The National Trust

So, the last time I mentioned the drawing progress for my Country House Colouring Book, I had completed the first 30/40, that was the half way point with another 40 to go.

I got there, and just in time, delivering in October, and the team at Pavilion and the National Trust couldn't get over the speed I'd produced the nearly 90 unique drawings in just 3 months, to be really honest, neither can I but I was oviously totally engrossed and in love with the job.

Throughout the commission, every morning armed with a fresh coffee I'd crack on with the daily research of each propoerty; the info I gathered I wanted to illustrate and highlight to readers. It had to be an interesting story. be about the property's design or its former-inhabitants. Whatever story it was, it had to get me excited and allow my imagination and pencils to bring it to life. All the photographic research done of the property interiors gave me rich patterns and details that could provide the page designs with wonderful surface pattern perfect for colouring-in.

Once the artwork for each page was complete, I spent the final and 4th month editing and documenting all the interesting historical notes I'd made; these will go in the colouring book, taking you all on a mini National Trust journey of discovery.

I received a layout plan of the book pages for me to double check the sizing of the drawings on each oage and to double check everything, marking on notes etc when necessary, it was like Christmas when it came through the door, I looked over it once I'd settled with a nice strong brew and then got all excited, suddenly the book was incredibly real.

AJ