Sketch book pages- drawing for drawings sake.

Sometimes the only drawing I do is for commissions so it’s refreshing when I find time to get a sketchbook out and draw for the sake of it. However, as I’m used working to a brief, I often get stuck on what to draw so sometimes do the ‘daily drawing’ prompts to get things going.

I loyally pack a sketchbook every time I go away and 99% of the time it stays in my bag the whole time. Sometimes it comes out and it’s lovely stumbling across old sketchbooks with little snap shots of forgotten adventures! Here’s a random selection in no particular order from lockdown, India, Greece, France, and Wales.

I climbed up Snowdon at night for Samaritans (and almost made it to the top...)

On 16th October 2021, to raise money for Samaritans, myself and a group of about 14 people organised by my sister Jo , set off to hike up Mount Snowdon setting off at midnight. Disappointingly however, due to inclemently wild weather conditions we didn’t quite make it to the top. The amazing guides, quite rightly decided that it was too dangerous so at Clogwyn Station (about three quarters of the way up) we turned back. We collectively raised over £8,000 for a great cause so I’ll take that.

It was such an amazing experience and actually really fun and exciting (if you like 40mph wind and rain in your face). My brother Pete, aka Titus Twelve co founder of Limbo Tapes summed it up perfectly in his ‘Thrilling Trek Report’ (see below)!

I found it really exhilarating and wanted to try and capture how it felt and made this narrative illustration with pen, ink and pencil crayon. It follows the journey of seeing the dark silhouette of the mountain, the colours of the wet stones, a startled sheep and frog through to the street lamps on the return. I’ve tried to express the sensation of the relentless wind and rain using texture.

Considering it was pitch black, I remember it seemed quite colourful, what with head torches lighting up glossy waterproofs, wet grass and the flashy lights we had strung around us so we could tell who was in our group.

This illustration is part of my WINTER’S BRIGHT exhibition currently on show at Serchia Gallery Bristol.

“Thrilling Snowdon Trek Report:

If like me, you enjoy distant landscape silhouettes and the sound of boisterous wind, then the trek was off to a winning start.

We left Llanberis at midnight and walked quietly through the drizzly residential roads before tarmac turned to stone and grass, and we were heading up the invisible mountain.

The higher we hiked the wetter, windier and darker it got, and after a couple of exciting hours our waterproofs and balance were being tested by the 45mph gusts.

The visibility started to close in as horizontal rain and cloud met us higher up the track. After a couple more stops to do head-counts and check we were all good, we "sheltered" behind a train track embankment. A guide went ahead to measure the wind speed, knowing that the next section was where conditions would only intensify.

The right call was made at Clogwyn station that to go on to the summit was "No fun and a whole lot of risk to manage" as the wind speeds would be greater, with zero shelter.

Although certainly a shame not to reach the top, to be 3/4 of the way up a mountain at 3am, and be told it's too dangerous to continue because of the intensifying weather conditions, is certainly one of my favourite walking experiences I've ever had. Let alone life affirming encounters with nature.

Thanks again to everyone who chipped in and helped our team raise over £8,000 for Samaritans - LEGENDS.

Big up to the other trekkers and guides for being solid crew, and love to those who need the charity's services the most.

Till next time, Snowdon...”

PETE HAZELL 19.10.21

So close!

Quite colourful despite the darkness

WINTER'S BRIGHT exhibition at the Serchia Gallery, Bristol

Very excited to announce I’ll be showing an exhibition of original drawings opening at Serchia Gallery, Bristol this weekend. Please join us on Sunday 5th December 3-5pm for a private view.

https://linktr.ee/serchiagallery 24 Elmgrove Road, Bristol, BS6 6AJ

Feast your eyes on the colour and brightness found in winter. Including this little owl.

loured pencil drawing barn owl

Barn owl in coloured pencil

Photos courtesy of Serchia Gallery: https://serchiagallery.square.site/winters-bright

Sketchbook bits: Antarctic themes and experimenting with different materials

Slightly late to the party, I’ve just finished watching the BBC’s The Terror. I loved it! Before that I’d watched The North Water which was also great. Despite having now had my full quota of seal butchery and cannibalism, I loved learning about how the poles were first explored (by non natives).

I did a bit more reading on it all and it inspired me to draw James Clark Ross. He had successfully taken HMS Terror to explore both the North and South Poles before it’s doomed expedition to the Northwest Passage. Ross was sent on one of the search expeditions to find the lost ships Terror and Erebus. Ross has several things named after him including an island, a moon crater and a seal with disproportionately large eyes. Cool!

Jame Clark Ross: “the handsomest man in the navy”

Jame Clark Ross: “the handsomest man in the navy”

Had to draw some Ross seals. They are both weird to look at and very cute. I cracked open some wax pastels which I’ve never used before and it was fun!

Had to draw some Ross seals. They are both weird to look at and very cute. I cracked open some wax pastels which I’ve never used before and it was fun!

Sketch: a view through a telescope

Sketch: a view through a telescope

Playing around with ink on tracing paper and colouring on the back with wax pastels

Playing around with ink on tracing paper and colouring on the back with wax pastels

This is how I make my illustrations

in

I love finding out how people make their work. Sometimes people ask me what my work own process is so I have done a quick series of photos to show how I make my illustrations. I’ve used my latest illustration for Prospect magazine as an example. What’s it like to be a moth?

First I start with a pencil sketch to roughly map out how I want the illustration to look. I then send it to the art director to get their approval.

First I start with a pencil sketch to roughly map out how I want the illustration to look. I then send it to the art director to get their approval.

Next I use tracing paper and pen and ink to get a solid black line. I find this way means I don’t lose any of the sketchy vibes from the initial drawing. I used to go over it in ink and then rubout the pencil but this way works better for keeping certain details.

Next I use tracing paper and pen and ink to get a solid black line. I find this way means I don’t lose any of the sketchy vibes from the initial drawing. I used to go over it in ink and then rubout the pencil but this way works better for keeping certain details.

I then scan the drawing in and use Photoshop to play around with the colour and texture to get the final composition looking good. A space is left for the title text. I wanted to use bright clashy colours for this one as I thought it would be more eye catching than the traditional earthy colours.

I then scan the drawing in and use Photoshop to play around with the colour and texture to get the final composition looking good. A space is left for the title text. I wanted to use bright clashy colours for this one as I thought it would be more eye catching than the traditional earthy colours.

The final illustration in the layout.

The final illustration in the layout.

I've moved to Bristol and I'm very smug about it!

An exciting chapter has begun for my family and I. After talking about it for approximately 15 years we have finally gone and moved to Bristol! We have been lucky enough to find a house to rent within walking distance of the harbour. This has made it feel like we are on holiday! There is such a lovely buzz in this city, people are so friendly and it feels like there is something for everyone. Needless to say I’m excited by the creative scene and I can’t wait to see some live music. One my favourite things about walking around the city is the colour. The multicoloured houses, street art, independent shops and cafes are like eye candy. You can’t move for good bakeries and I have had more cinnamon swirls in the last month than is necessary. The big hitters for the kids have been Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Windmill Hill City Farm and SS Great Britain. I haven’t even touched the surface of the food and drink department but it feels great that we can now just relax into our new environment and explore what it has to offer.

I love walking along the harbour it feels like a holiday

I love walking along the harbour it feels like a holiday

Upfest’s Six Sisters: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-57212364

Upfest’s Six Sisters: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-57212364

I love my new studio space. It’s toy-free! Needs some plants etc but it has great light.

I love my new studio space. It’s toy-free! Needs some plants etc but it has great light.

Windmill Hill City farm is a winner!

Windmill Hill City farm is a winner!

A view from S.S Great Britain which was really fun and the ticket lasts a whole year. Bargain!

A view from S.S Great Britain which was really fun and the ticket lasts a whole year. Bargain!

I am obsessed with these cranes

I am obsessed with these cranes

Badvent Calendars are out!

Throughout December 2015 I set myself the challenge of drawing a bad Christmas pun for every day of advent and posting them on social media (#badventcalendar).

Due to popular demand I created the Badvent Calendar in print form!

A5 portrait desk calendar £6.50 +p&p (each page is printed on the back as a postcard so it doubles up as 25 festive postcards) 

You can also buy a pack of 15 gift tags for £5 +p&p made up of 5 different designs (3 of each) 

Buy here: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/katehazell

Ten Poems launch night at Airspace, Oxford Street 1st November

We had a great turn out on 1st November for our launch of Ten Poems, written by Adnan Al- Sayegh, translated by Alaa Juma and Jenny Lewis. Published by Mulfran Press as a Mulfran Minature- an A6 booklet with all the poems and illustrations. These are available to buy for £5. Please email kate@katehazell.com if you'd like to buy one.

The exhibition was hosted by Airspace on Oxford Street. This is a very new, brilliant concept whereby six floors of ultra-smart office space offer hot-desking solutions and temporary office space to Londoners and others – mostly working in the creative industries. The first floor is an events and exhibition space and can be rented out, complete with bar!

The first picture shows Jenny and Adnan reading the poems in Arabic and then English.

Needless to say the rudie one was the most popular!

 

ON HEAT- a titillating exhibition with Just Friends Studio at Loves Company.

Last week myself and Just Friends Studio (design due Christine Serchia and Flaminia Adele Rossi) opened our tantalising display of drawings of prints at cocktail bar Loves Company. Photos by Christine Serchia. It will be on their walls until 8th March of plenty of time to have a look. All work is for sale. Contact us for more info: kate@katehazell.com or justfriendsstudio@gmail.com


ON HEAT: A Valentine's Exhibition With Just Friends Studio

Myself and Just Friends Studio (Christine Serchia & Flaminia Adele) have joined forces to present to you ON HEAT: a Valentine’s exhibition where art imitates love. This collection of drawings, prints and typography will flirt with your eyes and drive you into a frenzy of lust. 

Join us on Thursday 11th February at Loves Company for the preview. Glug back some special offer love potions/ cocktails and snap up some original artworks and unique Valentine’s cards to let your special friends know you truly care. 

Loves Company is just outside exit 4 of Old Street underground and the work will be on show from Monday 8th February 2016 for one month.

Phwoar!

Colourful flashbacks! This time last year I was in India. Happy 2016!

Happy 2016 one and all! Wowsers- this time last year I was in crazy, colourful amazing India! Can I go back please? http://www.katehazell.com/places/

Posted by Kate Hazell Illustration on Thursday, January 7, 2016

Badvent Calendar 2015

Ho ho ho....

Throughout Christmas I will be posting a daily festive drawing straight from my sketchbook. *DISCLAIMER* Expect bad puns, bad drawings and bad taste.

Posted by Kate Hazell Illustration on Thursday, December 3, 2015

Illustrating poems for fun

I've just started a new series (which will be posted soon) of poetry illustrations and it reminded me of some I did with water colour which made a nice fluid change from working with the defined pen and ink lines. These are based on poems by David Shook.

I know Your Body
                   after Victor Teran

If you were a city
I could give perfect directions
to wherever they asked me,
I could map your neighborhoods &
catalogue your smells.

If you were a city
I would get lost every day
down some new corridor.
I would toss my map, hitchhike
your suburbs, wonder your downtown

David Shook

Skelly Ghosts inspired by David Shook's poem:

Below there are policemen, shoe shines, nurses, dwarves, muggers.
Flames leap from windows & the sirens' shriek proclaims
the lordship of violence.

Here on the tenth floor we dead walk with suspicion, distressed,
alert, they won't kill us again.