TomDorkin/

Great White

2010-08-02T09:10:00.000-07:00

Just a little doodle I did while home visiting the parents.

T.

Show Photos

2010-07-10T03:08:00.000-07:00

Here's just a few photos from our end of year show at the Russian Club Studios, a good time was had by all with great food and drink supplied all night.

Thanks to every one that came along and a bigger thanks if you were one of the people that bought some of my stuff!

If for some crazy reason you missed the show it runs until 6p.m. Sunday
T.

FDA Show

2010-07-03T01:59:00.000-07:00

Wow, before my post in the last few days I hadn’t posted anything in about 4 months. Well I have now finished my FDA course and am now busy doing work alongside getting myself ready to go onto the 3rd year of BA illustration at Camberwell.

This blog is probably going to see a lot more use now in terms of listing my research sources and things of interest for BA purposes as well as posting work in progress, finished pieces that don’t feel right for my website (tomdorkin.com) and any other bits and pieces I get up to.

Also anyone in the London area on the 8th of July it would be lovely to see you at our FDA illustration and design end of year show in Russian Club Studios (flyer at the top)

There will be free wine and Thai food, what more do you want.
T.

Manifesto

2010-02-25T19:37:00.001-08:00

Here is the outcome to my manifesto project, in which we had to create work that went some way to summing up who we are as creative. Mine took the form of an A1 poster featuring over 40 character drawings I did from ages five to six, mixed with a few newly created characters.

I wanted my work to show how I've have always drawn these bizarre characters and shows how my life taking a creative direction is almost completely due to my love of drawing grotesque things.

I am currently trying to figure out how to whip my blog into shape for those who subscribe via RSS, so excuse any stange changes in the coming few posts.
T.

Consume

2010-02-25T19:30:00.000-08:00

Massive hiatus in posting but I'm back and determined to keep blogging what I'm up to.

Here are the finished images for my consumerism project. My own currency featuring celebs I see as icons of capitalism. The designs were then photocopied on to found paper related to consumerism such as closing down posters, waste paper and paper bags.

Another post to follow tomorrow
T.

The Decaying Faces Of Paris

2009-12-09T21:03:00.000-08:00

I Decided that the old bastion of consumerism, Paris Hilton would be a better fit for my first bank note. Womens faces are really tough to draw im learning more and more, you all need scars an facial hair, that would be a big help thanks.

My Christmas holiday is so close I can almost taste the yorkshire puddings and Ferrero Rocher
T.

The Faces Of Kanye

2009-12-08T19:21:00.000-08:00

Still rather busy for a few more days, but lots of proper updates to come.

In the meantime here are some drawings of Kanye West for my 'Consumerism' project at uni. I'm making my own currency and he is on one of my bank notes, which is nice for him.

Tomorrow, Peachs Geldof I think.
T.

Odds and Ends

2009-11-25T18:45:00.000-08:00

A few pictures for your eyes.

Pretty busy at the moment but will do a proper update soon.
T.

Shows

2009-09-29T07:09:00.000-07:00

This blog has really suffered lately with me trying to get my new site (with intergrated blog) sorted out, so I've been reluctant to post new work that will have its own section on my site, but anyway I seem to get a surprising number of hits, so a little update is in order.

The work I did for the tubelord covers is going to be exhibited in leeds and london, I'll be visting the Camden show tonight.

Recently I was also part of an FDA Design and Illustration show 'Halfway' at The Bun House in Peckham put together by my friend Magda Szostak.

Here my work entitled 'Halfway Dead'

Photos of both shows will be appearing either here or on the new site in the next few days.
T.

New Old Logo

2009-08-31T15:48:00.000-07:00

Just finished reworking my old 3D logo to have a more hand-crafted feel in preparation for my buisness cards.

Back to working on my proper website
T.

Tumblr

2009-08-18T18:43:00.001-07:00

I dont usually like posting other people images that I like, or things that genrally inspire me on my own blog, so from now on I can use tumblr to keep a nice record of those interesting things I see. cheers to Karin Soderquist for the idea, saves me from just whining about not being a FFFFOUND! member.

T.

Leper's Skull

2009-08-17T20:11:00.000-07:00

The other half of that poor chaps head from the Science Museum

I forgot how versatile a simple HB pencil is.
T.

Tubelord

2009-08-17T10:01:00.000-07:00

Here are the finished one-off 7" sleeves for Tubelord's upcoming single release. You can check out the band here or find out more about the project here.

I wish I had asked for more to work on now!
T.

Leper's Jaw Bone

2009-08-16T19:45:00.000-07:00

As seen at the Science Museum.

T.

What Have I Been Up To?

2009-07-28T07:45:00.000-07:00

As if by magic I'm past the 1000 hits mark, I didn't know my mum could hit refresh so fast!

I think that calls for a proper update (A gargantuan one at that!) to get some of the things I've been putting off posting about out of the way.

I've now finished with my first year at Camberwell and am spending the summer looking for work placements and live projects to be a part of. This also formed the basis of one of my last first year projects in which we had to create a C.V / mailout to promote ourselves.

I wanted mine to be simple and cheap to produce but at the same time have clever a presentational technique full of drawings that gave a sense of my work. In the end I settled on making a 'No staples zine' I found in this fantastic book with three spreads of my work which then folds out into a poster with a load more infomation about me.

Here are a couple of photos of the finished package that I have been sending around to places and people.

So far this summer I have been lucky enough to spend some time at NB illustration agency getting an inside look into the world or artist representation and learning about some of the nitty gritty of the the illustration industry. They have some really great people on their books with my two personal favourites being Gemma Correll and Jonathan Burton

I have also just finished a project with my good friend Harvey Finch on a series of illustrations for a visual glossary for new University of Arts London students, sadly its for an internal website for the college only, so here are some of my favourite images I created.

The last project I am currently involved in is creating one off record sleeves for the band Tubelord's upcoming single release. I have literally just finished these tonight so will post about them seperately.

I think thats enough for now, I have got nearly all my in depth projects out of the way so I promise the picture to word ratio will tilt far more toward the pictures for a while.

I've bored you enough for now.
T.

Not Dead

2009-07-26T09:29:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it's been a month to the day since I last posted on here, how very lazy of me. I have plenty to post on here still, including two uni projects from the end of the year and a couple of secret things. All will be revelealed soon, so keep coming back

Also nearly 1000 hits, good stuff
T.

Test Everything

2009-06-26T05:11:00.000-07:00

The new issue of 'Test Everything' zine is out and I have to say it look rather good, my spread is below (Im on the left)

To see the other spreads from the issue you can click on their Flickr or buy a copy from the Store

Now if you don't mind im off to wear a fedora
T.

A Few New Ones

2009-06-18T10:43:00.000-07:00

Five Finger Fillet Fuck-up
Pen and ink on paper

Jaundice The Clown

Pen and ink on paper

More to come
T.

Industry Report

2009-06-07T11:32:00.000-07:00

Ok so I lied, turns out 6 posts in a day is actually enough. here are some shots of the industry report I put together following my interviews.

Simple wire bound 24 page book in the style of a cut and paste zine. Really happy with the outcome and I also learned a lot about the creation of books.

right lets go an do some doodling
T.

Travis Millard

2009-06-07T11:08:00.001-07:00

Last but by no means least in my series of interviews about 'illustrators on self publishing' is Travis Millard.

Why did you decide to start publishing your own work?

i've always been into drawing, but didn't try to make my first zine until i was out of high school. a friend was into the culture and passed me an old Comet Bus issue, urging me to try and make one. i had a few weird comics i was doing, and tried putting one together, which got good reviews from my drunk friends, so i tried another and so on.

What is your favourite and least favourite aspects about this process?

i'm not sure, i kind of like everything about the process. sometimes it can get tedious and take long hours to finish everything off, but the rewards outweigh the downers for me.

How would you say your personal publishing projects have affected the commercial side of your work?

the zines i publish are generally a platform for my personal meanderings, but i think it's those meanderings that end up cultivating the commercial work that might come in.

How important do you think fanzine's and self published books are as a platform for new illustrators and designers?

i think it gives you the opportunity to hone your craft by yourself, for yourself. you can review your work in print while sharing it with others, and by that you're getting it in front of people and growing as an artist.

What is your take on how the internet is changing the distribution of the medium?

the internet has taken some of the mystery out of things, but it's also connecting artists to an infinite audience... i'd say it's a pretty wonderful tool.

Finally where do you think the future of the medium will lead?

i don't know, but the sky's the limit kid!

Thanks to Travis for his A's to my Q's and to to see more of his drawings or to buy any of his zines check out fudgefactorycomics.com

I hope anyone reading this has enjoyed all of my interviews as much I did.

5 posts in one day is enough
T.

Tom Gauld

2009-06-07T10:56:00.000-07:00

For the next installment of my 'illustrators on self publishing' interviews we have Tom Gauld

Why did you decide to start publishing your own work?

When I started self-publishing I was at the Royal College of Art and there so much equipment and encouragement for making things that when I (I should really say 'we' as I did my first book called 'First' with my friend Simone Lia, although it was initially my idea to make something) had the idea I just went ahead and did it without thinking it over too much. Also I was seeing some self published work in 'Gosh' comics and had a friend (Matt Abbiss) who'd self published a few things. I liked the idea of being in control of all aspects of the comic (writing, drawing, design, production etc) and learning by doing it myself.

What are your favourite and least favourite aspects about this process?

Distribution is definitely my least favorite part of the process. By the time you get to this point you're pretty much exhausted with the project and then you've got to take it to shops, send emails, put things in boxes, write lots of addresses, queue in the post office etc etc. This is sort of why I've done 'Hunter and painter' and my 'The Gigantic Robot'* with Buenaventura Press, because with them I can be involved in all the parts I like best but they sort out the printing and distribution.

My favourite part of self publishing is probably being able to really make the form fit the content by designing the whole thing and choosing the materials.

How would you say your personal publishing projects have affected the commercial side of your work?

I know that a lot of my work comes from people who've bought my books. And creatively the two definitely inform each other. My next book 'the gigantic robot'* features a character which started out in a commercial job (and actually that job came from someone who'd bought a comic).

How important do you think fanzine's and self published books are as a platform for new illustrators and designers?

They can really help. It's much more interesting to send out a nice publication rather than a boring set of samples. Plus it means someone might stumble upon your work in a shop (or whatever) which will (I think) make it seem more interesting, and mentally file it as 'fun'. Whereas if it was sent in to them they might see it as 'work'
Also self made things are a good way to try things out, to show how you'd like your work could be used, and a good way of keeping busy when things are quiet commission-wise.

What is your take on how the internet is changing the distribution of the medium?

It makes it about a million times easier to get your work out there, which is really great. A self publisher can do much larger print runs (which are cheaper per copy) as their potential market is the whole world.

Finally where do you think the future of the medium will lead?

I don't know really. I think that better distribution through the internet is leading to a better market for idiosyncratic things so hopefully there'll be lots of interesting new stuff coming along.

Big thanks to Tom for all of his interesting answers and you can see more of his work at cabanonpress.com Also keep your eyes peeled for his upcoming book 'The Gigantic Robot' which looks amazing so far from what he has leaked on his flickr.

Last interview will be Travis Millard
T.

Daniel Cantrell

2009-06-07T08:56:00.000-07:00

You know the drill by now, another interview in my 'illustrators on self publishing' series.

For this one I have interviewed Daniel Cantrell AKA The Horror. I've mentioned his work before on my blog an I thought he would be an ideal person to interview as not only does he produce some of the most hillariously deranged artwork but also publishes the zine Good vs. Evil.

Why did you decide to start publishing your own zine?

I started publishing after I did a collab on a picture with Hiromi Nakajima. The theme was Good vs Evil and I liked the title so decided to make it into a zine. I was originally just going to photocopy it at work but because the images were so nice I decided to get it printed.

What are your favourite and least favourite aspects about this process?

Best thing is getting artists to do work on the theme and seeing what they produce. I also enjoy finding new artists and people who are doing strange things. Worst thing is selling the magazine. Everyone wants to be in it but no one wants to buy it. It hurts to think people prefer buying corporate cocksuck mags rather than ones that are actually tryng to do something interesting.

How would you say your personal publishing projects
have affected your own work?

I guess in the sense of seeing such great work has made me up my game. I don't want my work to be weak in the magazine.

How important do you think fanzine's and self published books are as a platform for new illustrators and designers?

I like fanzines as they promote work you won't see in mainstream publications. Like Le Dernier Cri prints such strange work that we wouldn't see anywhere else. Without these independents it would be so bland and we'd just get work that looks like the artist that is popular that month. Fanzines can help people get their work seen. Not to a mass audience but to an audience that has a similar passion and thinking to you.

What is your take on how the internet is changing the distribution of the medium?

Well, the internet helps to find a base for the magazine. It helps you find like minded people that not only will buy your magazine but will contribute to it. It provides a way to connect us all.

Finally where do you think the future of the medium will lead?

Well now there is talk of online magazines taking over. That printed magazines will die out. I hope this isn't the case as an online is a very poor cousin of a printed magazine. To hold and be tangible is different than just viewing online. In the future I can see that fanzines audiences will get smaller and smaller as the power of the big mags increases. There will be no innovation just a million copies of other copies. With Good vs Evil selling 1 copy a year!

Thanks to Daniel for answering all my questions and to see more of his work visit homeofthehorror.com or go and buy yourself a copy of 'good vs evil' that would be much appreciated seeing as he has had all the money for issue 3 pinched out of his paypal account by some crafty bollock. click on goodvsevilzine.blogspot.com to get one.

Next up we have Tom Gauld.
T.

Jim Stoten

2009-06-07T08:35:00.000-07:00

Ok time for number two in my series of 'illustrators on self publishing' interviews, Jim Stoten.

Why did you decide to start publishing your own work?

Because I saw it as a very slim chance that it would be a way to get my work seen, but it was an avenue I felt I should at least try, because it seemed like a lot of my contemporaries were doing it to, and I felt like if I didn't I was missing a trick. It was difficult to get into, but I didn't know about things like how to paginate or that I had to think about things like paper-weights. I just thought it was going to be more straight forward, just do some drawings an take them to prontaprint.

What are your favourite and least favourite aspects about this process?Its a lot of pressure, to make something you are proud of, that people will want to pay money for and keep, its probably not a good idea to think about it to much otherwise you just wouldn't do anything. I like the freedom, now that I know; you really can just do what you want. The worst part is, that I find it difficult because I am always thinking about the continuity and how 1 page will affect the next, so it takes me a really long time to do work that I feel happy going next to something else. It takes me a long time to compile something and I don’t do like 100 drawings then cut them down to 10 i tend to only draw 10 for a 10-page book.

How would you say your personal publishing projects have affected the commercial side of your work?

Hardly any, they are really separate, I kind of see them as different ways of working, first of all because most of the stuff you would do for a zine will be black and white because its cheaper, whereas most of the stuff I get commissioned on is full of garish colours. I like that separation its like you get to put a different head on and you think about your work in a totally different way which is really liberating especially if you get into a position where people are looking for a very specific thing in your work, but while there is freedom in that still, but when you get the opportunity to do something different I relish it.

How important do you think fanzine's and self-published books are as a platform for new illustrators and designers?

I think its very important as its you representing yourself, how you want to be represented, and its you saying this is the work that I like doing an I want you to like it to. It takes all the formality out of the industry totally and brings it right down to the individual and there true feelings about your work.

What is your take on how the Internet is changing the distribution of the medium?

I thinks it making it more accessible but then by doing that its making it a less precious commodity, its like if everyone was special, no one would be, which is good and bad like when you find something amazing within all of this stuff, an its bad that there’s so much out there that you have to trawl through it, but then another reason why its good, is if you take into account that there’s so much stuff being published out there you have an extra incentive to do something that is different again, it pushes you to do that is challenging everything that is put there.

Finally where do you think the future of the medium will lead?

It will probably change drastically, in twenty years time you will probably be able to send out a hologram of yourself doing something stupid. I think its a really big trend at the moment an it will either die out because its not the ‘in’ thing to do or it will evolve into something in itself, self publication will being a more standalone industry so people are just interested in the work people are doing even if they have never heard of them before.

Was really nice to meet Jim and even nicer of him to answer all my questions, so go and look at more of great his work at jimtheillustrator.co.uk

hmm now who to put next, I think Daniel Cantrell AKA The Horror, come back soon to hear from him!
T.

Nigel Peake

2009-06-07T07:55:00.000-07:00

As promised, the first of my short 'illustrators on self publishing' interviews, first up, Nigel Peake.

Why did you decide to start publishing your own work?
I can't remember having a specific reason for doing it. I initially published a book of drawings with Analogue Books on Sheds.I really enjoying making books - drawing on a theme and then working on a sequence of events.I like the idea of telling a story through the drawing, even though there is not a direct or obvious narrative

What is your favourite and least favourite aspects about this process?

I am not sure if I can think of any bad aspects to the making of the books and zines, and if there where any then I guess over time I have amended them to suit my way of working. From the outset I enjoy it. I keep many sketchbooks and at times the idea of a collection comes together, be it from a recent voyage to things I am reading at the time. And it is then from this vague accumulation of ideas that they are worked from.

How would you say your personal publishing projects have affected the commercial side of your work?

Thats difficult to gauge. I am not sure if it has affected the projects i have been commissioned to do. The publications are not done for that reason, they are really done because of joy for the subject.

How important do you think fanzine's and self published books are as a platform for new illustrators and designers?
I am not sure how important it it is, but it depends in what terms you are thinking. If it was like - Is it good for commercial reasons? In that case I know quite a few illustrator who would never think of making zines. Making a zine actually requires a lot of extra work, and in many cases it is not extra work to make money, but more a case of remembering that you simply like to draw. Or is it good as a way of developing an idea? In that case I think it is useful because it is a platform to develop and tweak ideas and come up with new ways of using a black and white photocopier to do something new.

What is your take on how the internet is changing the distribution of the medium?

I think that the internet is ultimately a positive for this - in that potentially the 'world' is your audience. But really, it does not mean that, it just means that more people have a chance of seeing your work than if you lived on a country road with only a type writer. Though I think it is really important to maintain a 'real' connection with stores such as Analogue, Magma and Here. Because I think that it is with book stores like these that small publications exist. I remember selling a few early zines to Rough Trade record store and feeling complete satisfaction when they agreed to stock it. I dont think I went back for any money. The fact that it was on their counter was enough.

Finally where do you think the future of the medium will lead?

Hopefully it will continue just as it is - as a simple thing, a document of uncomplicated hard work with no ulterior motives other than a love for making things.

Really big thanks to Nigel for finding the time to answer my questions and to see more of his work or buy some of his lovely books click on secondstreet.co.uk

More interviews over the next day or two, next up is Jim Stoten
T.

Night Note

2009-05-27T18:28:00.000-07:00

Just about to hit the hay for the night, blog hasnt been updated in a while because im really busy with uni work, but that will all be done on tuesday so then I have loads of exciting things to blog, like my current book illustration project and my final mailout artwork.

Heres a sneaky peek at the cover of my narrative project based around the Will Self short story 'Scale'

On top of my work I have some really great interviews about self publishing with, Tom Gauld, Nigel Peake, Travis Millard, Daniel Cantrell and Jim Stoten

Worth checking back soon, i'd say so.
T.

The Horror

2009-05-14T14:41:00.000-07:00

Im not usually one to blog people who's work I like, but I think I might start doing it a bit more often, starting with someone who's particular brand of hate never fails to make me smile.

I present to you The Horror AKA Daniel Cantrell

His sketchbooks are full of vicious characters and frankly I think they are just great.
More of his work HERE.

He also is the chap behind 'Good vs Evil' zine, which you should all get, not many copies left from what I have heard.

Available HERE

Enjoy
T.

Mail-out Update

2009-05-05T11:21:00.000-07:00

Two posts in one day, I'm on fire!

Since last posting about my mail-out it has been through a few incarnations getting it just right, the original creatures got more or less scrapped (although the mouse has been incorporated in another guise) but it would be a shame for them never to see the light of day. They come in two flavours, the first being colouring pencil.

the second is the tasty crosshatched variety.

Finally here is a sneaky peek of the final design for my mail-out, lots of fun drawings and a few neat paper folding tricks.

will update on these once i have spent what promises to be a very busy day in the screen printing studio
T.

Dont Worry About The Smiles

2009-05-05T07:52:00.000-07:00

Recently found out the below drawing of mine is going to be featured in the second issue of the fantastic 'Test Everything' Zine

Cheers to Rand for the opportunity and I will update when I have some pictures of the finished product. In the mean time why dont you get yourself a copy of the first issue here, or even contribute to the third issue here
T.

Angry Monkey

2009-04-21T18:11:00.000-07:00

He is disappointed in you, always
T.

Pigeons And Rams

2009-04-21T17:49:00.000-07:00

Few more sketch pages, the focus for my mailout has shifted a bit, no more animals and instead creatures that represent aspects of my personality and my work, so basically there are only going to get weirder.

still more to come
T.

Of Mice and Monsters

2009-04-14T07:37:00.000-07:00

A few pages from my sketchbook for my upcoming mailout, take a peek below.

More to come.
T.

Laser Cock

2009-04-06T09:15:00.000-07:00

They are finally done, the first proper run of anything I have ever sold. Hopefully you all like them.

2 colour hand pulled silk-screen tote bags

38x43 cm in size
long handles

Very limited run of just 15 pieces

already only 11 left

Click Here To Buy
T.

Printing My Cock

2009-04-04T16:59:00.000-07:00

In-progress shots from my limited run of tote bags, Still need to add their laser eyes then these will be going on sale hopefully by Monday/Tuesday.

More details then
T.

Bags and Beasts

2009-03-31T11:28:00.000-07:00

Not posted recently as I have been spending some time back in Basingstoke with the family, relaxing an planning my next 2 mini projects. First of which will be a limited run of screen-printed tote bags I will be trying to sell and the second is a mini mail-out book for the purpose of trying to find some work placements or live projects. Both still at the sketch stage, will post more soon.

Maybe time to sort out a website?
T.

Summer, Is that you?

2009-03-16T07:50:00.000-07:00

On this nice sunny day I thought I would stay in and blog/draw/play videogames, dedication or reclusiveness you decide.

Lately we have been having a range of visiting practitioners at Camberwell, either giving talks or workshops, the two I have enjoyed most were Alex Bec (its nice that, HudsonBec) and David Foldvari. Both talks gave completely different views of the design industry but both left me with the same optimistic and determined feeling, so bravo to them.
hudsonbec.com
davidfoldvari.co.uk

Also here is a little type based representation of the visual prop I am relishing using most at the moment.

Right, back to being a vampire
T.

Drawing Project

2009-03-14T11:06:00.000-07:00

Just a little post today. Recently finished a drawing project at uni, it put an awful lot of things in perspective for me in terms of my work but the thing I enjoyed most was the workshop where we took famous images by revered artists and reinterpreted them in out own way. I found this especially fun as it allowed me to be really playful in my work. I picked a sketch by Albrecht Durer of his mother (Google 'durer's mother' for the original) and experimented with some of my favourite materials and processes to create a range of images.

Paint pen on graph paper

Brush pen and felt tip on chinese drawing paper

Carbon paper and colouring pencil on cardboard

Laser eyes for all
T.

Severed Painted Hands

2009-02-15T11:29:00.000-08:00

Remembered i didnt have to use my iron maiden of a scanner as i already had a nice photo of what i wanted to scan.

Basically for our last uni project (will post some of this work once i get it back from marking) we sourced lots of lovely waster paper from a local printers, so much in fact that i could take loads home

I also spent my pocket money on these

Together they came up with this at 5 a.m when i couldn't sleep

Marvelous/
T.