Building Better Brains / Cities

Above are two illustrations created for two separate Readers Digest articles. The first one was for a story about building better cities across the world.The second a story about building a better brain. Created for Readers Digest. Art Director: Dean Abatemarco

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a nice cup of tea and a sit down

Last Saturday our sketch crawling group met at Sheaf Valley park in Sheffield. The event was an open day to celebrate how this piece of wasteland has been developed into a park with amphitheatre. Our sketchcrawl group had a stall/stand at the open day so that we could share the drawings that we have made of the city over the last couple of years. We were also pomoting sketchcrawling and signing up new members. I made the drawing above, of the said amphitheatre, whilst taking my turn in manning the stall.

An open day is brilliant for sketch crawling with all sorts of different events going on; live music, dancing, dog show, etc. There was an a amazing traditional Mexican dance group, Son de America, who brought colour, sunshine and big smiles to the day. They were a little reminder of all the fabulous and diverse things that people are doing througout our cities to bring some joy into our own and other people's lives. A bit like sketchcrawling, really.

Just across from our stall was a vintage 1950s tea and cake stand which was a gift for us sketchers. I could have spent the whole day just drawing that alone; lovely ladies and girls serving proper tea in china cups from proper tea pots whilst looking gorgeous. Oh, and homemade cakes. I didn't really make the most of that drawing opportunity because I got so distracted by everything else going on. I did however, at the end of the day, as things were winding down, make this little drawing of one of the girls sitting down for a well deserved cuppa.

Another great day with my sketchcrawling buddies.

@темы: moleskine, AJ, Sheffield, illustration, illustrator, andrea joseph, Andrea Joseph drawings, Moleskine diary, sketchcrawl, SketchCrawl North

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a shaggy dog's tale

click on drawing to view

On Saturday our sketchcrawl group attended an open day for a park in Sheffield. It was an afternoon choc full of all sorts of drawing opportunitiess. There was music, dancing, food all the kind of stuff you'd expect to find at such an event. I managed to make a few drawings which I'll post shortly, but for now, here's a drawing from my favourite part of the day; the dog show. And, specifically, the 'waggiest tail' round.

Now, I don't know if you've ever tried to draw the waggiest tail round of a dog show? Well, if not, I can tell you, it's not easy. There's a whole lot of wagging going on.

@темы: doodles, moleskine, AJ, Sheffield, illustrator, andrea joseph, Andrea Joseph drawings, Moleskine diary, sketchcrawl, SketchCrawl North, sketching Moleskine, dog

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turns my whole world misty blue

An update on this commissioned drawing here. I started step-by-stepping it a little while back (you can see the first stage in this post) but due to some urgent deadlines it has progressed very slowly.

On a personal level this really is one of the most important drawings I've ever made. Probably THE most important. The commissioner (is that even a word?) gave me free reign over everything - subject, size, materials.

Whilst that's the best kind of commission it does present you with a different kind of pressure from working to a brief. But, it also shows an amount of trust that touches me deeply. This image just came into my head as I drove home the day it was commissioned. I have no idea where from. And, I LOVE that.

I've not only been step-by-stepping it here, but also with the person who I am painting it for. I take it to show him at various stages and we talk about it and what it means to both of us. He said it reminded him of Tennyson's The Lady of Shalott (which again touches me no end). Not only do I love that poem but my all time favourite painting is Waterhouse's version - SEE.

When this image popped into my head it came fully formed. I knew exactly how I wanted it to look. I wanted to create a piece of work that paid the same kind of attention to detail that the Pre Raphaelite's would have. It's a big piece too; over A2 in size. Which is why it's difficult for me to share with you - excuse the rubbish photographs.

The deadline for this piece is the 17th of September, when it needs to be finished and framed. So, basically what I'm looking at is two weeks, whilst working the day job and other illustration jobs, to create my Pre Raphaelite masterpiece.

No, need really. I'll say it to myself; good luck with that!

@темы: step by step, drawing, AJ, illustration, illustrator, andrea joseph, Andrea Joseph drawings

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and it's you and it's me

A couple of drawings from the last two Dr Sketchy Sheffield events here. Above is the lovely Ieva modelling at the Greystone's pub, Sheffield. My fellow sketchy mates and I discussed this pose on our drive home that night, and all agreed it was definitely the most difficult of the evening. I was, however, pleasantly surprised when I got back and looked at this drawing. I'm just not so sure now I see it on screen.

So onto Tom, who I believe, was out first male model. This was at the Dr.Sketchy/Tramlines festival. When he first got into this position I wasn't confident about being able to make him look, um, human even. But, the best thing, I find, is to stop listening to those voices in your head and not even attempt to make a 'good' drawing. It's at that point you can relax and just play with your pens.

And, just in case you don't believe I drew this (not that there's any reason you shouldn't!) here I am in action. My drawings were also used to advertise this event, as you can see below and here.

@темы: Burlesque, AJ, Sheffield, andrea joseph, Andrea Joseph drawings, drawn by Andrea Joseph, sketchcrawl, Dr Sketchy Sheffield, Dr. Sketchy

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tell me, have you seen me?

Friday night saw the first ever evening meet for our Sketchcrawl Sheffield group. And, what a gorgeous art filled evening it was. We started at the preview evening of illustrator Mick Marston's stunning exhibition, Outlook Gloomy, with  Bright Intervals, at Pete McKee's ultra smart little gallery in Sheffield. It's a really clever, funny and oh so stylish exhibition and if you are in Sheffield you must visit. I insist.

Afterwards, we met up with some other sketchcrawlers and continued our evening at a Moroccan restaurant, Ottos. Coincidentally, the first time I visited Pete's gallery, some months ago, I made a sketch of the restaurant from my car (above). It was because of that sketch I ended up booking this place. You see, iillustrated journals can come in very handy in so many ways; from passing five minutes in your car to booking somewhere to eat!

Anyhow, whilst it was not so easy at a table filled with cutlery, crockery, glasses and drinks I managed a couple of the drawings. And, I'm sure we'll do it again.

@темы: drawings, moleskine, Sheffield, illustrator, andrea joseph, Andrea Joseph drawings, sketchcrawl, SketchCrawl North

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hanging out my old love letters

The problem with having lots of illustration work on is that all of one's own projects get pushed aside. Not that I'm complaining about having lots of work on. I live to draw. I did, however, take a little time out, from the paid work, to make this drawing above. I got the letter, and felt heart, through the mail the other day. It had to be drawn and I haven't finished with it yet. Nope, I just cannot resist Air Mail. And just to prove it, here are some of my old love letters...

@темы: Mods, moleskine, AJ, illustrator, andrea joseph, Andrea Joseph drawings, ballpoint, Air Mail, airmail

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feelin' allright

I did these two quick sketches, of my nephew, the weekend before last, when my family came to stay. I took a long weekend off from drawing (apart from these) because I knew that right up until mid September my eyes are going to be taking a right old battering, so to speak. Yes, I have so much drawing work on that I've also had to take time off from my day job.
 
It might only be a month off work but it marks a milestone for me. For this month, for the first time, I am an illustrator. A full time illustrator. And, it feels pretty good. Pretty good.

@темы: AJ, Andrea Joseph drawings

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let us not talk falsely now, the hour's getting late

 The chances are, if you have been to the beautiful Yorkshire Sculpture Park then you will have seen Henry Moore's Draped Seated Woman. From the main entrance, just as the park opens up to you, she can be found looking out over the lake. She sits on the hill watching over the park. Keeping her eye on things. Surrounded by her flock.

 If you sit for a while, maybe to draw or something, you'll hear the same old comments, over and over again, from those who come to look at her; stuff about 'her head being too small' and her 'being all out of proportion'. I want to tell them to take a look at themselves, they ain't exactly in proportion either. But I don't. I keep my head down. Keep drawing.

 And, besides, she doesn't need me to stick up for her. She doesn't care what they have to say. She's heard it all before. Over and over again. No, she's not interested. Why would she be when she has this view to look at?

@темы: moleskine, AJ, illustrator, Andrea Joseph drawings, sketchcrawl, SketchCrawl North, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, sketchbook, Yorkshire

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still a wild seed

I first made this post over five years ago. I felt that I was just finding myself as an artist (apologies for that HORRIBLE cliche) in these early Moleskine sketchbook pages.

10th April 2007
"In my quest to draw everything in my house I stopped by the spice rack. I'm quite happy with this. It reminds me of the illustrations you'd find in recipe books from the 70's. Books that were usually called something like 'The Whole Food Kitchen'. The kind of book that gave you interesting ideas for things to do with lentils and chick peas. The type of book where you can still smell the patchouli wafting through the pages. I dream of illustrating one of those books. One day. One day...."

Well, I'm not done with the cliches. You know, if you work hard and really really dig what you do, it seems, you can make your dreams come true. Right, I'm not allowed to say anything more. For now.

@темы: moleskine, AJ, sepia, andrea joseph, Andrea Joseph drawings, drawn by Andrea Joseph, the sepia one, spices

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Blues Control Poster Design

I just finished this 2 color silk screen poster for my friend Matt at Holy smokes booking. Check out Blues Control's music here. If you are in Charlottesville, VA get your self to the show!

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just singing a song

 Jeez, I haven't blogged for ages. In fact, it's taken me over a month to post these drawings. I made them on July the 14th which was International Sketchcrawl day, or Worldwide Sketchcrawl day, or something like that. Our drawing group, Sketchcrawl North, were in the gorgeous village of Tideswell for the day. For some absurd reason I was to organise the day and the weather was not looking good. So, before everyone else arrived I went to the church (or Cathedral of the Peak) to check that it would be okay to sketch in there - should the sun not come out.

When I got there I found a group of musicians practicing for a rehearsal they were giving, as part of Buxton Festival, later that day. They said that as long as we were quiet we could sit in on the rehearsal. Well, there's nowt quieter than sketchers.

The musicians were called The Frolick, a Baroque band, and they were amazing. I must say that I've never really heard this kind of music, and to be honest would never have chosen to listen to it (well, you know, I'm a Neil Young kind of gal) but it was an absolute privilege. And it was a lesson to me to not dismiss things before giving them a go first.

Needless to say we didn't move from the church the whole afternoon.

Some quick sketches of members of the band;

I absolutely love drawing to music. I always have but there's something about live music that is so exciting to draw to. I love the way the music becomes part of the drawing to the point, sometimes, when you lose yourself in it, the subject no longer matters. I dn't know how to explain it. I'm not so good with words, that's why I draw.

A big thanks to The Frolick for letting me, and my drawing friends, experience that.

@темы: sketches, music, drawings, AJ, illustrator, Andrea Joseph drawings, Moleskine diary, drawn by Andrea Joseph, sketchcrawl, SketchCrawl North, Buxton, Buxton Festival, Tideswell

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Bon Appetit { Concept Art }

My good friend Parthiban Selangovan reached out to me to develop some concept art and inspiration paintings for a new film he is creating about a deep sea struggle for survival.

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Library Series { Paintings }

I've carried these old vintage library cards around with me for years. 3 states and 4 studios later I finally did something with them. Media: India Ink and Gouache on Vintage Library Cards.

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get together

I don't know if you remember, but some time ago I made THIS post. I'd been delighted to receive these bracelets, with my drawings on, through the mail. Well, now you can be delighted to! I've teamed up with the lovely people at Wristpix to create these limited edition AJ bracelets.

You can choose the links/drawings you'd like and make your own unique bracelet with an individual AJ link. Pretty cool, huh? Check out the lovely Wristpix site HERE.

@темы: jewels, jewellery, AJ, bracelet, Andrea Joseph drawings, wristpix

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poster vote results.

Beyond the Permafrost

@темы: home

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on a magic carpet ride

I was out delivering some art work a couple of weeks back when I found this place; Eccles Pike. It's one of those places I've heard being talked about many a time. One of those places that is on your doorstep but you never get around to visiting. This is the view over Combs reservoir. from this spot, at the top of the Pike, I could easily have done a 360 and drawn the whole view. Maybe that's a project for another day. When it's less windy. This was not easy to draw.

It is one of those drawings that seems to be crying out for colour, though. I might just have to get the pencils out.

Update; I got the pencils out. But I still think it needs MORE.

@темы: pen, sketches, ink, original drawing, AJ, illustration, illustrator, andrea joseph, Andrea Joseph drawings, Buxton, Derbyshire, the Peak District, sketchbook

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Group Shot

Here's something I've been playing with on and off for a while now, mainly to exercise my concepting muscle.  I want to keep adding more characters to it as time goes on.  And yes, I totally did just draw a unicorn.

Click for larger image

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songs are like tattoos

I think this was my favourite sketch from last Friday night's Dr. Sketchy. The scaling is all wrong; the hands, for one, are way too small but I don't really care. I'm a little bit obsessed with tattoos at the moment. I'm loving drawing people too. So what could be better than drawings on people? Not much.

@темы: tattoos, sketches, drawing, AJ, andrea joseph, Andrea Joseph drawings, drawn by Andrea Joseph, mini Moley, sketchcrawl, SketchCrawl North, Dr Sketchy Sheffield, Dr Sketchy, Dr.Sketchy, my Moleskines

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choose the next print

  via Burlesque of North America: HELP US CHOOSE THE NEXT JOHN BAIZLEY ART PRINT! As you may have noticed, we’ve been printing quite a lot of prints with the incredibly talented John Baizley. We’ve been working closely with John to bring his watercolor paintings to the world as multi-color screenprinted art prints. From Black [...]

@темы: home