Illustrator and author for children's publishing and the wider design business. #KidLitUK #illustration https://linktr.ee/studionib
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You'll probably have to blow it up or look at this on a big screen, but here is how anyone can make a little 8 page zine that they can use to write a story, write about their favorite things, a personal experience or make a mini comic. Fold some paper and get your thoughts out there!!
本当にありがとうございます。素敵な物語を描かせていただきました。本物の舞台と衣装を描きたかったのですが、当時はインターネットが普及する前だったので、東京でスロバキアの歴史的な資料を見つけるのは大変でした。スロバキア大使館から、この地域の伝統的な建築を扱った素晴らしい本をいくつか借りることができて、本当に助かりました。
Les langues étrangères sont toujours interprétées de manière flexible au Japon :) La réponse est quelque chose que seul l'hôtel connaîtra ! nirasaki.chateraisehotel.jp :)
'Female Ghost with Sword' from 'The Complete Works of Chikamatsu' - Uemura Shoen, 1923. #GhostMonth #ukiyoe #JapaneseArt
この夏、韮崎にあるシャトレーゼホテルで、フィールドバレエによる野外公演『シンデレラ』が開催されました。この公演のシーゾンに合わせて、僕の絵本（1996年初版）から選ばれたイラストが、ホテル内の客室や会場を彩りました。 古い作品が新たな観客に出会うのは素晴らしいことです。前の作品に新たな観客がみつけた！#シンデレラ #絵本 #バレエ #イラスト #韮崎
This summer, Châteraisé Hotel in Nirasaki #Japan hosted a Field Ballet open-air production of #Cinderella. To accompany the season, illustrations from my PB retelling (published in 1996) were chosen to adorn the rooms and locations in the hotel. A new audience for older work! #kidlitART #KidkitUK
Artists have always loved to sketch! Sketch of a sparrow from Egypt dated c. 1479–1458 BC. Some 3,500 years ago in Egypt, artists used small flakes of limestone as sketchpads! MMA excavations 1922-23, Deir el-Bahri. 📷 The Met www.metmuseum.org/art/collecti... #FindsFriday #Archaeology
Simon Tisdall highlights the dangers posed by the proliferation of lower-yield, tactical warheads which supposedly allows “limited” nuclear war. Crossing that red line could lead to an unstoppable chain reaction, with horrific consequences. The campaign against nuclear weapons must get much louder👇
That's good, though I do want to see the political/social stuff too, just within a framework that's balanced with posts from the publishing/creative industry folk I follow. I don't want to exclude news, I just want to see more activity from my bookish, doodling colleagues :)
The #TimeForChange is now! Please join me in pledging to take part in the government consultation to #EndHunting @LeagueACS takeaction.league.org.uk/page/172854/...
I'm disappointed how the majority of people I'm connected to here are from the arts, illustration, book trade and publishing, yet my feed is completely dominated by posts from the far fewer but more active political/news accounts I follow.
'No More Hiroshimas' event taking place in Norwich tomorrow. cnduk.org/events/no-mo... #Norwich #hiroshima #CND
Sketch through a train window - near Attleborough, sunset. #sketchbook #norfolk #attleborough #kidlitART
What art materials are you applying to the paper? I find watercolours can dry a bit dull with vellum. If you're looking for something smooth but vibrant with just a bit of tooth have a look at some of the 300gsm hot press watercolour papers, Fabriano, Strathmore, Canson are quality.
The hidden magnetic chaos within the Whirlpool Galaxy! (Credit: NASA, the SOFIA science team, A. Borlaff; NASA, ESA, S. Beckwith (STScI) and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA))
So sad to learn of the passing of Allan Ahlberg, a giant of UK picture books, so many titles to love, especially his collaborations with late wife Janet on Each Pear Plum and others. Beloved indeed. www.theguardian.com/books/2025/j... #KidlitUK #Kidlit
That is scary, and so frustrating how AI is infiltrating what should be one of the most pleasurable aspects of being an author.
I've not posted doodles for a while, here's some recent train journey sketches. #kidlitART #sketchbook #kidlitUK #drawing
This is what is meant by 'uplifting conversation', :) No strings attached!
Dear friends, Sending sunny songs and melody for a refreshing summer! 暑中御見舞い申し上げます。 爽やかな夏に、晴れやかな歌とメロディーをお届けします！ #summer #summer2025 #暑中お見舞い #夏 #summergreetings
I've just been reminded of this broad interview I did for @kathymt.bsky.social 's newsletter 'Writing and Illustrating' some years ago. It's a while ago now, but if you missed it first time around do give it a read! kathytemean.wordpress.com/2015/10/17/i... #kidlit #kidlitUK #kidlitART
There are still picture books and board books, but all are under immense pressure to be ever more 'commercially viable', with a narrowing band of styles, message and tone being published. Books will survive in the UK, but I worry about the breadth of range.
Please excuse the proud-parent moment. Just back from London, where daughter graduated from the #LCF (London College of Fashion) #UCL with a First Class BA. Well done there Seren!
Oh bummer! Not again :(
Reeling this morning on hearing the sad news that another of my old Tokyo-days friends @djshinkawa.bsky.social has passed away. An immensely talented house/trance DJ at the core of the Tokyo club scene, he will be missed by clubbers and friends alike.
I think what I need most right now is peer support and community. So are there any #kidlitUK people in Shropshire? I've not been living here long and I'd love some familiar faces about to meet for a coffee and a chat! #kidlit #middlegrade
The ECHR is vital - and we're campaigning to save it. Please do sign this petition to get on board with our activities (at European Movement UK). 👉 www.europeanmovement.co.uk/echr-petition
🌳 Dame Judi Dench is calling for the return of ancient woodlands. Will you sign the petition to help restore the Ghost Woods and protect our green spaces for future generations? you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/br...
東京に住んでいた頃は、絵本の色校は普通僕のスタジオに送ってくれて、それか出版社のところでチェックできましたが、広告やデザイン業界の仕事はなかなかチェックできなくて、その時はADに任した。ところが、たまに出版社によっては色校を全く見せずに印刷を進めてしまうところもあった。一度中には僕の著者略歴が全く正確でなかったため、販売前に出版社は修正シールで隠さなければならなかったところもありました。原画とすごいミスマッチの印刷時々あった。でも、オンラインの色校ミティングは初めて聞いた。時代が変わってるね。
It's clear there is a lot of anger, and unanimous support for BI volunteers who have over many years grown #SCBWI in the UK into the largest non-US group. HQ must have had their reasons, but this seems to be a decision made without consultation, naturally emotions are running high at the moment.
#scbwi HQ has decided to break up Britsh Isles SCBWI @scbwi-bi.bsky.social into smaller groups, prompting a walk-out by all local volunteers in protest. I'm quite out of the loop regards volunteering, but I hope this can be negotiated and resolved quickly.
Just finished #DeptQ on Netflix. I loved the Danish version, but this was a whole other level. - Top stuff. My one criticism? As a #Taichi student I found the laughable supposed "Taichi" flayling about in the kitchen in Ep.8 total and utter guff. Why is it always the case in film & drama?
Somewhere I still have the single copy of the first (and only) novel I wrote as a teenager. I've not read a single word since I sent it, only 3/4 finished, no edits, to two publishers, who sensibly rejected it. It was utter tosh from start to finish, what was I thinking?
It’s #ShowYourStripes day, so here are the climate stripes for Berlin showyourstripes.info/c/europe/ger... that you can also find on a few tram cars here. Show me your stripes with this tool from @edhawkins.org showyourstripes.info
I think the writing was on the wall (as opposed to pages) when they hid the department right out of the way on the top floor, (it used to be on the ground floor, then basement). So no passing footfall. Losing any bookshop is bad, but this news especially hurts. #kidlitUK
#Jarrolds Dept store in #Norwich is closing it's #Bookshop. I don't believe it, books have been a core part of the Store since they started as a printer/publisher. Very fond memories of my booklaunches and signings there. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The books we love when we're young are the ones that make us readers. They shape us at the deepest levels, and they stay with us forever. So whatever else you do - please never stop reading books with kids, and encouraging them to read. Please never stop changing lives! #literacy
See a fox, post a fox. An old exhibition favourite from Tokyo days, the roots were sketched from trees standing in the park of Teien Art Museum in Shiroganedai, which my old studio at the time overlooked. #KiditUK #KIdlitArt #childrensbooks #illustration #Tokyo
It always catches me out, usually I only notice #kidlitpostcard when it's over - where do you find advance notice?
I'm not good at social media🙃. Haven't posted here in 5 months😑. So now... I'm gonna scan with some pics from my 2025 calendar (so far!)😅. Here is January😁 #UKKidLit #KidLitUK #kidlitart #childrensbookillustration
日本の劇団GMBHが今年8月に東京で上演しますシェイクスピアの『マクベス』のポスター／チラシ。イラスト+タイトルのカリグラフィーとを描きましたAD: 市川きよあき事務所 #東京 #演劇 #お芝居 #マクベス #ポスター #イラスト
A poster/flyer for Shakespeare’s Macbeth, a production to be staged by Japanese theatre company GMBH in Tokyo this August. I drew the #calligraphy for the title as well as the #illustration. AD: Ichikawa Kiyoaki Design #Tokyo #theatre #Macbeth #poster #Shakespeare
If you see this, post a flower 🌼 A spread from 'Zipper-kun to Chaku no Maho' (ジッパーくんとチャックの魔法), Rironsha, Tokyo. #kidlitART #kidlitUK #picturebook #Japan
For #SaturdaySwans 🦢here's a little illustration I drew for the Girl Guides Annual a few years ago. #kidlitART #kidlitUK #illustration
Hi Kate - have messaged you :)
Our tutor is also an authority on the Alexander technique, having written several books, and he used to teach swimming, so these principles are also touched on in the sessions. I feel privileged. The trick is not to slip back into bad habits when I'm on my own!
Re-the benefits of Tai-Chi, if you're in #Norwich (UK) and would like to join in our entry class in the Plantation Gardens, let me know. I don't think my tutor is on Bluesky but can put you in touch. #Taichi #Tai-chi #Qgong
I'm an illustrator with neck problems from craning over a drawing table through my career, so TaiChi has been brilliant, helped me to adjust posture, 'centre' balance and weight etc., on top of the other benefits. It's been a game changer.
We study Yang-style Tai Chi, which (I'm assured) is the most beneficial to health, we're lucky to have an excellent teacher, which is the most important thing. I've not tried the more martial Chen style, which is more combat-oriented and harder on the knees I'm told.
My advanced sessions with tutor are once every 2 weeks now, while the starter class in the park (Tai Chi + QiGong) is an hour every week. But the key is to practice in your own time to master the movements, my routine fluctuates, I aim for 1/2 an hour every day, but average 3-4 times a week.
TaiChi, if 'recently' includes the last four years. Started with a small group & a tutor in my local Gardens, but folks left, newbies joined, so I have more advanced training at his house now. Still join with the park group to encourage new members though! Love Taichi it's been great for posture :)
Blimey, #Springwatch, Golden Eagle chicks kill their siblings? Surely not in all nests? #BBCSpringwatch #Springwatch2025
People of Norfolk, support a new law for fairer supply chains! ✊Show your support for holding UK companies to account for exploitation in their supply chains by signing our petition #PlanetOverProfit ✍️ actionnetwork.org/petitions/no...
Oh no!!! This is deeply saddening, an enormous loss to arts broadcasting.
What would have happened had the Pistols never formed? Would this almost exclusive #TOTP showcasing of pap have continued for years more? It's not that there wasn't some good music in '76. But not on this channel.
Watching a May 1976 episode of #TOTP on 4, oh dear, dear, dear, no wonder a punk revolution was about to blow all this away.
Oh hang on, you mean crafty as in "arts and crafty" rather than "sly and..."?? In that case, copperplate etching. Loved the brief experience on my Foundation course back in the day, would love to give it a go again. There are print courses locally, but mostly other forms of print, so probably a no.
Learning to drive! It's not like I failed a test, I literally have never attempted to drive a car, not once. Looking back, it might have been a useful skill to acquire, especially now I'm in a provincial English city rather than super-public-transport Tokyo. But rather too set in my ways now!
I'm in trouble with North Welsh genealogy - all those Jones, Williams, Edwards, and Davies... oh!
It's got to the stage every time someone from the Israeli government appears on #BBC #Radio4 News programmes to justify Netanyahu's campaign of genocide my hand reaches for the volume-off switch. I don't want to hear any more of their aggressive shouty bull***t.
Here's another even older #bookcover, right from the beginning of my illustration career in London, 'Barrister By and Large', the memoir of Charlotte Buckhaven, for Pan Macmillan. #bookjacket #publishing #kidlitART #kidlitUK
Embrace joy when you encounter it. #AGoodPlace Source: www.reddit.com/r/MadeMeSmil...
I was asked for an especially simple image just of the characters, as the book title and Obi (a paper banner that covers the bottom 1/3 of Japanese books) would take up the rest of the cover. Rather a shame really, It seemed like a fun book to fully illustrate. here's how it printed.
Some older #bookcover frivolity from the archive - jacket illustration for the Japanese edition of James Blaycock's 'The Magic Spectacles' (魔法の眼鏡) Hayakawa Shobo. #illustration #kidlitART #kidlitUK
It keeps on coming …
How about 'Planetarium' by Chris Wormell and Raman Prinja (Big Picture Press) www.merrybookworm.co.uk/non-fiction/...
B&W street photos capturing the beauty of everyday life... 🧵 1/14 (Photo By: @ fatihcindemirrr)
Quite possibly the biggest climate story of the year (especially when we look back on this in a few years' time) For the first time on record, China's emissions are falling due to clean energy growth, not slow power demand...
That was pretty bizarre!
Why not post an old illustrated report from @privateeyenews.bsky.social ? A day at an art fair.
It's so pathetic it gives appeasement a bad name.
Isn't it! I'm just stunned.
Protection of creativity in the UK is betrayed. :( #publishing #illustration #UKkidlit
Edmund Dulac - "Abu-l-Hasan awakens in the bed of the Khalifeh" (1913) Original artwork currently up for auction. #EdmundDulac #illustration #GoldenAge
🚨🌱 The Chancellor is reviewing all public spending from scratch. Please join me in signing the @campaignforthearts.org petition to remind the UK Govt: the arts make our lives happier & our communities stronger. Now is the moment to invest in them. www.campaignforthearts.org/petitions/sp... #kidlitUK
I also think that aesthetically it's a failure. It's missing what defines art - the human process of making aesthetic choices for other humans to respond to. It's like asking a computer to love or something. Meaningless
Does anyone else see a lion's face in this window? ;)
On another day of record-breaking temperatures Britons went out to vote for a party of climate deniers.
I once again find myself wondering what this country would look like today if the Green Party had been given even half the media attention that Farage’s various vanity projects got over the last ten years.
#BBCRadio4 #today news is fawning so much over Reform with no coverage at all of the other parties I've taken the unprecedented step of turning the bloody thing off.
In London the other day, some super-fast scribbles on the District line. It's a bit scarier drawing people on the London tube network, lots more movement, potential for all kinds of reactions, so I don't often take the risk. #sketchbook #drawing
The important thing is to remember the three 'P's : Patience, Professionalism, and Persistence. To which I might also add...Probity, something would-be commissioners (especially some independant publishers) would be advised to take heed of! :) #publishing #kidlitUK
Of course there are many, many wonderful people in publishing! It's just surprising how poor manner practices that didn't exist before the digital age have flourished to the point of normality. And of course it happens on both sides of the table, rude artists also abound. All part of the modern age!
My very first illustration job was a book commission. It wasn't easy to find, but it was straightforward - you honed your portfolio and rang around for appointments until it paid off. Nowadays it's very different. The UK submission process is flawed, and very disrespectful to pro-artists IMHO.
The Actor #kidlitart #illustration #ink #childrensbookillustrator #dog #dogillustration #actor #hamlet #shakespeare
I wish I could share a relevant anecdote here about something a publisher once said to me but I am too discreet. HOWEVER, if you're ever told the key to an author's success is something that isn't writing books, run.
Any time someone in publishing tries to convince me of the many marvellous uses of AI, I"ll point them at this, and ask them - you're in bed with people who think we have no value, how do you think that's going to end?
The reverdie, or 're-greening', was a medieval poetic trope celebrating the arrival of #Spring The mid 13th century 'Sumer is icumen in' is one of the most famous lyrics: "Summer has arrived, Loudly sing, cuckoo! The seed is growing, the meadow blooming & the wood springs anew" #LegendaryWednesday
You can oppose the destruction of Whitewebbs park. glaplanningapps.commonplace.is/planningapps...
It looks like Toby Carvery will be faced with a different kind of roasting for this heinous act.
MPs will soon vote on crucial changes to the Data Bill, which could protect writers' rights in AI Email your MP + ask them to support these amendments which would strengthen copyright, protect writers + make AI firms more transparent about work they've used creativerightsinai.eaction.org.uk/MP
This beautifully delicate limestone mould of an Egyptian ibis, just 6 inches wide (15cm), is attributed to the Ptolemaic Period c 300 BC. It may presumably have been used as a mould for making reproductions
Oxford bookshop crawl day! Still spaces on the group if you're free this afternoon and fancy book shopping with other bookish folk, book tickets on our website 📚📚
Take 2 mins to demand that Meta stop targeting you with creepy personalised ads and content! goodlaw.social/gk0i
To anyone struggling to make their art: THEY WANT YOU TO STOP WRITING/PAINTING/MAKING. They fear our rich inner lives, beyond even their reach. They fear our revolutionary fantasies, our ungovernable and unprofitable thoughts. Yes, the obstacles are greater than ever. So is the need.
Marharyta Polovinko, an artist who created powerful works about the war before joining the military herself, killed in combat against Russian forces on 5 April euromaidanpress.com/2025/04/08/u...
Wil Freeborn 