Illustration Friday : Imagination

This week's Illustration Friday theme is "imagination". When it comes to imagination you can't beat the imagination of a little girl (or her cat) when something goes bump in the night....

"What was that noise?!"

Check out www.illustrationfriday.com for more artwork depicting this theme.

Illustration Friday : Identical

It has been FAR too long since I have submitted an illustration for Illustration Friday. I've been busy prancing about Rome, watching the Olympics and complaining about the lack of sunshine in Glasgow! The theme this week was identical. I toyed with the idea of doing Jedward (no, I really did), but then thought two of them is enough in this world. It would be unfair to unleash a second set on the world so I went for this....self explanatory I hope.

#artideas - How to Make a 3D Spider Web

My friends at Articulate Gallery recently asked me some #artideas for their new blog showing folk the endless possibilities that can be displayed in their 3D frames. This is a really fun idea for those aged 5-9...or 26 in my case.

As I grew up watching BBC Blue Peter, this was a dream come true. I created a 3D spider web complete with dangling spider.

Here are the steps you need to make draw the spider:

What you will need: a marker pen (Sharpie is my preference, but any good waterproof marker will do) and some card (I've used the inside of a cornflakes box)

Use your black marker to draw this onto the card. First draw 2 circles for eyes and 2 dots inside the eyes. These dots show where the spider is looking which should be up at his dinner.

Next draw an oval for the body. Make sure the eyes in the upper half of the oval so you have room to put the mouth in.






Now, draw the 8 legs. 4 on each side. Start in the middle and work your way up and round.

Finally give your spider a mouth. I made my spider happy because he has lots of bugs to eat for his dinner. This is simply a stretched out U shape, with another U shape underneath. As for the tounge its an upside down U shape.


To find out how to make the rest click HERE to go the Articulate Gallery blog.

Tip Tap Flat : A View of Glasgow - Book OUT NOW

The rumours are true - I have been published in a book and I am chuffed to bits!

The book is called Tip Tap Flat: A View of Glasgow and has been published by Freight.

Last year, when I was studying comic illustration at Glasgow School of Art, Louise Welsh asked for submissions for a book about the city of Glasgow. She was looking for poems, short stories and illustrations. As a lover of Glasgow AND an illustrator - I jumped at the chance. My contribution to the book is a 3 page comic about the Duke of Wellington. This statue has become the most recognised landmark in Glasgow since it was "coned". Everytime I walk past the statue sporting a traffic cone for a hat it makes me laugh. I can't help but wonder how did someone get that all the way up there?!

Here is what the book looks like....


And here is what my 3 page comic looks like...

I'm really proud to be a part of this unique depiction of Glasgow. The book really is worth picking up if you have lived in, worked in or visited Glasgow. If you want to buy the book it is availabe from Amazon, Waterstones and various other outlets. (I'm on page 82 if you do)

For more of my work please go to www.karentoons.co.uk

Illustration Friday - SPACE

This week's illustration friday theme is....SPACE! So I went all intergalactic! This illustration was actually a submission for a brilliant mentoring scheme run by Picture Hooks. As expected the standard of entries was incredibly high. I wasn't selected, but today I got incredible feedback from the board of professional judges. I've never felt more motivated!

Hope you like my pic - love to hear your thoughts as always. If you want to see more entries for other artists jump to the illustration friday site.

Illustration Friday - Secret

It's no secret that there's a monster sleeping under her bed. As I have explained before in my blog - monsters are rubbish at hiding.

This was an idea I had a while ago, but revamped for the Illustration Friday theme of "secret". You can check out lots of talented interpretations from other illustrators here.

Illustration Friday: Faded / Diamond Jubilee

The celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee kicks off this weekend in the UK. To mark the occasion (when in Rome etc) I have illustrated what I imagine the royal corgis to be getting up to during the celebrations!

Rather than the traditional Union Jack colours, I have chosen to use faded colours on the flag. I hope this allows the flag to act as a background and to draw attention to the corgi.

I've rushed this a bit, but I'm happy with it. I've always wanted an excuse to draw Dame Edna type glasses!!

Happy Diamond Jubilee to those of you celebrating and to rest enjoy the extra day off.

Illustration Friday - Sight

"A watched kettle never boils"

It has been far too long since I have submitted something for Illustration Friday so here is my interpretation of "sight".

Illustration Friday: Return

Return Home Kiss

This illustration was inspired by the iconic photograph taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt of V-J Day in Times Square (August 14, 1945) which featured in Life Magazine. Apparently the sailor celebrated the news by running down the street grabbing and kissing every girl in sight! Hello Sailor! This is one of my favourite photographs as it captured the moment beautifully. I have played with the pose to make it look a little less spontaneous, but to keep the romance.

Illustration Friday - Shades / Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers who love ALL their children equally no matter what - especially my own fantastic mum!!

This image was partly inspired by this week's Illustration Friday theme of shades which I took to mean sun-shades (do people still call them that??)