My mum’s just bought a fantastic book as a Christmas present for someone (someone who I hope doesn’t read this blog!) Naturally, I had to pinch it as the pictures are great! It’s by John Coatsworth and is called ‘Painting the Toon.’
John Coatsworth grew up in Byker and started drawing on huge sheets of card from the Domestos factory. He worked at Turners, a photographers, learning about colour, before taking a full time art foundation course. When he’d finished there he worked at the Hancock Museum designing displays before moving on to work at the Evening Chronicle. Then he started to paint full time, painting soldiers and ships. In 1997 he developed his style, known as curvation and these are the images which form the bulk of this book. These are some of my favourites:
When the Tall Ships took place I went down very early in the morning to sketch the ships one day before work – I didn’t do as well as this.
Doesn’t this take you right there? Won’t be long ’til I’m drinking mulled wine with my Dad at the Christmas market while we do his Christmas shopping for my Mam!
