Hello From Joel Millerchip

After two months of brilliant blogging from Andy and Dave, both being illustration Gods,the boyswhodraw.com baton has been passed on to little old me.
For the month of september I will hopefully give you a little taster of my work and spread some hot illustration gossip,a bit like a arty Heat magazine but with out Peter Andre and Jordan mugs Posted all over the place.

the first bit of goss is that some of the Boys Who Draw will be showing there skills at the InkyGoodness wonderland exhibition this month in my home town and at one of my old haunts Birminghams amazing custard factory, in my opinion the best venue for live music, art and vintage shopping in the world.....well the West Midlands anyway.

To end my first write up I'm going to end it on a quite late sad note, at the end of July Heinz Edelmann passed away, his work as a graphic designer should be remebered for ever, so please take a moment to google this legend and look at the great things
he created including this

Mike O'Shea ~ Interview

MIKE O'SHEA an exclusive interview
// for BOYS WHO DRAW
Starting from today, the most exciting 'DECKED' exhibition opens at 'Stolenspace Gallery' on Brick Lane, London. As well as myself and others from the marvelous BOYS WHO DRAW collective, the show features established talent from around the UK. One such creative chappy is MIKE O'SHEA who has submitted a rather amusing board for display (you'll have to go and see the exhibition, if you want to see it, as he's been very secretive - although I had a sneaky peek and his image did give me the willies!) Here's our quick-fire interview with the man himself:
1) What got you into drawing?
I was a wee baby when I started drawing. I didn’t know what I was doing back then.
I’d say my older brother was the one I looked up to as a child. I used to copy his draws a lot, but they never looked as good as his. He still inspires me to keep drawing.
2) How would you describe your artwork?
I hate this bit! I’d say humour plays a big part in it. I like to draw things that I find funny. Life can be very serious if your not careful.

3) What are your influences?
Skateboarding is a big part of my life and everything that goes along with it.
Artists that I’m stoked on are Stefan Marx, Ed Templeton and my friend Paul AKA Arserott. His stuff is so flipping good.
There are loads more people that influence me, but I have brain freeze.

4) What's been your favourite event/exhibition which you've been part of?
Couldn't say yet.
5) You skate quite a bit and have been painting images on decks for a while now. What are you doing with that work?
Well I’ve done a board for the ‘DECKED’ exhibition which you (Bain) are also part of. By the way your boards are rad. (*ed. note: I didn’t put Mike up to this.)

I want to do an exhibition in Bristol with like 40 of my hand painted boards. Perhaps, cover a room with them: a big fat feast for the eyes. Watch this space!
6) Where on earth do you get your rude ideas from?
From my stupid brain: bad, bad brain!! I don’t know, it’s just what I find funny tends to be a bit rude sometimes.

7) How do you get yourself off your arse in the morning and into Mr Artiste mode?
It’s not hard really, you’ve just got to get up and go. I like being up early in the morning and seeing all the suits going to work motivates me to not be one of them.

8) How are you going to take over the world / Any big plans in the pipeline?
Well, I’ll have some work in the new INKYGOODNESS exhibition in Birmingham in the beginning of September. I also want to have that show in Bristol, which I mentioned earlier.

I have a few big ideas but nothing concrete enough to say just yet. Check back with me in a couple months.
9) Have you a snappy piece of advice for budding artist types?
Yeah, if your not having fun, do something else. If you are having fun, then keep doing it. Also, do it for yourself and no one else.

Oh yeah, and chicks dig guys who draw. ;)
10) What's your favourite cheese?
Stilton or mature cheddar, yumm smelly breathe.

Decked Project ~ Exhibition

Anyone following this blog over the last month or so will be aware that some of our very own members and their esteemed illustrating friends are taking part in the marvelous 'DECKED' exhibition happening in 'STOLENSPACE GALLERY' on Brick Lane in London. The exhibition opens on the 25th August and there is a very special opening night on Thursday 27th (from 7pm). Check the 'DECKED' blog and their Facebook group/event pages for sneaky peeks at some of the skateboards which will be in the show...

And as a jolly treat for you BOYS WHO DRAW will be interviewing MIKE O'SHEA (one of the 'DECKED' exhibitors) over the weekend, and we'll pop it up here first thing next week.

Kev Munday ~ Interview

KEV MUNDAY an exclusive interview
// for BOYS WHO DRAW
Our second exclusive interview this month is with the wildly creative genius that is KEV MUNDAY. Barely had Mr Miller left the hot-seat, when we should be graced by the marker pen wielding don of the UK. Known for his unique, toothy monster characters, that enjoyable sense of colour and not forgetting his sheer, incredible output of quality artwork, we were very excited to nab Kev for a bit of a chat about how it all happens. And he even whipped out the infamous pen and did us a nifty drawing too...

1) How did it all begin?
I started drawing and painting with my friends when I was a teenager. We would paint walls and put stickers and stencils up. I did my first work on canvas when I was 18.

2) Do you have a favourite character that you like to come back to/redraw?
I like drawing new characters, but this guy was one of the first that I started doing (see above image). His name is gumball and he's appeared on hundreds of stickers and paste ups over the years.

3) What are your influences, artistically or otherwise?
Energy, colour, DIY ethic, punk, traveling, skate culture, old wood cuts, aboriginal art, unity, countryside, collaboration, bold, crowds, riots, upbeat, flow, graffiti, nature.
Artistically: Keith Haring, Basquiat, Andy Howell, David Choe, Jeff Soto, Roger Hargreaves, Jon Burgerman, David Shrigley etc etc. I love creating work with kids, they have better ideas that adults.

4) What's been your favourite event/exhibition which you've been part of?
Event wise I like creating big collaboration pieces with loads of other artists, this piece (see above image) we (me, DBO, Faunagraphic, Rocket01, Famous When Dead, Deus, 2 Pence, SU1) painted for Let Them Create Gallery in Stoke On Trent was great fun. My favourite exhibition is probably the Urban Art Sale at Selfridges just because of the huge number of people who saw it.

5) Is there anything that you've not done yet, with your artwork, that you would love to do?
I would love to make some animations. I've started playing around in flash, hopefully one day I'll make a whole series of short movies.






















6) How do you know when a piece is complete?
When it looks like it does in my head, or when I run out of space

7) How do you motivate yourself?
I don't find it hard to motivate myself, I really enjoy what I do so it's pretty easy.

8) Tell us a bit about 'Under The Hat' and 'Visual Tourettes'? What were some of the challenges that you had when setting up these projects?
Under The Hat is my clothing brand. I started it when I was 17, I had 2 designs printed on 10 t-shirts each and sold them to my mates and on Internet forums. The stuff is now for sale in stores across the UK and Europe and I've got a guy who distributes it for me in Scandinavia. the biggest challenge with selling t-shirts is that pretty much everyone creative is doing it.

Visual Tourettes I describe as 'an open mic night for the art world'. I started organising nights in 2007, the basic set up is that we take over a venue for a night and the walls of the place are open to anyone who wants to display and sell their artwork. We have live painting from loads of different artists with the focus being on collaboration. The nights have taken place in 14 cities across the UK.
I organise other projects for Visual Tourettes too, a couple that are currently running are the sketchbook and board art shows.
The sketchbook is a travelling collaboration between 50 artists from across the world. The book is sent to artists one at a time, who are asked to start half a piece on a page, plus finish half a piece by an artist on the previous page and then send it on to the next artist on the list.
(see picture for page from the book by China Mike and Mr Jago)






















The board art show is being run in conjunction with FBBB. It's a collection of custom hand painted skate decks/ snowboards from 20 artists. The boards are travelling around with the FBBB crew to all the snowdomes across the UK and we've got a final exhibition of them all at the Reebok Lounge in Shoreditch later in the year.

9) Have you a snappy piece of advice for budding artist types?
Spend a long time developing your own style and use it to tell your own story.

10) What's your favourite biscuit?
I'm going with the humble bourbon.

Doodlezine - Call for Submissions

Those lovely people over at DOODLEZINE are asking for your submissions for their third issue.
The theme is TYPOGRAPHY // This can be hand drawn words, letters, doodled writing of whatever you choose.

Deadline is Friday 23rd October // Email your scanned doodles to: doodlezine@hotmail.com
// 300dpi black and white // Go on get involved!

Oh and here's the image that I did for the 'DECKED' collaboration poster.

Paul the Camel

Paul the camel is a big fan of BOYS WHO DRAW

Aaron Miller ~ Interview

AARON MILLER (exclusive!) INTERVIEW
// for BOYS WHO DRAW


Tip-top illustrator, character designer and general all round good guy, Aaron Miller dropped into the BOYS WHO DRAW virtual lounge for a little chat about what he's up to these days. Recently graduating from Falmouth, this boy has been making waves in the design world with his clever, dare we say cute and lovable characters. We got out the notepad and jotted down his answers to our tough questions, while he whipped up an exclusive image, just for us. Keep an eye on this chap...



1) What made you want to do illustration?
I’ve always been passionate about drawing and creating art since an early age, whether making clay pottery once a week with a local artist or drawing cartoons of my family. It wasn’t till my early teens that I realised the commercial power of illustration, well commercial power isn’t exactly what I thought, it was more about seeing new and exciting characters infiltrating adverts and products I liked and I wanted to become part of it.

2) How do you come up with a new character design?
I always carry a sketchbook with me, and am constantly drawing new ideas and adding faces to everyday objects. I usually just draw and the character develops out of a series of black biro doodles. So draw, draw, draw, drink a pint of orange squash, draw some more.

3) What are your influences, artistically or otherwise?
Like many artists I am inspired by the world I live in, especially my pet chinchillas, I find that when I’m struggling to find new ideas, to sit with them while they are playing and just draw. I usually manage a few new drawings without having my pen chewed or sketchbook pages attacked! Also my mum’s mum, used to draw and paint, and it wasn’t until after she died and I was given her sketchbooks that I realised she used to draw little cartoon strips of a dog and it just drove me to develop as an artist.

4) What's been your favourite event/exhibition which you've been part of or seen?
Since graduating I have only been able to be part of exhibitions setup through uni, so D&AD New Blood and New Designers. I would love to be part of some exhibitions and I’m in talks with a few really interesting creatives about getting my work out there more. So if you are reading this and have a spare space in your exhibition, hello! Please can I exhibit at your gallery?

I also have a secret love of the abstract expressionist’s, artists such like Francis Bacon and Franz Kline, so seeing their work in person at the Tate and in the Moma was incredible. My love for abstract art grew at school mainly after an amazing art teacher pushed me and believed in me. It makes me want to get away from the computer, set up an easel and get all messy with oil paints again.

5) Is there anything that you've not done yet, with your artwork that you would love to do?
There are so many projects that I would love to do. Projects such as clothing, vinyl toys, wall vinyl’s, stationary, shop front’s and window displays, basically anything and everything that I can apply my characters to!

6) How do you know when a piece is complete?
This is a tricky one, in the old days before I used a computer, I used to think, I’ll just add another bit in here, then boom, game over. Ruined drawing. Now I like to work on a project until I see it is complete. Go to bed. Then in the morning look at the artwork again, ask my girlfriend for advice. She is honest and tells it, like it is, and also a great tip I’ve learnt is to flip the work horizontally, to see if the characters still look good.

7) How do you motivate yourself?
I never felt like anyone believed in my work at university, I was too contemporary, they didn’t get my ‘cartoons’, but then I was lucky enough to land a big commission last summer and it made me realise there is a demand for MY work. Since then, I have continued to draw constantly and have an online presence, whether on twitter or through my website. I read recently that if you continue to work hard, the work will come.






















8) Tell us a bit about doing the cover for Computer Arts Magazine?
Well, I have worked with Computer Arts magazine a few times in the past, and have always thought, I would love to be on the cover one day. Then one day I got an email from the editor, asking If I would like to be part of the list of 24 super illustrators and character designers included on the gatefold cover of the character design special. Yes please.

I was sent through a rough idea of the scene and I managed to get a great spot, just next to Peskimo’s awesome character, I then sketched some initial ideas, sketched some more and then brought Edwin (the character) to life. Most artists involved are true inspirations to me, so I’m so privileged to be on the same cover as them.

9) Have you a snappy piece of advice for budding artist types?
Yeah, I suppose I do. Right, firstly check your emails constantly, and if possible use an email programme, such as Mail on the Mac, and leave it open so it constantly refreshes and checks for email. There is nothing worst than not checking your emails for a few days to find that perfect email from a lovely creative director.

Secondly, draw. It doesn’t matter how rubbish you think you are at drawing, or what medium you use, (moleskin and a black biro please) as long as your record your ideas. There will always be someone out there who is better at you, maybe it’s because they have been working professionally for ten years or maybe it’s because they are naturally talented. Embrace it, ask to collaborate with them, and don’t be scared to ask questions, however stupid you think you sound.

10) What's your favourite spread?
Nutella ;)

Retro Collectables - Shop Identity Project

Jess at Retro Collectables liked my painting, that I did a while back, to advertise her shop on the back-cover of one of the 'Southside' magazines, that she has taken colours from it for her new shop identity, as well as using the image on her new A-board and on the new website (which will be properly launched mid-September). In the meantime you can join their facebook group!

10 points for spying the Andy Council drawing in the shop window. It's a BOYS WHO DRAW take over!

Also, I've also just uploaded a new drawing on my blog...

White Box by Makoto Yabuki

White Box from makoto yabuki on Vimeo.

Some of you may have seen this already. A simply beautiful video piece.

Robert Pepperell

We are always on the look out for chaps who can knock out a good drawing and Robert Pepperell is one such bloke. (My thanks to Alise for hooking me up with this one)

Various odds & ends to ease you into the beginning of the week

1) Some pages from my sketchbook (which was expertly made by image maker Elle Farnham). Mostly me trying to work out little ideas or basically getting carried away with a pattern or two.





























2) Two wonderful people of Bristol (Owen & Vicki) who go under the name 'Canola Tenderfoot', when making lovely music, are offering up their latest 4-track EP for free download. All four tracks can be downloaded using the links below:

http://www.canolatenderfoot.co.uk/music/downloads/ep/vilnius_[version].mp3

http://www.canolatenderfoot.co.uk/music/downloads/ep/play_on.mp3

http://www.canolatenderfoot.co.uk/music/downloads/ep/lock_out.mp3

http://www.canolatenderfoot.co.uk/music/downloads/ep/nothing_set_in_stone.mp3

Something to draw along to...


3) I've uploaded all of the images from a children's book recently completed onto my blog. I've also popped up preview images of my piece for the 'Decked' exhibition (more info coming soon). Click here to have a looksee...































4) The Guardian Weekend published a wonderful article on Margaret Kilgallen on Saturday just gone. Inspirational stuff and well worth checking out her work. She was so skilled in huge installations, typography and creating captivating and oddly coloured drawings/paintings.

Tim Lane: 'The Innocents'

He's such a nice chap, that Tim Lane, and he can create a jolly good humdinger of illustrations! Joining me last night for our exploration of Tim Lane's latest showing of work is the lovely illustrator, Amy Timms. Held in the front area of the relatively new Knifesmith Gallery on Christmas Steps in Bristol, Tim's popped up some classic illustrations, plus some new paintings.

Being super-keen fans, or due to some sort of misinformation, the red-head and I were devestatingly early and not at all fashionably late. So it was a bare room, minus the excellent artwork (of course), which we had to our disposal. Very exciting indeed, especially with a well stocked table of beer, wine and bread snacks. Yum - every exhibition should have one! The quiet start gave us a chance to happily snap a few pictures of some of the stand-out pieces.


Tim soon leaped into action and gave us a run-down of some of the pieces in the exhibition. He explained that a majority of the images are drawn directly from his mind-boggling brain, with perhaps some details taken from reference books. "King Tut" is the most directly referenced image, but from a miniscule photo, which Tim has expanded and heaved layer upon layer of detail into.






Going round the room, from this piece, we are almost overwhelmed by Mr Lane's deftly impressive use of the pencil in artworks, "Big Cats", "The Coffin Bearers","Punch", "The Ghost of Christmas Future" and "Descent into Savagery". Practically an exhibition on it's own, the drawings are outstanding and made for a refreshing balance next to the bright and colourful acrylic paintings.




I asked Tim about his use of animal heads and/or masks that several of his characters are wearing. He kept an element of mystery to his reasons for this, but hinted at influences of Greek gods and mythology.



The nine mini canvases are brand new to this show and are wonderful snap-shots of a myriad of eclectic beings, captured in their unique and somewhat bizarre worlds.

This is a show to easily get lost in and come out armed with material for many an odd dream journey. It's also an illustration show of professional excellence and one well worth getting yourself along to. There's a well-stocked rack of prints, all at very affordable prices.


And good ol' Tim did us proud by signing our little banner of love.
BOYS WHO DRAW salute you Mr Tim Lane.

Tim Lane at 'The Knifesmith Gallery' (Bristol)

I'm popping down to the Knifesmith Gallery tonight to see Tim Lane's new work. Will post up some images on here from that tomorrow... Here's some info:

"The Innocents?" by Tim Lane

Tim Lane graduated from Falmouth College of Arts in 2004 with a first class (BA Hons) degree in Illustration. Since then he finds himself naturally gravitating toward the fine art market; preferring the greater creative freedom enjoyed in terms of style and subject matter.

The degree- in which Tim concentrated primarily on book illustration- did however help give structure to his love for working directly from his imagination and gives his art its narrative quality. It also encouraged a passion for drawing, which is at the core of all his work.

Tim grew up in Cheltenham but is now based in Bristol where he has exhibited work extensively. He won ‘The People’s Prize’ and ‘The Bristol Arts Consortium Prize’ for the painting ‘The Death Of Childhood’ in Bristol Art Show 07 at Centrespace Gallery.

UK/London Story

I've just completed a series of paintings for a children's story based in London, for a Korean publisher.

More on my blog...

Instant inspiration

Click on images
to fully delight
in these most wonderful
photographic pictures

New animation from mate Seb Burnett

See more by clicking this: "Seb's animations are better than choc-chip cookies"

A local walk