applePLAN8T

HURLEQUINN!!

2012-01-09T10:38:00.001Z

Commissioned gift for Hurlequinn of Leeds Roller Dolls November/December 2011

METROPOLITAN ROLLER DERBY CHILE

2012-01-09T09:26:00.002Z

Metropolitan Roller Derby Chile sent me some photos of the Derby Girl Tiny McDoodie I made for them (available here). Just working on the other leagues for them now!

POST-IT SKETCHES

2011-12-09T09:02:00.002Z

Ink on Post-It illustration (digitally coloured) for KITTY WAKE blog entries Fat Bottomed Girl… and Don’t push me ‘cause I’m close to the edge…

TINY McDOODIES HALLOWEEN FIGURES

2011-10-31T12:43:00.003Z

TINY McDOODIES celebrate Halloween with two new additions-ZOMBIE DERBY GIRL and ZOMBIE DERBY REF! Head on over to the TINY McDOODIES site to check them out!

ZOMBIE PORTRAITS

2011-10-26T12:04:00.001+01:00

NEW TINY McDOODIE-METROPOLITAN ROLLER DERBY

2011-10-26T09:27:00.002+01:00

The first collaboration with Metropolitan Roller Derby, Chile, is now available at

http://tinymcdoodies.blogspot.com/2011/10/metropolitan-roller-derby.html

GET SOME!

ZOMBIE!

2011-10-24T09:51:00.001+01:00

Zombie self protrait #2

LRD THE MONSTERS' BRAWL-STEP BY STEP

2011-09-30T08:21:00.009+01:00

I have just finished up the poster and programme cover for Leeds Roller Dolls next bout on October 22nd 2011-THE MONSTERS' BRAWL. I thought I would take the opportunity to present a little step by step of my work process.

Step one: Initial Sketch

Having been given the brief by LRD I played around with some ideas and settled on an image I thought would work-a clash between the Zombie Queen and The Wolf Girl. I did the initial rough sketch then added details and refined the image with further passes with different colours. When I was happy with this I then scanned the image to Photoshop and got to work.

Step 2: Inking The next stage was the inking. I currently use Photoshop for this, and create a separate layer for each character. First up was the Zombie Queen-I tweaked any areas that needed it, then set about inking over the main outline of the character, adding finer detail where required.

I then repeated the process on a different layer with The Wolf Girl, again tweaking any areas that didn't look quite right. When I was happy with this, it was time for some colour...

Step 3: Basic Colour

I have to say that for me this is the part of the process that really shows up what needs adjusting. For each character I laid down a layer for each colour and made sure I named them correctly so I knew what was what if anything needed changing. I played around with the different skin tones, fur colour etc, and decided which character would represent which team and matched the colours accordingly. I always think that the drawing looks a bit flat at this stage, but you get a good general impression of what the end result will be like.

Stage 4: Shading

This step really brings the drawing to life! I created another layer on top of the colour layers but below the inks for each character, and then began blocking in areas of shade with the capture tool and filling with black. I then reduced the opacity to get the desired shade. Because some areas came out too dark, and some too light, I created another layer for these areas and repeated the process to get the result I wanted. I also changed the skin tone on Zombie Queen and made a few other minor colour changes, which tends to happen at this stage as the image gets tied together with the shading.

Step 5: Highlights and fades

This next step is really the icing on the cake. I created another layer and captured any area I wanted to add a bit more form to, then used the gradient tool to make a fade of black over the area. Then, much like the shading layers, I played with the opacity until I was happy with it. Similarly for the highlights, I captured an area I wanted to lighten and filled with white gradient. I don't use this stage in all the illustrations I make, but it can really add an extra dimension where needed.

Step 6: Layout and background

As this illustration was going to be a poster and cover, it was doubly important to get the layout right. I created a separate file for the background so I could play around with it with no fear of accidentally screwing up the character illustration. I aimed for the background to be a mixture of old carnival and wrestling posters and EC horror comic covers, and think I hit a happy medium. It was then a case of blocking in the various colours and textures, which I again laid out on their own layers for making any changes easier. I then imported the character illustration and made any final changes.

Step 7: Lettering

For the final step I chose a font that would go well with the subject matter and pulp horror feel of the design, and tried to choose a colour that would really stand out! It was then just a matter of adjusting the size and layout of the text to fit. Where needed, I adjusted the background elements to accommodate text and make it fit correctly. I also added the sponsor logo and any text effects. The example above is the poster, but I also made sure the text for the cover worked just as well.

The final piece

And so the final poster, with the prices added and a final spit and polish! Go and check out the LRD Events Facebook page for details of this and other upcoming bouts!

JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE TO GO BACK IN THE WATER...

2011-09-26T08:51:00.004+01:00

Ink on Post-It illustration (digitally coloured) for KITTY WAKE blog entry

ZOMBIE PROM JOCK & CHEERLEADER-SNEAK PEEK!

2011-09-20T08:46:00.002+01:00

This lovely couple are a give-away for the FAB CAFE ZOMBIE PROM 2011.

The figures will be available fully constructed on the night, and available for download from the 26th September 2011!

HOT DATE

2011-09-19T09:57:00.001+01:00

Ink on Post-It illustration (digitally coloured) inspired by the upcoming FAB Cafe Zombie Prom on 24th September 2011

FIRST I WAS AFRAID...

2011-09-13T09:23:00.003+01:00

Ink on Post-It illustration (digitally coloured) for KITTY WAKE blog entry

NOVEL IDEA

2011-09-07T08:54:00.004+01:00

Ink on Post-It illustration (digitally coloured) for KITTY WAKE blog entry

LOOTER

2011-08-11T14:44:00.005+01:00

Ink on Post-It illustration (digitally coloured) for KITTY WAKE blog entry

IRIDESCENT

2011-07-11T16:09:00.000+01:00

Linkin Park competition entry June 2011

MOULIN BRUISE-GREEN FAIRY PIN-UP

2011-07-11T15:19:00.004+01:00

Raffle prize for Leeds Roller Dolls MOULIN BRUISE roller derby bout July 2011

MOULIN BRUISE-PIN-UP DETAIL

2011-07-06T18:28:00.002+01:00

Raffle prize for Leeds Roller Dolls MOULIN BRUISE roller derby bout July 2011

PULP FRICTION

2011-07-06T18:26:00.002+01:00

Raffle prize for Leeds Roller Dolls PULP FRICTION roller derby bout June 2011

PULP FRICTION-PIN-UP DETAIL

2011-06-15T16:03:00.003+01:00

Detail of raffle prize for Leeds Roller Dolls PULP FRICTION roller derby bout June 2011

LAND SHARK

2011-06-09T16:34:00.004+01:00

SPECIMEN 506.80 Carcharodon semisubrotatus galeoterra, the infamous land shark! Happy birthday Heather!

NEW TINY McDOODIE-GRALIEN!

2011-05-23T16:41:00.002+01:00

GRALIEN has landed! Head on over to http://tinymcdoodies.blogspot.com/2011/05/gralien.html to add him to your collection!

CONGRATULATIONS!

2011-04-28T15:44:00.003+01:00

Congrats Aileen and Richard-hope you have a fantastic wedding day!

GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOWDOWN 2011 PIN-UP

2011-03-30T09:38:00.005+01:00

Raffle prize for GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOWDOWN 2011

GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOWDOWN 2011

2011-03-28T09:35:00.002+01:00

Poster and programme cover for THE GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOWDOWN 2011 female flat track roller derby expo bout hosted by Leeds Roller Dolls. This is a slight reworking of last years artwork.

KRUSTY

2011-03-03T09:43:00.003Z

KRUSTY THUD of Aberdeen's GRANITE CITY ROLLER GIRLS

HILARY MARCH 2011

2011-03-02T14:36:00.004Z

SELF PORTRAIT FEBRUARY 2011

2011-02-28T19:19:00.001Z

NEW TINY McDOODIE-MATTY THE VAMPIRE

2011-02-13T16:00:00.003Z

MATTY THE VAMPIRE is here!
Head on over to http://tinymcdoodies.blogspot.com/2011/02/matty-vampire.html to check him out!

DOT ROTTEN

2011-01-04T12:08:00.003Z

Portrait commission for Dot Rotten of Leeds Roller Dolls!

BELATED HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2011-01-04T12:00:00.003Z

Happy New Year one and all-hope 2011 goes well! Didn't get a chance to post here before Christmas, but the TINY McDOODIES ranks have been expanded with ZANTA:
Check out http://tinymcdoodies.blogspot.com/2010/12/zanta.html for more details!

SJ SLAY

2010-11-12T11:12:00.001Z

Portrait commission for SJ SLAY of Leeds Roller Dolls!

SEVENTH WAVE IMAGERY/CIRCUS OF HORRORS

2010-11-12T09:21:00.004Z

Print ad collaboration with SEVENTHWAVEIMAGERY.COM using CIRCUS OF HORRORS images

OCCULT TERRORS HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 2010

2010-10-21T08:55:00.003+01:00

Limited edition paper minis Halloween set from over on my miniature design page http://darkmook.blogspot.com/
Photo by the awesome Hilary Steel!

GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOWDOWN PIN-UP

2010-10-21T08:52:00.002+01:00

Raffle prize for THE GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOWDOWN female flat track roller derby expo bout hosted by Leeds Roller Dolls.

THE GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOWDOWN

2010-10-03T16:06:00.004+01:00

Poster and programme cover for THE GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOWDOWN female flat track roller derby expo bout hosted by Leeds Roller Dolls.

BITBOTS

2010-10-03T15:56:00.004+01:00

Hilary and I created two custom vinyl figures for the JINNY BITBOTS launch on 9th September 2010 at 1.11 Kingly Court, London:

ZOM-BILLY hand painted 3" vinyl toy

ZOM-BABY 3" hand painted vinyl toy

Check out http://www.bitbots.co.uk/ for more BITBOTS goodness!

LITTLE RED RIDING THUD!!

2010-10-03T15:49:00.003+01:00

Raffle prize for LITTLE RED RIDING THUD!! female flat track roller derby bout between Leeds Roller Dolls and Rainy City Rollergirls September 2010!

ZOMBIE PROM KING AND QUEEN RELEASED!

2010-09-28T19:53:00.002+01:00

ZOMBIE PROM KING & QUEEN are now available over at http://tinymcdoodies.blogspot.com/

Why not go check them out?

ZOMBIE PROM KING AND QUEEN-SNEAK PEEK!

2010-09-23T09:39:00.001+01:00

These guys are a give-away for the FAB CAFE ZOMBIE PROM 2010, the alternative Leeds Freshers Ball. The figures will be available fully constructed on the night, and as a download after the 26th September 2010! Frightful Photos by Kitty Steel!

DERBY GIRL DIVA IN ACTION!

2010-09-23T09:23:00.002+01:00

(Construction and photos by Kitty Steel)

TINY McDOODIES-DERBY GIRL DIVA

2010-08-20T09:48:00.002+01:00

Here is the first 'official' TINY McDOODIES figure-DERBY GIRL DIVA, designed in celebration of the great LEEDS ROLLER DOLLS female flat track roller derby team!

Head on over to http://tinymcdoodies.blogspot.com/ for download instructions (and other TINY McDOODIES goodness)!

RACK N ROLL-FINAL ARTWORK

2010-08-19T08:57:00.002+01:00

The final pin-up! I haven't decided which background to go for as yet-the bout charity is Breast Cancer Research, but wasn't sure if the ribbon background was too much...

RACK N ROLL-COLOUR DETAIL

2010-08-18T08:44:00.002+01:00

RACK N ROLL-INKS

2010-08-14T15:39:00.002+01:00

MR & MRS GRIFFITHS

2010-08-12T20:55:00.004+01:00

Here is a portrait of my in-laws, Alan and Anne Griffiths, who celebrated 40 years of marriage on 8th August 2010. Congratulations again folks!

RACK N ROLL-'INKED' SKETCH

2010-08-12T20:49:00.003+01:00

RACK N ROLL-PRELIMINARY SKETCH

2010-08-12T16:27:00.003+01:00

Sketch for raffle prize for RACK N ROLL female flat track roller derby bout between Leeds Roller Dolls and Glasgow Roller Girls "Irn Bruisers"!

£1 from each ticket will go to Breast Cancer Research so I am going with a Pink Lady, Rock n Roll theme for this pin up, with a big jacket logo.

TINY McDOODIES: VLADIMIR THE SAILOR

2010-07-20T15:59:00.008+01:00

So I was playing around with the idea of Urban Cardboard cut and play figures for a while, and finally got around to getting a usable template made. I have called them TINY McDOODIES after a name my wife gave some wind-up toys I customised maaany years ago-it seems to fit perfectly! Here is the first free promo toy, VLADIMIR THE SAILOR:
Here's a test shot my pal Ross took after constructing version 1!

I am currently working on a site to host them, but in the meantime drop me a line at appleplan8t@hotmail.co.uk if you would like a copy of the first figure!

Hope you dig 'em!

ZOMBIE PORTRAIT-COLOUR

2010-05-26T09:14:00.001+01:00

Zombie self portrait for flyer and pin badges

THE BLONDE

2010-05-26T09:11:00.001+01:00

Artwork proposal for The Blonde

NORTHERN FIGHTS LOGO IN ACTION!

2010-05-24T12:13:00.004+01:00

Northern Fights logo t in action at Highland Fling, modelled by Kirtsen 'Krusty Thud' Reid (thanks to Pam Van Damn for the photo!)

The team in action by Chris Geary

Krusty by Chris Geary

ZOMBIE PORTRAIT-GREYSCALE

2010-05-12T09:43:00.004+01:00

Zombie self portrait for flyer and pin badges

NORTHERN FIGHTS LOGO

2010-05-12T09:08:00.002+01:00

Team logo for Granite City Roller Girls away team.

VIVA BASH VEGAS PROGRAM COVER

2010-04-21T13:02:00.002+01:00

Cover art for the VIVA BASH VEGAS Roller Derby bout

DUNDEE DESTROYERS MERCH LOGO

2010-04-21T12:58:00.001+01:00

Alternative logo for Dundee Destroyers roller derby team merchandise

VIVA BASH VEGAS POSTER

2010-03-29T14:06:00.002+01:00

Flyer and poster design for Leeds Roller Dolls vs Birmingham Blitz Dames bout March 2010

RIPPIN KITTINS LOGO

2010-03-01T15:59:00.003Z

Entry for a logo design competition held by the Dundee Destroyers roller derby team. The competition was to create a logo for the Rippin Kittins, a team name in honour of one of the Destroyers who sadly passed away in January 2010.

LEEDS ROLLER DOLLS SNOW BRAWL-RAFFLE PRIZE

2010-01-28T13:58:00.006Z

LRD prize final version

LEEDS ROLLER DOLLS SNOW BRAWL-RAFFLE PRIZE

2010-01-26T20:48:00.005Z

LRD prize inks

LEEDS ROLLER DOLLS SNOW BRAWL-RAFFLE PRIZE

2010-01-26T20:42:00.006Z

LRD prize sketch

AMAZING SKATES-ENFORCER LOGO

2010-01-07T10:52:00.002Z

AMAZING SKATES LOGO-NOW A T-SHIRT!

2009-11-25T10:58:00.007Z

The good folks at AMAZING SKATES now have the logo t-shirt available for sale in both men's and ladies sizes-check 'em out at the AMAZING SKATES webstore now!

LEEDS ROLLER DOLLS NOVEMBER PAIN FUNDRAISER-RAFFLE PRIZE

2009-11-13T14:30:00.001Z

LRD pin-up final

LEEDS ROLLER DOLLS NOVEMBER PAIN FUNDRAISER-RAFFLE PRIZE

2009-11-13T12:55:00.001Z

LRD pin-up greyscale

LEEDS ROLLER DOLLS NOVEMBER PAIN FUNDRAISER-RAFFLE PRIZE

2009-11-11T09:05:00.003Z

LRD pin-up inks

LEEDS ROLLER DOLLS NOVEMBER PAIN FUNDRAISER-RAFFLE PRIZE

2009-11-10T09:48:00.002Z

LRD pin-up sketch

AMAZING SKATES LOGOS

2009-10-14T12:23:00.005+01:00

ZOMBIE GIRL #3 - JUDITH B

2009-10-06T16:04:00.001+01:00

ZOMBIE GIRL #2 - JUDITH A

2009-10-06T16:01:00.002+01:00

ZOMBIE GIRL #1 - FRAN

2009-09-14T09:15:00.002+01:00

SUMMER HORROR DAY PRIZE PORTRAIT-Colour version

2009-08-20T12:36:00.001+01:00

Colour copy for Hilary

SUMMER HORROR DAY PRIZE PORTRAIT

2009-08-20T09:28:00.004+01:00

Finished drawing (10cmx 15cm) in frame , ready for presentation...and BRAAAAAAAAAIIIINS!

The colour is a little off on this picture, but it turned out pretty good.

SUMMER HORROR DAY PRIZE PORTRAIT-final inks

2009-08-20T09:26:00.002+01:00

Final inks

SUMMER HORROR DAY PRIZE PORTRAIT-WIP3

2009-08-19T11:19:00.003+01:00

Rough inks second attempt

SUMMER HORROR DAY PRIZE PORTRAIT-WIP 2

2009-08-19T09:56:00.000+01:00

Rough inks

SUMMER HORROR DAY PRIZE PORTRAIT-WIP

2009-08-19T09:53:00.002+01:00

Rough pencils for Summer Horror Day prize

SUMMER HORROR DAY-finished images

2009-07-31T09:54:00.005+01:00

Final colour poster design for Leeds Roller Dolls event

Final grey scale flyer design for Leeds Roller Dolls event

SUMMER HORROR DAY-work in progress

2009-07-28T09:22:00.002+01:00

Finished inks with first layers of colour

POSTER SKETCHES

2009-07-26T11:39:00.005+01:00

Sketches/mock ups for Leeds Roller Dolls event

LEEDS ROLLER DOLLS

2009-07-22T09:26:00.006+01:00

THAT'S better!

Colour sketch for Hilary's Roller Derby team

LEEDS ROLLER DOLLS

2009-07-21T14:37:00.003+01:00

What the..? Why is she BLUE???

The colour balance seems to be off on Blogger's uploader-will sort it asap!

MONSTERS I HAVE MET - USA 2008

2009-07-08T11:35:00.006+01:00

Stephen, Chicago 08

Mindi, Chicago 08

Mattie, Miami 08

Belle, Las Vegas 08

ADORE

2009-07-08T11:34:00.006+01:00

One of Hilary's awesome pistol light paintings

PINK ROBO

2009-07-08T11:22:00.003+01:00

This guy is definately my favourite character, and keeps popping up in my stuff-this one is from '07, I think...

Tattoos and shoes

2009-07-08T10:17:00.005+01:00

Finally got the half sleeve finished last month by the ever amazing Fil (now at Physical Poetry in Leeds-drop by if you fancy some nice ink!)

It's healed up nicely, and I am already itching to get started on my right arm..!

I also added to my Mike Giant collection with these beauties:

Vans x Rebel 8 J Lay - super comfortable and just that little bit nerdy! (Thanks for the pic, Skatepark of Tampa!). Now to resist the temptation of wearing them with my Rebel 8 T's and Calavera shades...

Turning over a new leaf...we hope!

2009-07-08T09:16:00.004+01:00

Well, what a ridiculously long time since the last post!

Fingers crossed that should improve! I am now fairly regularly producing figure designs for tabletop and roleplaying gaming, so will post a selection of bits and bobs here as well as on my FLICKR pages.

I am also contributing to the onemonk.com monthly figure Hoard-a free paper mini fig pdf download by a number of different contributors. Check out the site in the links section!

Any other stuff that I am up to will also get an airing, as well as anything cool that takes my fancy!

Cheers,

A

Back in ACTION!

2008-10-31T15:01:00.004Z

Ahoy there!

Bit of a break as me and the lovely Hilary got married in August! It was an amazing day and she looked gorgeous. Everyone looked really smart-you did us proud!!

Been beavering away at a bunch of stuff-some card mini fig designs, some comic strips with the newly instated Mrs Steel, our halloween and Zombie Prom costumes, not to mention the terrible and unimaginably cold ordeal of having a new kitchen fitted!!

But enough of these things-bring on the art!

'BRAINSSSSSSSSS'

Kitesurf logo design

2008-06-15T12:50:00.004+01:00

Finished this off in April/May 2008-logo for Oz based kitesurfing clothing company, based on a traditional design:

Fujin wind god by OGATA KORIN (1658-1716)

Fab Cafe Liverpool Mural (2006)

2008-06-05T11:51:00.008+01:00

The Bar back

Details

This took a good few weekends to finish but I think it turned out pretty good! I was particulary pleased with how Catwoman and Boba Fett and the animated Joker turned out. Sadly, Fab Liverpool is no more, but Fab Leeds and Manchester are still going strong, packed full of pop culture goodness!

And now...

2007-08-17T15:30:00.003+01:00

At long last, here it is, finally getting around to posting the art stuff!!
Thanks for your patience!