There are a number of things that make being an illustrator difficult. These aren't complaints because being an illustrator is one of the best jobs in the world.

Why do people expect you to do work for nothing? I just don't get it. Try asking a solicitor to knock up a contract for nothing. It just doesn't work and yet if you say no the look of hurt and annoyance is amazing.

Some guy asked me recently to draw his barber's shop and the people who work there. I told him the price and he gasped in amazement. If I had agreed it would have taken me several days. Should I have done it for nothing....because he's a barber?

It annoys me.

I have a style of drawing and colouring. My examples are all over the place: On my website, my blog and in the public domain. Why is it I get asked to draw in someone else's style? I draw in my style. If you want it to look like someone else's style ask them to draw it. Oh, they're too expensive ae they? Then use another style!

It annoys me.

These things don't annoy me enough to start a revolutionary movement or a new political party but I would very much like the occurences to stop.

I remember a story that Phil May ( a 19th Century cartoonist/illustrator) was asked to do a commission for someone. When he delivered the piece the clent was angry that it had cost so much for so few lines. Phil May replied, 'The fewer lines I use the more I would charge'. He was charging for 30 years experience and a skilful use of line.

A Pig relaxing. He is listening to a few tunes and soaking.

Samurai Pig. It's an idea for a comic. I just like the idea. He's a great Samurai warrior trained from a piglet in the great arts of combat. That kind if thing.

A few spaceships. According to the science programs I used to watch in the 60's we should all have one of these by now.

A Jungle and some parrots. Oh, and girl trying to coax them over.

Thid happens to me EVERY time I go into the sea. It sometimes happens to me when I have a bath. I can't be the only one?

Summer illustration.

The Sword. So, what's happening here? What is the back story. Comments on a postcard to....someone else. And why is she wearing high heels? The mystery continues.....

I've got something about women in leather today. I saw the movie, Haywire last night. It wasn't the best movie in the world but I like it when a girl gets the better of all the blokes. That must have been the key.

DO NOT FORGET THE CHOCOLATE! Plenty of us guys have seen that look.

The frog eating French eating a sandwich

Camel racing. Who hasn't enjoyed a season of camel racing? I know I haven't. A horse designed by a committee they say. You can see why.

Ah, Granny. Off to the shops. This is the type of granny I always wanted. I didn't know my grandparents very well but I just hop, when I wasn't there, that they walked around the supermarket looking like this.

I gave myself 30 minutes to draw and colour up an illustration and here's the result. A bit rough but overall.....okay. I think.

'Frogs and Rain'. It's an idea I had but I lost the enthusiasm to follow it through to colour. It's a case of the idea in my head was better than the final illustration. Oh well.