String

2012-03-01T13:31:00.004Z

Illustration

Percy Pig Said YES!!

Illustration by Jane Massey © Marks and Spencer Plc

2012-02-29T14:16:00.012Z

Illustration

Penny has Popped the Question!

A few new illustrations that I have had to keep under wraps until now!

It's February the 29th!

Penny has proposed to Percy Pig today on Facebook.

What will he say! You decide.

It's looking good for Penny at the moment!!

2012-02-28T14:05:00.006Z

Inspiration

HOME

A few details that currently bring a smile...

2012-02-13T09:14:00.009Z

Illustration

The Art Group

The Art Group approached me last year about producing a range of cards with them featuring the animals from my String Print Range. I am thrilled with the quality of the cards. The colours are really vibrant and they have a slightly textured finish in keeping with the watercolour paper I used for the original artwork. The cards are now in WHSmith stores nationwide.

Orly, Hubert and friends are also available as signed giclee prints here.

2012-01-31T14:05:00.006Z

Illustration

Illustration Friday-Forward

This is an oldie but it seemed perfect for this weeks IF.

I am looking FORWARD to when I can show you the projects I am currently working on.

I am sworn to secrecy!!

2012-01-23T09:58:00.006Z

Illustration

Shukalaka Shake Cover

I just received copies of a cover artwork that I worked on a few months ago. The brief was to show a busy morning focusing on the school run. This book of songs is published by A & C Black.

2012-01-17T12:45:00.004Z

Illustration

Illustration Friday-Prepare

Mummy's little helper!

2012-01-09T10:56:00.006Z

Illustration

Illustration Friday-Grounded

My youngest made this print at playschool last week. I couldn't resist incorporating it in a quick idea for this weeks Illustration Friday.

2012-01-01T16:20:00.003Z

Illustration

Happy New Year!

2012 is the Chinese Year of the Dragon.

I hope your New Year is Happy, Healthy and Prosperous.

2011-12-24T20:18:00.005Z

Happy Christmas!

Opened the last door on the Playmobil Calendar this morning. Father Christmas is now ready to go!

I hope you all have a great Christmas. Thank you for all your lovely comments over the last year. Jane x

2011-12-19T09:45:00.011Z

HOME FOR CHRISTMAS

The best thing about Christmas for me has to be decorating the house.

Every year I add a few more bits to my collection either

homemade or bought.

1. Vintage stocking, tree stocking by Samantha Stas, Santa

by my little'un!

2. Tree decorations by Fisher Price-excellent!

3. Paper snowflake, vintage angel, stained glass effect angel I cobbled together last Christmas from acetate and sweet wrappers!

4. Playmobil Santa from this years advent calendar. I don't know who's more excited each morning, me or the children! This years lego Christmas decorations.

5. My gorgeous Little Wanderer by the brilliant Yoshitomo Nara dressed up ready for Christmas.

2011-12-13T10:14:00.006Z

3 More Days to Go!

The String Shop will be closing for Christmas on

Friday 16th of December.

Order a print this week and receive a free pack of greetings cards!

I'm afraid I currently only deliver within the UK unless you

are Santa Claus!

Merry Christmas from Hubert and his friends!

2011-12-07T13:30:00.006Z

Inspiration

Winter Wonderland

The New Nutcracker Suite by Ogden Nash and Ivan Chermayeff 1962.

The Happy Owls illustrated by Celestino Piatti 1965.

Two great wintery books.

I am usually feeling pretty festive by now but I'm struggling this year. I think it may be down to the unusually mild weather.

2011-11-28T16:14:00.003Z

Illustration

Christmas Card 2011

For some reason I had the urge to produce a rubber stamp for my card this year. I'm now fighting the temptation to go out and by stamp pads in every colour under the rainbow!

2011-11-28T16:10:00.005Z

Inspiration

It's That Hat Again!!

Nobody in our home is safe from a mini bobble hat at the moment!

This lovely ceramic figure is by a local artist Phil Lyddon.

2011-11-23T15:40:00.004Z

Illustration

For Your Eyes Only!

I have been trying out ideas for my personal Christmas Card recently.

I liked this one but decided not to go with it in the end as I felt the front of the card wasn't Christmassy enough.

Not long to go now!!!

2011-11-10T11:45:00.005Z

Under My Hat

I'm busy working on some fun things at the moment hence the lack of new images here on my blog. I'd love to show them but I've got to keep them under my hat for now.

I've still managed to find enough time to dress up some of the characters around my home in these gorgeous little bobble hats!! The hats are currently decorating Innocent Smoothie Bottles for the big knit campaign which raises money for Age UK.

You can find out more here.

2011-10-31T11:04:00.012Z

Illustration

Illustration Friday-Scary

Happy Halloweeeen!

I hope you get lots of treats!

Here is a less scary Halloween witch from 2010.

2011-10-31T10:55:00.004Z

Halloween at Home

2011-10-31T10:35:00.006Z

Illustration

Percy Pig Bus

I spotted the New Percy Pig Bus in M&S at the weekend.

These are a few of my favourite details. If you know of a Percy Pig Fan this is a good buy as it's absolutely packed with sweets! See more of my Percy illustrations here!

Percy Pig © Marks and Spencer Plc

2011-10-16T11:44:00.004+01:00

Illustration

Illustration Friday-Scattered

I have been looking for an excuse to use these lovely sticky dots for ages!

2011-10-11T09:24:00.007+01:00

Illustration

New Percy Pig Bus

I have been waiting to see this latest Percy Pig artwork in print ever since I illustrated it over the summer. I was really excited to get the brief as I have a bit of a soft spot for these old London Buses. I haven't spotted the Percy Bus in stores yet but I spotted the 159 in the November issue of Good Housekeeping yesterday in the Christmas Present ideas. Sorry to mention the C word!!

Percy Pig © Marks & Spencer Plc

2011-10-04T11:09:00.009+01:00

Inspiration

LEGOLAND Windsor

Some favourite images from our visit to Legoland over the weekend.

My best bits-Miniland and the motor boats. Wasn't so keen on the big queues!!

2011-09-28T14:14:00.003+01:00

Illustration

School Dinners

Liver & Onions, Spam Fritters, Watery Cabbage, Lumpy Mash, Prunes, Semolina....Mmmmm!!

2011-09-26T15:16:00.009+01:00

Illustration

Juice Time!

2011-09-26T13:05:00.008+01:00

Inspiration

HOME

1. I absolutely love this mat which I picked up at a Vintage Fair in Brighton recently. Now the weather is changing I am drawn more and more to cheery reds and oranges.

2. & 3. Two favourite Pre School projects brought home by my youngest this term!

4. Wednesday - 'PE Day'.

5. This weeks harvest! Not self sufficient yet!

2011-09-19T13:58:00.004+01:00

Illustration

Illustration Friday-Mesmerizing

'My First Assembly'

2011-09-16T09:17:00.007+01:00

Illustration

Knight School

by Jane Clarke

My blog has been a little neglected over the summer as I have been flat out artworking the sequel to Knight Time. Knight School is due to be published in 2012.

I have finally updated my page on childrensillustrators.com this week. It has been on my To Do List for far too long! I have now added many of my published books.

2011-09-08T13:17:00.011+01:00

Inspiration

Back to School

This Ladybird classic really takes me back to my school days. Warm milk, the smell of the canteen, the nature table and dancing in the school hall in big knickers!

Illustrated by J. H. Wingfield 1959.

©Roger Hargreaves 1980

I love the line and humour of Richard Scarry.

©Richard Scarry 1969

This image reminds me of trips to Woolworths for my new school kit. A geometry set, garish fluffy pencil case and new pumps!

My very dog eared copy of The School by John Burningham.

First published 1974. This image reminds me of my very first school. It was a victorian building in a small village in Suffolk.

Pieces from a wooden puzzle by Victory picked up at a car boot just the other week.

2011-08-30T21:06:00.010+01:00

Inspiration

Peppa Pig World

I became a fan of the Peppa Pig merchandise long before my children had me hooked on the animation. Surely we all NEED a Peppa Pig Caravan!! So I was very excited when I heard that Peppa Pig World had opened this Spring just along the coast. We popped along last week and were all very impressed with the rides especially Miss Rabbit's Helicopter Flight.

2011-08-21T19:21:00.006+01:00

Illustration

Illustration Friday-Influence

Watching TV..........a good and bad influence,

but indispensable with an early riser!

2011-08-21T19:16:00.005+01:00

Inspiration

August

2011-08-09T22:27:00.009+01:00

Illustration

Illustration Friday-Imperfect

...or should I say Impurrfect!!

This one didn't make it in to my Print Range - he just didn't seem quite right.

He's actually growing on me now.

2011-08-06T18:24:00.005+01:00

Yippeee! It's the weekend.

Sample piece for a book.

Click to enlarge.

I hope it's sunny where you are.

Cup by ARABIA.

2011-08-01T16:51:00.008+01:00

Publicity

Artists & Illustrators Magazine

I was flattered to be approached recently by Artists and Illustrators Magazine to produce a feature explaining in stages how I go about illustrating a picture book. I decided to feature Knight Time as I am currently working on a sequel and therefore had lots of visual reference to hand. The article is in the August issue currently on sale.

2011-07-22T21:19:00.007+01:00

Illustration

Percy Pig Juice Carton

I recently produced a couple of new Percy Pig artworks. The first for Percy Juice in M&S stores now. I like Percy best like this - simple and graphic. The other artwork is for a Christmas product-got to keep that one under my hat for now.

See more of Percy here.

Percy Pig © Marks & Spencer Plc

2011-07-19T22:05:00.003+01:00

Inspiration

Not a Happy Tomato!

'Pleeeease Don't Eat Me!!'

Found this scary face hiding at back of the fridge tonight.

2011-07-17T21:20:00.004+01:00

Illustration

Doodles

Many of my characters begin life as shopping list doodles!

A few favourite details above.

2011-07-11T22:30:00.003+01:00

Illustration

Illustration Friday-Stay

2011-07-04T10:47:00.003+01:00

Illustration

Illustration Friday-Remedy

Sun, Sea and a Strawberry Mivvi!

2011-07-03T12:47:00.004+01:00

Inspiration

Big Kid!

Not sure if these are for me or the kids!

2011-06-24T16:07:00.004+01:00

Giveaway

And the winner is.........

........ Bethan Matthews! Congratulations Bethan!

Thanks to everyone who entered the Hubert Giveaway.

Wishing you all a great weekend.

2011-06-20T21:34:00.015+01:00

Illustration

Percy Pig Hits the Headlines Again!

I spotted this latest Percy Pig product in M&S stores a few weeks back and didn't think too much of it. I first illustrated the Percy Pig bag about 15 years ago and it is still the same today. I have since created a Percy Pig style guide with M&S and the Percy Pig images I created have been used on homewares, food packaging and in a book. I just didn't realise until today (thanks Mrs Cheese) what a storm the launch of the Percy Pig Lolly had created on Twitter!

Britain's Wimbledon hopeful Andy Murray I have discovered is also a Percy fan!

2011-06-20T10:08:00.002+01:00

Inspiration

HOME

Three ever changing window sills.

2011-06-15T11:17:00.011+01:00

WANTED!

A New Home for

Hubert the Sausage Dog

It's been a year (and a bit!) now since I started my blog and I wanted to say thank you for all your lovely comments and for stopping by. To celebrate my Anniversary I am having a GIVEAWAY! Just leave me a comment if you'd like to win this original artwork of Hubert the Sausage Dog and I'll announce the winner on Friday the 24th June. Good Luck and thanks again!

PS Click on the pic to enlarge.

2011-06-13T11:53:00.007+01:00

Illustration

Illustration Friday-Windswept

I did this a while back for What I Wore Today but I thought it fitted this weeks title.

I am wearing my favourite teal blue Hunter Wellies.

2011-06-13T11:46:00.007+01:00

Illustration

Felix and Friends

Felix, Walter, Archie and Terence Prints are now in the String Shop.

2011-05-30T11:56:00.005+01:00

Illustration

Illustration Friday-Asleep

2011-05-24T15:56:00.007+01:00

Inspiration

Something Fishy!

1.My favourite coffee cup-Moomin Mug by Arabia.

2. and 4. Details from the My Garden

ovenware dish by Rorstrand of Sweden. Vintage egg cup-featured several times before but he's an absolute favourite of mine!

2011-05-22T21:34:00.010+01:00

Illustration

Thorntons Coco Land

I worked with the team at Thorntons throughout 2010 redesigning and illustrating their core children's range. The packs are currently being phased in to stores across the UK.

This particular pack is one of my favourites so I was excited to receive the first sample this week.

You can see several more designs from the new Coco Land range here. I will upload the others as soon as I receive them.

2011-05-16T21:09:00.012+01:00

Illustration

Otto

Otto the Octopus and friends are on their way to Cringle of Burnham Market. String Prints are also available at the SOMA Gallery in Bristol, Sixty Seven in Brighton, The Laurels in Lewes and online here.

2011-05-09T09:36:00.006+01:00

Inspiration

Feeling Sunny!

Nine Print-Vintage (Illustrator unknown).

Gorgeous Fabric Sausage Dog by Alice Apple.

2011-05-02T22:01:00.005+01:00

Illustration

Illustration Friday-Lesson

2011-05-02T18:58:00.006+01:00

Inspiration

Fairground Attraction

We stumbled across this traveling fair in a local park over the Easter weekend. It was brilliant to be able to have a really good look at all the traditional rides. The fair was deserted as it hadn't yet opened for the day.

2011-04-26T13:21:00.010+01:00

Illustration

New String Prints

I have recently developed 6 new designs for the String Print Range.

I will be adding them to my shop very soon.

Mummy and baby roo - titled Cherish.

4 new characters-Archie the Airedale, Felix the Fox, Terence the Tiger, and Walter the Whale.

2 new designs illustrating the bond between a Mother and her little one.

2011-04-26T13:17:00.003+01:00

Illustration

Water Baby

Spotted this determined little fella at the beach over the Bank Holiday.

2011-04-24T13:35:00.008+01:00

Inspiration

HAPPY EASTER

Three Easter Bunnies paid us a visit this morning!

Cupcake from Treacle of Hove. Yum!

2011-04-13T15:45:00.009+01:00

Illustration

Illustration Friday-Bottled

I have a confession. I thought the word was bottle. OOPS!

Maybe I should get some some Bottle Top Specs too!

2011-04-07T20:12:00.006+01:00

Inspiration

Favourite Packaging

I am a real sucker for a matt finish when it comes to packaging especially if it is combined with striking typography! These are just a few food products I have been tempted by recently. Waitrose and Jamie Oliver's Recipease stores are two favourite haunts.

2011-04-03T16:05:00.004+01:00

Illustration

Illustration Friday-Duet

2011-04-03T14:30:00.004+01:00

Inspiration

Happy Mothers Day!

I love Vintage Galt Puzzles.

2011-03-27T10:00:00.003+01:00

Inspiration

Spring Forward

2011-03-27T09:51:00.004+01:00

Inspiration

Robin & Lucienne Day:

Design and the Modern Interior

We popped over to the Pallant House Gallery in Chichester yesterday to see this great exhibition.

Entry is 2 for 1 with the April issue of Elle Decoration. The Gallery also has a lovely courtyard cafe-well worth a visit!

2011-03-22T14:19:00.005Z

Illustration

Illustration Friday-Cultivate

2011-03-22T14:14:00.004Z

Inspiration

DOTS

Cherokee Plate by Midwinter.

2011-03-18T12:08:00.007Z

Illustrations

A few that got away!

Thorntons Coco Land

These are a few of my favourite sketches from the first stage of character development. It was decided that this style was too young for Thornton's target market.

The next stage of character development looked at slightly cheekier animals doing typical kids activities.

The new Coco Land range is currently being phased in to stores. I am looking forward to being able to show you more product and in store shots soon.

2011-03-15T12:05:00.006Z

Illustration

Kiss! and Giggle!

Published by Campbell Books

Kiss! and Giggle! are being published in the UK in May. The books are also going to be available in Taiwan, Greece and South Africa.

This is my 5th project with Campbell Books. I first worked with Campbell in 2004 on The Sparkly Christmas series of Board Books. I also worked on the Buggy Buddy Series. You can see some more of my published books here.

2011-03-15T11:42:00.004Z

Inspiration

All Change!

Have been giving the toy cupboard a spring clean to make way for some new friends! The owl is by the Early Learning Centre. You can press one foot to move the hands on the clock and the other to open his eyes to reveal the time numerically. Open Your Eyes published in 1964 is a recent gift. Thank You x. It is written by Roz Abisch and illustrated by Boche Kaplan.

I love this Slush Puppie cup that I picked up at the weekend. I can't remember how long I have had the little sweet box but it reminds me of my childhood.

2011-03-11T18:00:00.004Z

Inspiration

Hellooooooo Kitty!

M&S have done it again! What a cute dress!

2011-03-09T20:51:00.007Z

Illustration

JUICE!

Waiting for feedback on a project today I had a sudden urge to draw babies-like you do! Have been working on a lot of animal commissions recently.

Flicking channels yesterday evening I spotted a repeat of Knight Time on the CBeebies Bedtime Hour. I said to my sons 'Look! Mummy's drawings are on the TV!' They were very unimpressed. My youngest replied 'Can I play with the hoover now?'

2011-03-08T13:00:00.005Z

Illustration

Illustration Friday-Warning

Watch out there's a Tiger about!!

A new character I have been working on this week for my print range.

He is as yet unnamed. I would love any suggestions!

2011-03-08T12:56:00.004Z

Inspiration

Riso Monte Bianco

I picked up this lovely packaging on holiday several years ago. I can't remember where! Maybe one of you will recognise it?!

2011-03-01T09:58:00.004Z

Illustration

'Mummy Knows Best!'

Grrrrrrrrrrrr!!!

2011-02-27T20:39:00.005Z

Inspiration

Pic n Mix

2011-02-20T21:31:00.003Z

Illustration

Illustration Friday-Layer

2011-02-18T06:07:00.007Z

Inspiration

Colourful Corners

A burst of colour for the weekend!

2011-02-14T20:59:00.014Z

Illustration

Thorntons Coco Land

I have been working with Thorntons for the past year on the redesign of their children's range. I am really excited to see my designs now going to print. The full range will be going in to stores over the next few weeks.

The project has included designing chocolate moulds, foils, bags, selection boxes, tins and the Coco Land logo.

Coco Land is a dream project for me as I have not only been involved in the development of the characters I have also enjoyed working closely with the team at Thorntons on the concepts for the individual packs. It has been the perfect opportunity to draw on my background in packaging design. I worked as a graphic designer for 5 years with agencies in London and Hong Kong before deciding to move full time in to illustration several years ago.

I am really looking forward to seeing the entire range of products in Thorntons stores very soon.

2011-02-14T09:41:00.004Z

Inspiration

Fusciardi's Ice Cream Parlour

It was a beautiful sunny day here on Saturday so we took a trip along the coast to Eastbourne for Crazy Golf, Knickerbocker Glories and a scoot along the prom! Spotted these beautiful tiles on the exterior of the Ice Cream Parlour and this friendly bin on the prom.

2011-02-09T21:02:00.005Z

Inspiration

Small Faces

Four faces that make me smile.

1.Torch 2.Vintage egg cup 3.Alessi egg cup 4.Vintage salt shaker.

2011-02-06T13:23:00.004Z

Inspiration

In the Kitchen 4

2011-02-06T13:20:00.007Z

Illustration

Illustration Friday-Reverse.

Wheeeeee! Look at me!

2011-02-01T09:38:00.005Z

Inspiration

Februar-Raymond Peynet

Goodbye January. HELLO February!

1960s Rosenthal Calendar Dish made in Germany

2011-01-30T13:41:00.003Z

Illustration

String Prints

Currently working on several new print designs. Hoping to be able to add them to the shop soon.

2011-01-23T19:55:00.014Z

Inspiration

Details

01 Postcard beautifully printed on heavyweight board by Experimental Press Workshop.

No excuses for being late now I have this very orange swatch watch!

A favourite Hornsea Slipware Planter. Compliments slip from the brilliant Donna Wilson.

3 Blogs that I am currently loving are

Hilda Grahnat, Sandra Juto and On My Way.

2011-01-22T16:20:00.002Z

Illustration

SORRY!

'Mummy, I lost my scarf.'

2011-01-20T10:59:00.006Z

Inspiration

365 Games to Make and Play

I picked this great book up at a car boot last Summer.

I especially love the end papers. The book was first published

in France in 1975.

2011-01-17T19:01:00.008Z

Illustration

Illustration Friday-Chicken

Even with his new wings Oscar was too chicken to take a dip!!

2011-01-17T18:58:00.004Z

Inspiration

January Blues

I love this colour combination at the moment.

2011-01-12T21:43:00.001Z

2011-01-12T21:35:00.013Z

Illustration

MONSTER BABY

Written by Lee Carr

A monstrously fun book that's perfect for all siblings to share!

Monster Baby is now available to pre order at Amazon.

The book will be in shops from April 7th.

Monster Baby is the third title that I have illustrated for Random House. I have also illustrated Knight Time and Mummy, Did You Miss Me?

2011-01-10T18:05:00.005Z

Inspiration

A Few Welcome Rays

It was so nice to catch a glimpse of the sun yesterday.

Top image-Svan Scooter

2011-01-05T20:20:00.008Z

Inspiration

Potato Printing by Helen R Haddad

I picked up this great vintage book before Christmas. I had a go with the family over the holidays but have to confess that we only ended up with large sheets of unrecognisable splodges!

2011-01-01T19:07:00.009Z

Illustration

It's 1. 1. 11!

2011 is the Chinese Year of the Rabbit.

I hope your year is happy, healthy and prosperous!

2010-12-19T22:07:00.023Z

Illustration

WISHING YOU ALL A

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Thank you for all your lovely comments over the past year. I really appreciate them all.

Cellophane and foil courtesy of Quality Street.

Which one's your favourite? I love the purple ones!

2010-12-19T22:04:00.006Z

The String Shop is now closed. It will be open again on Tuesday the 4th of January. Thanks to everybody who has purchased cards and prints this year!

2010-12-15T13:41:00.005Z

Illustration

Pom Pom

There are some monster pom poms around this winter!

2010-12-14T18:25:00.003Z

Inspiration

A Warm Glow

I love the way this Rob Ryan card changes as the light changes.

2010-12-13T19:26:00.009Z

Illustration

I Love Baubles!

Bauble Girl is my personal card and mailshot for Christmas 2010. It seemed quite fitting as I really am a bauble addict! The lovely tree card is by Jane Foster and the snow dome by Lisa Jones.

'Rudolf the Sausage Dog' (above) is now sold out. I have a handful of Hubert xxx cards available here. The brilliant tree card on the left of the picture is by Walter Erhard. It was designed in the 1960s.

2010-12-13T19:10:00.005Z

Inspiration

A Homemade Christmas

You can never have too much glitter!!

2010-12-13T19:00:00.008Z

Inspiration

LEGO for Christmas

I picked up this LEGO Snowman last Christmas. It was one of a series of 3 kits which also included Father Christmas and a Christmas Tree with Baubles.