Beneath HeathMck.com

hmmmm busy/lazy town

2010-05-07T16:37:00.003+10:00

...is where I've been! Hence me slipping back into dreadful old blogging habits! Nnnevermind! Anyway - I've also slipped drastically on the girl of the month business...so this blog entry takes care of both the lack of blogging and the lack of lil' ladies!

Here's the Tarantino set...were I to update this selection I think i'd add a Nazi officer with a swastika carved into his forehead - y'know what I'm referencing!

Oh - and...hmmmm - Death Proof's a little trickier to nail down (i'd have instantly gone with a gun for a leg...but that's Rodriguez - still, it's a winner regardless!)

random bits of the working week!

2010-04-01T14:28:00.004+11:00

Deadline - met!

Here are some random bits of the impending book I just finished moments ago! Make of these 'not yet published' marvels what you will!

(sorry for the lack of blog last week....I was lazy!)

Brazilians...

2010-03-19T16:38:00.002+11:00

...apparently enjoy a good laugh! And needed a cover for a joke book which I've been told in good faith translates roughly as something like 'Laugh 'til you break your beak/face/mouth!'

Make of that what you will - all I know is - the good people of Brazil are in for a jolly good time once this baby hits the shelves...presumably!

I've not actually seen any of the jokes inside.

this week...

2010-03-12T15:54:00.003+11:00

...I have been engaged in this stuff!

Make of it what you will - it's certainly kept me busy! The top image, you may recall, was last seen quite awhile back in a much rougher form!

(and no the use of the term 'engaged' was not deliberate in an attempt to raise the ire of those wishing to see the recently mentioned engagement/proposal book! I'll be sure to make it very clear if and when said book may appear here! But as you can see - so busy drawing random things to find time to post it!!!)

abandoned fairyfolk and things...

2010-03-05T16:28:00.002+11:00

Hi!

so, in the interests of not showing you things that are in various stages of heading toward appearing in the public eye soon enough (but not nearly soon enough for me to allow to be allowed to reveal them...potentially! mmmmm - confusing!) - here's some stuff that IS out there...but not through my doing!

These are some abandoned concepts that were to be for a novel that was eventually published, just with someone else's illustrations instead of mine - from memory only because my elf designs weren't 'Christmas Elf-like' enough. Given, mind you, that the elf in the story was in no way a Christmas elf - I thought i'd go for something a little more interesting and unique than the lameness only the true Christmas elf can bring....to my detriment in this case!

Nevermind!

Our witch here is done. Work, I mean 'work' - our 'work' here is...nevermind.

2010-02-26T16:26:00.004+11:00

Remember those little witches (elves and vampires) from April's blog of last year that were on their way from Barbie Magazine to fully fledged novels all of their very own? (Pause whilst you check back on that blog though how you could possibly have forgotten it?!).

Well FINALLY - we're almost there - and atleast, my part is done!

Having first created their Barbie Magazine look in 2004 (this is Gwen in particular as I very first drew her...having based her vaguely on Isla Fisher...very vaguely)

And then as far back as 2008 started on getting them up to date and ready for today's 'tween' woman...

Gwen has finally reached the current end of the journey - that being the cover art pictured at the top of this blog! it only took 7 years - but she's still the same age, yet somehow all growed up! *tear*

One can only presume that both Nel and Rain will get the full transformative treatment in sequels to come...

PS: No blog posts 2 weeks in a row? Sorry - busy working on a lavish book for the purposes of proposing to my ex-girlfriend...now fiancee! P'raps i'll pop it up here in the blog one day...how romantical!

The Cocky who cried lunchbags!

2010-02-05T15:01:00.004+11:00

So here, for the only time EVER (unless another time occurs) a startlingly small glimpse into what has been going on lately and hence why things have been so busy!

Coming ever so soonish via Little Hare Books is a little number entitled 'The Cocky who cried Dingo' - which came together a little something like this!

FIRST - I decided abstract and boldly coloured backgrounds were the plan (partly as I didn't want to have to draw page after page of foliage - presuming the birds in the story were tree dwelling types - and they were!). And why not try a rustic 'torn paper' vibe to abstractly (see: thoroughly obscurely) simulate the Australian outback...sky in particular!

Now...I decided brown paper lunch bags would be the tool of my trade - why? Because they're brown! thus they're an actual colour THUS when scanned into the computer I can easily change an actual colour to another actual colour in photoshop much easier than if it were a grey or white piece of paper!

Next - a plan - and in the grand tradition of my previous complex plans - behold - my plan! Note the numerous pages with question marks - yep, intensely designed to the finest detail before proceeding to rip up lunch bags!

so here are two examples of the scanned bits of torn paper in place with the rough pencil sketches included...

And then after a bit of fiddling and drawing - some finished spreads!

EASY! Now all thats' needed is a cover design and then WHOOSH - another literary gem out into the world...all thanks to Coles lunch bags and grim determination NOT to repeatedly draw leafy leafy Australian flora!

Year 7 boy GETS PUBLISHED!

2010-01-29T16:41:00.003+11:00

FACT! And I draw the picture to accompany the particular short story penned by this young lad. (I say 'penned', probably typed...kids today, do they even use pens?)

Yes indeed, rambling aside - kid writes short story about imaginary friends going pear-shaped, I draw the picture, it all gets published in an upcoming collection of short stories to be published by Black Dog Books in the name of charity! This is their second such volume of short stories for charity...the previous one afforded me the chance to draw killer rabbits!

And so once again, somehow my work leads back to 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail' in one strange way or another. That's not dorky at all!

summer time. apparently.

2010-01-22T15:25:00.002+11:00

Hi! Busy times as I get back on the horse...as it were. So here's a quick 'little girl of the month'! I'd forgotten all about this summertime lady, and given it's supposed to be summer in Melbourne (be it ever so patchy) - what better time to drag her out for all to admire!

So here she is - admire away!

2010 - and away we go!

2010-01-15T16:07:00.004+11:00

Hi all and Happy New Year!

Welcome back to these blog postings in a year where surely i'll maintain this routine I've gotten accustomed too!

Of course, it's been a slow and reluctant drudge getting myself back into working mode so in the interests of maintaining my slackness for just one more day (promise!) - here's a bunch of photos I nicked off Facebook.

Refer to the last blog entry of 2009 and you'll see the Spamalot scenic design art I did...and now here, after a triumphant run this January - here's how the journey ended - behold these images of varying quality showing bits of the end result (be it during performances or during tech runs!)

Thanks photographers - your iPhones work well!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-18T12:58:00.008+11:00

And so I blog here for the last time in 2009! And by way of a festive gift, a bonanza of 'behind the scenes' stuff only some of you have seen before! (Bonanza's probably a bit of an over statement...perhaps 'meagre offering' would be better!).

Aaaaanyway, remember this?

Well, it began as concept art which then was turned into the 'already seen in construction' scale model which now after much, much, MUCH hard work from only a few brave and clever souls has been translated into a life size model!

As can be seen by this photo of me painting a bit of it - it's BIG.

Should you be at a loss of what to do and within reasonable travel distance of Frankston (please, hear me out) from New Year's Eve til January 9, you can witness this life-size scale model in action as actors, dancers and singers prance about all over it as they attempt to put on the best damn version of 'Monty Python's Spamalot' they can muster!

However - it all began way back in around May, June as drawings. Enjoy this sampling!

And lastly, to all you who've put up with the early sporadic postings and/or joined in once I forced myself to maintain a weekly routine - many thanks indeed! It's been a pleasure discovering more and more of you who read it (making it feel worthwhile to do rather than making me feel like I was flinging things out into empty darkness!).

Have a fine ol' festive season, Merry Christmas, Pear Noel (probly typed that wrong!) and do come on back next year...round January 15th - when we can start aaaaalll over again!

Who knows what random things will be required to be drawn in 2010?

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

It's clearly corporate Christmas time!

2009-12-11T16:47:00.002+11:00

Hence this whirlwind rushjob! 'Need something in a day...thanks!'

Mmmm - well here it is Bob Jane! Despite the ever so tight deadline and slightly hokey concept - I quite like the end result! And it's always good to know I can manage something like this utra-quick when need be!

Merry Christmas to all who travel on tyres this festive season! Stick to the road and avoid everything on it!

Festive times have just begun...

2009-12-04T14:33:00.003+11:00

...and yet, amongst the MANY little girls of the month - never did a festive design get done! Which certainly boggles my mind - and maybe one day will be amended - but not today!

Instead, we celebrate the birth of Summer 09/10 - with this beach babe - 'Little Sharkbite Girl'!

(And yes, I'm aware November lacked a little girl of the month - BUT do remember SHOCKtober ended with a GLUT of them...so spoiled you were!)

Ummm - so what else happened this week - Mazda required a Christmas card - thats' what! And here it is!

And for those who'd like to see it a bit better - it's a three fold thing that's meant to sort of be based on their current 'stencil graffiti' inspired TV ad campaign (yeah, Mazda's finger is firmly planted no the pulse, to the point of disrupting blood flow) - so the idea is that we begin in the city, where one might work...

...then home for the holidays (note the traditional suburban light coloured brick...CLASSIC Mount Waverley if nowhere else!)...

..then off to the beach to enjoy the good times only Mazda can provide! (theyr'e gonna photoshop in the back end of the latest wonder vehicle suggesting it's headin' on down the road to golden holiday bliss - Mazda style!)

aaaaah summer, aaaaah Mazda, aaaaah graffiti!

still at the zoo!

2009-11-27T13:45:00.004+11:00

Hi!

So yes, following on from last week's teasy teasy look at upcoming Zoo campaigns...howsabout a look at the last zoo campaign - which looked like this (before any words were added)!

It was a campaign based on the age old 'find the frog' approach (?!) - promoting awareness of the particular plight of the poor little green tree frog and it's endangeredness along the way!

So a gorilla (for Melbourne Zoo), a lion (for Werribee Open Range) and a kangaroo (for Healesville Sanctuary) were commissioned to join in the fun!

This, design-wise, also turned out to be the kind of job that pretty much gets it's 'look' straight away and doesn't really deviate too much from there - which can be quite nice and easy at times!

(mmm - note the heartbreaking emotion in the eyes - gorillas LOVE frogs. FACT.)

And on top of this - I was also asked to break the kangaroo's arm for the specific purpose of promoting the Healesville Sanctuary's world class animal hospital too...seemed a bit extreme, but whatever! Atleast there's a decent hospital to sort it out!

wild seas and bigness...

2009-11-20T14:29:00.004+11:00

SO - a short but ever so sweet two parter this week! FIRST, examine and muse upon tantalising glimpses of an ad campaign I did my part for in the following images! I'm not sure the Melbourne Zoo would like me revealing the full artworks juuuuuust yet partly because the ads themselves aren't quite done yet, nor is the 'Python-esque' animation to be done for the cinema ad version! But I can tell you this, 'Wild Sea' is coming to the zoo - and I'd wager the animals involved are quite excited - while the other animals who aren't involved, are probably quite miffed and prone to violence. In the end, maybe when visiting the zoo, stick to Wild Sea and avoid the unique brand of hostility only jealous jungle beasts can offer elsewhere!

Or perhaps I don't have a clue what I'm on about!

Also - last week's post was meant to include embiggenable images so you could read and examine The Age newspaper pieces better - but for some reason or another (my technical cockuppery) this wasn't the case - so hopefully now, it IS!

Enjoy! (if it works!)

More magical behind the scenes type stuff!

2009-11-13T16:15:00.004+11:00

You'll have to forgive me if this goes off the rails - I just ate an orange, am working through a cup of tea AND just got a package dropped on the doorstep thanks to the good people at Amazon - so you can understand my distractedness!

But enough about the hectic whirlwind that is my life (phew!) - I seem to be turning November into a bit of a 'behind the scenes' showing off the 'process' kinda month - so let's maintain that thrilling idea with this look into the scribbling that went into creating a cover story/centre spread for The Age newspaper recently!

FIRST - the good people at The Age were a relaxed and open bunch - there was a general concept to explore with this article BUT otherwise - kinda up to me! Exciting and daunting - but not necessarily impossible - just needed to do a bit of scribbling to figure it all out! I opted for a 'how one uses imagery to tell a story' expos'e (dunno how to do the accent thingy!)...the pictured scrawlings were my attempt to reign such a broad subject down into something manageable!

FIRST - the plan!

NOW - squeezing into some sort of vaguely logical layout - note the impressively adept preliminary character sketching

NOT TO MENTION the completely clear 'arrows' idea...how could one misinterpret what I had in mind here?!

Of course eventually - it starts to come solidly together (note the arrow plan has settled down considerably by this stage - and then suddenly ditched completely - it's a fickle industry, dear readers)...

- and then once the text was added - remarkably it all comes together - I know I was surprised and delighted!

The COVER - was a little more straight forward - 2 kids, a confusing conglomeration of genres and intentions and there you go! A perfectly clear suggestion of what I'm going to rant on about inside a national newspaper!

Note also, it's jobs like this - the ones with fairly limitless borders, that allow me to play about with things more than other jobs - hence the fun I had going with a messier, scribblier, generally looser colouring approach...coz I could!

I applaud The Age's confidence in me and look forward to being allowed to run amok within their pages some day in the future!

Shapes of things to come?

2009-11-06T16:01:00.004+11:00

Possibly!

And welcome to GLOWvember - which will henceforth be referred to as NOvember - as there will be NO GLOWing going on...as I don't know how that would be possible...atleast in the way I'm thinking - aaaaaaaaanyway - let's never speak of my desperate attempt to follow the altogether tremendous SHOCKtober with another nifty month - that failed.

So anyways, November - and here's something that's gone on this month so far - a possible vision into the future! Here is some concept art that I've submitted as I vie for a possible future job which shall remain undisclosed until it happens - if it happens...leaving you here with tantalising visions and many questions!

But not to get ahead of myself - it started with a little girl called Ruby - whom I had to design.

But where to begin - well obviously with the only human I know of called Ruby (I know of a dog, but that was clearly useless) - hence, this Ruby!

Also, in my online wanderings I'd come across the work of Emmanuelle Walker, by way of her wondrous little short "Apres La Pluie".

http://www.emmanuellewalker.com/index.php?/animation/apres-la-pluie/

The following two designs of hers also helped me get going (note the dainty red circles I've drawn on her sketches, helping you, the reader, identify that I liked the hair on these girls! And the face on the girl in the second image).

And so here's the little path I followed to get to Ruby and her little brother - both inspired, fashion-wise, by Enid Blyton books - it's relevant to the project in a homage-y way - the project of which I can say nothing about!

And last but not least - the sample spread!

Make of it all what you will and remember - you know nothing of this...for now!

And now go watch Apres La Pluie.

Happy Halloweeeeeen! (if you're reading this on the 31st of October!)

2009-10-30T08:12:00.001+11:00

Indeed yes - we come to SHOCKtober's final Friday posting - mere hours away from All Hallow's Eve...spooooky!

Ofcourse Friday postings will theoretically continue well into GLOWvember (haven't thought that through in ANY way at all) and beyond...but for now, time to fondly farewell Shocktober! And what better way than with something akin to a beauty pageant, or perhaps a collective of cute young trick r' treaters!

I give you the 'Little Girl' Halloween parade.

Given that a vast majority of the Little Girl designs happily strayed into horrorific territory there's a bundle of them that are appropriate for the season though none of them had yet to reach the 'finished art stage' - hence this display of just a few - enjoy!

First a classic or two - vampires and werewolves (or atleast...beginnings of werewolves!)

adorable!

And then - more contemporary favourites...and a shrunken head.

and last - but by no means least, one of the creepier little ladies...Little Angel of Death!

Happy Halloween!

Family matters.

2009-10-23T15:03:00.002+11:00

SHOCKTOBER! Post number 2!

This is a little something from the personal files of me. I don't seem to ever get enough of a chance (or enough inspiration) to knock out something just for me all that often these days - but here's something that made it through! It's a touching piece i call 'family matters' - because it does, regardless of little quirks - like zombification!

Friday Lycanthrope!

2009-10-16T15:28:00.003+11:00

Halloween month (henceforth to be known as 'Shocktober') is off and away as promised - halfway through Shocktober too - also appropriate for this shoddy and haphazard blog! And we begin with a treasure from the abandoned file!

It's a Teen Wolf! As loosely commissioned by Nova 100 for something to do with their website...before mysteriously, communication ceased and Teenwolf never got beyond this draft stage - despite receiving apparent acclaim! Aaah commercial radio - will we ever understand your ways?

Nevertheless it can be aired here now, if not as a tribute to Nova's random ways - then as a stirring tribute to Michael J. Fox's first movie (he wasn't proud of it and was a bit embarrassed when it was eventually released on the back of BTTF fever!) and Jason Bateman's possibly first movie (couldn't be bothered googling that one - though he's quite proud of it as an opus to puberty and sequels with clever spins on the use of 2 in a title).

Out of interest, for all you fact buffs: the original title of this blog was to be 'Friday Lycan!' - however, so as not to seem ignorant I looked up lycan - and it turns out, it's a form of werebeast that has only two forms, neither of which are human...as such, musing upon that notion flippantly - behold - the budgihuahua in mid transformation.

Now that's a lycan i'd like to see Kate Beckinsale fighting.

Haaaaappy...

2009-10-15T15:14:00.002+11:00

Fight Club - make of it what you will, be it bleak, dystopian antiheroism with a hint of 'DIY' world changing ideology thrown in...or just an elaborate grudge against Ikea and it's easy-peasy DIY furniture. All I know is it's a cracking good film worthy of fevered debate, repeat viewings and celebration! Thanks to mad-keen fan and soon to be Birthday Boy Steve, it was brought to my attention that this soap based epic turns 10 years old TODAY.

So what better time to unleash a particular favourite in the Miss Little Girl of the Month pageant - Little Fight Club Girl...(I'm thinking though, i'd prefer a niftier title - any thoughts? Do let me know!).

Attention to geeky detail was something I strived for with all the Little Girl designs - but I think this one may be one of the best in terms of that sorta thing - right down to sweat stains and skin tones!

So here she (they) is (are).

Furthermore - and this may prove to be a pointless promise - BUT seeing as I actually have followers I'm now aware of ( I love you all - really) it's just the motivation I need to be much better at blogifying - and given this, the month of October culminates in Halloween - I shall dedicate the remaining Friday blogs (for that, dear reader is the day I shall aim to blog) to all things creepy, horror-ific and gruesome.

YEAH!

Spring - it's in the air and up your nose.

2009-09-02T16:26:00.005+10:00

Not the best title - but factual - ya can't deny it! NOW - as already mentioned - it's been awhile and so - it's time for a bonanza of treats from the seamy underbelly this blog represents - beginning of course with our ladies of the month! Of all the little girls, none quite say 'spring' to me as much as - Little Nature Girl! Need I say more? I don't believe so!

And let's follow that up - for absolutely no logical reason with Little Loompa Girl. Why? Coz she's cute, presumably sings helpful lessons of common sense and comes bearing candy! Yay!!!

Now - enough of this - onto, first of all - the reason my blogging has been so poor of late - I blame this pirate to begin with.

Of course, has nice as he is, he didn't really suit the 'little kid' friendly aesthetic we were aiming for! SO why not make the pirate a kid instead?!

All good? Okay, let's make a particularly complex but ultimately rewarding little book outta this!

Here's the cover - and a colourless sample of whats' going on inside! It was fun to do, should make for a cracking ABC book and took more than it's fair share of time to get together! Note the gender typo - yeah - I'm switching genders on the text and shakin' things up! That's just how I roll, baby!!

And now - a little bit of delving into the 'abandoned project' folder!

The excessively talented photographer, Emma Phillips specialises in music photography and for a wee while a year or two ago was working on changing her promotional image - hence me working up an eclectic variety of 'rock poster' inspired business postcards for her. Unfortunately, she ultimately headed in a less complex direction but the work done remains unseen by the masses - UNTIL NOW. (Do also visit www.emmaphillips.com.au - awesome folio site. I think my favourite may be the Pauline Hanson pic...)

The marauding killer cat was to be brought to lurid life in a fairly punkish/rockabilly/ska/Ed Roth type of vibe...

This one made it to finished art.

As did this one - a sweeter, 60s beatnik/cocktail hour angle!

This war poster/german/chinese propaganda number was to feature a nazi-esque scientist ape 'throwing the diabolical switch'. Make of it what you will.

I particularly loved this one, loosely entitled 'inner cupie'. It was intended to resemble old 50's science book type art - the various business details being listed in place of annotations on the image.

Who knows - one day the unfinished ones may find their way to life for some reason or another...do forward any children's book manuscripts you may have featuring nazi science apes.

Oh - BTW, I realise i'm behind by three ladies of the month - so here's...let's call her Miss July!

Little Assistant Girl.

Too little a bit late...

2009-08-31T15:36:00.003+10:00

Hi! So I'm still alive and still well, and now temporarily free of the madness that has been the past two month hence my regrettably appalling blogging behaviours!!

In truth, aside from touring the state and spreading the good word about buying my books - let's be honest, that's the message I was attempting to instill - I've been blogging elsewhere at www.insideadog.com.au for the State Library! They twisted my arm, offered me money - you CAN'T escape once the library is onto you!

But now I'm free to blog here once again (not that I couldn't before - just lazy, I guess - and busy!)

Nevertheless, over at that blog I promised to post the included picture - based on my tour of Victoria and one of the spontaneous drawing stories I did with the kids - this image is the final image in a story about a hippy cow chicken creature that ended up squirting his magical milk on the herd and as such inflicting gender confusion amongst the sheep! This story was conjured up by year 8 boys - so I think that bit of information alone excuses any and all questions you may have!

Eitherway, as promised - the sheep. And another promise to get back on this proverbial horse - tomorrow, as September dawns, so too shall a blog featuring what's been going on - enough girls of the month to get things up to date and more! MUCH more!!!

Now here's the sheep. And the cow chicken on it's mysterious milking bike contraption (as I feel that context is required, otherwise it wouldn't make sense, now would it!) - thanks year 8 boys, couldn't have conjured it without you!

Sugar, Spam and all things spooky...and some nits.

2009-06-04T22:16:00.007+10:00

Happy June! And what better way to celebrate such a middle of the year type month than with a sugar high - welcome 'Little sugar-high Girl'. She's happy to be here but probably won't remember it - and probably will have diabetes.

Elsewhere around the office - things have been busy, to say the least...below is a hint of Halloweeny things to come. First off - a work in progress I quite liked the look of in this particular stage.

...which later grew eyeballs, sprouted hair and liver spots to become this.

...which all has something to do with this...

Cryptic - spooky - available in September...I think! (Yes, I'm a savvy business man with my finger on every pulse!)

On the SPAMmier side of life - below is a candid photograph taken of a little scenic design I've been working on all in the name of Python, notorious spiced ham (not to be confused with notoriously spiced ham) and medieval historical romping of musical proportions!

Behold Monty Python's SPAMalot - about 20% constructed and one 20th it's eventual size!

Ooooh - aaaaaaah. Make of it what you will!

Aaaaand finally - something I didn't personally 'do' but DID design - thus, without me - they ain't got nothin'! Well actually - i DID do the books, as seen below...but not the actual animation seen below-er.

Out now in all reputable bookselling venues is a thrilling ongoing saga of man and nit. As written by Tristan Bancks. It's a story we all can relate to. Unless you're bald and have been all your life - can't help you there - but I'm boldly presuming that's a small demographic which won't affect sales - so I'm ok with that. Book 2's more for you - note the baldness on the cover. At some point in time you've no doubt atleast had an itchy peer so you can atleast relate on a wider level. But I do believe I'm using my blog for rambling now - surely not what blogs are for!!

And here's the fancy bit where clever individuals made my character designs move about in a 3D fashion. It's a work in progress - but I like it!

I look forward to the Nickelodeon series, the ABC shop merchandise and a token invite to the Logies. (For international readers, the Logies is a farcical Australian awards ceremony not to be missed).

Alright thats' enough for now - I've outdone myself and need a lie down.

Miss May

2009-05-05T15:23:00.002+10:00

A personal favourite - in fact, i'd forgotten she was there so it's a pleasure to find her again!

Little Explosive Girl

Plagiarism or just harmless coat tail riding?

2009-05-05T15:02:00.006+10:00

Something about this cover seems familiar...

...can't quite put my finger on it - the top one features Australian animals bursting out of a gift wrapped egg-shaped present while the bottom one features Australian animals bursting out of a gift wrapped box-shaped present.

Nup - can't figure it out.

I guess I should be flattered by this design 'coincidence'.

Little Witches, Elves and Vampires

2009-04-22T15:30:00.005+10:00

Those of you who read Barbie Magazine a few years ago (and I know you're out there, if only for the free Lip Smackers stuff stuck to the cover - don't eat it) may remember 'The Littlest Witch'. Below are my model sheets for the main characters.

Gwen - witch.

Nel - Elf.

Rain - vampire.

Well - they left Barbie Magazine sometime ago (probably for the best) BUT are on the verge of being reborn as their own completely Barbie free series of novels.

Note their sassy, ever so slightly sexier new looks. Don't ask how old they're meant to be!

Still - i'll miss the old ones in all their cute n' colourful sweetness!

Censorship and mascara

2009-04-09T14:29:00.003+10:00

It's APRIL! So yet again I fail to be a regular blogger - which rather than bemoan - I shall embrace! And maybe improve upon...who knows!

Aaanyway - little girl of the month (March or April, whatever you decide!) is Little Panda Girl.

I'nt she loverly?

Now - the censorship part of the 'post'.

Remember these two?

And furthermore, how their glorious technicolored visages could cause the legal types that hover around books to become a wee bit concerned?

Well - here they finally are in technicolor!

I'm going to assume you can see how 'Donald' and 'The Captain' (getit?!) might cause concern and indeed they have! After completing the upcoming 'Mac O'Beasty' by Adam Wallace - the legal minds decided perhaps a bit of change was in order - just in case!

Hence the next image.

Meet 'Harold' and unless some folk are still a bit jittery about it all - 'The Captain'...still!

It kind of throws a dampener on some of the fun that could've and until recently did run through the book...but nevermind - I guess it could've been considerably worse.

So do enjoy this rare glimpse at the boldly controversial 'Donald' and look out for the still quite distinctly Ronald-esque 'Harold'.

Hot Times - Bad Memories

2009-02-02T15:20:00.005+11:00

What? February 2...what happened to January - anytime from 1 to 31?

Well - laziness and distraction, thats' what. I'm a pretty bad blogger so far...so once again in the interests of making up for it - last month's 'little girl' appears for you NOW and is inspired by heatwave rage!

Loosely.

She is 'Little Destructo Girl'

and now for February - and in the interests of more positive seasonal tidings - here's Little Miss February! More commonly referred to as 'Little Hula Rock Girl'.

Further updates and obscurities as they come to hand or get fished out! No really - I actually might remember...

Beasties - on their way.

2008-12-19T12:56:00.010+11:00

A big project has just been completed - but I can say not much (don't know how much I actually can say really - but it sounds all the more exciting and special if I claim that details are somehow 'under wraps'!

Here are the initial character designs...

The last two...well....the potential ramifications of their inclusion in the book is something perhaps you, the reader, can figure out upon seeing them in glorious technicolor!

2008-12-03T19:57:00.004+11:00

Right - it's about time I actually put this blog to good use - so behold, little zombie girl!

The first of many little girls - destined for fame and fortune - until red tape, unhelpful fashion designers and eventually, 'it's all too hard' fever crept in!

So now - let them finally be seen and maybe one day adored by you - the people. Each month (starting now) I shall unleash a little girl into the world...so what better month than December to invite the very first (and still always my favourite) little girl design I did! I say first, but technically the template girl was first...i named that file 'little girl' and the name stuck!

She looked like this!

...and is the base from which all others are built!

uuum - need to write a post...

2008-10-23T16:02:00.003+11:00

Welcome - if you've clicked the 'blog' link or just stumbled in here from who knows where - eitherway, here you are!

Sure, it's not much right now, but once I hang a few pictures, say a few wise and inspired musings, you'll be back time and again!

So - just to clarify, the point of this 'seamy underbelly' style off-shoot of heathmck.com is to showcase the many varied bits and pieces that never really see the light of day and are often, really not meant to.

Job after job requires the creation of any number of images that are never really meant for public airing - they're merely part of the design process or random tests or personal little things that don't plan on going anywhere....until now! This is where they'll go - sporadically and when I remember!

Also - abandoned concepts may pop up here too - they deserve some attention even if whoever they were intended for spurned them!

oh...and the possibility of a much loved collection of young ladies may spring up here too...wait and see really!

sooo that's that - I'm sure i'll manage to pop something up soon enough!

(and the ramblings will surely improve too...fingers crossed!)