Quick update - Illustration

 Hola Hello!

What have I been up to since Easter? A few bits n bobs including a 9 day holiday in the south of Spain and starting to practice with some more traditional art techniques.

There will be a few changes in the coming months but until my busy caricature season is over here's a little peek at what I've been doing...

 Just getting in some basics before breaking some rules... in the meantime if you have some illustration work you need in this style feel free to drop me a line.

- Mikey

For all your illustration, character design/concepts and caricature needs drop me a line: mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk

Birmingham based illustrator, character designer and caricaturist

Twitter: www.theartyone.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theartyone

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheArtyONE

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theartyone_co_uk/

An update on my caricature work over Easter

 Hola Hello!

Shh... don't look now BUT... the sun seems to be out more!

Sounds like an ideal time to go out somewhere during the Easter holidays... like... say... the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation park!

Along with my illustration work I also do caricature work (commissions, events, etc) of which you can find out more at my caricature site: www.theartyone.co.uk/caricatures 

Often what I do is for private bookings but on occasion I'll do festivals, fun days and as with this Easter: I'll be at the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation park offering my caricature services to the visitors there.

 In addition to drawing caricatures of people with their fave animals I'll also be doing an Animal Art Print hunt each day where I hide an Animal Art Print I have made somewhere in the park and visitors can go hunting and finding them. The winners can keep the print as a FREE memento of their day at the park.

  

Week one of Easter holidays will feature these two prints for you to find.

There will be a total of four prints and I'll update you on the second week's 2 animal prints soon.

Hope to see you at the park and Happy hunting!

- Mikey

For all your illustration, character design/concepts and caricature needs drop me a line: mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk

Birmingham based illustrator, character designer and caricaturist

Twitter: www.theartyone.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theartyone

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheArtyONE

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theartyone_co_uk/

"Table for 1..2.. party of 20.. EVERYONE!"

 Hola, Hello!

November last year I produced some promotional illustration work for Waters Restaurant to promote the variety of people and the friendly atmosphere at the Restaurant. 

Below is the final image. It's currently being used on their Facebook page and their website homepage and there was talk of using it as a picture in the restaurant itself and on menus.

 

If you're looking for some artwork for your company please drop me a line at the email below.

- Mikey

For all your illustration, character design/concepts and caricature needs drop me a line: mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk

Birmingham based illustrator, character designer and caricaturist

Twitter: www.theartyone.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theartyone

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheArtyONE

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theartyone_co_uk/

 Hola hello,

I hope you had a good Christmas and New Year (for those who don't celebrate either - I hope you managed some much needed rest during the holidays as 2016 was a rough year).

So I had lots happening in 2016. Moving house a few times (once as my home was being sold and another to move in to a place together with my girlfriend), busy with lots of caricature bookings and commissions (some caricatures and some my illustration work).

2017 has started off a little slow as I finish a commission (hoping to upload images of this in the next update), catching up on emails and admin and I still need to organise my 2017 with some new and exciting ideas. ...then there's yet ANOTHER MOVE! This time to a mold and damp free home (we hope).

So to break the "radio silence" I thought I'd give you a little tease of what I'm planning for 2017:

Stay tuned and subscribe for more updates soon. Happy 2017!

- Mikey

For all your illustration, character design/concepts and caricature needs drop me a line: mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk

Birmingham based illustrator, character designer and caricaturist

Twitter: www.theartyone.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theartyone

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheArtyONE

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theartyone_co_uk/

TheArtyONE! does #Inktober 2016

 Hola Hello!

I hope you're all well.

It's that time of year again! Yes - Inktober is back!

Once again I'll be taking part in Inktober and you will see an inked drawing everyday from October 1st until October 31st. 

I'm sure our new kittens, Tarth and Pod, will
provide much inspiration for Inktober.

If you want to see what I did last year then click HERE

 If you want to follow what I'm doing then follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

- Mikey 

For all your illustration, character design/concepts and caricature needs drop me a line: mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk

Birmingham based illustrator, character designer and caricaturist

Website: www.theartyone.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/theartyone

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheArtyONE

Instagram: www.instagram.com/theartyone_co_uk/

Panda Love

 Hola Hello!

A quick little update on a little watercolour sketch I did yesterday based on the two Red Pandas at the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park. They recently got a second Red Panda and it seems romance is blooming already.

D'awww...

The original painting has already found a new home but I am thinking of making some limited edition prints of this picture (minus the watermark of course). Drop me a line if you're interested.

For all your illustration, character design/concepts and caricature needs drop me a line: mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk

Mikey
Birmingham based illustrator, character designer and caricaturist

Halloween's a coming - who you gonna call?

 Hola Hello!

So as I'm catching up on my final few Inktober drawing for Inktober2015 I decided to make a video of me inking one.

 Enjoy!

If you want to see my other Inktober drawings go visit either my Facebook Page or my Instagram. I've also posted them on my Twitter.

For all your illustration, character design/concepts and caricature needs drop me a line: mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk

Mikey
Birmingham based illustrator, character designer and caricaturist

#Inktober Day One (Dia Uno)

 Hola Hello!

I am taking part in #Inktober in which I produce an illustration a day in pen or brush or both.

Below is from Day One...

For all your illustration, character design/concepts and caricature needs drop me a line: mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk

Mikey
Birmingham based illustrator, character designer and caricaturist

The craaaazy jazz, man, craaaazy.....

Beatniks!

"Bless you"

No really - they're a thing... well they were... well... maybe they are again thanks to the current hipster trend. 

I'd seen the 'look' before but when I was asked to draw some "Beatniks" for a gallery of jazz themed artwork at the back of a friends re-published comic book I was confused as to what I was asked to draw.

Some research later and I find it's a group of people who dressed a certain way and were "...a media stereotype prevalent throughout the 1950s to mid-1960s that displayed the more superficial aspects of the Beat Generation literary movement of the 1950s." Thanks Google, old friend!

So below is the final image and as I like cats - I threw some in for fun. Cats and Beatniks go well together, don't you think?

Image Watermarked as there's a new wave of art thieving ******** out there - GRR!

I enjoyed drawing this and can't help but think these characters could become a comic book in themselves.

Looking to get your band drawn like this for an album cover or for promotional material? Drop me a line! mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk

For all your illustration, character design/concepts and caricature needs drop me a line: mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk

Mikey
Birmingham based illustrator, character designer and caricaturist

The Walking Wed

Hola hello!

I hope all you awesome people out there are well ...and not dying in the heat (although the current heatwave has subsided now it seems).

Speaking of dying.... do you like Zombies? Who doesn't like zombies? They're so cute!

A recent commission I was asked to do was a little different. Not so caricatured but stylised in a comic book way with the theme of 

The Bride to be wanted a customised comic book style picture of her and her hubby sporting weapons of characters from the TV series and to be surrounded by zombies. Below is the final result...

I have to watermark my artwork now as there are thieves out there stealing my artwork to sell for themselves - please note that any artwork I do for you will not be watermarked when you receive it.

I really enjoyed working on this commission. If you are after a zombie themed or other tv series themed picture of yourself, your friends or family or even someone at work - drop me a line caricatures@theartyone.co.uk

For all your illustration, character design/concepts and caricature needs drop me a line: mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk

Mikey
Birmingham based illustrator, character designer and caricaturist

Going Ol' Skool on book illustrations

 Hola Hello!

I was recently commissioned to illustrate a short book on Choosing a good school. This was with Martin Blissett who has himself been in education for many years.

This is a guide for parents to not only know what to look for when looking for a school for their children but also what parents should expect from schools.

One of the illustrations from the book.

 Of course if you're going to talk about schools and it's subjects like... oh I don't know... ART maybe? Then why not draw someONE  of The Arty type as a teacher.

Another internal illustration - now why does that teacher seem familiar?

Seems I am getting more book illustration work coming in including a children's book - so stay tuned for some updates on this in the coming months.

For all your illustration, character design/concepts and caricature needs drop me a line: mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk

Mikey
Birmingham based illustrator, character designer and caricaturist

#PeopleSketching #TheArtyONE

 Hola hello!

I hope you're well.

I thought I'd give you awesome people a little insight into a little side project of mine.

#PeopleSketching

Inspired by a cartoonist in America I've started doing #PeopleSketching whenever I get the chance and where ever I go. This is a side project to get in touch with some traditional art media like paints and coloured pencils and even markers (okay markers aren't traditional arts media - put if used right they can have a similar method as watercolours).

A couple of quick sketches on a bus

My aim is to work out some new ways to produce illustration work and caricatures (both live and commissions) work.

It's fun to take people I see and turn them into some character... most of the time the people I see are a bit of a character already.

While drinking coffee in Gibralter

If you're interested in my little experiments and People Sketching I upload these to my Instagram which I use a little like an online sketchbook. You're welcome to follow me.

For all your illustration, character design/concepts and caricature needs drop me a line: mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk

Mikey
Birmingham based illustrator, character designer and caricaturist

Caricatures

 Hola Hello!

I hope you're all well.

Just a reminder that should you be coming here for caricature updates you can find them here at my caricature specific website:

www.theartyone.co.uk/caricatures

...but as a treat before you go - here's a caricature I did recently as a commission for a medical student leaving the Cancer Research labs...

For all your illustration, character design/concepts and caricature needs drop me a line: mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk

Mikey
Birmingham based illustrator, character designer and caricaturist

Caricatures website update

Hello-Hola!

I hope you wonderful people are fit and well.

If you don't already know part of the work I do is caricatures. There's a link in the menus above that will take you to my caricatures website or you can visit it straight from here: www.theartyone.co.uk/caricatures

This is just a quick update on the NEW and IMPROVED TheArtyONE! - Caricatures website

Look at my pretty face.... LOOK at it! It's so pretty.

Updates on my caricature work will be mostly on that site's front page with only a few updates on this website. If you're interested in my caricature updates and/or any promotional offers on my services or caricature services updates feel free to subscribe via the bottom of the Caricature site homepage feed.

Have fun!

For all your illustration, character design/concepts and caricature needs drop me a line: mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk

Mikey
Birmingham based illustrator, character designer and caricaturist

Married Superheroes to save the day!

I was recently commissioned to produce a cartoon portrait of a married couple who were married a year ago with a Superhero themed wedding.

This is the 1 year anniversary present ...and it was fun to do!

If you want to have a comic cover recreation make of your favourite superheroes - drop me an email.



For all your illustration, character design/concepts for branding, films, animation, and caricature needs drop me a line: mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk
Mikey
Birmingham based illustrator, cartoonist, character/concept designer and caricaturist.

Character design updates

Hi there!

I've recently added some new examples to my character design section of my website.

Visit my character design section of my website (or click here if you're feeling a little lazy) to browse through my latest work on character design. Some for small films, some for branding, some for comic books. Next time I get a little spare time I will divide the examples up further and add "branding" and "film/animation" sections to help you navigate to more specific areas.

Until then - enjoy your look around.



For all your illustration, character design/concepts for branding, films, animation, and caricature needs drop me a line: mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk
Mikey
Birmingham based illustrator, cartoonist, character/concept designer and caricaturist.

TheArtyONE! Bears All!

Get your minds out the gutters! Not THAT kind of bare ...but a grizzly bear.

Last year I was commissioned to design a bear for a dentist surgery in Kenilworth in Warwickshire. This is to help the surgery to interact with children more, make the dentist surgery a none scary day by having activity days for the children and to encourage kids to understand the importance of teeth care.

Below is "Pennington Bear" - the mascot for the children side of the surgery.

This was a welcome break from my usual caricature work and it was fun to work with the surgery on defining their iconic bear. 



For all your illustration, character design/concepts for branding, films, animation, and caricature needs drop me a line: mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk
Mikey
Birmingham based illustrator and caricaturist

Pet Portraits

Hello there!

I'm no stranger to the odd Pet Portrait be they caricatured or more detailed/realistic. Below is a commission I did last year...

The final image.

Printed onto canvas (photo courtesy of client)

As you can see above my client wanted it to be printed on canvas (I have a canvas supplier who does good prints at good prices).

 
For all your illustration and caricature needs drop me a line: mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk
Mikey
Birmingham based illustrator and caricaturist

Gettin' ma paint on!

Howdy folks!

I've recently been reminded, by a French cartoonist I like, just how much fun watercolours are to use. Watercolours are a medium I've been meaning to get back in touch with (as currently I draw by hand and colour on a PC) and recently I finally got the push/inspiration to start.

I'm hoping to start adding painted artwork to my list of services but practice only comes between commissioned jobs I get. Still... a little here, a little there...

Below are some examples of sketches I've managed to do...

A cartoon sketch of a pensive me.

A couple at Gibraltar airport - a Hipster guy and his fashion concious lady

More Gibraltar airport quick sketches

A random google image search for a man's face photo (just as something to practice on)

No idea.... just made this one up.

I have an Instagram and a Pinterest with my "behind the scenes" sketches and experiments should you be interested.



For all your illustration, character design/consepts and caricature needs drop me a line: mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk

Mikey
Birmingham based illustrator, character designer and caricaturist

Caricatures update.

Greetings one and all,

I hope the cold, snow and wind isn't troubling you too much. Just a quick update on some recent caricature work I done.

Below is a Christmas Present Gift I did last year for someone. The guy in the picture commissioned me to do this for the lady in the picture and he told me after she loved it!

"Dude, Gotta say, Kim loved it , thank you sooooo much!"

For all your illustration and caricature needs drop me a line: mikeyb@theartyone.co.uk
Mikey
Birmingham based illustrator and caricaturist