Culprit Art

Spirou Strip

2011-11-13T13:51:00.000-08:00

Wow - it's been a while since my last post .... still here though!

Been busy working on various projects - Meep & Toru (kid's book) is coming on nicely, preparing lots of imagery for a Culprit Tech project and lots of real-life work keeping me busy - one such project was this recent commission which was lots of fun to do - a strip for Spirou ... the theme? Japan! Here are a few highlights from said strip! Hope all you creative cats out there are keeping busy despite economic doom and gloom ....

Matt x

Meep & Toru

2011-05-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

Some sketches from recent weeks of kids book development .... Meep has joined up with Toru! Still very much in the rough stage of development but shaping up nicely enough - anyone with any pointers or publishing advice? I'm all ears .....

Best, Matt

Meep 2011 - Full Steam Ahead!!

2011-03-18T02:47:00.000-07:00

As you can see from these pics - the Meep merchandise ideas are nicely taking shape! My intended project for summer 2011, in collaboration with Lizzie Cameron ( who made these brilliant Meep plush characters) is to dust off an idea I've been kicking around for a few years now and finally produce a kid's book all about Meep and his friends. Watch this space for future Meep updates!

Culprit Tech Screenprints 2011

2011-02-16T01:28:00.000-08:00

Two designs so far - available to buy HERE.

Culprit Tech 2011

2011-02-07T09:36:00.000-08:00

First posts for 2011 over at my other blog - Culprit Tech - Link Here.

Robots!!

2010-08-20T04:51:00.000-07:00

More pics up at Culprit Tech - might become Prints or Tees .... watch this space ....

Culprit Tech Screenprints!

2010-08-05T14:03:00.000-07:00

Now available to buy - hit the link!

Spirou Strip

2010-07-13T10:35:00.001-07:00

Haven't delved much into the world of comics before but I was delighted to be asked to contribute a piece for Spirou recently - here are some of the character poses used in said strip!!

Tayburn Characters

2010-07-13T10:23:00.000-07:00

CRIKEY!! It's been a while since I posted on this site - been Techin' too much methinks!! Anyhoos - here are a few character concepts I've come up with in conjunction with Tayburn design company and their client QMS.

Animals

2010-02-12T07:20:00.000-08:00

Some rough ideas for baby book characters I'm developing at the moment. these are for the same folks who produce Spirou magazine.As you can see their mascot Spip the squirrel is in amongst all the other critters!

Culprit Tech Prints NOW AVAILABLE !!

2009-10-25T10:28:00.001-07:00

You can now purchase Culprit Tech prints online @ Society 6 - hit this link!

Bad Dudes Vs. Dragon Ninja

2009-10-11T15:00:00.000-07:00

I've been kindly invited* by talented artist and all-round good egg Ross Christie to be part of a group exhibition he's curating at the end of the month ( 30th October ) at Pageant here in Edinburgh, entitled Bad Dudes Vs. Dragon Ninja .... come along, drink, be merry and say how-do!!!

*Actually that bit's a lie - I held him at gun-point until he tearfully relented!!

Logo Designs

2009-10-11T11:15:00.001-07:00

A few work-in-progress-may-still-need-tweaking logo idents for Typeface Creative and Deershed Festival

Chivalry still very much alive ....

2009-09-11T16:20:00.000-07:00

... over at Culprit Tech.

Mech!

2009-09-07T12:20:00.000-07:00

Mech over at 'tech!

Squirrels!!

2009-08-04T16:27:00.000-07:00

Working on re-interpreting a character design at the moment - here are some of the initial rough ideas .....

Recent Ruffness!

2009-07-14T17:03:00.000-07:00

Noodlings and doodlings for a column on Political Activism and Protests for The List Magazine ...

Culprit Tech Update

2009-06-29T16:08:00.000-07:00

Been messing around with some more Culprit Tech ideas - link here.

Robots!

2009-06-07T06:24:00.001-07:00

Some ideas I'm developing for a friend - could potentially become a colouring book for kids ....

Draw Serge!

2009-05-25T13:02:00.000-07:00

Mucker of mine and fellow Illustrator Jonathan Edwards has set up a new blog asking contributors to send in their own visual depictions of Serge Gainsbourg! Interested in submitting a piccy of the French crooner? Head over here.

This is my version - very rough around the edges .... quite shonky really (!!) and how well I've captured him I'm not quite sure - ah well .... you've gotta just cut the umbilical and move on sometimes ..... but there are some lovely images appearing already at the site which I heartily recommend visiting!

Cupcake Kitchen

2009-05-21T07:25:00.000-07:00

Jess Gallagher kindly supplied the superb cakes at the Culprit / Mammal show the other night! To see the wonderful kinds of cake she makes visit www.cupcakekitchen.etsy.com, for orders, to get in contact and generally see what's up for grabs mail her @ cupcakekitchen@live.co.uk

Many Thanks

2009-05-16T04:20:00.000-07:00

A big thankyou to everyone for coming along to the Culprit Tech / Mammal show last night - much appreciated!

Extra special thanks to the people who helped out -

Jess for the AMAZING cakes! Neil C who supplied the projector screen. Ben Soper, Katie Crook and Ross Christie for their tech support. Russell and Julie for hosting the event at Analogue. Armida Taylor for her help with the food / beer / gocco stall.

And last, but by no means least, the extremely talented chaps that are MAMMAL - thanks guys, you were awesome!!

Artwork Refined

2009-05-11T18:55:00.000-07:00

That comp image tidied up - few minor changes .....

Freddie and the Fairy

2009-05-08T09:37:00.000-07:00

Having a stab at the Waterstone's PICTURE THIS comp to illustrate Julia Davidson's 'Freddie and the Fairy'. Rough scribblings thus far .....

Culprit / 7vwwvw

2009-03-31T17:02:00.000-07:00

Remnants Of Joona

2009-02-25T07:38:00.000-08:00

Coming Soon

Best Coffee EVER !!!!

2009-02-15T17:09:00.000-08:00

Whilst roaming the streets of Edinburgh today, with my good friend Benjamin Constant, I was introduced to the delights of Artisan Roast - if you happen to be in the Broughton street area and fancy a cup of the good stuff definitely check it out!!

New Tech

2009-02-15T15:27:00.000-08:00

Fresh collage capers here!

Gene Splicing ....

2009-02-11T12:05:00.000-08:00

Hot off the press - just done this illo for Fortean Times ... all about genetic mutations in evolution. Initially tried to conjure up a Giuseppe Acrimboldo-inspired depiction of Darwin, made up of various animals, but this rough, alas, didn't quite make the grade so jettisoned it in favour of the final snake / giraffe hybrid!

Back to scribbling ....

Bye For Now

Two Great Finds ....

2009-02-09T10:02:00.000-08:00

Brilliant vintage design at Grain Edit and lovely imagery over at Cuban Posters blog too!!

Flyer Design

2009-02-08T15:28:00.000-08:00

The latest Culprit Tech image for This Is Music club night here in Edinburgh.

Children's Book Project

2009-01-30T13:39:00.000-08:00

A few teaser sketches and scribbles from a project I'm currently developing entitled 'Toru And The Little Firefly'- click on the image to enlarge.

New Culprit Tech Images

2009-01-24T10:47:00.000-08:00

Updates aplenty over at my other blog - link here.

Rue Five Website

2009-01-22T17:31:00.000-08:00

Up and running!! Nice one Jules! Link here.

Tempa Allstars Artwork

2009-01-13T09:16:00.000-08:00

Give Up Art and Culprit Tech join forces for these images found on Tempa Allstars Vol:05

Merry Xmas & a Happy New Year!!

2008-12-22T12:43:00.000-08:00

All the best for the festive season & 2009!!

Matt x

Seattle Metropolitan

2008-12-17T16:10:00.000-08:00

Concepts and sketches for some illos just commissioned by the good folks over at Seattle Metropolitan - some used ... some escaped ....

Fortean Times Critter

2008-12-17T16:05:00.000-08:00

Some sketches / artwork for FT about a microbe that feeds off trees .. a bi-product of which is biofuel excretions from the wee beastie .....

Blog Change - Weapon To Tech

2008-11-26T07:10:00.000-08:00

Hi Folks! Just to let you know my other blog - We Are Weapon is now called Culprit Tech - it can be seen here!

ZONK

2008-11-22T06:35:00.001-08:00

Meep Latest ....

2008-11-19T16:09:00.000-08:00

Still chipping away at the kid's book idea / page layout - less is definitely more methinks!!

We Are Weapon Weirdness

2008-11-19T11:02:00.000-08:00

More Vehicle designs and sci-fi-esque shenanigans over at We Are Weapon blog. Hit the link here!

Blue Iris Films Goes Live!

2008-11-19T11:00:00.000-08:00

A few months back I worked on the logo for Edinburgh-based production company Blue Iris Films. They've now gone live - hit the link here!

Animal Farm

2008-11-14T08:47:00.000-08:00

Just finished these images for a kid's playground mural here in Edinburgh at Gorgie City Farm - this is in conjunction with Kate Mackay at Alchemy Arts also based in Edinburgh. I've purposely left the images pretty loose / sketch-like as they're going to be enlarged / painted up onto wood then jig-sawed out and fixed in place by a team helping out at the farm - the idea being that they can have fun with these characters and not stick strictly or precisely to how I've rendered them but instead get stuck in with the paints and, hopefully, add their own personal touch.

And More Concept Cars ....

2008-10-26T11:20:00.000-07:00

Well .... 'vehicles' rather than 'cars' .... but you get the idea!! Others hiding over at WEAREWEAPON blog - hit the link here.

Children's Book Spread

2008-10-26T11:13:00.000-07:00

Finally got around to starting 'Meep' revisions - here he has a run-in with the robot fella I posted a week or so ago - be keen to hear any passing blogger thoughts!!

Concept Vehicle Pt.4

2008-10-23T15:53:00.001-07:00

Hot off the press ...

Concept Cars Continued

2008-10-17T07:38:00.000-07:00

Two more vehicles .... project taking shape nicely!

Robot Doodle

2008-10-15T13:05:00.000-07:00

I'm currently revising the artwork for my children's book project 'Meep's Fun Flyby' and this fella turned up - I liked the look of him, gave him some colour and now he's going to be part of the story - 'Radar Risk Meep - Runaway Robot Rampaging!!'

Halloween Gig II - The Ladies Return!!

2008-10-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

Our Ladies Of Sorrow create a synth rock opera to accompany imagery from giallo horror movies. Brilliant! Can't wait!! More info here.

Keep It Simple

2008-10-15T10:58:00.000-07:00

Nice bit of design from friend and Typographer Seb Lester - see his site here!

Concept Cars

2008-10-14T11:08:00.000-07:00

The concept work of Syd Mead has always inspired and excited me and forms the basis for a solo show I'm currently planning to put on, hopefully before xmas, in Edinburgh. It'll involve the cut'n'paste collage style I usually adopt for WE ARE WEAPON - seen here is the first of, hopefully, lots of outlandish and futuristic modes of transport compiled from cuttings and clip art cast-offs! Keep watching this space for details!!

The Next Step .....

2008-10-06T09:38:00.000-07:00

Vdesign has just had a stereolythography resin model made up of the Culprit / Hoody figure - head over to Culprit Toys for more photos!! Thanks to Analogue for piccies / loan of camera!

Good Food Folk!!

2008-10-04T13:58:00.000-07:00

Howdy! Some rough character sketches I've just done for a pitch about healthy eating for kids - burger dad is my fave!!

Kingfisher

2008-10-01T14:43:00.000-07:00

Totally unrelated to Illustration this entry .....

Last couple of days, as I've been cycling to and from work along the Water Of Leith, I've been lucky enough to glimpse this beauty darting by - certainly brought a smile to my face! This photo was originally taken by Chris Grady - you can check out his brilliant catalogue of nature photography right here.

Paul Newman (1925 - 2008) RIP

2008-10-01T14:41:00.000-07:00

MART

2008-09-20T14:39:00.000-07:00

A young artist from madrid sent me a link to his work - you can check it here! Talented fellow!!

More Blue Iris....

2008-08-26T11:25:00.000-07:00

Refinements .... getting there .....

Blue Iris Films

2008-08-13T13:21:00.000-07:00

Some rough logo ideas I sketched up yesterday and today for a film company being set up here in Edinburgh by a couple of mates - should be posting up the final image before too long!

Culprit Toys / Artist Collaborations

2008-08-08T17:54:00.000-07:00

Tentative plans are afoot for custom Culprit 'Hoody' figure range - here's an example of how a Culprit Vs. Jon Burgerman figure might look should they ever see the light of day!

Bull?

2008-08-08T17:52:00.000-07:00

Matador and bull illos for Property Week Global!

Sneak Peek!

2008-08-08T17:41:00.000-07:00

Some sketches from another upcoming Children's book pitch I'm working on - this particular story takes place in Japan ( a place I'd love to visit one day) and is all about a character called Toru and his love of flying kites ....

One of the characters he meets can be seen here appropriated for another potential project!

Time Traveller

2008-08-08T17:37:00.000-07:00

Concept roughs thru to finished artwork for a Time Traveller's account of the ( somewhat dystopian) future as featured in this month's Fortean Times magazine.

Just Found this ....

2008-08-08T17:32:00.000-07:00

Rummaging through my files and found this unused pic for an article on first-time property buying .... maybe it was too cute at the end of the day ... I quite like the simplism of it though which is why it's wandered onto the blog!

Festival Stereotypes

2008-06-16T03:20:00.000-07:00

With the Edinburgh festival fast approaching these illos have been commissioned by The List to depict various characters who appear on the scene - these are the work in progress / roughs ....

Property Week Logos

2008-06-16T03:17:00.000-07:00

Here you can see development stages - roughs through to artwork - for a logo for Property Week magazine - this job was good fun - cheers Richard!!

Endangered Species

2008-06-16T03:15:00.000-07:00

Assorted critter logos for Fortean Times .....

Been A While ......

2008-06-16T03:10:00.000-07:00

Since I last posted - lack of email, moving flat (twice in the last two months!!) .... so here's a few updates - first off ..... some illos / logos for The List magazine guide to property buying.

More Knight Pics ....

2008-04-09T14:34:00.000-07:00

Those kids book roughs are shaping up nicely ....

Wacky Race(r)s!!!

2008-04-09T14:31:00.000-07:00

May have posted this before .... can't remember! Hanna Barbera eat your heart out - think this line-up would make a fun poster!!

Fortean Times Roughs

2008-04-06T13:23:00.000-07:00

Knight Studies

2008-04-01T15:15:00.000-07:00

Scans from my sketchbook ....

Very ROUGH Roughs!!

2008-04-01T14:58:00.000-07:00

Blocking out the composition on my latest attempt at a Kid's Book - all the artwork is finished pretty much and once I've finished the temp layout, inserted text and worked out how it's all going to fit together I'll scan in and bung the final images over the top before tweaking / rendering 'em nice and neatly in my regular styley!!It's been an on-and-off project for some time this one but hopefully get it finished this month before hitting the gold-paved streets of london to see if there are any takers down there in the publishing world!!

Seattle Metropolitan Pics

2008-03-25T15:23:00.000-07:00

A rough sketch / initial idea , which wasn't used, and the actual finished artwork, as it eventually turned out, for a US editorial commission this week ....

Black Cape Image

2008-03-25T15:14:00.000-07:00

My own interpretation of one of Iain Laurie's BLACK CAPE heroes .... The Hand Of Vengeance!!

Culprit Toys

2008-03-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

An off-shoot blog exploring the collaborative process and design stages of toy / figure concepts I've developed recently with Vijay Paul at VDesign - hit the link here!!

Less Is More!

2008-02-22T08:02:00.000-08:00

Just done this illo for the good folks at Property magazine - an article on reducing building carbon emissions - as you can see from the initial rough (top) I got a bit carried away and over-egged the pudding somewhat .... but then we trimmed, tweaked and honed it down for a much subtler and more obviously graph-like image which produced the end result below.

We Meet At Last ....

2008-02-12T14:54:00.000-08:00

Hero Vs. Nemesis - Culprit Toys courtesy of VDesign!!

'Meep' Book

2008-01-29T02:31:00.000-08:00

Things shaping up nicely at the moment with my latest kid's book project - here are a few roughs from this week .....

Felt Mistress

2008-01-08T16:43:00.000-08:00

Some fantastic looking felt toy characters from the very talented Louise 'Felt Mistress' Evans - check 'em here!

Samurai Sketch

2008-01-06T03:34:00.000-08:00

Found this image ( a rehash of some sketches I'd done previously ) kicking about on my hard-drive .... Samurai Vs. Sorcerer action!!

Green Illos

2008-01-03T06:32:00.000-08:00

Another batch from work just before xmas ...

Last Commission For '07

2008-01-03T06:28:00.000-08:00

A piece for Credit Today magazine .....

Elph Magic!!

2007-11-20T12:35:00.000-08:00

Elph kindly gave me one of his delicious hand-stencilled stickers the other night - so cheers for that fella - top stuff!! A keeper for definite!! Now ..... what to stick it to?

Knitty Kitty !!

2007-11-20T12:29:00.000-08:00

The very talented Catherine Walsh at work - click here to check it out - Go kitty!!!

We Can Work It Out

2007-11-19T16:08:00.000-08:00

A group exhibition I took part in at the new GRV venue here in Edinburgh - peeps on show were Elph, Gregor Louden, Acorn, We Are Weapon ( uh?), Jetpac, Ruefive, Spie One, Carrie Maginn, Amy Whiten, Derm, Sole, Jekil and Klingatron.It looked great in the gallery space once all the pieces were hung although the bar and the rest of the place looked very 'Challenge Anneka' as I was leaving .... AND I missed the free booze!! Oh well - looks like Galletly and co. cleaned up on my behalf - check out these bevvied-up crazies!! Nothing quite like a sozzled artist!! I've tried to link up to all the talent involved but some are pretty t'interweb-elusive - sorry to those folks!!

WE ARE WEAPON

2007-11-15T05:03:00.000-08:00

WE ARE WEAPON

Dan Mcpharlin

2007-11-04T16:19:00.001-08:00

I love this guy's work - it's as simple as that - hit this link to see what I'm on about!!

Take To The woods

2007-11-04T16:12:00.001-08:00

I'm fortunate enough to be taking part in the next Analogue Show - it's a great line-up of artists - should be good fun!!

Zeel Power!!!

2007-11-04T16:07:00.000-08:00

A bit late in the day this post ... but always good to see Zeel in Action!! Not to be missed!!

Constructivist Foray ...

2007-10-30T17:32:00.000-07:00

Magazine cover (+ colour variations) commissioned just this week ....

Halloween!!!

2007-10-30T16:31:00.001-07:00

When I'm not drawing things ( and pretending it's a living) I like to revert to being 6 years old -
making pumpkin lanterns = FUN!!!!!!!!

Early Griffin

2007-09-25T06:16:00.000-07:00

Julie Nicoll and Natalie Russell work closely with artists to produce a series of limited, but affordable, screenprints. Artists featured in the first series are Supermundane, Nigel Peake and Zakee Shariff - check out their lovely site here!!

Old But Gold

2007-09-06T14:21:00.000-07:00

Quiet week work-wise .... so dredged the bottom of my hard-drive and salvaged some (still) half decent illos from yesteryear .....

Culprit Stickers

2007-08-29T08:30:00.001-07:00

Just been supplied with some nice vinyl stix courtesy of Sticker Monkey!!

Internet Dating Anyone?

2007-08-29T08:26:00.000-07:00

Black Cape Strip

2007-08-26T02:51:00.000-07:00

Follow the adventures of a group of unemployed Scottish superheroes - words by Fraser Campbell and images by Iain Laurie - click here and here to witness the carnage!!

Big Geezers Tour

2007-08-24T07:53:00.000-07:00

Looks like these critters are having fun - Microbo, Bo130, Will Barras, London Police and
many more packed onto a tourbus and hitting Europe with their art thang!! Check it!!

More Le Donk

2007-08-23T17:50:00.000-07:00

The new 'Le Donk' comedy project filmed during he weekend of 23rd to the 29th of July shot over 5 days at the Arctic Monkeys mini festival at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester. The project with Shane Meadows had no script,funding and only a small crew.
At the moment it is uncertain as to whether this will become a short, TV pilot or full feature film.
Post production has begun.

Le Donk is a builder, a drummer, and roadie and will be played by Paddy Considine. Le Donk will feature The Arctic Monkeys!

YouTube clips here and here

Please note - the sound is pretty naff in these clips ......

Bumbershoot Food Pics

2007-08-23T17:16:00.000-07:00

Food guide illos for Seattle Weekly