Can you share a little about the piece and how you conceived it:
I’d been toying with the idea of writing/illustrating a story about a kid exploring a crumbling city in the aftermath of some sort of huge robot battle. He stumbles upon, and befriends this little robot version of himself – lost and alone. I wanted to create a poignant scene with the speech bubbles adding a touch of humor. Plus, I’ve got a bit of a thing for drawing rubble.
If you were to describe your work to someone who’s never seen it, what would you say?
Bold colours and intricate line work, with a bit of heart
What’s your creative process when producing a piece of art?
I always start by drawing out rough ideas in a sketchbook, working out how a character might look, or how the composition might work. I keep sketching to refine the characters, then it’s a case of scanning the images and perhaps tweaking the composition in Photoshop. I then take the rough image into Illustrator and outline it, using either a series of custom paintbrushes, or the pen tool (depending on the desired look). Then I colour it. When it comes to drawing rubble, I map out roughly the area I want to fill, then make it up as I go along. It’s kind of therapeutic.
Could you share an image of one of your latest sketches?
Here are a few robot Santa Clauses for a Christmas menu I’m designing.
Would you share three unique things in your workspace that inspire you?
My small, but slowly growing collection of robots.
A painting my Dad did of Superman when I was a kid.
Strong coffee.
What’s the most extreme reaction you’ve ever received in response to your work?
I was doing some live painting, which was to be auctioned off that evening. A drunk woman was watching me paint and fell in love with the canvas. When it came to the auction, she started a massive bidding war! I think she ended up paying a fair bit more than her boyfriend would have liked, but she seemed happy with it! Hopefully she felt the same way the next day!
What’s the art scene like where you live?
It’s pretty vibrant. There’s always something going on, from openings in independent galleries, live painting at club nights, to collaborative murals on the street.
What art is hanging on your walls at the moment?
Three beautiful prints by the super-talented Guy McKinley. They were a 30th Birthday present from my lovely girlfriend.
What are you really into right now?
Adam and Joe podcasts, camembert, gyoza, the fact that Autumn is on its way, and making hand-drawn stickers again.
What would be on your quintessential mixtape? Midlake, Led Zeppelin, Silver Jews, Battles, Arcade Fire, De La Soul, Phoenix, Neil Young, The Pixies, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Who, Foals.
If your art was music, what would it sound like?
Probably something like “Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots (Pt 1)”: The Flaming Lips.
What do you have as your desktop wallpaper?
A photo my girlfriend took of Wineglass Bay. It’s a gorgeous secluded beach in Tasmania, where we lived together for a year.
What websites do you check out regularly?
Flickr.com, thunderchunky.co.uk, woostercollective.com, drawserge.blogspot.com, theeyechild.blogspot.com, yetanotherbloomingblog.blogspot.com
What are your vices/guilty pleasures?
Drunken outdoor table tennis.
What’s the first picture you can remember drawing as a child?
The first thing I can remember painting was when I was at nursery school. It was a big, round-headed Superman, with a triangular cape flying above his head. I think it was painted on dot-matrix printer paper. I think my Mum has still got it somewhere.
If you were a robot, what kind would you be and why?
Something akin to the Iron Giant. But if I could be employed in some sort of demolition capacity that would be cool – being able to smash buildings without the associated guilt that someone like Mechagodzilla inevitably feels when destroying a city. Plus I’d be able to fly.
What was your last memorable dream?
I was swimming really fast amongst polar bears, in a huge blue glacial bowl filled with crystal clear water and shards of ice. I was having so much fun that I woke myself up laughing.
If you had to change careers, what would be next?
I always wanted to do something with special makeup effects. I’d like to work with Rick Baker or for Weta making severed heads and weird creatures.
Are there any upcoming shows or projects you’d like to share?
The next thing I have on is painting a 60 foot wide mural during the opening two nights of the play “Comedians” in London’s Lyric Theatre. It’s going to be a lot of work, but it sounds fun!
What’s your motto?
It’s not OCD, it’s attention to detail.
Hammo
