Thursday, 20 December 2012

Mmmmm, pretty vintage fabric...


This is the best part of DIY hardcover binding.

Monday, 10 December 2012

Exactly how much...

Binding a book of 274 pages requires exactly *this* much linen thread...

Thursday, 6 December 2012

You saw it here first:

Essential bookbinding equipment assembled and ready for action...


This is self-publishing on an entirely different scale.

Wednesday, 17 October 2012

Cover artwork now in print

When friend and Heronfield author Dorinda Balchin approached me with an idea for her book cover, I was only too excited to offer my help. Using a combination of Photoshop to combine images and Adobe Illustrator for text and the design for the figures, the creation of the final artwork was a remarkably smooth process.



The novel, a sweeping saga set against the bloody battles of WWII, is centred around a country house, Heronfield. In designing this cover artwork, I hoped to imply something of the strife of foreign fields while retaining the emotional link to the characters’ beloved home. The design was also influenced by the artwork for Gone with the Wind, a film synonymous with epic love stories.

Details of how to get your own copy of Heronfield (both digital and print) are available on DorindaBalchin.com

Wednesday, 1 August 2012

Andrew 2012


Watercolour on paper. This portrait was commissioned in memory of a beautiful and much loved dog. Hopefully this painting does him justice!

Friday, 1 June 2012

Portrait of a Sheepdog


Watercolour on paper. This portrait of a collie was commissioned by the dog’s owner as a tribute to a loving pet.

Unusually for me, the paint was applied very thickly, working in layers to build up col
our saturation and texture. A very faint hint of green was applied as a wash below the jaw to create a sense of depth and to offset the brown hues elsewhere. White hatching across the black created the glossy finish to the coat.

Portrait of a Beagle


Pencil on watercolour paper. 2012.

This portrait was commissioned by the dog’s owner in Luxembourg. Being a beagle, he is very expressive and intelligent, and it was important to reflect this in this drawing. Using pencil and graphite, the marks and layers that make up the finished effect were built up over time.

Thursday, 17 May 2012

It begins...

Celebrating the completion of my lastest novel Driving Miss Crazy, I am delighted to launch a new Twitter Project.

Bridging the gap between the 1950s and the present day, lead character Kate Ward will be tweeting her experiences as they happen. To join her, simply click on the link below. Setting up your Twitter account is free and should take less than a minute.

Get right to the heart of the adventure now. Follow @CrumpsBarn

Driving Miss Crazy

Latest novel, Driving Miss Crazy, is now complete: The synopisis and a sample are available as a Free download. Visit Lorna Gray's website today!

Friday, 20 January 2012

New Pet Portrait - Enzo

Charcoal on watercolour paper, this portrait was commissioned as a Christmas gift. Enzo is a Labrador/Rottweiler cross and was a delight to draw. He has a vast amount of character which is, I hope, apparent in this portrait.
Enzo. Charcoal on watercolour paper. Dec 2011. 270mm x 400mm (approx).