It's been a while since I did any comic book style illustration, but this sort of superhero illustration was what I very first loved drawing when I was about 4 years old and started reading Superman comics that my parents would by me from the local newsagent so this was a real throwback for me!

Leave me a comment to let me know what you think of her and who you think I should draw next, thanks! -xXx-

Released: 1st December 2016
Length: 36 minutes
Available from: Professor Elemental's website

I first came across Professor Elemental somehow on YouTube six years ago as my Facebook's "On This Day" tells me.

I have no idea how I came across it, but The Prof's track "Fighting Trousers" was my (and I suspect many others') introduction to the world of Chap-Hop; hip-hop in the style of an old-fashioned English gent, and Elemental as one of it's more eccentric and best known proponents.

Steampunk doesn't have a specific musical style, but I can think of few artists more fitting to steampunk than live staple, Professor Elemental.​

In his pith-helmet and khaki explorer gear, Elemental's persona veers hilariously between experienced, knowledgeable guide to the strange world of his albums, and dangerously clueless halfwit.

There's a sense in his albums that science and adventuring is being done "properly" by others beyond the music, but that The Prof. didn't have the patience for all that nonsense (and they didn't want him in their club), so he grabbed a spanner, nicked some old broken parts and cobbled together his own airship.

​I was a fan immediately and several years, several live gigs, a few albums, a drawing or two and even once performing on-stage, dressed as a gentleman chimpanzee, with the man himself and here I am reviewing his latest album.

I'm having a Christmas sale!

Until Christmas, there's 25% off my Couples Vector Portrait Canvas Prints, meaning they start from just £67.50.

​Order yours here.

Be quick to get it in time for a Christmas present!

The latest additions to my shop are these cute animal Christmas cards.

I wanted to draw a cute Christmas cards that was a little simpler than my Coggingtons Christmas cards so I was thinking of cute animals. It was my wonderful girlfriend's idea to do a series of four cards that all fit together to make a cute whole image.

I only have a few minutes free, but I wanted to just mention a website that I have found interesting and helpful on my freelancing journey.

It is ​http://thenuschool.com/

Created by designers, it is a wealth of information particularly valuable to newer freelance illustrators and designers. They offer tutorials, newsletters, and advice, but I found their blog particularly interesting.

I love the way it's laid out, and the posts offer information on everything from finding new clients, to writing contracts, to blogging, to pricing strategies.
​
This last I think could be invaluable because they don't offer the kind  of advice on pricing that you've likely already found on the web (you know - those ones that basically tell you you have to ask the same questions you're already asking and coming up blank with), nuschool offer useful, brass tacks, actionable ideas on how to break up your work and price each piece of it.

Their writing is simple, down-to-earth, and relatable while also containing lots of nuggets of usefulness and, being created by designers, being really attractive too! I've been reading articles of theirs that are barely relevant to me, just because I enjoy reading their writing!

Really interestingly though, are their articles on things that might seem a little less obvious, such as managing your life/work balance and advice on how not to let your illustration career consume you.

The cherry on the top for me, were articles on things like self-promotion for introverts, and freelancing with depression. These are things that maybe wouldn't occur to a lot of websites as a valuable resource, but I think that for the right person, these articles could be a really boost and source of inspiration and a reminder that they can do this, and they are not completely wrong for trying.

​Check them out, if only just to enjoy the website design!

I did this illustration the other day, just because I liked the feminist leaning quote, and then I shared it on my Instagram and Facebook where it seemed to go down pretty well, so it's now available as a print in my shop!

It's just £6 + p&p.

What do you think of her?
Do you agree with the quote?

Drop me a comment and let me know.

A vector-style portrait commission where I was asked to draw the young lady using one photo as reference, and the young man using the other photo.

​Here's how the drawing progressed.

To commission your own, either email me, or order one from me on my Etsy shop.