behind my table,  No toilet breaks & certainly no movement in my lower body by the end of the day.  The crowds were crazy, I had people ten deep at my table, so much so at times they would be blocking off the aisle.  But I could not waiver, I thought if those cosplayers can do it, so can I!

So here's a small sampling of my work for the day. Enjoy!

Last weekend I was an Invited Comic Guest at the London Film & Comic Con.  Originally I intended to only be there on the Saturday, but the show was so good I traveled back up to the Kensington Olympia in London for a second helping.

This was also my second time at the show but in new much larger venue.  The guest list was fantastic and so was the public that attended.  I met many regulars but also a whole new host of people that were great fun to chat to.

I had the chance to sketch on demand many of my favorite characters and and a selection of the more unusual that I do not quite remember doing before.

I always enjoy a challenge.

One of these days I will actually take a look around one of these shows I am invited too.  When I get chance!

Here is a small selection of the pictures I drew, and some of those I sketched for.