Illustrated Gig Review 4

Black Peaks Gig Review, Illustrated!

I went to another gig on my own and rather than feeling awkward or talking to anyone new, I pretended to be a music journalist and planned my illustrated review of the night. ( It probably makes me look even more weird than just standing awkwardly by myself but it’s more fun.)

I turned up pretty late to the gig. I was expecting it to be full of pre-teens and cool kids as I’d discovered the band on BBCR1 but there was a nice mix of ages and not a crop top in sight. Unfortunately I only caught Toska’s two last songs but they were brilliant and I’m going to keep an eye on their next London dates! It was super heavy and base-y, and such a nice intro to the night. I spent six of Palm Reader’s songs at the bar trying to get a pint and ended up watching most the set through the live tv feed. It was awful video quality but mixed with the live band it made me feel like I was in an 80′s grunge music video. It wasn’t exactly my cup of tea but the energy was great and the crowd dug it.

Black Peaks blew it out the water. I’d only listened to the new album a few times over before its release but it is infinitely more impressive live. Mostly attributed to frontman Will’s raw charisma on stage. That moustache, man. Maybe it is just the moustache. He was all jowls, facial hair and beautiful, grotesque expressions. Pure entertainment. Also extremely good at singing and that stuff. Mostly good at faces.

The show was fantastic. There was an energy and excitement present that only comes from being a small band that are about to do huge things and knowing it. Everything was on point and the audience was on board with every second. Amazing. Give them a listen!

The gig was a while ago but I’ve been working on my jowls and moustache expressions. 

Also on TUMBLR

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Downpour 2015

Pieces from a zine made shortly after Download Festival 2015 to document my time working backstage. It was a fantastic and perfect week.

Highlights included the pre-parties in the festival village, finally seeing slipknot for the first time ever (they cancelled their gig when I was 15), remembering that I absolutely love Muse to death and meeting Every Time I Die on my bar.

I also learnt some nifty rock n' roll hand shakes from the guests.

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B & W Zine

SO, These illustrations are from a little zine I made in about 4 days. (I was going for 3 but my housemates had a buffy marathon) I need to test myself, train myself back up and mostly regain some of the fun that stress has been stealing.
I've combined inks and pencil here for my lines but I still need to find a process to show their personalities better in their digital state. I'm thinking layers and multiply. I haven't had a night out with them in a long while.

The b&w element just allowed me to focus on the lines and process more as well as getting closer to the ink feel. I am a big fan of crazy contrast b&w fun.

I had a bit of a 'face ban' in my illustrations for a while as my face styles are influenced by anything and everything and differed drastically but I feel like the mask kind of bypasses it by not letting you see the eyes. 

Below are a bunch of initial sketches and the inspirations involved. 

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That jacket though. 

I need it.

A lot more detail in this one and all the better for having previously practiced the technique. I found the hair a bit of a sticky point but I think thats to do with it being a magazine scan and thus textured. Really a whole lota fun though :) Want to do more!

(also note complimentary puppy hair...thanks Cass. I know how you like to be part of everything I do.)