Chris Judge Illustration

The Great Explorer Book Launch

2012-01-23T15:26:00.002Z

I am delighted to announce the launch of my brand new picture book 'The Great Explorer'.

When: Saturday 4th of February

Time: 2-6pm

Where: The Central Hotel, Exchequer Street, Dublin.

I will be signing copies of the book and we will have teas and coffees and treats for the kiddies so please do drop in and say hello if you are in town.

The Great Explorer Trailer

2012-01-16T18:55:00.003Z

My New Picture Book 'The Great Explorer' will be available in the shops on the 2nd of Feb.

I'll post here during the week with the location for the launch which is taking place in Dublin on the 4th of Feb.

Here's a very dramatic movie-type-trailer I made for it!Watch it in HD looks much nicer.

Alphabeast app is go!

2011-12-14T18:28:00.001Z

So excited to announce that our iPad Alphabeast app is now available on iTunes! Thanks so much to everyone who helped make this happen through fundit.ie.

The app was created by myself, James Kelleher and the brother Simon Judge and features all new illustrations from the world of the Beast.

It's available for iPad at the moment but we are currently working on the iPhone and Android versions which should be available in January. Visit iTunes and search for Alphabeast to download.

The Lonely Beast Gift Set

2011-12-13T20:14:00.003Z

Looking for a (reasonably priced) gift for a loved one? Well look no further! The Lonely Beast Christmas Gift Set now available on my shop with free shipping for €20. The set includes signed Lonely Beast book and choice of two signed mini prints. Free shipping too!

What's included:

A signed copy of The Lonely Beast book + a choice of two signed prints (28x24cm - same size as the book) printed on nice 350gsm textured paper.

Simply choose two from the three of the prints by indicating your choices as well as an inscription for your book and they will be winging it's way to you right away!

VISIT THE SHOP BY CLICKING HERE TO PURCHASE

Sharks!

2011-11-01T20:46:00.000Z

The lovely book 100 Facts About Sharks by David O'Doherty, Claudia O'Doherty, Mike Ahern has recently been published and I was honoured to have been asked to supply artwork for two of it's 'facts' (see above).

If you haven't picked up a copy yet I urge you to purchase it soon! It may save your life one day. As well as the brilliant 100 Facts About Pandas.

Illustration course!

2011-10-12T10:30:00.000+01:00

I'm delighted to announce a new illustration course that I have been invited to lecture at in Giddy Studios!
After the great success of the last courses and all the great work produced, Giddy Studios are opening their doors again to another intensive four weeks of illustration madness.

If the last course and the work that was produced is anything to go by then I cannot wait to meet our future students. It was an honour to be involved with such a talented bunch.

The course is great way to meet like-minded people and walk away with several bodies of new work.

Details for this seasons are as follows:

----------------------------

Giddy Studios are proud to announce a brand new illustration evening course with guest illustrator Chris Judge as lecturer. The courses will run for four weeks during the months of Sept / Oct 2011.

Chris Judge is one of Ireland's leading professional illustrators and will be your dedicated lecturer during the full course. The course takes place in Dundrum in the relaxed atmosphere of the very comfortable Giddy Studios, with lots of tea, coffee, Tunnock's Tea Cakes and general chat about the world of illustration.

------------------------------------

Giddy Studios Course in Illustration

Dates: Wednesday 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd November.

The course will cover:

• an introduction to contemporary illustration
• a look at the various areas in illustration:
• editorial
• picture book
• commercial
• self promotional work

One of the modules of the course will focus on

* Illustration as art
* the commercial and business side of illustration and
* the pros and cons of a career in illustration.

Various skills, including concepts, ideas, penciling, line work and colour will be discussed in detail.

Students will be assigned various projects which will be critiqued during the four weeks of the course. This will form an important part of the overall course. Students will be encouraged to keep a sketchbook throughout.

Each week students will work on a new group project to loosen up their drawing skills.

Students will be encouraged to participate actively in group discussions throughout the course.

------------------------------------

For more information about Chris Judge please visit his website www.chrisjudge.com

To enroll or for more information please see details below:

Fee: €220 for 4 weeks.

NOTE: Classes will be limited so early booking is advised.

Venue: Giddy Studios, Dundrum Town Centre, level 2, red car park (unit 2 / 42b), Dublin 14.

e: helena@giddystudios.com
call: 087 9879515

The Lonely Beast US edition

2011-09-27T12:34:00.003+01:00

I just received some copies of the full HD Hardback version of the US edition of The Lonely Beast from the lovely folk in Andersen Press. With fancy dust jacket and everything! It's amazing to see it in hardback after getting used to the soft cover. I guess it's usually the other way round.

Endless Summer Campaign

2011-09-14T12:50:00.000+01:00

During the course of the Summer I worked on this great campaign with the lovely folks in Cawley Nea for Carphone Warehouse. They didn't want a dreary 'Back to School' campaign (I always hated seeing those signs during school holidays, invariably in July!) so the concept was to capture all of the fun of the Summer holidays and keep it going into the Autumn. The illustrations are based on doodles from the back of copy books, I still have a pile of mine and went to them for reference!

I will be doing live versions of the drawings on big canvases in the Carphone Warehouse stores in Galway, Limerick and Cork (starting tomorrow in Galway).

Click the Read More link below to see some of the places the artwork ended up...

Amongst Inspiration

2011-09-12T16:18:00.000+01:00

I was honoured to be asked to be the first contributor to James Coopers lovely Amongst Inspiration shorts that he has just started producing. Thanks James!

From James: 'As an Australian creative based in Dublin, I have met & been inspired by a number of talented Dublin creatives working across all disciplines in Ireland's capital.'

Alphabeast App!

2011-09-09T16:31:00.004+01:00

Alphabeast from Pilcrow on Vimeo.

Very excited to announce a great new project I am working on with Simon Judge and James Kelleher. We want to bring the world of The Lonely Beast to life on the iPad and iPhone as an interactive A-B-C app for kids called Alphabeast. I will be creating 26 all-new scenes featuring the beast and his friends so that kids can learn the alphabet, discover new words and have heaps of fun all at the same time. watch the video below to get an idea of what we are up to.

We need your help to do it on the youfundit site!! Your contribution will go towards the production and development costs of making sure the Beast finds a happy home on the app store. There are lots of great rewards for each contribution. You can read more about it here.

ESB Electric Picnic illustrations

2011-09-02T17:48:00.000+01:00

If you're in Electric Picnic over the weekend keep an eye out for the Sparkhead illustrations etc that I did for ESB with the guys in IIBBDO. There's a big recharging area with swings, seesaws and running wheels!

The Great Explorer Picture book

2011-08-30T17:13:00.003+01:00

My second picture book 'The Great Explorer' is finally finished and winging it's way to the printers! It will be published on 2nd February 2012 by Andersen Press and is now available for pre-order on Amazon. This is the cover!

'The Great Explorer' tells the story of a young boy named Tom, whose Dad is a famous explorer. His Dad goes missing in the North Pole so Tom decides that he must go and find him and sets out on a perilous journey across Oceans, snow and ice, braving dizzying heights in a hot air balloon and helicopter. He also crosses the path of some scary large animals!

For my second book I wanted to make a fast paced rollicking adventure so I arrived at Tom as the main character to battle the elements. I am a huge fan of the great arctic explorers like Shackleton and Scott and of all the astounding feats of bravery they achieved at the turn of the century but the character that I hold dearest to me is of course the great Tom Crean. I have a mild obsession with him, as do many Irish people, so this story is a tip of the hat to the great man. My story is set in the North Pole as opposed to the South Pole, mainly because the animals are better :-)

I'll post more images and info from the story closer to the release date of the book! Also I'll post here about the launch for it which will be some time in February.

The Beast at Edinburgh Book Festival

2011-08-27T13:21:00.003+01:00

Very excited to be doing some book readings at the Edinburgh book festival tomorrow afternoon. Do drop in if you're in the vicinity! Click here for info.

Any recommendations for shows on over the weekend?

The Lonely Beast in New York Times

2011-08-27T10:28:00.001+01:00

I was delighted and very surprised to have The Lonely Beast included in the New York Times Sunday Book Review in last Sunday's book review section ahead of its release on September 1st in the U.S. Hooray!

You can read the review here.

Seasonal Skills in The irish Times

2011-07-14T16:41:00.005+01:00

This is the first of a series of fun illustrations I'll be working on over the course of the Summer with writer Conor Goodman and will be published every Thursday in the Irish Times. You can see this one in todays paper. I'll post them here as they are published.

Beastly Treasure Hunt in the IFI

2011-07-14T14:27:00.002+01:00

The lovely folk in the IFI have invited me to take part in the IFI Family Festival 2011 this weekend. There's lots of amazing films and events on over the weekend.

On Saturday I'll be doing a workshop called 'A Beastly Creation' where I will be helping kids create their own Beasts for their own stories. I will also be showing our short film 'The Lonely Beast'.

On Sunday I will be reading by book to an audience (gulp!) in screen one before showing the Beast film on the big screen before The Gruffalo film. Then it's off on a treasure hunt around Temple Bar to find all of these Beasts! Thanks to Dee in the IFI for naming them. More info here.

Click Read More to see all 10 Beasts...

The Tote Bag Book

2011-07-07T21:59:00.001+01:00

Thanks a millions to Jitesh Patel for including my Tote bag that I designed for Ben and Jerry's ice cream with Thinkhouse in his beautiful new book The Tote Bag Book which has just been published. The cover is wrapped with an amazing tote bag which is something I've definitely never seen before. Check out his website for some spreads from it or better yet buy it!

Key Frames Project

2011-07-06T10:36:00.003+01:00

I've really missed drawing comics and just can't seem to find the time to sit down and draw one as they are incredibly time consuming and hard to do. It's also very difficult to come up a good story or plot an usually after a few pages mine run out of steam (except for the ones my brother Andrew wrote which were brilliant stories).

I'm constantly coming up with ideas and have all sorts of stories scribbled in notebooks and emails to myself but the thoughts of trying to focus on one of them and create a 40-80 page comic terrifies me. I often stare longingly at panels from my favourite comics and isolate panels thinking 'What a perfect piece of artwork it is on it's own'. So a while back I came up with the wheeze of making just one stand-alone key panel from stories I'd like illustrate but leave it at that. As if I've cut out panels from different graphic novels and presented them as is.

I have been working away on them over the last few weeks in ink and watercolour and have been really enjoying it. I am aiming to have a collection of them ready for an exhibition in October but that seems so long away!

I was delighted to be asked by Wayne O'Connor in Sligo to take part in group illustration show that opens on the 17th of July in The Yeats Memorial Building in Sligo so I decided to exhibit six of the more light hearted panels for this show (see above). I would love to hear your thoughts on these!

I have also posted the poster for the exhibition above there.

Xenon!

2011-07-05T10:17:00.001+01:00

This is my contribution to a great new exhibition opening next week on the 14th of July in the Science Gallery in Trinity College Dublin called 'Elements'. I chose Xenon so obviously I drew Xenon Bulb Fish quietly floating in the murk. I mean what else would I draw? It runs for a few months so drop in for a look if your in town, I think it's going to be amazing. Thanks to Gav Beattie for the invite.

More info here: http://www.sciencegallery.com/events/2011/07/elements-preview

FBD Insurance

2011-06-27T12:48:00.001+01:00

I recently worked on a really enjoyable hand drawn typographic project with Sally O'Sullivan in QMP for FBD insurance. I'm really enjoying projects involving hand drawn type at the moment, it's a great learning curve. When I studied design in college way back when I loved working with type but over the years pure illustration had taken over from any contact with design so it's great to be able to mix the two.

The illustration appears in today's Independent and tomorrows Herald newspapers.

Travel Sketchbook New York and Virginia May 2011

2011-05-17T23:21:00.002+01:00

Over the last couple of years I've tried to keep sketchbooks whenever I travel and more often than not I'm too lazy or having too much fun to be bleedin' drawing pictures, so more often than not I come home with a few half assed doodles and they end up in a drawer. Other times I get into the rhythm of it and can't stop.

I'm just back from a really fun holiday in Americky visiting my sister, brother-n-law and brand new niece baby Maeve in Virginia as well as a week in New York where I couldn't stop drawing the amazing characaters wandering the around the area we stayed in.

Here's a selection from various sketchbooks and scraps of paper I made during the trip.

I enjoyed it so much this time that now I just want to hop on a train around Europe and draw for months like Steve Doogan did though!

Click the 'Read More' link for all the sketches

Reminder about CBI conference this Weekend!

2011-05-17T23:02:00.000+01:00

Just a quick reminder about the session I'm involved in this weekend with some pals.

------------------

I'm honoured to be have been invited to be a guest speaker at this years Children's Books Ireland conference along side some of Ireland's most talented illustrators and writers. It takes place on the 21st-22nd May in the National Library, Dublin. I am also very chuffed that they used The Beast for the cover of their programme and posters.

This is the event I'll be taking part in so I have to get my thinking cap on:

Sunday 21st, 2.45 Picture-book Inspiration 4x4 with Emma Byrne, Chris Haughton, Chris Judge & Steve Simpson
Take four of Irelands most talented picture-book designers and illustrators then challenge then to talk about their four favourite designers and illustrators. The catch? They have only two minutes per artist to make their case!

Click here to find out more about the fantastic event.

Easons session this Thursday

2011-05-17T22:56:00.000+01:00

Really looking forward to the 'Illustrators Evening Event' this Thursday in Easons on O'Connell street Dublin which I'm delighted to have been invited to take part in with David Melling ('Don’t Worry Douglas'), Chris Haughton (A Bit Lost’ which just won the 2010 Bisto award! Well done Chris) and Niamh Sharkey (‘On The Road With Mavis & Marge’)

We'll be drawing pictures, talking about how we got into the childrens book industry and signing books.

Details of how to get tickets here.

The Lonely Beast Short Film!

2011-04-28T15:19:00.002+01:00

Myself and photgrapher Cliona O'Flaherty finally filmed, edited and uploaded The Lonely Beast short film we've been threatening to make in the last few months. We would love to hear your feedback!

Click through to YouTube to see a big fancy HD version.

Credits:
Directed by: Chris Judge and Cliona O'Flaherty
Photography: Cliona O'Flaherty
Costume: Renate Henschke
Music: 'Up to You' by David Kitt
Editor: Andy Barry
Music edit: Simon Judge

Thanks a billion to:
Photographer Cliona O'Flaherty for doing a beautiful job shooting it.
Renate Henschke for making such an amazing costume.
David Kitt for letting us use 'Up to you' which totally made it.
Andy Barry for editing and grading and making it look fancy.
Simon Judge for music edit.

Animation Test!

2011-04-13T23:25:00.006+01:00

Annoyingly Blogger won't let me embed the video so click here to see HD version on Vimeo!

For a long time I've been wanting to try some stop animation and finally got around to my first tentative steps with photographer Cliona O'Flaherty. We used Dragon Stop Motion which is an amazing application and I can already see the huge potential with it the more we play around with it.

This first test is a simple enough affair but good lord I couldn't believe how much pre production was involved as well as how time consuming it would be!

The idea was to showcase a cross section of characters and artwork I've been working on over the last year or two so I had a bunch of them printed on heavy textured stock and cut each one out with a scalpel over a number of days (aaaagh!). I then stuck tooth picks and skewers to various elements and built the little set.

We tried an initial test of the whole thing at home but the lighting was too inconsistent so we moved the whole thing to Cliona's studio in South Studios using different light sources and it worked much better.

After about 6 hours of construction and photography we finally wrapped it and sent the files to ace editor Andrew Barry who assembled and graded it and made it all look pretty and cohesive. I was so chuffed that The Vinny Club let us use the amazing song 'It's not you it OF' from the album Rocky IV Reckyrd. Check out the whole song and indeed the album, if you're a child of the 80's and loved video games it'll knock your socks off.

So anyway, have a look at all 35 seconds that took weeks to make.

Can't wait to make more animations!

Design Of The Times

2011-04-13T22:19:00.001+01:00

Ace designer Claire O'Regan has recently launched a new online magazine/blog called Design Of The Times dedicated and inspired by all things design in both Ireland and worldwide. The site itself is beautifully designed and so far the content is excellant. I'll be checking in everyday for a read during my elvensessses.

Claire kindly did an interview with me which just went live today whereby I rattled on about all thing illustrations.

Have a look here.

Pivot Dublin

2011-04-07T14:34:00.000+01:00

Pivot Dublin have just submitted Dublin’s bid for World Design Capital 2014 and I was delighted to be asked to contribute to create one of several covers that is being used on the document.

My submission is based on the new building on Dame Street (about which there is NOTHING on the internet anywhere, I think it might not even be there) next to City Hall.

Since I moved into my new studio on dame Street this building (with no name) has been the main view from my window and at first I really didn't like it, (along with lots of other people it seems) but have since grown a soft spot for it namely because it looks like a big friendly robot. So hence my addition of the robot face. This represents the good parts of Dublin in hibernation while we wade through the recession for the next few years.

If anyone involved in the creation of this mysterious building (with no DOOR either) please consider adding this face to the building I think it would be lovely!

You can see lots of lovely covers by some of Ireland's leading creatives here.

Did I mention that there is nothing about this building on the internet?

Absolut Round One

2011-03-31T23:30:00.000+01:00

Myself, Mark Wickham and Fergal Brennan are doing 7 nights of 'Unflattering Portraits' in conjunction with Absolut Vodka's 'Absolut You' nights (and the handsome lads from Synth Eastwood) over the next few weeks. Myself and Mark completed our first round of abuse on unsuspeting members of the public last Saturday night in the Chocolate Bar in the Pod.

We set up outside on a big old barrel and spent 3 hours drawing portraits of customers, taking into account their worst features and expanding on them. Sounds cruel but between us and the audience I haven't experienced as much tears of laughter while drawing in I don't know how long. Fair play to the poor subjects we were drawing they pushed us to make them worse!

I've uploaded a set on my Flickr account so check it if you have a moment.

I'll upload them as we go. We'll be in Cork, Sligo and Kilkenny over the next few weeks as well as other dates in Dublin so drop in and get yours done if your brave enough. All for free and packaged in a nice tube!

Comic Cast!

2011-03-23T17:56:00.001Z

I recently did an interview with Liam from the Comic Cast about The Lonely Beast book which is one of the features in this months episodes. If you haven't heard the Comic Cast or indeed are not even into comics I urge you to listen to this podcast on a regular basis. It's just brilliant.

The Beast on Titan!

2011-03-23T12:32:00.000Z

I spent last Monday night searching the skies for Saturn with my telescope and finally found it, tiny but crystal clear, hanging in the sky looking very lonely and quiet. I managed to take a blurry photo of it but you can definitely make out the rings. I posted it on Facebook and my brother Andrew managed to clean up the photo enough to reveal Saturns biggest moon Titan to the left. If Saturn looked that cold and lonely in space, what the hell is Titan like?

Based on those fantastic Sci-Fi paintings from the 50's and 60's, I decided to transplant The Beast to this lonely rock miles from Earth. I'm sure he'd be more than happy to explore it's surface.

I also got some nice pics of the Moon too...

The painting is for my contribution to the annual United Arts Club illustration exhibition which opens tomorrow evening in Dublin and is curated by illustrator Brian Gallagher.

Venue:
United Arts Club
3 Upper Fitzwilliam Street Dublin 2

Date: 24th march 2011

Time: 7pm.

Children's Books Ireland Conference 2011!

2011-03-23T10:20:00.000Z

I'm honoured to be have been invited to be a guest speaker at this years Children's Books Ireland conference along side some of Ireland's most talented illustrators and writers. It takes place on the 21st-22nd May in the National Library, Dublin. I am also very chuffed that they used The Beast for the cover of their programme and posters.

This is the event I'll be taking part in so I have to get my thinking cap on:

2.45 Picture-book Inspiration 4x4 with Emma Byrne, Chris Haughton, Chris Judge & Steve Simpson
Take four of Irelands most talented picture-book designers and illustrators then challenge then to talk about their four favourite designers and illustrators. The catch? They have only two minutes per artist to make their case!

Click here to find out more about the fantastic event.

GRAPHICS UNLEASHED Tonight!

2011-03-16T18:04:00.000Z

Poster for exhibition by Alan Clarke.

BLUELEAF GALLERY

An exhibition of graphic and illustrative work by:
Alan Clarke, Brian Coldrick, Cathy Dineen, Brian Fitzgerald,
Brian Gallagher, Una Gildea, Chris Judge, Joven Kerekes,
Emmet Mullins, Padhraig Nolan, Ray Sell, Steve Simpson

The reception will be held
Wednesday, 16 March 6.00pm-7.30pm
at BlueLeaf Gallery Project Space
7 Sir John Rogersons Quay, Dublin 2
(building backs onto Windmill Lane; three blocks west of Samuel Beckett Bridge)

The exhibition opens for viewing Tuesday, 15 March
and will continue until Friday, 25 March
Viewing hours:
Weekdays: 11:30am-6:30pm
(Closed: St. Patricks Day 17 March; Sat & Sun)

New Prints!

2011-03-07T13:29:00.000Z

I have just added some new prints to my shop including some prints of images from The Lonely Beast book. Drop in and have a look if you have a moment.

First Known Footage of The Beast!

2011-03-04T15:14:00.000Z

New Shop!

2011-03-01T15:43:00.000Z

I've just uploaded my brand new shop. There's a selection of prints for sale and I'll be adding four more next week as well as other fun stuff in the coming weeks. Signed copies of The Lonely Beast book are also for sale.

All with free shipping!

Click here to visit the shop

The Lonely Beast website!

2011-02-22T20:59:00.000Z

After lots of false starts and much work I have finally finished The Lonely Beast Book website. There's lots of down-loadable stuff as well as info and photos so have a browse when you have a moment or two. It's iPhone and iPad friendly too so if you have either of those check it out in those formats. Thanks to Amy D'eath in Andersen Press for the help with some of the graphics and sound advice.

We are currently working on a video of the Beast out and about in the woods using the incredible suit that Renate Heschke created. All will be revealed in the next week or two!

I've received a bunch of emails looking for signed copies of the book so you can now purchase it here directly from me for €10 with a signature and inscription of your choice along with a nice postcard, all with free shipping! Apologies for my very basic shop :-)

Upstart 2011

2011-02-22T20:37:00.000Z

My entry to upstart.ie 2011.

UpStart is a non-profit arts collective which aims to put creativity at the centre of public consciousness during the Irish General Election Campaign in 2011. They plan to do this by reinterpreting the spaces commonly used for displaying election campaign posters in Dublin City by adding 500 new artworks across the city.

For my entry I wanted to try and capture those positive fun 70's and 80's posters that people would hang on their walls as teenagers, mine being 'We're all in the same boat, man' type thing. There's been so much negativity in the press and on the radio in Ireland so I just want to paint the bigger picture that represents everyone in the current global climate.

They rejected it anyway, ah well.

You can check out all 500 that made it through here.

I reckon I'll add some text to it and do a limited print of it in the next few weeks which I'll post here.

Comic Cast!

2011-02-22T20:17:00.000Z

I totally forgot to post this new banner I did for the incredible Comic Cast podcast. If you haven't heard the beautiful Craig and Liam's infectious monthly podcast get over there and listen to their whole back catalogue you won't be disappointed, it's most excellent.

TVAds.ie

2011-02-22T20:04:00.000Z

TVAds.ie have recently revamped their website with lots of new functionality and I was chuffed to be asked to supply the first guest banner for the topper most bit along with the radio icon.

AXA Book Print Ads

2011-02-22T19:54:00.000Z

Some of the lovely artwork for the print ads from the AXA book commercial I worked on with the fellows in The Pool.

The Real Rebecca

2011-02-22T19:44:00.000Z

Anna Carey's great debut new novel The real Rebecca hit the shelves last week with a great launch in the Gutter Book Shop, Dublin. I was delighted to be asked to design the cover.

Pablo Picante Restaurant Deux

2011-02-22T19:35:00.000Z

Pablo opened his second restaurant before Christmas in Clarendon row and I only got to visit it for the first time last week. It's very lovely indeed, this time I tried the chicken burrito and I recommend it no end.

I worked on some new bits and bobs for the new place but it's great that the old sign and interior designs have been re-used. There's also a cool new neon sign! Drop in for some delicious burritos if you're in the area.

The Lonely Beast Book Launch

2011-01-20T14:22:00.001Z

I'm Really excited to announce that The Lonely Beast will be launching on Saturday 29th of January. It will take place between 12-5pm in the cafe part of the first floor in Filmbase in Temple bar, Dublin. We will be serving teas, coffees and fancy cakes so please do drop in if you're in town.

Details:

Venue: Filmbase, Curved Street, Temple bar, Dublin 2
Date: Saturday 29th of February, 2011
Time: 12pm-5pm

Click here for Directions

AXA Book TV Commercial

2011-01-17T15:41:00.002Z

AXA Book from Chris Judge on Vimeo.

Just before Christmas I worked on this lovely project for AXA with Richard Chaney in The Pool, Dublin. I created all the illustrations for the interior of the book which were then textured and animated in a 3D environment. It has just started airing on the telly box.

Click through to Vimeo to see the full size video and all credits.

New Prints!

2010-12-15T13:14:00.000Z

I have just added two new prints and a 2011 calendar to my Etsy shop for very reasonable prices. The Mammoth and Tom Crean are the first of series I am working on called Green Giants. I'll post them here as I go.

Have a wander over to the shop when you have a moment.

Christmas Market!

2010-12-07T12:45:00.002Z

I'm delighted to announce this years Christmas Market where I'll be selling prints, postcard sets, t-shirts and original paintings along with work by the wonderous Fergal Brennan and Renate Henschke's ARMS clothing. All under the roof

Prints from €10 and original paintings from €30.

Where?
38 Clarendon Street, Dublin 2, Ireland

When?
Opening night party Friday 10th of december 6pm-10pm

And then continuing Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th of December 10.30am till 7pm

Thinkhouse have kindly supplied us with some deliscious Heineken for the opening night so drop in for a tasty beer if you're nearby.

We'll be serving mulled wine and mince pies throughout.

More details after the break

The contributors:

Arms - Fashion Designer

The brainchild of burgeoning Australian designer Renate Henschke, Arms, have produced a robust range of smart shirts, checked cottons, warm sweats and strong tees for those cold working days. Carefully designed and finished with an attention to detail that helps us elevate the everyday.

http://www.madeforyoubyarms.com/

Chris Judge - Illustrator

Chris Judge is a Dublin-based illustrator, working in a mixture of illustration, painting and design. His fun and colourful work has appeared in advertising, newspapers, magazines, exhibitions and has been published in Ireland, UK, USA, France, Germany and many others.

http://www.chrisjudge.com/

Fergal Brennan - Illustrator
Fergal Brennan is a freelance animator and illustrator based in Dublin. He specialises in collage in a vernacular style, and fun Christmas cards and prints.

http://www.mynameisfergal.com/

Aaaaagh!

2010-12-03T11:28:00.000Z

After 20 years waiting for decent snow I finally got to make a Calvin and Hobbes snowman scene last night. I even had coal for the eyes. And bamboo arms. Thanks to Cliona for the scarf.

Who's that Now?

2010-12-03T11:08:00.000Z

My good pal Mark Wickham is having an exhibition of brand new illustrations and drawings and just had a sneak preview of some of the work, it is incredible.

If you are in Dublin next Thursday drop in to the opening night party in The Joinery in Stoneybatter. He will be selling original drawings and screen prints and there will be some sweet treats and beer to warm you up.

Details:

Where: The Joinery, Stoneybatter, Dublin
When: Opens Thursday 9th December and runs until Dec 17th

More details here

Scamp November

2010-12-03T10:52:00.000Z

Scamp has just uploaded this months latest work for November by the usual suspects. Lots and lots of lovely work again.

Check it out

New Website at last.

2010-11-03T16:31:00.002Z

I have finally finished my new website and have made it live on the internet (of all places).

I've been trying to get a new one that I can update properly for about a year so I'm chuffed to have a site that I can now keep fresh and up to date. I have included lots of new illustrations in the illustration section (as well as some older work).

There's still lots of tweaking to be done over the next week or two and I will be adding new sections like a sketchbook section and a case study of one of the bigger projects I worked on recently.

Have a look if you have a moment anyway. I would love to hear some feedback so please let me know if there are any issues (or typos!) etc.

www.chrisjudge.com

Pablo Picante part Deux!

2010-11-02T18:00:00.000Z

Pablo Picante is opening his new Burrito Bar in the Clarendon Market in Dublin very soon and I've just finished some new artwork which you should see around the place soon.

Click here to see more about the first Burrito Bar I worked on with Mr. Picante.

Pablo's site.

Belle and Rollo

2010-11-01T16:22:00.000Z

Meet Belle and Rollo!

I recently completed work on elements for a great new website called Belle and Rollo where you can purchase lots of lovely stuff for kids including clothes and nice hand made toys. Check it out of you have a moment.

Click Read more to see some more artwork

Happy Halloween

2010-10-29T13:35:00.002+01:00

This is the first pumpkin I've carved since the 80's I reckon. I'm munching on the very addictive (slightly burnt) seeds as I type. Have a fun weekend!

LeCool Cover 2

2010-10-15T16:08:00.002+01:00

My second in a series of two covers for LeCool which is online this week. Autumnal man will be leaving us soon as the Winter chills start creeping in...

HSE T-Shirts

2010-10-15T15:45:00.001+01:00

I worked with the good folks in Ogilvy during the Summer on a Campaign making aware the Dangers of legal highs through posters and web. The concept was to create artwork for 10 different t-shirt designs which on first glance look like fun graphics but on closer inspection have a serious message regarding the varios dangers and side effects of these gross drugs. They are being used on posters and on the web here.

Click Read More to see the rest of the designs.

Big Issue

2010-10-15T13:14:00.000+01:00

This is an editorial piece I recently illustrated for the Big Issue in the UK. The article was really interesting as the author tested himself by writing an article where each setence starts with a letter of the alphbet A-Z. You can read the full article after the break.

An attempt to make each sentence of a column start with the next letter of the alphabet is an endeavor that has questionable benefits. Because it is clearly governed more by necessity, than the writer’s desire to entertain or educate.

Columnists hold an enviable position within media circles. Dishing out one’s own opinions on a regular basis is a task that many journalists would give their brand new Mac for. Even the most socially conscious and committed of news hounds would admit to eyeing up the comment pages, thinking, ‘I could tell the world exactly what I think!’

For that is what a column provides: the chance to air one’s views, in public, so that everyone can know where you stand. Getting your point across in this noisy, cluttered world is not always easy, so the opportunity to do this in print is a privilege.

However, all columnists soon find that coming up with something to say each time is a taxing matter. It seems at first that you possess a bottomless well of subjects upon which to sound off, that your spleen will forever remain fully un-vented. Jobsworths, the government, celebrity culture, cleaning the car – at last you can express your deepest feelings on all these and any other subjects.
Keeping the rage rolling is a tricky assignment, though. Letting off steam on the page tends to have its desired effect. More often than not, the writer will feel sated with his or her efforts, and sooner or later the muse will start to meander. Not wishing to let down an adoring public, let alone an impatient editor, the columnist will begin to cast the net, fishing for ways to fill the space. Only then do they realise the scale of what is required.

People often complain that they do not have a ‘voice’ in this world, but given the opportunity, how much would they really be able to say? Quite a lot at first perhaps, but week after week … after week? Raising the necessary ire or amusement or indignation is tricky enough, let alone picking the appropriate words and sentences – in the right order – to express the sentiment.

So, with a furrowed brow and an approaching deadline, what does the writer do? That solution, dear reader, is evident right here. Under your very noses is an example of how inspiration – or lack of it – can lead to a column such as this.

Very clever, you might be thinking, but where is it all leading? What rubbish will he be writing next, just to fill the page?

Xylophones! You just knew that was coming, it was so obvious, so predictable, really, it’s enough to send one to sleep.

Zzzzzzz….

Two Magazine Covers

2010-10-07T09:00:00.001+01:00

I haven't done a magazine cover in a long while and then two come along that are published on the same day which is most exciting.

The first is for the lovely online Magazine LeCool which should be winging it's way to inboxes this afternoon. Autumn is probably my favourite time of year and I really noticed it kicking in on the way to work the other day and wanted to capture the shift from greens to yellows and browns. I've represented Autumn with a large character called Autumnal Man sweeping through the city. The background is a photo I took in Tokyo in October 2008 just as the leaves were turning. I will also be doing next weeks cover which I'll post here. Thanks to Ciaran and Michael for the commission.

Also published today is my part in the cover of this weeks Dubliner magazine which comes free with todays Herald newspaper. It was a really fun commission that I worked on with designer Fiachra McCarthy. They had taken this photo of Mick Pyro and wanted to represent his various demons from his past in the background. I also drew all the type. I enjoyed this a lot.

Laundry!

2010-09-29T17:07:00.000+01:00

Just realised it's nearly a month since I posted here! I'm terrible. I will get back on top of it next week.

Just a quick mention that Laundry exhibition opens tonight in South Studios as part of Offset which kicks off on Friday.

This is my 'contribution'.

More info here:

The Lonely Beast!

2010-08-13T23:14:00.009+01:00

Update: I've just received the official final cover (which has a few minor tweaks) from the lovely folks in Andersen Press as well as the final version of the back cover which is very exciting.

--------------

Huge apologies for the lack of posts here on the blog if you check in regularly, I've been all over the place moving into our new little house (which I'll post about here soon) dealing with builders, sanding floors, erecting a shed, creating a garden, screaming at Ikea instructions and being generally busy in between with some really fun illustration projects.

But besides all of that, over the last year I've been working slowly on a BIG personal project that I spent years dwelling on and only recently went hell for leather completing. I finally finished a picture book based on the Beasts character that I've been playing around with for the last seven years or so with.

The Beast character actually dates back to some drawings that I used to do based on this strange tiny character that used to appear in the old MAD magazine digest books from the 60's that my Dad would buy us as kids and I LOVED them. He only appeared a few times and I must try and find some images of him to post here. There's also a hint of the Yeti from Tintin in Tibet below that I was completely obsessed with as a child in there. This simple binoculars image completely blew my mind at this point in the story and is a big influence for the design of the Beast. I was a little disappointing we saw what the Yeti actually looked like on the following pages. However, I drew him religiously when I got the book from my Uncle sometime around 1985 for Christmas. Herge is probably one of my biggest influences in my illustration.

I also can't forget about Sweetums from the Muppet show that was a huge part of my childhood as a big inluence. I will admit that Animal was my main guy but Sweetums always had this special scary thing going on that I loved and I used to draw him constantly. In fact this photo had a big inluence on one of the pictures in the book.

Anyway, as my own drawings developed I started to drop these characters into photos I'd been taking over the years not really knowing what to do with them. He appeared on some gig posters over the years but mostly I drew him for pleasure after taking a photo I liked, generally with trees or the sea involved.

In May 2009 I decided I wanted to tell his story so I started thinking about a story that would bring him to life and began thinking about who this character and who is, what is his place in the world? Any of the drawings and scenes I dropped him into always seemed poignant so it made sense that he would be a solitary character but really seeked the companionship of other.

So over time a story developed that I was happy with but the main problem was finding the right tone of illustration that suited him as I had been using photographs as backgrounds. After many false starts I arrived at a style that I think suited him and began story boarding the whole thing.

After a year of late night drawing and re-drawing (the trees were a huge problem!) I finished the book.

I sent a dummy printed copy to Andersen Press in London off the bat on advice from PJ Lynch (amazing, wonderful illustrator and massively helpful individual) in May and heard back a few days later that they want to publish the book!

Over the last two months I have been working with the lovely people in Andersen Press redesigning the cover (which you can see above) and tweaking various elemnts until today when I got sign off. The book will be publish in the UK and Ireland on 3rd of February 2011. As you can imagine I am very excited!

It is now available for pre-order on Amazon here and WH Smith here.

I've just registered the site with a holding page but will be adding lots of stuff to it over the next few months including a wonderful trailer I'll be making with some very talented friends of mine.

I will be adding lots of stuff about the making of the book here also, as well as details about the launch in Dublin and other places.

Hooray The Beast!

PS I promise to get back on track with posting here I have loads of stuff to put up.

Carlsberg Comedy Carnival 2010

2010-07-16T19:58:00.000+01:00

Another Summer another fun Carlsberg Comedy Carnival in the Iveagh Gardens. I'm delighted they've decided to use my artwork again this year I've just started spotting it around town on various media. Here's a few pics I managed to take of some out and about. I've seen a few on the sides of buses but haven't been fast enough on my bike to get a photo.

Skatelord

2010-07-09T20:26:00.001+01:00

I forgot to post my Hit The Decks board from the show last week. Here is the fragile fellow. The show was reeeeally great I would definitely recommend checking out the show there was loads of very nice stuff.

Jidges Frudges!

2010-07-01T15:21:00.001+01:00

Some poorly lit iPhone photos of the 4 fridges I customised for a competition for Heineken / Oxegen with Thinkhouse. Also a photo from The Metro Herald of some Krazy Kids jumping on them.

Thanks to Declan for the kool titles to this post.

Glen E. Friedman

2010-07-01T14:56:00.000+01:00

Really looking forward to this, especially the screening of Fugazi's Instrument, can't believe I haven't seen it yet.

Hit the Decks

2010-07-01T14:50:00.002+01:00

Hit the Decks exhibition opens tomorrow evening in The Bernard Shaw and I'm delighted to have a piece in it. 30 Artists were asked to customise a deck each and all will be on display until Sunday 4th of July.

I'll post a pic of mine here when it's done.

Drop in if you're in the area.

Beast in Wicklow

2010-06-28T23:07:00.001+01:00

We had an AMAZING night in Wicklow last Saturday. Every year my sister has a Solstice party in her lovely garden, this being number 13, and the weather was amazing. This is a photo I took of the Sun going down looking over the Sugaloaf just before the bonfire was lit. I have some great news about the Beast in the photo which I will share with you soon here on the blog.

Dragon Hat Lad

2010-06-28T22:58:00.002+01:00

I was cleaning the kitchen last night and the tea towel (manky tea towel I might add) was sitting on the counter looking like some kind of cotton dragon with a hat when I finished so I scrunched up bits of a bus ticket for teeth and balled up receipt for an eye. I dunno.

Chimney Rocket

2010-06-28T22:48:00.002+01:00

Rocket from the crypt in Portmarnock last Wednesday. Whilst eating bangers and mash of course.

Aer Lingus Magazine

2010-06-28T22:43:00.000+01:00

Drawing in the Aer Lingus magazine on the way to London last month. I quietly tucked it back into the seat hoping someone would find it whilst reading...

Blogging!

2010-06-28T22:38:00.000+01:00

Well, I've been blogging for two and a half years and just realised I've passed the 300 mark of posts! From day one I set rules out for myself that I'm only going to blog about artwork I do myself, commercial work and stuff for exhibitions etc, but recently the commercial works I'm doing are turning into bigger projects with a much larger gestation period and exhibitions are fewer and far between given the work I'm able to put into them.

I really love blogging but have recently found I don't have enough finished material to blog about given the large scale projects I'm working on and constantly itch to upload stuff so I've decided to start posting more photos, sketches as well as topical things that inspire me and interesting pics from other blogs and the internet.

I need some sort of liberal outlet so please let me know if you have anything interesting going on! I would love to blog about it.

So here goes.

Denny in the Metro today

2010-06-16T17:45:00.001+01:00

Part of the lovely Denny campaign that I've been working on with Peter Snodden and Roisin Keown in DDFHB was a large map of Dublin highlighting various nice parks to have a summery picnic for The Metro Herald. I just picked up a copy and took some badly lit photos of how it turned out. They turned out great.

I've also uploaded the actual artwork for each bit. I'll post all 26 maps that are appearing on bustops around the city at some stage when I get a chance.

Pablo Picante Needs You!

2010-06-08T15:56:00.001+01:00

This is the artwork for a poster I've recently completed for Mr. Pablo Picante inviting you to wear your green Irish jersey in support of Mexico in the Sugar Club when they play those scoundrels the French next week.

June 17th, Doors at 6pm in the Sugar Club, Leeson Street.

The tank Riot Gang!

2010-06-08T15:16:00.000+01:00

I've been an avid listener to the brilliant Tank Riot podcast for the last two years or so and always relish a new episode when it goes live. The three lads, Sputnik, Tor & Victor have never revealed their real identities or what they looked like but I've always had my own idea of what they looked like in my head. So I drew up this sketch of what I think they look like and mailed it over to them a few weeks ago.

I was then listening to the most recent episode (93) on the way home the other day hoping for a mention and right at the end with about 10 mins to go they did a little piece on the drawing. I was whooping and laughing like an eejit on my bike as they spoke about it. I even got some uncanny likenesses by accident.

As an extra bonus they've added a new section to their site called Artistic Licence where they invite other listeners to do the same.

Thanks Tank Riot!

A day of Keith Haring

2010-06-04T09:00:00.003+01:00

I spent a lovely balmy evening last Tuesday (1st of June which I always consider the first day of Summer harking back to the date we got our Summer holidays in school) making a really enjoyable 8x4 foot piece for a great new show influenced by the work of the great Keith Haring, who passed away 20 years ago, with street artists Maser, Will St leger, Sums and Inputout. The show opens on 6th of June in the Bernard Shaw.

These pieces will be auctioned for sale along with various prints by the artists also being sold on the night of the launch and throughout the month long run of the exhibition with all proceeds from the sale of the artwork will go to the Dublin Aids Alliance.

That's my piece above. I'll upload better shots of it in situ.

For more details click heeeore.

Denny Bustop

2010-06-02T00:58:00.000+01:00

I spotted this fellow on the way to work this morning on my bike in Drumcondra. There's lots more stuff from this campaign going live in the next week or two so I'll be bombarding the blog with photos and pics when I see them in action.

Tiny Little Horse Drawings

2010-06-02T00:44:00.002+01:00

I totally forgot to post these drawings I made for the Tiny Little Horse show that were on sale a few weeks back. They're available for sale at very reasonable price if you were interested.

My favourite is 'Star Fartz' at the top...

Denny Sambos

2010-05-26T23:02:00.000+01:00

I'm currently working on a lovely new campaign for Denny with Peter Snodden and Roisin Keown in DDFHB that just went live this morning.

I just saw the first Adshel bus stop ad using this bit of illustration this morning on the bus so I will try to get a photo of it next time I'm on the bike. We're currently working on 24 one-off maps for bus stops around the country to guide people to nice secret green parks for lunch and picnics.

I'll post more as they go live.

Rory's Story Cubes

2010-05-11T15:49:00.000+01:00

I spent a really fun two days in Belfast last week with Rory O'Connor of Rory's Story Cubes drawing stories with school kids based on the cubes. This is one of the strips I produced on the day and Rory will be collecting two of mine as well as all of the kids work into a lovely book that will be sold in the school.

For a better idea of what the cubes are head over to The Creativity Hub. I highly recommend a set.

Kerry Bicycle Festival

2010-05-11T15:07:00.002+01:00

This years Kerry Bicycle Festival is having it's third annual exhibition called Frame X of paintings, sculpture, photography and illustration work all of which is based on the oul bicycle. If last years exhibition is anything to go on I think this years will be even more exciting. Here's some pics from last years.

That's my submission above called Wood Bike. There'll be a framed print of it for sale at the show.

Have a pedal down to the show if you're down the West.

NHS Takes All Sorts

2010-05-06T15:03:00.001+01:00

I recently completed an anti-smoking campaign of 7 posters for the NHS in the UK called It takes All Sorts with The Hub and Folio.

The idea behind the campaign was to focus on the various different types of smokers out there and rather than the usual doom and gloom approach, try and reach out to people to quit with a more upbeat message.

I just received the final files this morning and am delighted with how they turned out.

Nobody's Victim Exhibition

2010-04-21T12:15:00.001+01:00

I have six small paintings in a new exhibition that opens this Thursday evening in Dublin and runs until Sunday. There promises to be a great selection of artwork on show so check it out if you're in the neighbourhood. For more info contact nobo.dublin@gmail.com

ICADS

2010-04-19T15:08:00.002+01:00

I was delighted to be involved in a nominated project that won Silver at the ICAD awards last Thursday night. Well done to Peter Snoddeen and Roisin Keown in DDFH&B for: Art Direction (Campaign) DDFH&B Chair, Cup, Sausage and Rasher silver.

Click here to see the full campaign I worked on with Pete that won the silver.

Pablo Picante!

2010-04-19T14:28:00.001+01:00

Well Pablo Picante has been open now for about 6 weeks and even though it's a 5 minute bike ride from my studio I only made it down for the first time on Thursday. The place looks fantastic so congratulations to Colm!

And more importantly the food is staggeringly delicious. The burritos are big fat juicy delights just like the sort you'd get in San Francisco. I tried the Beef Barbacoa and plan on going though the rest of the menu in the coming weeks. I highly recommend a visit!

I worked on the logo and the character design for Pablo towards the end of last year. Here's a few photos of the restaurant and some other nits and bobs.

Drawers!

2010-03-31T16:41:00.000+01:00

The man behind the Drawers exhibition (Steve Doogan) which was held last Friday in South Studios has just posted pictures (taken by Rich Gilligan) of all 26 on Flickr and Society6. All I can say is WOW. Check them out when you get a chance.

That's mine up there. All the illustrators spent the day in the studio creating their piece for the show which was on later that night.

Pecha Kucha

2010-03-30T12:20:00.002+01:00

I was honoured to be asked to be a presenter at this months Pecha Kucha in the Sugar Club this Thursday. If you're in Dublin that evening drop in as these nights are always fantastic and informative. More details here.

11890 Ninja

2010-03-24T14:37:00.006Z

Looking for a Ninja in a hurry? Try 11890.

I recently completed this really fun Ninja character poster with Mark Shanley in DDFHB for 11890. It can be seen in press ads in papers and magzines.

I wonder if it is actually possible to find a Ninja in Ireland?

Drawers

2010-03-24T14:22:00.000Z

This Friday I'll be drawing all over a wooden chest of drawers along side a big bunch of some of Ireland's best creatives. Really looking forward to it!
-----------------------------
Drawers is a co-production between the IGI and the people at South Studios – a small visual arts business complex based in Dublin. The show features 14 IGI members and the rest are designers, photographers, architects and a fashion stylist next 26th March.
More info in www.illustratorsireland.com

Giddy Studios Computer Illustration Course

2010-03-15T13:26:00.004Z

New illustration course in April! Details below.
-------------------------------

Giddy Studios are proud to announce their third computer illustration evening course with guest illustrator Chris Judge as lecturer. The course will run for four weeks during the month of April 2010.

Chris Judge is one of Ireland's leading professional illustrators and will be your dedicated lecturer during the full course. The course takes place in Rathfarnham in the relaxed atmosphere of the very comfortable Giddy Studios, with lots of tea, coffee, Tunnock's Tea Cakes and general chat about the world of illustration.

This course will be suitable for creative artists, college leavers and people with a good knowledge of creative software like Photoshop, Illustrator and Flash as well as traditional drawing skills.

Each week students will be set a new project with a written brief covering editorial, advertising, web and self promotion illustration. Each brief will be discussed as to the best approach and method from initial hand drawn sketches, scanning, illustrating and colouring digitally through to final high resolution illustration. There will be regular feedback throughout the course and students will be encouraged to talk about their work.

-----------------------------

The course also covers:

* illustration as art

* the commercial and business side of illustration and

* the pros and cons of a career in illustration.

-----------------------------

* Students are required to bring a Laptop with relevant software installed.

-----------------------------

For more information about Chris Judge please visit his website www.chrisjudge.com

To enroll or for more information please see details below:

Fee: €250 for 4 weeks.

NOTE: Classes will be limited so early booking is advised.

Dates: Wednesdays: April: 7th, 14th, 21st & 28th 2010, 7pm - 9pm

Venue: Giddy Studios, unit number four, first floor, Grange Road Retail Park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16

Please see map for directions

P: 00 353 1 4240440

M: 00 353 87 9879515

W: giddystudios.com

E: giddy@giddystudios.com

Tiny Little Horse Exhibition

2010-03-09T12:02:00.006Z

If you're in Dublin on Thursday do drop in to see an exciting new exhibition I am part of with the other two boyos in Tiny Little Horse. Details are:

Tiny Little Horse presents an exhibition and indeed a celebration of their poster work for CSS, Morrissey, Flight Of The Conchords, Battles and many more...also featuring original artwork and live screen printing.

Tiny Little Horse features the work of BRENB, Gav Beattie and Chris Judge.

From 7PM, Thursday March 11th at The Shaw Space, The Bernard Shaw, Richmond Road.

www.tinylittlehorse.com
www.bernardshaw.com

ITSA... 10th Birthday.

2010-03-04T15:03:00.009Z

I recently completed a fun 9 panel comic strip for ITSA... (formerly Itsa Bagel) for their 10th anniversary which depicts key moments in their history and can be found on the walls of their shops. Happy Birthday ITSA!

MINI Hates Waste!

2010-02-19T14:23:00.004Z

I recently completed a really fun campaign for MINI with Sally O'Sullivan McConnells Integrated. The brief was to bring the text to life, drawing it by hand as well as design two simple but colourful characters, a Wolf and an Ogre which was a great challenge as I am usually tempted to do something a little more complicated.

They have just started popping up around town on billboards as well as in press ads. Must try and get some photos of them in action.

2010 Calendar

2010-02-11T15:39:00.003Z

Can't believe I for got to post this earlier than now. My 2010 Calendar is now for sale on Etsy.

Valentines day

2010-02-11T14:53:00.003Z

If you're looking for something nice to do on Valentines day rather than sit in a packed restaurant, our good friends in Giddy Studios where I have been teaching the illustration course are hosting a lovely evening of evening of painting, pottery & drinking beer or bubbles.

Click here for more details.

Denny Part Deux

2010-02-09T14:40:00.003Z

Three more lovely adverts for Denny that I worked on with Pete Snodden in DDFH&B. I really enjoyed working on these as I got to play around with hand-drawn text which is something I'm really getting into at the moment. They are each out in the press at the moment.

Click images to enlarge.

Spring Illustration Course in Giddy

2010-01-18T23:05:00.005Z

I'm very, VERY excited to announce the second illustration course that I have been invited to lecture at in Giddy Studios.

After the great success of the last course and all the great work produced, Giddy Studios are opening their doors again to another intensive four weeks of illustration madness.

If the last course and the work that was produced is anything to go by then I cannot wait to meet our future students. It was an honour to be involved with such a talented bunch.

The course is great way to meet like-minded people and walk away with several bodies of new work.

Details for this seasons are as follows.

----------------------------

Giddy Studios are proud to announce two brand new illustration evening courses with guest illustrator Chris Judge as lecturer. The courses will run for four weeks during the months of February / March 2010.

Chris Judge is one of Ireland's leading professional illustrators and will be your dedicated lecturer during the full course. The course takes place in Rathfarnham in the relaxed atmosphere of the very comfortable Giddy Studios, with lots of tea, coffee, Tunnock's Tea Cakes and general chat about the world of illustration.

------------------------------

Course One: Beginner's Course in Illustration

Dates: Tuesday Feb: 9th, 16th, 23rd & March 2nd 2010

The beginner's course will be a suitable introduction to the world of illustration for anyone interested in furthering their drawing skills and exploring illustration. It is designed both for those who wish to pursue a career in illustration and those who wish simply to practise and develop illustration for art's sake.

The course will cover:

• an introduction to contemporary illustration
•a look at the various areas in illustration:
• editorial
• picture book,
• commercial
• self promotional work

Various skills, including concepts, ideas, pencilling, line work and colour will be covered in detail.

Students will be encouraged to keep a notebook throughout and will be assigned various projects to work on in between classes. This aspect will form an important part of the overall course.

Each week students will work on a new group project to loosen up their drawing skills.

Feedback: Throughout the course students will be encouraged to discuss their work in a group setting. The critique process has been found to be an excellent format for monitoring progress and promoting confidence in the student.

The class mentor, Chris Judge, will actively seek comments during the course on the content of the sessions with a view to making the course as effective and interesting as possible.

------------------------------------

Course Two: Intermediate Course in Illustration

Dates: Wednesday 10th, 17th, 24th & March 3rd 2010

The intermediate course will be suitable for creative artists, college leavers and people with a good knowledge of creative software and drawing skills.

The course will cover:

• an introduction to contemporary illustration
• a look at the various areas in illustration:
• editorial
• picture book
• commercial
• self promotional work

One of the modules of the course will focus on

* Illustration as art
* the commercial and business side of illustration and
* the pros and cons of a career in illustration.

Various skills, including concepts, ideas, pencilling, line work and colour will be discussed in detail.

Students will be assigned various projects which will be critiqued during the four weeks of the course. This will form an important part of the overall course. Students will be encouraged to keep a notebook throughout.

Each week students will work on a new group project to loosen up their drawing skills.

Students will be encouraged to participate actively in group discussions throughout the course.

------------------------------------

For more information about Chris Judge please visit his website www.chrisjudge.com

To enroll or for more information please see details below:

Fee: €250 for 4 weeks.

NOTE: Classes will be limited so early booking is advised.

Course One: Beginner
Dates: Tuesday Feb: 9th, 16th, 23rd & March 2nd 2010, 7pm - 9pm

Course Two: Intermediate
Dates: Wednesday 10th, 17th, 24th & March 3rd 2010, 7pm - 9pm

Venue: Giddy Studios, unit number four, first floor, Grange Road retail park, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16
Please map for directions

P: 00 353 1 4240440
M: 00 353 87 9879515
W: giddystudios.com
E: giddy@giddystudios.com

PABLO PICANTE!

2010-01-13T22:14:00.006Z

Towards the end of last year I worked on this really exciting secret project. I was commissioned to design this Mexican wrestler character among other things. It took many goes to find the right tone and style for him. We tried many versions of him but in the end we went for a stocky 50's type wrestler which I think really suits the whole concept of what is to come. I'll post a step by step of all the different characters in a few weeks when it all goes live.

Good luck Pablo!

Cheap as Chips Two

2010-01-13T21:01:00.003Z

The second Cheap as Chips opens tomorrow in the very handsome Circus in Powerscourt Townhouse tomorrow evening from 5pm. There will be tons of grat work on show for sale and everything will be less than €99.99 so get in early to get a bargain.

The theme was 'Circus'. Here's my 4 'beauts'. I'm not Coulrophobic but there's something about clowns that bug me. This is four of them on the slab. They'll be on sale for €60 Euro each. Acrylic and markers on canvas.

Lots more details here.

Happy New Year and all that!

2010-01-13T20:54:00.003Z

Can't believe it's nearly a month since I posted here. I've was really busy and then astoundingly lazy and have only got my head back into work mode.

I saw Let The Right One In over Christmas which has to be one the best films I've seen in years. We were out for out for a snow walk last week when I spotted this through some gates which really reminded me of the place where the kids live. Such a quiet, creepy but somehow really nostalgic atmosphere. Oh and there happened to be a Beast strolling by... can you hear the crunch crunch?

I'll get back into posting all proper like this week.

Christmas Art Fair Thing Part Deux!

2009-12-14T15:03:00.004Z

Thanks to everyone who dropped in to the studio last Saturday it was a really fun day!

I have had a bunch of emails and texts from people asking if I will be opening again before Christmas as they couldn't make it so I have decided to leave everything set up and open the studio this Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 2-6pm (17th, 18th, 19th December).

I have run out of mulled wine but will be serving regular wine and mince pies and there'll be more seasonal music to dance to.

The Details again:

Address: 49 Pleasants Street, Side Door, Dublin 8 - click here for MAP
Date: Saturday 12th of December 2009
Time: 12pm-7pm
Contact: chrispjudge@gmail.com

Paintings from €50
Prints from €10
Postcard/poster set from €20
T-Shirts from €10

Christmas Card

2009-12-14T14:31:00.002Z

Illustration for Thinkhouse PR Christmas card. This is the second outing for the Worm Scarf

Christmas Art Fair Thing in My Studio!

2009-12-03T18:21:00.004Z

I have decided to turn my humble cave-like studio into a mini Christmas art fair thing on Saturday the 12th of December.

I will be selling lots of original paintings for very reasonable prices, as well as prints, postcard sets, T-shirts and other bits and bobs.

There will be delicious complementary mulled wine and mince pies served as well as seasonal music to dance to.

If you're in the area drop in for some Christmas Cheer!

--------------------------

The Details:

Address: 49 Pleasants Street, Side Door, Dublin 8 - click here for MAP
Date: Saturday 12th of December 2009
Time: 12pm-7pm
Contact: chrispjudge@gmail.com

Paintings from €50
Prints from €10
Postcard/poster set from €20
T-Shirts from €15