Extra! Extra! Hot off the presses Paul Kidby news!

It's been a busy month and I've produced plenty of new drawings and designs for various projects, however much of it has to be kept under wraps for the time being…

I had an inspirational few days at Art in Action demonstrating my working practices to the visitors and getting lots of great feedback. Thanks to everyone who came along and encouraged me, I had a fun time despite it being very different to my usual peaceful working environment. My only regret is that I didn't have much of a chance to observe and learn from the wealth of talented artists and craftspeople all around me.

I have been busy painting the first six illustrations for the 2012 Kidby/Discworld calendar. Here are the developmental stages of a new illustration from Soul Music, which is my response to a passage in the book where Death erupts on his motorbike through Modo's rose garden; when I read it I was reminded of the iconic Meat Loaf album cover, Bat out of Hell, by the American illustrator and comic book artist, Richard Corben. This is my tribute…as yet unfinished…

Applying a vibrant background wash

Airbrushing the ‘glow'

Removing the masking film after airbrushing

Beginning to build up the colour and detail in thin layers with my trusty paintbrush

I've also been creating another two new images for World of Warcraft trading cards.

The fifth painting in my mythical beast series, ‘Pegasus' is now available as a giclée print from this website.

Books Illustrated will be showing a selection of my bronzes at the Westonbirt Art and Antiques Fair near Tetbury, Glos, 13 th -15 th of August, you can email them for a complimentary ticket.

www.booksillustrated.com

I wish you all happy summer holidays, may your days be filled with ice-cream and sunshine, with no wasps or dark clouds.