Matchmaker...

So... three weeks and one survey later and the Witch has a name.

Thanks to everyone that voted. Flo was ahead by a few votes, followed by Lola and Fran.

I'm going away this weekend but People I Know will be back on Monday with three updates a week. I think People I Know is nearing it's 500th update which is crazy. I'm considering making a fancy book (with a spine) of my favourites and finally opening up the online shop. It's just working out what sort of stuff I do and don't include.

But that's a post for a later date.

Have an ace weekend!

Valentine's Story 2012 - Deleted Scenes

Hello!

So...after a few (three?) weeks, the Valentine's Day story of 2012 is over. Well, it concluded yesterday.

I'm really happy with it as a story and I hope you all enjoyed it. We got to see familiar faces in new positions, old friends that haven't been up to much and we also got to meet Jake the Cake! Hooray for Jake!

So...the story was meant to finish with yesterday's drawing.  However, as I was colouring it in, I felt like there were lots of extra bits and bobs that I had wanted to draw but couldn't as I was worried the story would feel too long. After a bit of thinking, I came up with this - some Deleted Scenes! For the remainder of the week, you'll see some short strips showing you all the extra bits that you didn't get to see. For example, today you get to see what Sally really thought of Toby and what the Witch got up to on her holiday.

It also means that I can reveal the name you chose for the Witch as part of Friday's drawing! That's exciting. Well...I think it's exciting.

What else? Well, I'm off to ATP this weekend which is my first big music festival. I'm a bit nervous so I hope it's fun. I'm making another diary comic about the time I went to Manchester. Maybe I'll make one about my time at ATP? I'm sure there is other stuff too but I can't think what...

Oh! And I was at London Super Comic Con last last weekend! That was a thing. In fact, it was pretty good fun. It was a whole new audience for People I Know and I had a nice chat with some cool people. Plus I saw the back of Stan Lee's head! In real life! Yeah! My next convention will be Comica in April.

I hope you're well! Have a lovely day!

Witch Alert!

So...in today's drawing, the Matchmaking Witch has decided to go on holiday. Don't worry! Someone will take over her Matchmaking business and she'll be back soon enough... but until then, I had a thought!

I was going to give the Witch a name at some point but now I've decided to let you lot get involved too. HOORAY!

If you've got an idea for a short and sassy name for the Witch, please go and leave a comment on this comic. I'll select my favourites in a few days and put them up in a poll. Then, we can all vote for your favourite name and that will be revealed when the Witch returns. Spoilers: She comes back from holiday at some point.

Remember: short and sassy! Short because it saves space and sassy because she's a sassy gal. Her tears today were just because of her inability to find a date for Toby...

IN OTHER NEWS: I hope you're enjoying the Valentine's Matchmaking Story! The twist in the storyline begins tomorrow! TWISTY!!!!

UPDATE! Voting is closed. The witch's name is revealed here!

Valentine's 2012 - Matchmaking Like Crazy!

Don't freak out or anything...but it's Valentine's Day tomorrow. If I could plan my life better, I'd probably be going on a super romantic adventure or something. Not really - organising dates is tricky and talking to people you like is hard! But that's not what this blog is for.

Remember last year's Valentine's Day story? I was really happy with it and I wanted to do somethine similar (but better) this year. My main brief was that it had to tie in with something that was already happening within People I Know - which ruled out the randomness of last year. With this in mind, I've been building towards this year's Valentine's Day story for a few weeks using the Matchmaker storyline.

For the next two weeks, I'm uploading a new part of the story from Monday to Friday. After those two weeks, the story continues on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The week after that...well...WHO KNOWS? Hahaha - I know! You'll have to find out.

Another brief I had - one that I've been working on for the last year in general - was to make the most of existing characters instead of creating lots of new ones. So I'm happy to say that you'll see a few familiar faces that I feel I've been neglecting. Well, three familiar faces. I hope you'll see more of them one day.

So yeah - that's what is going on over the next three weeks! I really hope you enjoy the story! And I also hope you have a nice Valentine's Day.

Angela Lansbury Week 2011 - Day Two

What the what?! It's Day Two of Angela Lansbury Week 2011?! When did that happen? Today's drawing by me is about how Angela Lansbury's character in Bedknobs and Broomsticks doesn't look like a traditional witch. And if you thought the one with brown hair was me in drag...well, good. That's what you were meant to think. But enough about me. I hope you're enjoying Angela Lansbury Week so far. Here's the next batch of brilliant beauties! I hope you like them.

What’s that? Up there! In outer space!!? Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It’s Angela Lansbury… IN SPACE!!!! This galactic beauty was created by Joe who I was lucky enough to sit behind at this year’s Thought Bubble. Although I can’t say for sure whether Angela has been to space – on film or in real life. I bet she could if she wanted to though. And there’s been so many episodes of Murder, She Wrote that there must have been one set in space…right? Also, I think this might have been my first submission for Angela Lansbury Week 2011. Excellent work, Joe! YAY FOR YOU!

MRS ‘ARRIS ALERT!!! MRS ‘ARRIS ALERT!!! It’s that time of the day when we all go on a money-saving montage! What’s that? You don’t get the joke? Well, that’s because you haven’t seen the brilliant Angela Lansbury classic, Mrs ‘Arris Goes To Paris. Well, Lizz has seen it and she even decided to draw it for Angela Lansbury Week! HOORAY! Lizz has done a great job with capturing Mrs ‘Arris’ sweet nature along with her steely determination. And the hat! Oh the hat! A thing of beauty! Thanks Lizz!

One of my favourite things about going to conventions is meeting nice and interesting people. People like Martin – the kind soul who drew this super cute Lansbury. It’s such a cute drawing, I’ll even overlook the misspelling of her surname. In fact, Martin, gets bonus points for including a copy of People I Know in his drawing! Take note everyone! Thanks Martin!

If you’ve met me in person then you’ve probably heard me talk about two things: how great I think Angela Lansbury is and how much I wish I could grow a proper beard. Well, let me tell you – Rembrand doesn’t wish he could grow a proper beard…because he already has an impressive one (with a curly moustache!). This isn’t Angela Lansbury-related, I just wanted to put that out there before I start talking about how brilliant (but slightly disturbing) his drawing of Mrs Potts is. So wrong but so right. Thanks Rembrand!

One of the things I really like about doing these themed weeks is when people I know ask their pals (who I don’t know) to get involved. So, I’m very happy to introduce this drawing by Richard – a friend of some friends. The only bad news is that because we’ve never actually met, I can’t tell you any personal stories about him. Sorry. Instead, I’d like to draw your attention to the ever-present Jessica Fletcher trademarks – necklace, hair and typewriter. Clearly Richard know his Murder, She Wrote. Although obviously Angela later upgraded to a computer in the later series. Unless I just imagined that? Either way, thanks Richard!

I know I keep going on about how many amazing roles Angela Lansbury has played in her career and how some people only relate her to certain ones… but that clearly isn’t a problem for Andrew! As you can tell from the incredible drawing above, Andrew decided to draw the terrifying Great Aunt Adelaide from Nanny McPhee. You might have seen the film and totally not realised it was Angela, and that’s fine. But if you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it as it’s good fun. Thanks for this Andrew (I don’t know why I’m calling you Andrew though. It seems so formal. Thanks Andy!!!)

I asked a bunch of people from work to take part in Angela Lansbury Week… Mainly to be polite. But also because I suspect that some of them are hiding artistic talents. So I was thrilled that lovely Mia sent in this technicolour beauty. She has chosen to depict Eglantine Price – the apprentice witch from Bedknobs and Broomsticks. I haven’t watched it in a while but I know I have the DVD somewhere. Mia’s brilliant drawing has really made me want to watch it again. Thanks Mia!

Jessica Fletcher is one of the most iconic character in television history. Seriously. Stop looking at me like that. Murder, She Wrote is a brilliant show (except for the series where she just narrated a story) and Jessica is a great character. You know who else is great? Matt – the hideously cool guy who sent in this drawing. What I really like about this one is the detail in her outfit. The scarf! The sensible shoes! The pleated skirt! I doubt Jessica ever wore a robot brooch – but she’s got one here! Thanks Matt!

 And thusly, we come to the end of Day Two of Angela Lansbury Week! I hope you enjoyed all the hard work people put into their submissions! I'm blown away - and we're not even halfway through yet. Urnk!

Halloween Time

Here is a drawing of some of my characters dressed as people from Adventure Time - one of the best things ever! If you haven't watched it then you really should...