Real Life: Wrap Up Warm

Hello! It's Friday - which means I've got a weekend of drawing to look forward to! Hooray! Except I have exciting things planned like getting a haircut and going to a birthday party! And I might even visit a jumble sale on Sunday! Wowsers! Check me out and all the crazy stuff I get up to. If I was any wilder, Ke$ha would be worried about her position as the #1 Wild Person on the Planet.

IN OTHER NEWS: I am really proud of this drawing. It features a rap, for goodness sake! I highly recommend doing the rap whenever you're bored - it's good fun. Maybe try out some sassy moves whilst rapping? Yeah! Give it some attitude! And let me know how it goes...

Also, this drawing might look a little different than usual since I'm using a new pen! It's a fountain pen with a proper nib recommended by the lovely Dan Berry.  I was getting really fed up since the pens I was using, although cheap, had a nasty habit of getting wonky nibs - which meant the lines kept changing size on how you held them. I just want a nice constant line. And this fancy pen does that. And it makes me feel like a grown up. I'm still getting used to it though so I'm sorry for any wobbly lines.

Actually, I'm not sorry! I just uploaded a rap! You should all write raps too! We can be rap twins.

Jessica Fletcher Week 2010: Day Three

It's Wednesday. It's Jessica Fletcher Week 2010. There are wizards. It can only mean one thing! Yes - it's Wizarding Wednesday and Jessica Fletcher Week at the same time! I bet you were worried about how the two would come together - but look! It turned out alright in the end, right? I hope it did! I love Wizards! I love Jessica Fletcher. I hope they can all get along...

Whatever. Enough about me. Prepare yourself for some more brilliant eye-treats!

First up - we've got this saucy drawing by Rob. Rob used to have long hair. Now he doesn't. It was like a magic trick or something. Speaking of magic - look at the Jessica Fletcher (and Magnum PI) that Rob has drawn! I always knew Jessica was a saucy minx but OMG. She's really going for it in this picture. In case you're confused about why the two of them are together, the two shows had a CROSSOVER!!! Amazing! You should watch it. And then swoon about how dreamy everyone is...

Next up - it's Mike! I met Mike at Comiket a few months ago and told him that he looked like someone I know called Mikey. And it turned out his name was Mike! Spooky, eh? But not as spooky as this drawing of Jessica Fletcher! She looks like she's going to solve some spooky murders using her magnifying glass. I'd quite like to see Jessica solve some paranormal cases. Has she ever done that before? I saw an episode of CSI: Miami recently where one of them could talk to ghosts. And what's good enough for CSI: Miami, is good enough for Murder, She Wrote.

Speaking of saucy and spooky, how brilliant is this?! Clearly, the talented and charming Joe Decie and I can agree that Jessica Fletcher is super hot stuff. I especially like her eyebrows in this drawing. And her smirk. That is a very saucy smirk. Jessica to about to say something either very sexy - or she's just seen a dreamboat and she's about to chat him up. Oh! Or maybe she's midway through writing an erotic novel? I mean, writing murder mysteries all the time must get pretty dull, no? Either way - thanks Joe!

So - a little change of pace for Jessica Fletcher Week right now - it's our first poem! This lovely submission was sent in by John. John came to visit me at Thought Bubble with his pals. He has a beard. I don't. It was slightly awkward. But it all worked out fine in the end because we've got this brilliant poem to read. Phew. John also referenced  Miss Marple - who is a brilliant lady detective. Not as good as Jessica Fletcher, but still... Anyways, thank you very much John! I'm sorry that I don't have a beard...but then again, neither does Jessica Fletcher.

Look into my eyes. Look deep into my eyes. You are feeling a lot of love for Jessica Fletcher. I know I am! This hypnotic Jessica Fletcher was sent in by Rob - another gent who attended Thought Bubble. Rob has done an amazing job with this Jessica - especially with the colouring and the background. Also, check out that coat. If that's not a crime-solving coat, then I don't know what is. Great work!

So, we've got a fair few Jessicas from locations around Great Britain - now look at this Jessica, winging it to us from Spain! You might remember that the first ever Jessica was drawn by Juan? Well, he asked some of his pals to get involved - one of them being Juanjo! How amazing! I really like Jessica's happyface whilst she types away. Look at her go. And check out that blouse! What a stunner. I think we can all agree that this typewriter/blouse combo is going to be a big trend next Summer.

Also, I asked Juan to tell me some additional facts about Juanjo and here is what I learnt:
He has a goatee! He is proper drawer! He makes this cute comic! But be warned! There's a bit of no-clothes-action in it! Oh - and Jessica is singing the Murder, She Wrote theme tune (in Spanish). Thank you very much for the drawing, Juanjo!

There's something going on with this next Jessica...but I can't put my finger on it. Drawn by Rob (that's three Robs in one day!) from the Manchester Comix Collective, we can see Jessica Fletcher leaving what looks like a gentleman's toilet! But everything else seems perfectly normal. She's got her hairdo in place. Her crime-solving coat is doing the business. She's holding her magnifying gla-- hang on a minute! That ain't no magnifying glass!

Next up - we've got this lovely Jessica Fletcher sent in by Kyle. Kyle is a sculpty/drawy guy who I met at the Birmingham Zine Festival. Look at the Jessica he sent along - it's a brilliant mix of sweetness and sinisterness. Is that a word? Well, you know what I mean - you've got a very charming Jessica Fletcher but there are blood spatters and she's confessing to murder. In my mind, the only thing that Jessica will ever confess to is being in love with Dr. Mark Sloan from Diagnosis: Murder...

What do we have here? Why, it's a puntastic submission by Ben! Ben came along to Thought Bubble too. He didn't tease me about my no-beard though. Phew. Here we have Jessica solving mysteries from long ago. I'm not sure whether Ben is implying that Jessica is super old or in possession of a time machine - but either way, it's a great drawing. I really like the caveman's face - he looks so confused but you just know he's thinking "PHWOAR! She's a saucy lady." I imagine she's just thinking "Another murder to solve! Yippee!" Maybe we'll never know. Regardless - thank you very much Ben!

Do not adjust your monitor. This may look like one of my drawings from last year... but it is actually a submission from the lovely Clark - one of the ace people behind Thought Bubble! Clark was nice enough to take part in that Draw A Monster thing I did in the Summer. And now he's taking part in Jessica Fletcher Week! What a nice guy! Speaking of nice - if you've never been to Thought Bubble then promise me you'll book a ticket for the next one. It's an amazing comic festival in Leeds. I went for the first time this year and had a brilliant time. But that's praise best saved for a different blog post. Thanks for the drawing Clark! And for Thought Bubble!

Magnifying glass? Check! Coat? Check! Sassy hair? Check! According to my three-point test, we are looking at Jessica Fletcher - as drawn by the delightful Hannah! Hannah is super sassy and she even sent in a Jessica Fletcher last year! Hannah and I used to work together but I haven't seen her in ages. I bet she's still  super lovely though. Thank you very much Hannah!

Wow. After a mammoth number of Fletchers, we're ending with John Allison! We've got a framed picture of a very noble-looking Jessica Fletcher - Cabot Cove's resident murder mystery writer/detective of my dreams. I really like the fact that Jessica is wearing an orange scarf in this drawing - not only because I like orange clothes in drawings, but also because it hides her spooky neck. Also - a scarf is a very practical item of clothing when it's cold (it snowed today!) and Jessica is all about practical clothing. And solving murders. And being ace. Mega thanks John! I will get you a nice bar of chocolate one day.

So...that's Day Three of Jessica Fletcher Week 2010 done. Obviously I hope you've enjoyed it and are dazzled by all the amazing submissions. Day Four and Five will have just as many brilliant Jessica Fletchers though - so don't worry. I've even received a haiku! Mega thanks to everyone who has sent in a Jessica Fletcher - I really appreciate them and all the hard work that has gone into them. One day, I'll pay you back...

Jessica Fletcher Week 2010: Day Two

Oh. Em. Gee! It's Day Two of Jessica Fletcher Week 2010!!! It was amazing to see people retweeting about the first day and that's totally down to all the amazing drawings people sent in. And if you were worried you'd be disappointed with Day Two then SHAME ON YOU! Prepare yourself for some more excellent drawings of everyone's favourite Cabot Cove dame...

First up - it's Henki from Airside Japan! Henki is a proper designer who makes proper and popular things. You would totally recognise some of his t-shirts in particular. He is also a swell guy who is now living in Japan. But even though he's far away, he still found time to draw this incredible Jessica! Look at how cute she is! This was one of the first submissions that was sent in and I've had a really hard time keeping it under wraps. Thanks Henki!

Those wide eyes! The funny chin! That lovely hair. Why, it could only be Jessica Fletcher as drawn by the lovely Michelle. I think Michelle did a particularly ace job with the hair - it's spot on. And if you look at Jessica Fletcher's real hair, it's actually pretty bizarre. I get around this by giving her generic lady-hair but Michelle totally went for it. Good work Michelle!

Uh oh - Jessica Fletcher is coming to town! Quick, look busy! This drawing came from Balnek who I met a while ago on a course about things. I like the fact that Jessica appears to be walking to her next location - I'm sure I heard once that Jessica never drove herself anywhere because it meant she could catch rides with people and get the gossip. What a smart lady she is. Thanks Balnek!

Any time I see a lady with a magnifying glass, I assume she's either Jessica Fletcher or she wishes she was Jessica Fletcher. And I'm pretty sure we can all agree that the lady with the magnifying glass in the above picture is totally Jessica Fletcher - as drawn by the lovely Ben. People from last year might remember that Ben sent in a drawing last time too! I haven't seen him much this year, but I bet he's still ace. Thanks for a brilliant drawing Ben! Also, is it just me or is this Jessica totally giving us sexy eyes?

CUTE ALERT! We have a cute situation on our hands! This lovely drawing was sent in by someone who goes by the name Gotenkslovesme. I like the fact that this Jessica is wearing a typical Jessica outfit - comfy sweater and sensible skirt. Those are ideal clothes for solving crime! Oh - and don't forget the book! That book probably contains clues!

Next up - it's Adam Cadwell! He made The Everyday! He's a proper drawer - you can tell because he can draw both hands AND feet! He is also a part of the Manchester Comix Collective who you'll be seeing much more of this week! Adam has depicted Jessica Fletcher as someone driven mad by all the murder she has witnessed/wrote - and to be fair, he could be right. I mean, she's seen more murder than most people have had hot dinners. Poor, sweet Jessica. Excellent work Adam!

As well as magnifying glasses, typewriters always make me think of Jessica Fletcher. I mean, who can resist singing the Murder, She Wrote theme tune whenever they sit in front of a typewriter? Or a computer? Or anything really? This Jessica Fletcher was sent in by Graham who you may know from Private Study. His drawing is all about the typewriter - and who can blame him? Not me! Good work Graham!

Uh oh - another magnifying glass. Awkward! Actually - no it isn't! It's just a lovely drawing sent in by Xander! He was smart enough to include the other Jessica Fletcher prop: the mystery hat that she wears in press photos but doesn't really use in the actual show. If you ask me, the real mystery in Murder, She Wrote is what is going on with Jessica and that hat. Why hide such lovely hair? We may never know - but thanks Xander!

Next up - it's a saucy drawing from one of the swellest dames on Twitter - Wendy Roby! Yes - this Jessica drawing is a saucefest. There are boobs! She's got some plonk on the go! And her poor typewriter lies unused under the Rococo bed. Oh Jessica - what happened to you? The murders won't get solved if you don't put any knickers on! And you aren't even doing any writing! You really are a dictaphoney!!! Boo hoo hoo!

Goodness. Day Two of Jessica Fletcher Week 2010 is just turning into a props fest. This Jessica Fletcher was sent in by Internet-whizz Andy - who you may remember from that time he drew a monster in the Summer. Andy has gone for the lesser-known prop - the basket of doom. I don't remember which particular episode the basket appears in but it is totally something I could imagine Jessica having around the house. Great work Andy!

Right! The final Jessica Fletcher drawing for Day Two is this brilliant strip sent in by the charming Rick Eades! I love the fact that his Jessica has the perfect emotional range of the real Jessica - tears, determination, surprise and joy! Those are all the emotions I have seen (and experienced) during an episode of Murder, She Wrote. It really is a brilliant show. And this really is a brilliant strip.

There we go! Day Two of Jessica Fletcher Week 2010 is over! I hope you've enjoyed it! The submissions are amazing and I'm over the moon with how it is all going. And I'm still getting Jessica Fletchers in my inbox so feel free to take part if you'd like! And obviously, you should check out the people above who have sent stuff through. Oh - and don't worry, there are still three days left of AMAZING Jessica Fletchers! Prepare to be dazzled!

Jessica Fletcher Week 2010: Day One

I can't believe it's here! That's right - Jessica Fletcher Week 2010 has officially begun! And to kick things off, here is a drawing a did. Personally, I don't know why those teeny tiny children are complaining - they should be over the moon to be dressed up as one of the world's greatest crime writers/detectives/sexpot. Kids today, eh?

Anyways - the submissions have been AMAZING this year. Thank you so much to everyone who sent stuff along. Obviously you can still send stuff in - but try to get it to me by Thursday so I can put upload before the weekend. Unlike last year, I'm uploading the day's drawings into one giant blog post. I hope you don't mind, but I think it makes it easier for everyone involved. Also, I think you can click on the images to make them bigger. At least, I hope you can - this is the first one so it's a bit of a test...

Anyways, without further ado - unleash the Jessicas!

First up, we have Bootherstone! We used to work together and she was always super sassy and wearing sassy clothes. I learnt a lot a lot of things from her - the importance of shoes, the healing properties of toast and the Bunette - a top secret hairdo she created. And look, even during Jessica Fletcher Week, she's still teaching me about the online life of my hero. Thank you!

Next up, it's Darren! I don't know whether he has a website I should link to but the important thing is that he's a super smashing guy with amazing hair. I haven't touched it yet but I'm pretty sure it would feel like a fluffy cloud. Anyways - he has opted for a sexy-looking Jessica in the style of a Cluedo card. (Note: Cluedo is what we call the board game Clue in England). I love Cluedo. I love Jessica Fletcher. Therefore, I bloody love this. Thanks Darren!

Who is this ghostly apparition that stands before us? Why, it must be the work of Sam! I'm pretty sure he made this on an iPhone or something - although I have no idea how since drawing anything on that screen is pretty tricky. I suspect he used magic of some kind. Either way, Sam is an ace and avid photographer. He is one of the few people to ever take a photo of me that I don't hate. Excellent work on the Jessica, Sam!

Uh oh! We've got a pun on our hands, thanks to Kat. And yes indeed, Jessica's last name would have come from an arrow-making past. Although can you imagine all the crimes that would have remained unsolved if Jessica was an arrow-maker instead of a crime writer/detective/sexpot?! I met Kat at Thought Bubble and I think we bonded over our mutual lack of beard. You know who else doesn't have a beard? Jessica Fletcher!

Oh em gee! Who is this wide-eyed vision before me? It couldn't be! But it is... Ms. Jessica Fletcher, as drawn by Jon. I can't really tell you an amusing story about Jon except that we were talking on Twitter about CSI. CSI is an amazing show (except for the New York one which I hate), but I really believe that it would be much better if Jessica Fletcher was in it. Plus, they'd solve so many more crimes. Maybe they should rename Murder, She Wrote as CSI: Cabot Cove? Regardless, thanks Jon! I totally owe you a high five.

HOT GOSSIP: I was lucky enough to meet the lovely Edward Ross at the MCM Expo in October! What an ace guy! And he has a beard! So, Edward Ross makes interesting comics about film theory - and we all know who was in some (made-for-television) movies? That's right Jessica Fletcher! I mean, who hasn't seen Murder, She Wrote: South by Southwest or Murder, She Wrote: A Story To Die For? I bet Edward Ross has. And look at that Jessica Fletcher he's drawn! If I'm not mistaken, this is an homage to the original opening credits where Jessica fires a gun just like this. You, Edward Ross, are a genius!

Speaking of bearded geniuses, it's Matt "M-Shez" Sheret everyone! Matt is one of the driving forces behind We Are Words + Pictures. Matt has gone for a very text-based Jessica, which is fitting what with his background as a wordsmith wizard. Here we have a Jessica Fletcher using her cunning to...well...just read it. And then they had tea! That's so J-Flez! She always has tea and a giggle at the end of every episode. Thanks Matt for such a lovely Jessica. I'll high five you soon!

And here we have the final Jessica Fletcher for Day One, drawn by the hideously talented Warwick Johnson Cadwell. Like Matt and Edward, Warwick is also the owner of a mighty beard. And like them, he has sent in a brilliant Jessica. Look at her - peering at the cleaver in the wall. It's totally something I can imagine seeing in an episode. Except they rarely showed blood in the show so that smear on the wall would obviously be paint or something. Oh - and look at her boney fingers! Those fingers have typed out some stories in their time. What a woman.


So yes - that's the final Fletcher for Day One of Jessica Fletcher Week 2010. I hope you've enjoyed them all! It goes without saying that everyone in this post is worth checking out and I totally owe them one for sending in such great work. I've been blown away with the things I've received... and yes, the next few days are just as great.

Ke$ha Week: Graham drew a Ke$ha!

OMG!!!

Do you remember that time when Ke$ha got a cat? Graham certainly does. LOOK! He drew a Ke$ha for Ke$ha Week! He wins at life! In fact, he wins extra points because the cat makes an appearance too!

You can check out his non-Ke$ha related stuff over here

Brilliant. Brilliant. Brill-i-ant!

STOP PRESS: This game is amazing!

URNK! Awesome alert!

There's an amazing game you can play on your computer and it's amazing and you need to play it. It's called Poto and Cabenga

Stop reading this and go play it. Now!

EDIT: I forgot to say that it was designed/drawn by the hideously talented Dick Hogg. I need to buy him some cake. I also need to start making my own computer game!

EXCITING!!!

Jeeeez - I have two bits of exciting news. I hope you're prepared!

So firstly - I have a table at the UK Thing and I have new things like badges and cuddly owls and bags of dinosaurs and four new comics!

The other exciting thing is...well...possibly the most exciting thing to have happened all year. I drew some drawings and then someone did some magic and LOOK AT THEM NOW! They move! It's like being in sodding Hogwarts or something.

The main link is HERE

But if you don't trust spooky links - here they are as YouTube clips! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!







MEGAHOORAY!

Spoooooky (in a good way)

Get this for spooky!

I was on the tube - off to meet friends for burger/movie fun - when the man that sat next to me was wearing one of my badges. As in, this gentleman who I did not know was had a badge I had designed ON HIS BAG! And he was sitting next to me. In a city of millions.

Wow.

If you're reading this Mister Badge then thanks for making my day. I will make more badges for you to wear!

The burger/movie combination was also brilliant too and I bumped into old university pals and former employers - all of whom were great.

On an unrelated note - here is the cover of a fake mixtape I made for someone. I don't think it will go down very well because Goblin Power aren't a real band... or are they?

Stay out of trouble
TWx