The sun was shining over the bank holiday weekend at the Festival of Steam & Transport at Chatham Historic Dockyard.
There were engines and contraptions wheezing and pumping steam into the air as multitudes of visitors swarmed the popular attraction.
To the right of the entrance loomed a large building with a huge sign flapping in the breeze that read, "Steampunk Village".. and this was to be the residence of my caricature pitch for a fun filled couple of days.
Those souls brave enough to venture up the stairs would have been greeted with a fantasy world of steam inventions, goggle clad lunatics running this way and that, playing music, sword fighting, singing and having all sorts of fun. These costumed folk had a wide range of outfits, some victorian, some pirate or military, some even with large impressive wings sprouting from their shoulders.
For lovers of Doctor Who there were all sorts of Whovian creatures running wild, along with a Tom Baker impersonator who sounded more like Tom than Tom does.
I drew til I felt like my hand would fall off, then I'd draw some more. A fellow caricaturist, Karl Lind, was working on the other side of the arena and he appeared to be doing the same.
Those of you familiar with my Youtube channel will be aware of my Kermit-esqe zombie frog, Germit who makes regular appearances. Well, just because I was working didn't mean he could have the weekend off, so I had him filming scenes for a couple of films from the weekend.
You can watch them below. Enjoy... and maybe come along next year for more Steampunk madness.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocuniu7TDPw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hc89Mch-eM
One man's struggle to survive in this world with a job considered by many to be bliss.. working as a cartoonist/caricaturist. There's pencils to be sharpened and faces that need a doodling.. It's a tough life but someone's gotta do it!
Thursday, 9 April 2015
Friday, 9 January 2015
Je Suis Charlie
It's been a sad few days that have seriously affected the world of cartoons & freedom of speech.
I'll admit I was only vaguely aware of the Charlie Hebdo publication and it's controversial subject matter. But when hearing about the shootings I had a look through the works of those artists that lost their lives to terrorists on Wednesday. I wanted to know what kind of cartoon could be so offensive it could justify the death of it's creator.
Like most cartoons, the illustrations in that magazine poke fun at something. Cartoons do that, it's what they're for. Some are a little more controversial than others but they're a lighter way of making a point.
I personally try to avoid politics in my doodles as I prefer to doodle the world of celebrity and entertainment, it's my choice. Charb, Cabu, Honore, Tignous & Wolinski chose to satire religion, politics and all manner of controversial material and that was their choice.
Those choices are freedom of speech and freedom of speech is the right of every human being.
Nobody has the right to commit murder, even if they do believe a higher entity has told them to do so.
As I type this the news in the background announces the deaths of those suspected in the killings along with many innocent victims.
..and what did all of this death result in?
Millions of people who had probably never even heard of Charlie Hebdo have now seen those illustrations and articles and tribute cartoons are everywhere.
It has been a sad few days that have made cartoons & freedom of speech stronger than ever.
I'll admit I was only vaguely aware of the Charlie Hebdo publication and it's controversial subject matter. But when hearing about the shootings I had a look through the works of those artists that lost their lives to terrorists on Wednesday. I wanted to know what kind of cartoon could be so offensive it could justify the death of it's creator.
Like most cartoons, the illustrations in that magazine poke fun at something. Cartoons do that, it's what they're for. Some are a little more controversial than others but they're a lighter way of making a point.
I personally try to avoid politics in my doodles as I prefer to doodle the world of celebrity and entertainment, it's my choice. Charb, Cabu, Honore, Tignous & Wolinski chose to satire religion, politics and all manner of controversial material and that was their choice.
Those choices are freedom of speech and freedom of speech is the right of every human being.
Nobody has the right to commit murder, even if they do believe a higher entity has told them to do so.
As I type this the news in the background announces the deaths of those suspected in the killings along with many innocent victims.
..and what did all of this death result in?
Millions of people who had probably never even heard of Charlie Hebdo have now seen those illustrations and articles and tribute cartoons are everywhere.
It has been a sad few days that have made cartoons & freedom of speech stronger than ever.
Friday, 2 January 2015
Goodbye 2014
So that's another one over huh.
It's been a busy one, that's for sure.. in fact I think I've doodled at more events in 2014 than any year I can remember. Indeed in the summer it was getting to the point where my hand felt like it would pop, my back had already given up and pain had become the norm.
But when I look at it there are those out there working in far more strenuous jobs than this so what the hell am I complaining about?! As I have said on many occasions, I'm truly lucky to be working in this job.
Here's to a great 2015, it's gotta be good, if you watch Back to the Future II you'll see we are getting flying cars, hoverboards and pizzas that grow to ten times their original size. Can't wait!
I'll leave you with a film of one of my final creations of 2014, 'Derek's Last Supper', probably my last doodle of Ricky Gervais' wonderful creation..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PllxAbi0iow
It's been a busy one, that's for sure.. in fact I think I've doodled at more events in 2014 than any year I can remember. Indeed in the summer it was getting to the point where my hand felt like it would pop, my back had already given up and pain had become the norm.
But when I look at it there are those out there working in far more strenuous jobs than this so what the hell am I complaining about?! As I have said on many occasions, I'm truly lucky to be working in this job.
Here's to a great 2015, it's gotta be good, if you watch Back to the Future II you'll see we are getting flying cars, hoverboards and pizzas that grow to ten times their original size. Can't wait!
I'll leave you with a film of one of my final creations of 2014, 'Derek's Last Supper', probably my last doodle of Ricky Gervais' wonderful creation..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PllxAbi0iow
Monday, 20 October 2014
Recovering from a Wedding Experience
I had printed up an unholy amount of sheets for the fair and yet as it approached late afternoon I was starting to run low.
Met quite a few people who have already booked me and it was nice to receive several bookings on the day.
Always fun meeting new people and getting to doodle new faces. Even met one couple who were expert dog groomers and got a few great hints for when we get a Bassett pup later in the year.. began to feel like I owed them a fee!
The only awkward thing at a fair is that I find myself having two conversations at once.. One with the people Im drawing and one with the people talking to Mai next to me... So apologies if I phased out while talking to any of you!
So another big thanks to Tina Green and the staff of the Wedding Experience.. You did us proud... again.
Once I'd finished yesterday I went straight off to work a wedding in Dartford.. and it was a busy one... Boy, do my limbs hate me now.
Wednesday, 12 March 2014
National Doodle Day
A couple of months ago I was approached by National Doodle Day to draw a doodle to help raise money for Epilepsy Action. For someone with the pseudonym of The Artful Doodler you'd think I would be familiar with this unique and wonderful way to raise money for a very important charity. Well to my shame I didn't but now I'm very aware and very pleased to be involved.
Back when I was a teenager my brother had an accident at work which involved a hard blow to the head. While in hospital he experienced fit-like symptoms and was diagnosed with epilepsy. The diagnosis turned out to be a mistake in the end but in the process my brother lost his job and his driving licence and it took what seemed like an eternity to get his life back on track. I can only imagine how hard it must be to actually have to live with epilepsy and so it is great to see charities like Epilepsy Action out there trying to help.
Doodle Day took place on Friday 7th March 2014 and people all across the uk and beyond where getting involved. During the day I did several of my #randomdoodletimes on twitter, where people could suggest a random doodle for me to draw for them and it proved to be a lot of fun.
The auction on ebay is still going strong and features celebrity doodles from a lot of big names. You may also spot the doodle by yours truly lurking in there somewhere.
There's still time to make a bid. If you'd like to bid for my doodle you can do so here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Doodle-original-artwork-by-Rich-Nairn-Artful-Doodler-Cartoonist-Caricaturist-/291095952579?pt=UK_art_drawings_GL&hash=item43c6abbcc3
If you'd like to check out some of the great work the creators of Doodle Day are doing you can visit them at http://doodle-day.epilepsy.org.uk/
May this wonderful day in our calendar continue for many years to come.
Doodle Day took place on Friday 7th March 2014 and people all across the uk and beyond where getting involved. During the day I did several of my #randomdoodletimes on twitter, where people could suggest a random doodle for me to draw for them and it proved to be a lot of fun.
The auction on ebay is still going strong and features celebrity doodles from a lot of big names. You may also spot the doodle by yours truly lurking in there somewhere.
There's still time to make a bid. If you'd like to bid for my doodle you can do so here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Doodle-original-artwork-by-Rich-Nairn-Artful-Doodler-Cartoonist-Caricaturist-/291095952579?pt=UK_art_drawings_GL&hash=item43c6abbcc3
If you'd like to check out some of the great work the creators of Doodle Day are doing you can visit them at http://doodle-day.epilepsy.org.uk/
May this wonderful day in our calendar continue for many years to come.
Sunday, 12 January 2014
Derek Competition
To start the new year off I have produced two new caricatures for @GervaisFanArt's twitter competition.
Competition winners will receive one of the prints below signed by stars of the show, Ricky Gervais, Kerry Godliman and David Earl.
Competition winners will receive one of the prints below signed by stars of the show, Ricky Gervais, Kerry Godliman and David Earl.
To find out how to win, visit http://gervaisfanart.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/new-derek-contest.html
Competition ends Jan 30th!
Thursday, 31 October 2013
The Canterbury Punting Company
A couple of years back a few friends and I went on a haunted punting tour around the waterways of Canterbury. Our host, Miguel, was full of stories told in the manner of a gentleman from the 1930s and we had a wonderful evening.
With Halloween upon us we decided to return to this unique evening of entertainment and so we booked once more. Being told via email that our boat could take 12 people, we found 11 people ready to tour the darkened rivers of Canterbury.
So this evening we travelled down to Canterbury ready for our pre-booked 8 o'clock tour. On the journey I received a text asking if we knew our way there. "Very nice" I thought, that attention to detail. I quickly replied saying that we were on our way and asked if they had a toilet (I knew a few of us would need it before being surrounded by water for an hour) to which they replied "yes".
When we arrived at 7.50pm we found a small folk group playing music in the Punting Company's small shop and a worried looking girl opened the door. She quickly exclaimed that we were late and a gentleman with her gruffly said we were supposed to be there for 7.15. I explained that the tour was booked for eight and there was a general feeling of unease and I admit we all felt a little unwelcome.
When a few of us asked to use the toilet we were told, "just one!" by the girl. We were finally each allowed to use the toilet but told to keep quiet so as not to disturb the band. Things turned a little more polite when we showed them the email with the booked time but the discomfort had settled in.
After all of this I was close to just asking for a refund but as we had all travelled for 45 minutes, I didn't want to waste the evening.
After a little more grumbling about the fact that they would now have to use two boats as apparently 11 was too many we climbed aboard feeling somewhat embarrassed, and were very relieved to find our previous host Miguel climbing aboard one of the boats.
As we travelled down the moonlight river Miguel (whom I was lucky enough to have as host of my boat) explained that he would get a little way in before telling us the ghost stories.
Five minutes later Miguel, using a long pole to propel his punting boat along the river, began his tales and the previous discomfort slipped away.
We heard stories of WW2 soldiers meeting scarfaced apparitions, accused witches meeting their ends in the dark swirling waters beneath us and the hideous Jenny Greenteeth luring victims down into the water to meet their ends.
At the halfway point Miguel's pole became stuck in the mud and we drifted along helpless and laughing until he pulled himself back with branches to retrieve it, making jokes the entire time.
We made a u-turn a little way out of the lights of the city and slowly made our way back and at this point Miguel asked us if we had any personal stories of ghostly incidents.
The only one that came to mind was a day in which I thought I had seen an old friend who had died a week previous among a group of people. Thinking I had been mistaken on that day, I had returned to my caricature pitch only to feel a tap on the shoulder. It was his wife.
When we returned the awkwardness of earlier was all gone and we walked away thanking them for a lovely evening.
If you're after an amazing evening I would highly recommend the Canterbury Punting Tours.
I would however add a note of caution with a few pieces of advice:
1. Make sure several times that you have confirmed the times and amount of people.
2. Ask for Miguel and accept no substitutes.
With Halloween upon us we decided to return to this unique evening of entertainment and so we booked once more. Being told via email that our boat could take 12 people, we found 11 people ready to tour the darkened rivers of Canterbury.
So this evening we travelled down to Canterbury ready for our pre-booked 8 o'clock tour. On the journey I received a text asking if we knew our way there. "Very nice" I thought, that attention to detail. I quickly replied saying that we were on our way and asked if they had a toilet (I knew a few of us would need it before being surrounded by water for an hour) to which they replied "yes".
When we arrived at 7.50pm we found a small folk group playing music in the Punting Company's small shop and a worried looking girl opened the door. She quickly exclaimed that we were late and a gentleman with her gruffly said we were supposed to be there for 7.15. I explained that the tour was booked for eight and there was a general feeling of unease and I admit we all felt a little unwelcome.
When a few of us asked to use the toilet we were told, "just one!" by the girl. We were finally each allowed to use the toilet but told to keep quiet so as not to disturb the band. Things turned a little more polite when we showed them the email with the booked time but the discomfort had settled in.
After all of this I was close to just asking for a refund but as we had all travelled for 45 minutes, I didn't want to waste the evening.
After a little more grumbling about the fact that they would now have to use two boats as apparently 11 was too many we climbed aboard feeling somewhat embarrassed, and were very relieved to find our previous host Miguel climbing aboard one of the boats.
As we travelled down the moonlight river Miguel (whom I was lucky enough to have as host of my boat) explained that he would get a little way in before telling us the ghost stories.
Five minutes later Miguel, using a long pole to propel his punting boat along the river, began his tales and the previous discomfort slipped away.
We heard stories of WW2 soldiers meeting scarfaced apparitions, accused witches meeting their ends in the dark swirling waters beneath us and the hideous Jenny Greenteeth luring victims down into the water to meet their ends.
At the halfway point Miguel's pole became stuck in the mud and we drifted along helpless and laughing until he pulled himself back with branches to retrieve it, making jokes the entire time.
We made a u-turn a little way out of the lights of the city and slowly made our way back and at this point Miguel asked us if we had any personal stories of ghostly incidents.
The only one that came to mind was a day in which I thought I had seen an old friend who had died a week previous among a group of people. Thinking I had been mistaken on that day, I had returned to my caricature pitch only to feel a tap on the shoulder. It was his wife.
When we returned the awkwardness of earlier was all gone and we walked away thanking them for a lovely evening.
If you're after an amazing evening I would highly recommend the Canterbury Punting Tours.
I would however add a note of caution with a few pieces of advice:
1. Make sure several times that you have confirmed the times and amount of people.
2. Ask for Miguel and accept no substitutes.
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