Recently my self published children's book Klyde's animal alphabet' has been circulating around my local area and is being sold in the local bakery/post office. My mum orchestrated the distribution of my book and has since send it off to distant relatives and anyone else who will be willing to view it personally.
My mum has also taken the book to the schools she teaches at and they have gone down very well in the early classes.
They have photocopied pages from the books to be used as worksheets for the younger children and read out the book numerous times.
Its all seems to be going well at the moment.
I also uploaded my book onto the site Utales, which is a service offering children's books to be easily accessed through iPads and devices like that. The site is free to upload and with that you can get extremely valuable feedback from the Utales people and also the users. I got some really great feedback with I will take on-board to make the book even better.
UTales works as an app that is free to download but to read the books you either have to purchase a subscription or buy the book in its Utales format. A portion of the sales go straight to me, and a small portion also goes to charity, which is great!
Showing posts with label Self Reflection. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Self Reflection. Show all posts
Monday, 7 November 2011
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Wednesday, 16 March 2011
I Love Google
Its really lovely when you type 'Toby Allen Illustration/Illustrator' into google...
and I pop up! WOOP!
Im famous!!! [Well on google I am]
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
In 5 years time...
Hopefully...
I'd originally done one with me as a teacher, but im unsure thats what i want to do anymore so I went for something more generic. Its basically me at the moment, but with proper commissions for book illustrations and maybe even some vinyl toys or something depending on how the Toy Making module goes for Complimentary Studies.
I did it in a more mature painterly style, to suggest how my style might evolve in a few years time.. I dont have the patience to do something in this style at the moment... Takes far too long!
Possible work placement
We got told about this in our emails and in our contextual seminar-
'The Book Project at College Road Primary School.
We are currently creating a book about the area they live in, not in a stuff history book way, but more of a by kids for kids annual style book.
We want it to be bright, funky and very image based. As part of the book we will be writing a comicsection in which a character goes back in time and goes on an adventure(sneaking some history in).
The children will write the comics and roughly draw them but we need someone to properly draw theartwork for the book.
We are looking to work with someone who would be willing to come into the school and work with a bunchof wild 8-9 year olds?!'
'The Book Project at College Road Primary School.
We are currently creating a book about the area they live in, not in a stuff history book way, but more of a by kids for kids annual style book.
We want it to be bright, funky and very image based. As part of the book we will be writing a comicsection in which a character goes back in time and goes on an adventure(sneaking some history in).
The children will write the comics and roughly draw them but we need someone to properly draw theartwork for the book.
We are looking to work with someone who would be willing to come into the school and work with a bunchof wild 8-9 year olds?!'
This is really exciting prospect, and Id love to be a part of it. Im still unsure where I want to go in my future, so some proper experience in the field of education and art based work for a client will be really valuable and help me to evaluate my aims.
However, I dont feel confident enough to take on something like this at the moment, Im very new to Plymouth so going on my own to a school Ive never seen before Is very scary and not something I feel capable of doing just yet.
It is a real shame, and a great opportunity as book illustration is something else that I find really exciting. It would be easier for me to get work experience in a school nearer to me or at the one my mum works at, If i still think thats an area I want to explore for my future.
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Lets Reflect..
Mel sent some questions before Reading Week for us to think about and put on our blogs.
How am I progressing?
I think in terms of the course in progressing well. I have achieved grades of 70% or over in my first two projects and am hoping to work towards a similar grade in the print process module we're currently doing. I feel I have learnt alot since starting in September and have broadened my range of experimentation and knowledge in the field of illustration greatly.
Contextual lectures and seminars have really helped me to explore the world through illustrations, drawing in ideas i'd not previously thought to be connected. I remember in the first tutorial, I was a little mythed at the subjects we were covering the in the lectures, but now I see them as little eye openers into a way of thinking more critically about the world of illustration and art.
Ive opened up to alot more ways of working, and even elements such as print making that i initial wasn't looking forward to, seem more exciting and I could see myself using them more in my everyday work.
Personally, I have progressed more then I ever would have thought. For example, I started this course in September, only being on a train 3 times before and the thought of doing it every day was terrifying! My confidence has grown tenfold, I even found it hard to even buy things in shops last year, but now from being more independent Its not a problem.
The course [and support from lecturers and friends] has helped me to become more confidant with who I am by subtly pushing me out of my comfort zones work wise and socially, making it easier to work with other people and not be so frightened of little things.
What am I looking forward to?
Like I said before, the idea of using the techniques and processes ive learned in my everyday work is very exciting and I guess that is something to look forward to both inside and outside of the course. Finding that I can create lino prints at home has given me many ideas for personal work and college work, and having learnt to use the laser cuter has really fired me up with all the possibilities.
One apsect of the course im looking forward to is the toy making. We have already started it and are doing design work at the moment, but I cant wait to get stuck and and start creating molds and eventually, actual resin toys. Ive always thought of things like that to be outside of my grasp, and something that only proper toy people do but no thats not the case. Obviously my outcomes arent going to be amazing or the quality of proper toys, but they'll be a start that may lead onto bigger and better things in my future!
How am I progressing?
I think in terms of the course in progressing well. I have achieved grades of 70% or over in my first two projects and am hoping to work towards a similar grade in the print process module we're currently doing. I feel I have learnt alot since starting in September and have broadened my range of experimentation and knowledge in the field of illustration greatly.
Contextual lectures and seminars have really helped me to explore the world through illustrations, drawing in ideas i'd not previously thought to be connected. I remember in the first tutorial, I was a little mythed at the subjects we were covering the in the lectures, but now I see them as little eye openers into a way of thinking more critically about the world of illustration and art.
Ive opened up to alot more ways of working, and even elements such as print making that i initial wasn't looking forward to, seem more exciting and I could see myself using them more in my everyday work.
Personally, I have progressed more then I ever would have thought. For example, I started this course in September, only being on a train 3 times before and the thought of doing it every day was terrifying! My confidence has grown tenfold, I even found it hard to even buy things in shops last year, but now from being more independent Its not a problem.
The course [and support from lecturers and friends] has helped me to become more confidant with who I am by subtly pushing me out of my comfort zones work wise and socially, making it easier to work with other people and not be so frightened of little things.
What am I looking forward to?
Like I said before, the idea of using the techniques and processes ive learned in my everyday work is very exciting and I guess that is something to look forward to both inside and outside of the course. Finding that I can create lino prints at home has given me many ideas for personal work and college work, and having learnt to use the laser cuter has really fired me up with all the possibilities.
One apsect of the course im looking forward to is the toy making. We have already started it and are doing design work at the moment, but I cant wait to get stuck and and start creating molds and eventually, actual resin toys. Ive always thought of things like that to be outside of my grasp, and something that only proper toy people do but no thats not the case. Obviously my outcomes arent going to be amazing or the quality of proper toys, but they'll be a start that may lead onto bigger and better things in my future!
Thursday, 10 March 2011
Talking on ze train
I sat next to a lovely little old lady on the train earlier today. It was great to speak to someone on the train for a change, and she was incredibly friendly and had lots of stories to tell of her life and those of her children.
Her son had done a 2 year internship with Disney over in America, and now works as an illustrator in Leicester. He daughter is trained as a PA, but went for a random job in London and now works with people in the field of Horse Shows and Dressage etc, and travels all over the world.
Her other son plays rugby for the Cornish All Blacks after working as something completely unrelated for a long while before.
She said to grap things when they come up, and take life by the horns. When something crops up you never know what it will lead to so go for it! I was saying that I used to be set on becoming a teacher and yet now im not so sure, but she said that I would make a great teacher from the way I was chatting away happily to her. But then she said not to worry to much about where i want to be in the future, I should be open to new ideas and see where life takes me!
She wished me all the luck for the future and whatever I may be doing, and I left to get off the train.
The chat really helped to boost my confidence, not only from actually talking to a random stranger but also my confidence in where i want to go and what I want to be in the future.
Bless the little old lady, I hope I made her day as much as she made mine! =D
Her son had done a 2 year internship with Disney over in America, and now works as an illustrator in Leicester. He daughter is trained as a PA, but went for a random job in London and now works with people in the field of Horse Shows and Dressage etc, and travels all over the world.
Her other son plays rugby for the Cornish All Blacks after working as something completely unrelated for a long while before.
She said to grap things when they come up, and take life by the horns. When something crops up you never know what it will lead to so go for it! I was saying that I used to be set on becoming a teacher and yet now im not so sure, but she said that I would make a great teacher from the way I was chatting away happily to her. But then she said not to worry to much about where i want to be in the future, I should be open to new ideas and see where life takes me!
She wished me all the luck for the future and whatever I may be doing, and I left to get off the train.
The chat really helped to boost my confidence, not only from actually talking to a random stranger but also my confidence in where i want to go and what I want to be in the future.
Bless the little old lady, I hope I made her day as much as she made mine! =D
Monday, 21 February 2011
Things I does...
I've never worked in a proper sense, and always thought id never done anything beneficial or good with my art or whatever. But thinking about it, I do quite a few things that could be considered as experience or go towards aiding my future.
They are as follows-
Do ALOT of personal artwork-
Constantly illustrating and producing artwork to further expand on skills and develop my style. I illustrate my own ideas and concept aswell as producing 'fanart', based upon books, games and film that inspire me. The later opening me up to different styles as well as refining mine by looking deeper into stylization etc.
Produce artwork for other people-
I work alongside indie game designers to produce artwork for use in their games, 'clients' have approached me for use in RPG Maker games, iphone games as well as general use. [for 'Zesty Monsters' my collection of monster graphics for free use in whatever.] I also produce minor request work [free commissions basically] for fanart or other works of art.
I will be expanding my 'uses' into general game art for the Indie Game community soon, producing concept work for Visual Novels, and title screens etc/character art for other games.
Work[ed] alongside other artists-
I used to work with a small group on DeviantART, creating an animation entitled 'Zakuro Sketch.' http://zakurosketch.deviantart.com/ I had to pull out due to college work and my skills weren't as developed in terms of working as a background artist.
Id love to rework on this project as it was a good opportunity to work with fellow artists, and build up relations.
I also work alongside others on the Indie Game scene.
Work out achievable art projects for primary school pupils-
I help my mum with working out achievable art projects for he pupil to produce at the school she works at. I come up with ideas for art, and produce mock-ups to help give the children a sense that the work is achievable and to provide inspirations for them.
At the moment I dont have time to aid my mum with teaching the pupils or working with them on the projects, but its something i may look into. Providing a little experience of teaching in an art field.
These things may not stand up to physical work, and it is all free work. But it does give me experience of working with unprofessional clients [which can sometimes be very hard to work with], and it goes towards developing my skills as an illustrator and what i want to do with my future.
=D
They are as follows-
Do ALOT of personal artwork-
Constantly illustrating and producing artwork to further expand on skills and develop my style. I illustrate my own ideas and concept aswell as producing 'fanart', based upon books, games and film that inspire me. The later opening me up to different styles as well as refining mine by looking deeper into stylization etc.
Produce artwork for other people-
I work alongside indie game designers to produce artwork for use in their games, 'clients' have approached me for use in RPG Maker games, iphone games as well as general use. [for 'Zesty Monsters' my collection of monster graphics for free use in whatever.] I also produce minor request work [free commissions basically] for fanart or other works of art.
I will be expanding my 'uses' into general game art for the Indie Game community soon, producing concept work for Visual Novels, and title screens etc/character art for other games.
Work[ed] alongside other artists-
I used to work with a small group on DeviantART, creating an animation entitled 'Zakuro Sketch.' http://zakurosketch.deviantart.com/ I had to pull out due to college work and my skills weren't as developed in terms of working as a background artist.
Id love to rework on this project as it was a good opportunity to work with fellow artists, and build up relations.
I also work alongside others on the Indie Game scene.
Work out achievable art projects for primary school pupils-
I help my mum with working out achievable art projects for he pupil to produce at the school she works at. I come up with ideas for art, and produce mock-ups to help give the children a sense that the work is achievable and to provide inspirations for them.
At the moment I dont have time to aid my mum with teaching the pupils or working with them on the projects, but its something i may look into. Providing a little experience of teaching in an art field.
These things may not stand up to physical work, and it is all free work. But it does give me experience of working with unprofessional clients [which can sometimes be very hard to work with], and it goes towards developing my skills as an illustrator and what i want to do with my future.
=D
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Second thoughts..
Ive always thought id do a degree [in this case illustration] then immediatly afterwards, train to be a teacher, teaching some form of art in further education.
Yet im having seconds thoughts and im not quite sure what i want to be doing straight after my illustration degree. Id love to teach at some point in my future, but i dont think I want to just yet.
Its a case of seeing whats about and seeing what comes up in the next few years. Hopefully something nice will come along, but its probably best to set things in motion now.
I need to have a think...
Yet im having seconds thoughts and im not quite sure what i want to be doing straight after my illustration degree. Id love to teach at some point in my future, but i dont think I want to just yet.
Its a case of seeing whats about and seeing what comes up in the next few years. Hopefully something nice will come along, but its probably best to set things in motion now.
I need to have a think...
Thursday, 3 February 2011
Attack of the bored Platypus
I just about got my head around illustrator, and making images souly with it. [ie, no photoshop or handrawn nonsense]...
Its my Platypus of Andy's Ark, and hes rather bored bless him.
I love the clean look you get with using Illustrator, think im going to use it alot more in the future. =D
Its my Platypus of Andy's Ark, and hes rather bored bless him.
I love the clean look you get with using Illustrator, think im going to use it alot more in the future. =D
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Mastering Illustrator, Photoshop and 2 colour illustrations!
I think im quite capable at all of them now. But i can always improve! =D
Monday, 24 January 2011
ZestyDoesThings..
I know its on my blog list, but heres my general blog in which i pop up my personal art and anything im requested to do by peoples on the interweb.
Also game-making stuff gets put on there too. =D
http://zestydoesthings.blogspot.com/
I guess some of it goes towards experiences of doing work for other peoples and possibly self-promotion. [Zestygrapefruit is the name i go under when illustrating/game designing etc]
Also game-making stuff gets put on there too. =D
http://zestydoesthings.blogspot.com/
I guess some of it goes towards experiences of doing work for other peoples and possibly self-promotion. [Zestygrapefruit is the name i go under when illustrating/game designing etc]
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