Today's the day!

Very excited to be at Royal Wootton Bassett Library for a creative writing/illustration workshop today, 6:30pm start! If you're feeling like beating the cold and drizzle with some firing up of imagination, do come down - free entry :)

'OUR SILVER LININGS' CARTOONING WORKSHOP - THIS WEDNESDAY EVENING @ ROYAL WOOTTON BASSETT!

Hello all! Long time, no post... but this Wednesday is one for the diaries!
If you're around the Royal Wootton Bassett area this Wednesday evening, I'll be running my first ever cartooning and illustration workshop at Royal Wootton Basset Library, exploring how we can use the creative medium to face our fears - entry is free and it would be fantastic to share my soul craft with you. Starts at 6:30pm! :)

Should you be in Devon and inclined...

There's a storytelling session taking place in Plymouth Central Library at 2pm tomorrow (Saturday). I'll be there and it'd be lovely to see you there too! ^_^

BLOG ACTION DAY - The Source of Silence

This is the image I want to share with you for Blog Action Day, exploring the topic of inequality.

Over recent months I have received lots of emails and post regarding inequality from groups I follow, including Holocaust Educational Trust, Change.org, Avaaz, 38 Degrees, Oxfam, Amnesty, NSPCC and so on. In receiving so many emails it can be difficult to know how to support each of them, and the amount of injustice around us can be overwhelming to the point that we don't know what to do. Then, with four appeal letters on my table, it hit me: most often the connection between these discrimination cases is not the victim, but the attitudes of the perpetrators. It's the way these perpetrators don't listen, use aggression to force victims into silence, and make them feel like there can't be a chance to speak out without consequences. I hope this double page spread, collaborating these four letters into one disjointed narrative, explains this.

As a result, I'm planning a new graphic novel which will look at how a group of young people survive and form their own voices in a fictional, secretly totalitarian regime. I hope this and the graphic novel might help change perspectives for those who think inequality can't be significantly lessened...!

#BAD2014

Quick note - will you join me for Blog Action Day this Thursday?

I'll be partaking in Blog Action Day this Thursday, invited by Oxfam! If you have a blog that aims to change perceptions, it might be worth signing up 
http://www.blogactionday.org/

CRACKED PINS/The LIFTERS - now available online!!

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/206630249/cracked-pinsthe-lifters-fantasy-graphic

Cracked Pins/Lifters collaboration is now online! :) I've also reinstated Fudge's listing, as Etsy kindly reminded me of its presence by removing it. But hey ho! My shop has been revived to it's former glory. Remember to check out my co-writer's blog, if you haven't yet! >>

https://thewordwhispers.wordpress.com/

Video Post! a.k.a The One with the Panda

Celebrating the reprint of Lifters/Cracked Pins this week - coming to Etsy tomorrow! Plus a little exploration of trying to capture realistic humour in characters.

This is something I've had to grasp throughout getting a handle on my Autism - originally, my humour was very exaggerated and often laboured, but by focusing on what was said and done around me that made me laugh, rather than the humour in literature or on TV (which has already been recreated), I was able to capture how to make my characters hold organic jokes or awkward moments between each other.

And hey, a lot of it was also picking up the awkward moments I had that made people laugh the most - and stopping myself from being too embarrassed by putting it into stories!

I hope this vlog post explains all of that in a far less wordy way...!

Lifters/Cracked Pins Trailer and Reprint!

Evening all! Having sold out of the first small batch of The Lifter/Cracked Pins book during art sales in September, I'll now have some more printed for this weekend - excited to have more!! This is a fantasy collaboration with the talented writer and manga artist you can find on The Word Whispers Wordpress blog. If you haven't checked it out yet, the link'll be below. Otherwise, enjoy this somewhat psychedelic trailer! :)

https://thewordwhispers.wordpress.com/

My Not-So-Ice Bucket Challenge!

This unusual video post for my illustrating project explores the possibilities of doing the Ice bucket challenge without ice, or a bucket. Hmm. But there's still an illustrating element involved! Enjoy... I hope!

New online video post!

Morning all! A quick video post before we all go off on climate action... ;)

LOOKING FOR A CHANCE FOR CLIMATE ACTIVISM? WELL...!

Evening! Proper update about the Art Boot Sales coming tomorrow, but in the meantime!! >>

I'll be announcing a new collaboration on Sunday, as part of the biggest planned social climate movement countrywide! There are also events countrywide you can take part in by searching online; here are some events from the various parts I've recently frequented:

EVENTS NEAR DEVON
People's Climate March - Here we grow!
Exeter, Exeter, Devon, UK

"We share one precious world" Vigil
North Street

People's Climate March - North Devon
The Square, Barnstaple, Devon EX32 8LS, UK

Walk and Talk Energy with Transition Newton Abbot's Dr Watt
Station Road, Newton Abbot, Newton Abbot, Devon TQ12, UK

EVENTS IN WILTSHIRE
People's Climate March
Manor Road, Frome, Somerset BA11, UK

People's Climate March
Salisbury, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK

People's Climate March
Blandford Forum, Blandford Forum, Dorset DT11, UK
45 km

Castle Park, Bristol, City of Bristol BS1 3XD, UK

People's Climate March
High Street, Glastonbury, Glastonbury, Somerset BA6, UK

EVENTS NEAR YORK
Climate Action Knaresborough (CAK)
Knaresborough castle

People's Climate March
Knaresborough Castle, Castle Yard, Knaresborough, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire HG5 8AS, UK

المسيرة المناخية الشعبية
49 Canal Road, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS12 2LX, UK

Vigil for Climate Safety
St George's Square Huddersfield

Vigil for Climate Safety
Saint George's Square, Huddersfield, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire HD1, UK

UPDATE! Newton Abbot Art Stall 7th September; plus a Blog I absolutely recommend!

Good evening! Sorry for the lack of posts at the moment, have travelled back to Plymouth recently so everything's gone a little bit madly (dis)organised!

To add to the mix I'll be in Newton Abbot for my second ever art boot sale this Sunday!! A HUGE thank you to those who went to the Newton Ferrers event at the end of August; ended up selling half my current stock of FUDGE and Cracked Pins, as well as generating much interest. Woop! ^_^ So the other half of said stock will be coming with me to Newton Abbot on Sunday. Posters and event link below; if you feel like an arty start to your Sunday before going back into the world of work, it would be wonderful to see you there - especially for such a good cause as Dame Hannah Rogers! :)

https://www.facebook.com/events/1446015445649287/?fref=ts

It has been a while but another vlog is on the way, for the beginning of next week. In the meantime may I signpost in the direction of this new blog?

https://thewordwhispers.wordpress.com/

My writer-in-crime for Cracked Pins, and creator of the epic Lifters lore running through it, has decided to set up his own blog, so I'd be very pleased if you were to check that page out for me!

Last but not least, a trailer for Cracked Pins, news of new books and commissions all on their way, as well as a round-up of awesome people met at art stalls. Bear with me - I'm lagging a little, but I'll make sure this gets running again next week! Thank you for your patience, and good night :)

CRACKED PINS RELEASED AT NEWTON FERRERS ART BOOT SALE TOMORROW!

Afternoon all!

My first A4 work, a fantasy graphic novel created in collaborated with manga artist and writer W. Smith, has been printed - well, seven copies at this financial stage! - and I'll be taking them out for their first spin at the Art Boot Sale in Netwon Ferrers, Devon, tomorrow. Sales start from 1pm, so why not pop down for a nibble then put your feet up with some reading material? ;)

If more novelty stuff is your idea, you're also in luck - to commemorate this release I've been making 3D framed artwork! You can see one in the photos below, which uses artwork on under and on the glass to create a layered effect. Every thing on my stall will be under £5 each, including the super-exciting bubble wrap for protecting the frames! I don't know about you, but me and bubble wrap... well... pop. :D

I would also like to use this post to thank Lloyd and Esther, at SPS/Royal Wootton Bassett Stationery in my hometown, for helping me print these independently. I used to go in there with my cartoons and stare at pens when I was eight, and since then I've gone back through the years to get more pens, sketchbooks, and finally have my work printed using their copying services. Their support and encouragement has been stellar, so not to thank them would be an abomination! Bless everyone at the shop, you've made long held aspirations materialise, from age eight to twenty-one!

I've chucked in the poster advertising the Newton Ferrers sale tomorrow - look forward to seeing people there! :)

ART CAR BOOT AT NEWTON FERRERS, DEVON, 30th AUGUST - I'LL BE THERE!

I'll be at:

Newton Downs Farm, Newton Ferrers from 1pm.
This Saturday, come rain or shine!

with the new Cracked Pins, Fudge and exclusive artwork I'll be revealing throughout this week! Look forward to my first sale and seeing you soon... :)

Illustration Workshop confirmed | Secrets unveiled on Wordpress and individual teasers for each JakSpeedy blog on the way!! |

Good evening! Hope everyone's looking forward to their weekends. A quick update for you all:

Firstly, my illustration/basic storytelling workshop for Royal Wootton Bassett is now officially on Wednesday 29th October at 6:30pm, based in the Library. I'm looking forward to sharing a welcoming creative atmosphere with everyone and anyone, so please come down and/or spread the word if you're free during the holidays!

Secondly, I have just released some sneak preview pictures on my Wordpress page for Cracked Pins, the fantasy book I'm currently brushing up for release in collaboration with co-writer and awesome manga artist buddy W. Smith. For those unfamiliar with the blog, as a blogger you receive certain medals for achieving an amount of likes, posts, followers and so on - so I decided to tick two boxes with one pen in recycling the colourful medals and previewing two of the characters featured in said book. But it would be massively rude of me to do a preview just for Wordpressers and not here aswell! So I'll be working on some teasers unique to each blog, which will run throughout next week. In the meantime, you can see the 'press post here:

http://jakspeedyillustrator.wordpress.com/2014/08/21/a-sneaky-preview-award-for-lovely-wordpressers/

I'll be away and frequently internetless from tomorrow through to Sunday; I'm sorry I'm not around more! Madly busy and busily mad at the moment. But you will have my undivided attention as I work on your own teasers. :) I will also be drawing to pass the travelling time, so more will be on its way!

Thank you again for your support and patience. Exciting times ahead! :D

Lots of exciting news today!

Let's have a low-down:

Firstly, I now have an illustration and storytelling workshop  confirmed for Wootton Bassett Library, my Wiltshire hometown, in the October holidays. A date is being decided, but I will absolutely be there!

Secondly, I have a second Arts Sale confirmed, this time in my current University haunt of Plymouth on the 30th August! It's based in Newton Ferrers (PL8 1JA) from 1pm on said day, should you want to come and join us. It'll be awesome to meet more artists from the area!

Thirdly - this is somewhat news, as they've been supporting me for over a week now - but I would like to send a big pointy sign to The White Horse Bookshop in Marlborough, as they've allowed me to have advertisement flyers at the counter in their shop. It's full of lovely arty supplies, including a large range of sketchbooks and pens to go with them, as well as paints, canvasses, books and a range of craft workshops. Do go over and check them out! I'm not the only one advertised there too, so you'll find all sorts of interesting leaflets there ;)

More details on all of the above coming soon. For now, though, back to finalising the sequel to FUDGE, and getting the next video ad done! :)

It's a poster! It's blue! It's for Dame Hannah Rogers!

Afternoon! I've been supplied by this snazzy image from Dame Hannah Rogers regarding their exciting Arts Boot Sale, arriving on the 7th September at Newton Abbot! I'll be there getting to know more artists (and customers, is the plan!), and getting more cartoon features on the road - by which time there will be new releases! Artists there contribute to the charity, so it's all for a good cause. :)

A somewhat excitable update from the rainy weekends...

Good evening! It's all gone a little quiet here, but I'm currently scribbling furiously to get a handful of projects done and dusted for autumn-ish release.

First is the sequel to FUDGE which if you buy you will see previewed on the last page! That's due for release in October, and in the meantime there'll be another video for FUDGE on its way before the next cat caper swaggers onto the stage.

Coming up sooner in the future is a collaborative piece intended for an older audience than the above comic (when I say adult I mean in topic, rather than sexual content/drugs/violence!), set in the modern day with fantasy twists and some convention shake-ups. I'm extremely excited about this one since it's been worked on for over a year - over a year, I tell you! And there are three video previews in process. It'll be a serial made up of issues, which are close to becoming books in themselves... so plenty to get your teeth into, I hope.

Continuing on from my autism posts, this fantasy piece also has some elements of realizing unique potential and overcoming hidden challenges in a visually pleasing way - or that's the plan! I'm working full-tilt to get it done; looking at end of August or September for release but will let you know when I do...!

I can't wait to share all this stuff with you to see what you think. Though I promise to take all feedback as helpful - I'd rather try and improve my work than get overtly defensive over it. I put heart and soul into this stuff, but there'll be more where that came from!

In the meantime I'll leave you with this pen that, funnily enough, is encouraging me to hit all those targets. It being an arrow is highly useful!

How drawing helps me with my autism - a picture presentation!

In light of my recent success at Mermaid and Miller, I've been encouraged to speak more openly about how my cartooning and graphic novel writing has helped me with my autism. So, as per usual, a snazzy poster-like device was required! ^_^

There are two projects which I'm currently close to finishing, so there will be trailers and posters for them coming very soon. Keep your eyes well looked after for when the time comes...!

Thank you all for your support so far :)

COMING TO THE ART BOOT SALE AT NEWTON ABBOT, SEPTEMBER?

Afternoon all,
I'll be promoting and selling a fresh batch of comic books down at the wonderful Arts Boots Sale in Newton Abbot on the 7th September. Click on the link for location and times!

https://www.facebook.com/events/1446015445649287/?fref=ts

It's all in aid of Dame Hannah Rogers (DiscoverHannahs), who do fantastic educational support for those with special educational needs. Which means I'll be donating money to the cause to put my stall up! I'll also have exclusive work for the Art Boot Sale there with me - of which more proceeds will go to the marvellous charity running the event -  so catch it while you can!

Looking forward to a day of arty discovery...!!

Remembrance Illustration

Though I've been celebrating on this page today, it's also vital not to forget that today is also about reflection and remembrance. For those whose lives were lost during the First World War and the impact it had on all those around them, we owe our remembrance to them and a hope that, together, we can stop conflict on a scale as impossible to comprehend - as this war was in its era - taking place again. I've placed this sketch on the local memorial in Royal Wootton Bassett (unless it needs to be removed), along with a poppy, as my own way of remembering those who were lost. May they rest in our memory.

FIRST OFFICIAL STOCKING - MERMAID&MILLER, YORK

BIG NEWS. BIG EXCITING NEWS.
I can now announce that my comic books will now be stocked by the Mermaid and Miller, in York!

During a visit to family up in that beautifully nature-filled part of the country, I took my batch of comics with me in case anyone was interested. Luckily for me, these lovely people have said they're willing to have them in their shop!

The Mermaid and Miller are especially awesome as they stock art from people with mental health conditions and learning difficulties. I've been pretty quiet about my autism on here until now (I've spent a lot of time at Uni promoting autism awareness, but didn't feel quite ready to say it here right away), but the guys made me feel very comfortable, and I was able to explain to them how my drawing has helped me overcome a lot of issues with eye contact, as well as a therapy when things have got too much.

Things are still being set up, but Fudge will be on sale there very soon indeed. A huge thank you to everyone supporting me so far - to finally have something I've drawn in a shop after so many years is an incredible feeling. 

Multi-faceted Trailer on the Way!

Had an interesting evening working with some non-paper materials for making my next trailer for a brand new project.

 I'm hoping to do some exciting live action footage manipulating light and 3D for this one!

And the ominous lighting, well... maybe it implies a theme of potential... ominousness!

FUDGE Trailer strolls onto Youtube!

Good morning all of you lovely lot. I have a new video here for you which I’ve been working on as a trailer for FUDGE, featuring some old-fashioned-style animation and backing music done by myself. If you order FUDGE on Etsy when you search JakSpeedyIllustrator, that song will be emailed to you as a free thank you! Free thank yous make the world go round…!

OFFCUTS! "How to win Buses and influence Bus Drivers"

Small skit using waste paper recycled from making my cartoon books - no writing space wasted!! Featuring Bertie from my comic FUDGE, see the links below to have a look at them!

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/155441326/fudge-book-short-comedy-action?ref=listing-shop-header-1

FUDGE (C) Jak Whitfield 2014

OFFCUTS! "Learning to Swim"

Small skit using waste paper recycled from making my cartoon books - no writing space wasted!! Featuring a fuzzy critter Snidney (not a typo!) and Walry from CANDLE HOUSE. See the link below to have a look!

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/192224387/candle-house-pocket-illustration-book?ref=listing-shop-header-0

CANDLE HOUSE (C) Jak Whitfield 2014

GREETINGS, BLOGGY SMARTIES!

Hello! Jak SpeedyIllustrator here. This allotment of the interspace is my blog for webtoons, updates and trailers of my cartoons - all written, drawn and put together by myself, and printed by local printers! All my illustrations are black and white, but I aim to incorporate the sensation of colour, movement, and multiple dimensions wherever I can in my drawings. Currently I have two on offer, FUDGE, an energetic feline spy satire which has the 8-80 age rating, and CANDLE HOUSE, which is a mix of storytelling and images for infant-to-early-primary age kids. But there's stuff for adults (by which I mean adult topics, over the usage of sex, gore and swearing!) and everything inbetween coming too - keep your eyes peeled on this site for webtoons both as spin-offs to Fudge and Candle House, but also previews to the new upcoming stuff, too!

Anyway, time for this man of images to ease off the words and let the video do the talking! Search JakSpeedyIllustrator on Etsy to find my shop, or search me on Google to find other places where I blog!

Ta everyone! May the online adventures begin...!