Aloha!

An added bonus of living in California is that we're only a 5hr hop from tropical paradise The Sandwich Isles (as Hawaii was christened by Capt. Cook).  The pace of life is so leisurely over there a long weekend felt like 2 weeks! Possibly the most relaxed place I've ever been.

First stop Waikiki Beach with the famous view of once volcanic Diamond Head Mountain

Honolulu tourists

 Turtle Bay

The macademia nut farm & Kualoa Ranch tour was one of the highlights. The presentations afforded me time to sketch the chickens and Japanese tourists.

The stunning scenery looked so familiar since it has been the backdrop in Lost, Jurassic Park etc.

In Haleiwa my girlfriend surprised me with a cage-diving trip amongst sharks! 

These islands are known as 'Chinaman's Hat' and behind it 'Turtle Island'

The Polynesian Cultural Centre is a must-see attraction; we spent a whole afternoon there exploring the authentic tribal huts and watching the dancing and demos.

In the evenings they put on a dance extravaganza show 'Hā- The Breath of Life'

So that was my first Hawaiian vacation on Oahu. Next time I'd like to see what the other islands offer-Kuai, Maui and the Big Island.

Boarding the PIRATES!

This week Aardman's latest opens in the U.S. - 'The Pirates! Band of Misfits' or in its version originale-'The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists'

Whilst in Bristol in 2009 working on 'Arthur Christmas' I abandoned ship for a few weeks and boarded the vessel moored at the Aztec West site.  I served under First Mate Rej Bourdages and Captain Peter Lord.
 The sequence I scrubbed up was ultimately forced to walk the plank in editorial but I'm proud to have a credit on this hilarious film.  Go see it- it's a barrel of larfs!

Quick sketch

Latest from Gesture Class. Rapid warm ups- 15 second poses!

 30 seconds seemed leisurely by comparison!

 . . . and some fun stuff with 1 minute poses

Californication

Some more Bay Area  citizens observed on my travels. Interaction with the friendly folk of San Francisco usually constitutes avoiding eye contact or being asked for money

Lounge Bar on Polk

3300, Mission

Russian Hill

Grant St view from the Empress of China restaurant

View towards Eagle Rock, Los Angeles

BART

Based on my fellow Bay Area commuters and your friendly neighbourhood BART police.

Jacked! part 2

Just before the Christmas break we staged the 2nd Annual Pixar Story dept Mean Caricature Night. We had a much bigger turn out this year including special guests Pete Docter, Ricky Nierva and Michael Johnson documenting the event with his keen camera.  Thanks to Ronnie for rallying the troops, securing the table and keeping us fueled with beer!





See last years' character assassination here

This time my eyes got beadier, my brow more furrowed, my teeth wonkier, beard beardier and my hairline receded further- alas, the cruel truth of caricature.

However, I did get the bastards back-the names have been changed to protect the innocent!

I got warmed up with an easy target

Usually caricaturing girls always ends in tears. Luckily the female Pixar Story Artists dish it as mean as they get it!

This comrade is so pretty I had to draw him twice!

Inscrutable

These Phillipino boys are a handsome bunch

This chiselled adonis was hard to crack!

Vampyre