I was recently invited to take part in an interview for a major lifestyle magazine in the North of the UK – Living North. The current issue is now on sale across Yorkshire and the north, but the full interview can be read online, by clicking this link:
Much of the text may be familiar to anyone who’s been on a workshop and picked up one of my leaflets, but it may be of interest to any new readers, or those of you who live outside the UK.
Me, in front of one of my recent drawings of Staithes
I’m returning to Quirky workshops near Penrith later this month – on the 19th and 20th -for two (separate) days of drawing and painting, and I’ve just been informed that there are still spaces left on each day. It’s a fabulous venue, and we always have a great time there, so if you’re able and anywhere handy, it’ll be great if you could join us? You can find out more on this link:
As I write this on a sunny Sunday morning in Yorkshire with less than a week to go now until the much-anticipated Staithes Festival of Arts and Heritage, it struck me that some of those who may be planning to visit-which will be lovely-may not be too familiar with the village’s maze of streets and alleyways. I would hate to think of you wandering around, lost in search of me and my art(other artists are available). So, here’s a guide to finding me. I’ll be in residence for the Friday evening preview(7-9pm), and on both weekend days from 10 am I until around 6pm.
How to find me next weekend
I will also have two new things to sell at the Festival ( as well as lots of new drawings and cards): a brand-new sketchbook and a 2024 calendar, with launched for the Festival, and both featuring lots of Staithes-themed drawings. If you can’t get to the Festival, but would like one (or both) , just drop me an email on john@drawninyorkshire.com and I’ll be happy to help…
My 2024 calendar coverBrand new Staithes sketchbook
I thought now might be a good time to remind folk of a few workshops in the next few months, each with just a few spaces left: The relevant booking links are on the 2023 workshops page on my site, but here’s a direct link to the first one, a sketching workshop at Calder Graphics in Huddersfield…
I am incredibly proud to finally be able to let you all know about the project that’s kept me occupied, and fairly quiet on social media since the start of the year: 48,000 words; many , many new illustrations; a lot of re-writing, and a few headaches and my magnum opus is now with my publishers( how posh does that sound?). The design and layout process has started, and I expect to have the page proofs to check (carefully) by mid August and an index to create, then it’ll go to print.
Publication is excepted to be early next year, and you can bet I’ll be letting everyone know just where and when it can be bought. My publishers are The Crowood Press, who will be selling it directly from their site initially, and I’ll also have copies to sell (which I can sign, personalise and dedicate ) -again, I’ll let everyone know as and when these are available.
Here’s the proof of the front and back covers: I actually wrote the blurb for the back cover, so it’s quite surreal to see what professional writers have done with my text!
So, after over six months of drawing, writing, re-writing and re-drawing, I finally sent the files for my book on Pen and Wash techniques to my publisher! The process of typesetting, design, proof reading( my job!!!), print and publishing is now in process. I’ll update everyone as and when I can share anything meaningful…..in the interim, I managed to curate a short collection of drawings( that don’t appear in the technique book) which is now available from my Etsy shop…click the Esty link and it’ll take you straight there.
As a thank you for bearing with me through the months of silence, and while stocks last, I’ll include a FREE greetings card from my new range for orders paced during July.
