Work is organised oldest to newest. Click on images to see them larger.
This project started with the intention that atmosphere and space would be at the forefront of my exploration.
I was interested in indistinct places, a bit murky, quiet and dark. I had an idea that the creature that might inhabit this space might feel a bit lost and shy, probably a frog.
Sketchbook December/early January 2020. General observation of people, animals and ponds:
Sketchbook 8th January to 6th February 2020:
Sketchbook 7th February ‘20 to 3rd March ‘20.
Observational drawing of people, trees, views from my window and frogs. Also some story ideas starting to emerge.
Riso experiments:
Trying out oils on paper
Favourite images from the above sketchbook. Breakthrough in terms of materials capturing character and atmosphere. Click to see larger:
Thinking about outside of the shed:
Lockdown/homeschooling project 2021: made a mini pond and grew myself some frogs to draw:
Observational drawings of tadploes/frogs in the new pond:
September 2021, working on a more complete dummy of the book. See dummy in ‘Frog Book Dummies’ section.
Narrative perspective workshop
Weeks 5 and 6 - after finding my work got very ‘tight’ on best paper, I changed to lining paper and very quick painting. Line and wash assembled in photoshop.
Weeks 7 and 8 - experimenting with ‘lifting’ gouache paint from an acrylic paint and ink background:
Trying out the frog under leaves spread with the same technique:
Comparing frogs painted on top of a dark background with frogs using wax resist:
Using ‘lifting’ technique for final artwork.
Frogs to layer on top of background - using wax resist. Ink layer added in Photoshop.
Development of ‘under the leaves’ panels:
Development of teapot artwork
Development of shed artwork in Photoshop:
Different frogs for climbing up to teapot panels:
Cover design:
Dancing frog GIF from Arthur’s GIF workshop
Frog sketchbook:
Last pages of frog sketchbook:
Colour decisions for ‘dreaming’ vignette:
