Quentin's Santa Hat

I'm really pleased with this picture of Quentin in his Santa hat. It's only a rough and I know it will never look as good when it's inked up. It's rule #3 in illustration: Inked up artwork is NEVER as good as the rough.

Summer Heights High

Have you seen this? Summer Heights High is definitely the best thing on TV at the moment. If you loved 'The Office' you'll love this. Chris Lilley not only stars in the show (as Mr.G, Jonah and Ja'mie) but he writes it too. Pure genius.
Oh, the language is pretty bad so be warned.

Seagull or Duck

Every so often I have to put in one of these jokes because people think Ollie is a duck. I admit he does look more like a duck than a seagull so it's entirely understandable. I've been drawing Ollie for many years and in that time he has changed a lot. Originally he had a gull's beak, a rounder head, proper wings and more feathers but over time he's smoothed out into the upright skittle shape that he is now. Sorry, I couldn't help it. Quentin used to be far more worm-like too, now he's a Jelly Bean!

Bad Hair Day

Do bald people have a bad head day?

Summer Holiday

I'm taking a week off to unwind in beautiful Somerset (near where I went to boarding school) so for those few of you that kindly log in to read this nonsense there won't be any more postings till Monday 28th July.

On my return I am determined to start producing 7 strips a week rather than the usual 5 and eating into my precious, and rapidly dwindling, archive.

Happy Christmas Cartoonists

Happy Christmas to all you syndicated cartoonists! If you're lucky enough to be 5 months ahead with your strip like I am then you're now probably sitting in beautiful sunshine in your shorts and t-shirt desperately trying to think about the cold snowy festive season. I surprised myself yesterday by writing some real beauties for Ollie and Quentin's first Christmas in syndication which I can't wait to sketch up.

Merry Christmas!

This week I have been drawing...

...Robots for A&C Black Publishing.

Can a Lugworm fly?

Don't worry he can bounce. (See yesterday's post).

Softening the Blow

Tomorrow's strip is one of my favorites but might appear a bit callous so today's softens the blow by having Quentin bounce when he falls off Ollie's back. Come back tomorrow to see what I mean.

Ollie and Quentin at the News & Observer

Ollie and Quentin begins a test run in the News & Observer, Raleigh NC today and runs until August 9th so if you're from that area and you're enjoying the strip please let them know by going to their comics forum at forums.triangle.com or emailing them directly at comics@newsobserver.com

Read the full story here.

Idea Revisited

Ollie and Quentin developed from a cartoon strip I used to do for the RNLI in the UK about 'Stormy Stan the Lifeboat Man' and his sidekick Eric the Seagull. This lamp joke I did years ago and revisited it for my new feature. You can see a very early Quentin in the final frame of the Lifeboat strip. Those days Quentin didn't have a name, never spoke and just seemed to fall over a lot.

Ollie and Quentin on your phone

You will soon be able to get Ollie and Quentin on your mobile phone thanks to an agreement made between King Features and ROK Comics in the UK. ROK Comics delivers comics in partnership with comics creators to mobile handsets worldwide using a sophisticated digital publishing system and Digitally Rights technology.
Along with Ollie and Quentin you'll be able to download Beetle Bailey, Hagar the Horrible, The Phantom, Popeye, Blondie and Arctic Circle. I'll be interested to see how this works. Watch this space.

Spot the difference

Ever wondered what a real Lugworm looks like? Well, here's one on the right...no left...I mean right.