2010

On December the 1st I opened the bedroom blinds and thought I'd woken up in Russia. Thick snow in London is rare, especially in early Dec. I spent the morning sketching onto the Cintiq, and then rendered up the final image. I don't normally work directly on the computer but it was far easier to look out of the window and study it directly. That's my little shed in the middle, looking bleak and cold. There's a few details I really like, the deserted birds nest now revealed in winter and the wandering bird prints on the roof.

This will be my last post in 2010 so I hope this image serves as a Xmas card of sorts (hope it's not too depressing!) Thanks to everyone who visited Ye Blogge this year. The start of 2011 begins in furious fashion so I hope to post sometime soon!

Happy New Year!




16 comments:

Keith and Aya said...

Oh! My goodness, that is lovely, and perhaps as unexpected as the snowfall was to you. Thank you for including your sketch work. I find that kind of peek-behind-the-curtain enormously informative. Would you be open to adding info about your media choices? The process for such masterful work is always fascinating.

TREVOR Simonsen said...

This looks so good. makes me want to live there!!!

Oscar Grillo said...

I see a similar thing through my window. Great painting!

Florent Sacré said...

Your work is awesome !!

Unknown said...

Beautiful!!

Matt Jones said...

I think I can see that pub we went to. . .

samacleod said...

Argh! So amazing, Love your work! Incredible.

Matthew Cruickshank said...

Ikeda Barry- The media was a Mac and Photoshop!
The process was a rough thumbnail and 28 cup's of tea.

Thanks Trevor, Oscar, Monica, Florent & Sam!

Alina- Did you meet Matt Jones? How was the experience?

Matt- The 6 fingered inhabitants of that pub often ask me what happened to their brother. I inform them that he now happily lives in San Fran.

The barmaid (who's your sister) also asked me to tell you she won the bare knuckle boxing match easily.

Sandra Brandstätter said...

it is a lovely picture. it gives me shivers because the colours look very cold and wintery.

alberto mielgo said...

!!!,

Man, I wish animation has this style.

limbolo said...

You're good y'know Crookie.

Artur Gorczyński said...

masterpiece

stefan marjoram said...

Wonderful painting - love all those warm greys in different shades. Thanks for posting the WIP shots too - I always find that interesting - and helpful too.

Ashley Boddy said...

Little did anyone know what the 18th of December would hold! Great piece. I love the way snow makes cities look, especially in that time before anyone has walked or driven in it and it's a crisp an white.

Jelter said...

nice design!

Brian Dunbar said...

Very striking.

When I first saw the image I was strongly reminded of Bruegel's 'The Hunters in the Snow'

So much so that I thought it was a deliberate interpretation of it. I mean that in a good way!