The Book Illustration Competition. We've got a winner!!!

The Folio Society's annual Book Illustration Awards took place last week in that there London and we're delighted to report that Grillust's own Catt Fearnley (Yr3, 21), was long-listed and subsequently shortlisted at the awards ceremony held in The House of Illustration, where she was given her award by judge and author of the competition's subject - War Horse, Michael Morpurgo.

As part of her prize, Catt now has to wear this huge arrow attached to her right hip for 12 months. It's the law.

If you're 1 of the 9 people on earth who isn't familiar with Morpurgo's seminal novel, War Horse, here's the synopsis:
In the deadly chaos of the First World War, one horse witnesses the reality of battle from both sides of the trenches. Bombarded by artillery, with bullets knocking riders from his back, Joey tells a powerful story of the truest friendships surviving in terrible times. One horse has the seen the best and the worst of humanity. The power of war and the beauty of peace. This is his story.

Catt used a combination of gestural mark making and digital collage to create her work which speaks of the bonds formed between characters in the book - both human and equine. Morpurgo congratulated Catt on creating something akin to tapestry, and we think that's a very good way of describing the work.

Catt was one of three students to be among the 6 finalists (including the competition winner Alan Marks) and, as her goal is to work in book illustration, we'd say this is a great start to achieving that.

Michael Morpurgo takes a moment to congratulate Catt on her work whilst discreetly clutching a day's worth of royalty cheques to his bosom.

Where as Catt opts for a flamboyant brandish of her prize cheque.

And how do you celebrate such a great result?
You go for a drink in a Scottish theme bar whilst wearing a pair of man's washed out sports socks under your high heels - or at least that's what Catt wanted to do. For Grillust purists, the red Doc Martin's belong to Matt Swales, ex of Grillust (33).

A HUGE congratulations to Catt, from all at Grillust towers. A well deserved result!

At the time of posting, Catt's website was down for maintenance by Future Dave™.

Scenes from the Life Room

This week the first year illustrators were working in white on black (mostly)...

First Years, Seventh Project - Film Pastiche and Title Sequence.

For their latest brief we firstly taught the students basic film making techniques, then study a specific movie genre (pulled at random from our 'envelope of destiny') and then finally create a 30 second (or so) visual 'distillation' in film of said genre. Oh; they also had to produce a detailed storyboard before they started shooting any live footage. We then went on to teach them the basics of Adobe After Effects and asked them to create a title sequence to accompany their film. Incredibly they only had three weeks in which to complete this massive challenge.

Did they succeed?...

More than in our wildest dreams! 

But hold on a minute... Graphic Designers and Illustrators making films? Are we mad? 

No, quite the opposite. As technologies merge (these films were all made in Photoshop by the way!?) and, as TV and streaming media expand exponentially, who will be there at the cutting edge, producing well designed, intelligent content? Designers and Illustrators, of course

This project marks the start of a journey for those students who have a strong interest in exploiting video, film and animation as their chosen media.
 

In the meantime; put you feet up, turn down the lights, open a carton of Kia-Ora and scatter popcorn down your front as you enjoy the fruits of their labour...

We'll start with some storyboards..

Now on to the films...

Sian and Kareena (both 21) embrace the world of 'The Musical'


Hazel (21) and Nathaniel (21) resurrect that Great British staple, the 'Hammer Horror'


Ali and Elan are both 21 and both know how to dance


Dan and Danny have used their combined, forty two year of experience, to give you a 'Spy' movie


Jackie Chan rides again thanks to Erin and Vicky (who were born 21 years ago)


Here's how the news was presented sixty years ago re-imagined by Jenny and Beth (who will both be 22 next birthday)


Harry (21) and Omarii (17 + 4) got all 'angsty' which was really helpful in creating a distillation of German 'Expressionism'

H.R.H. The Typographer Royal in Action! From Above! In Colour!

Here's an aerial view of our 'Queen of Typography'  Dame* Rhiannon Robinson working with our first year design and illustration students. Can you spot which one she is?

* Rhiannon was recently created a 'Dame' in the New Year's Honours List. 
This was in acknowledgement of a lifetime's dedication to kerning and also her considerable philanthropic work caring for both widows and orphans. 

More Scenes from the Life Room

The first year illustration students are progressing well with their weekly life drawing class.

This week we were looking at tone, atmosphere and composition...

Cumbria Band Names™ (Edition VI)

Conker Bandoleros 
You will don leather waistcoats, lycra leopard print trews, baseball boots (laces undone) and bouffants in your attempt at a 'Hair Rock' revival which will prove very popular in the Ireby and Hesket Newmarket area.

The Fantastic Catapults
As Cumbria's premier Country Rock Jug Band, you'll probably be best known for your zither/ukulele/gumbo fusion tunes. You will dress in matching check shirts, denim bib 'n' braces and take to the stage barefoot. From gig to gig the band line-up can change but all members must obviously belong to the same extended, dysfunctional family. On stage bickering and occasional moonshine induced violence will pepper your performance. 

Two Tone Mugs
You live up to your name. 80's Ska throwbacks who are easily duped into performing for no money. 'nuff said.

good old fashioned drawing

The 2nd year illustrators have been getting back to basics with a 3 week session of grass roots drawing, including trips to the local cathedral, museum and corner café. Here's a few snaps from their sketchbooks from the period.