"Peter Pan" by JM Barrie

Another classic text that I have come close to illustrating on a number of occasions is Peter Pan, by JM Barrie.

Here are a couple of character studies I did in 1995 when a new illustrated version was being discussed.

I think my Peter is a bit lame, but I am really pleased with Captain Hook.

Arthur Rackham got some terrific imagery out of Barrie's Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens, but I suspect I would have found it all a wee bit soppy for my liking.

A wax and watercolour portrait of Pete Suart

Here's a portrait I did of Pete Suart, a friend from my student days in Brighton.

I used  wax crayons for the highlights before applying the blue watercolour washes.

I think this picture certainly reflects aspects of the subject's intensity.

Back in the 1980s, Pete was a terrific artist but he was also deeply involved with music.

When I last heard from him, Pete was living in Hong Kong where he was recording and performing very avant garde music.

It's great that after so many years, I am now getting back into life drawing and portraiture in a big way.

The Light Machine

I'm enjoying looking back at my very earliest illustration work.

Here is another one that also shows the influence of William Heath Robinson.

It shows that mischievous, and even cruel sense of humour that I occasionally let show through.

I could get away with it then as my technique was that bit more cartoonish.

I originally did this as a portfolio piece, but since then it has appeared in a calendar and on a book cover.

At some point I'd like to develop this kind of idea into a whole picture book. 

When will I ever fit it in?