Farang: Red and Yellow

Farang: Red and Yellow is a 24 page comic exploration into the 2014 Thai coup d'etat through the lens of a western eye. I created this comic with the intention that Thailand's Coup crisis will enter the public consciousness and spark a conversation.

Preview Spreads of 'Farang: Red and Yellow'

production on Farang is going well, interpreting heavier themes through an aesthetic thats relatively new to me has been equally exciting and unnerving. Farang features a look thats intended to strike a middle ground between the underground antiestablishment comics of the 1960's and 70's and a more modern independent look thats more widely seen now. 

A brief preview of the comic i'm currently working on "Farang: Red and Yellow"

Hanging out at TRIN STUDIO

Trin's Home Studio

Today through an interesting turn of events I got the chance to hang out, meet and interview Trin of TRIN STUDIO, a freelance illustrator and designer as well as a full time architect. Trin works out of Khon Kean, mostly producing sculpture and reliefs, for his 3D work his inspiration is his dedication to the Buddhist faith, with the majority of his work being images of deities, the Buddha or accomplished monks. Despite being extremely driven and, in a few weeks, leaving to become a monk for a short while, Trin is a very laid back and comfortable practitioner, besides sculpture Trin also work in digital medias for freelance logo, illustration and graphic design.

the back of Trin's plaster work shop

Meeting Trin and having the chance to talk to visual practitioners of other cultures is just what a journey like this is meant for, observing Trin's laid back approach to his practise and over all chilled nature was interesting and a stark contrast to some of the stress filled, deadline driven practitioners that are present in the west. Having gotten along with Trin as well as him showing me through some beautiful temples where his work is placed we decided to have something of a cultural exchange, we did a sketch swap.

I sketched out a somber Batman for Trin and he sketched me a traditional, fully garbed Buddha image

Full Trin interview possibly forthcoming 

an update on happenings in Thailand

some of the studies i've been doing around Khon Kaen

A little way through my time in Thailand, i'm continuing to do visual studies as well as capture some great photo reference. i've been experiencing a lot of the culture, tradition is a much bigger factor in day to day life than back in the UK. most of my time has been spent traveling around Chaing Mai before heading back to Khon Kaen, in both cities i've explored at least five different Buddhist temples and spirit houses, it's been interesting contrasting the traditional, eccentric design of the temples and villages with the bright, japanese influenced shopping complexes and city centres. I look forward to spending more time in the night market, grabbing some sketches and photos there.

working on comics during the down-time

during the rare opportunities I have for some downtime i'm still making some comics, some based in Thailand, some inspired by the design and culture i've seen during my trip so far.

Heading to Thailand, and also a mech design.

So, fairly big news, I'll be traveling to Khon Kaen, Thailand to study the countries unique artistic and cultural background, visiting the Wats, street markets and seeing The University of Khon Kaen, which has became the pride of the city. I'll be uploading sketches and paintings of my journey and time in Khon Kaen as well as when I travel to Chiang Mai and experience a more urban side of Thailand when I go and spend some time in Bangkok. I'm excited to have the chance to experience a different culture and see their rich artistic history, as well as be able to see how their approach to the arts might have changed or matured. I'll be heading of for my flight mid-month, which is exciting in it's self, airports harbour a hugely diverse group of people who are always a blast to draw and observe.

trying to subtly capture the feeling of a puppy with this Mech design

also, heres a design for a Mech, not at all related to my trip to Thailand, but, when is a Mech really THAT inappropriate?