LOOKING AT THE WORLD OF BOOK PRODUCTION
FOXES... THEY’RE SMELLY THIEVES! The ‘Knitmore Farm’ series of books presents readers with a simple story, funny cartoons and a thought provoking overall message. In this particular book the author sets out to encourage children and adults to question sectarian, ill-informed and biased thinking. Mutual respect and practical action is promoted in a child-friendly way. You may be surprised to hear that the inspiration behind this book was the Bible story about the ‘Good Samaritan’ who helped his ‘perceived enemy’ - the Jew. Ask the average child what it’s about and they might say - “It’s about a young fox who gets hit by a car and is helped by some farm animals.”
The story in brief: Autumn had arrived and the animals at Knitmore Farm were not happy with the news that their new neighbours are foxes. But that is understandable after all - no-one likes a fox! They share their exaggerated horror stories about bad foxes even though none of them have actually met one. When a car hits a fox cub a hen surprises everyone by helping him.
THE FOXES ARE PORTRAYED AS ‘BAD TO THE BONE’ EGG THIEVES WHO AMUSE THEMSELVES BY TORTURING HELPLESS HENS. THEY ARE NOT WELCOME AND WILL NOT GET ANY HELP OR SYMPATHY FROM THE OTHER ANIMALS
‘NO-ONE LIKES A FOX!’ BOOK PLANNING SKETCHES ARTWORK BEGINS WITH SKETCHES AND WATERCOLOUR,
‘NO-ONE LIKES A FOX!’ BOOK PLANNING SKETCHES
THESE TWO DRAWINGS (ABOVE AND LEFT) WERE NOT USED IN THE FINAL STORY
ONE OF THE FOXES HAD BEEN IN THE HABIT OF STEALING EGGS
‘NO-ONE LIKES A FOX!’ BOOK PLANNING SKETCHES AFTER SKETCHING, THE SHARPER FELT-TIP OUTLINED VERSIONS WERE DRAWN AND SCANNED IN. THE COMPLETED DRAWINGS WERE CREATED USING ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR ON AN APPLE MAC COMPUTER WITH THE AID OF A WACOM DIGITAL PEN AND TABLET.
It takes a special person... It takes a special person to show kindness to his or her enemy. In this story a hen sets the good example and offers practical help to the injured fox cub.
THIS AND OTHER STORIES LIKE IT CAN BE BOUGHT ONLINE AT WWW.REDGREENPUBLISHING.CO.UK OR IN LOCAL BOOKSHOPS. LOOK OUT FOR THE LOGOS SHOWN BELOW
HERE’S SOMETHING FOR CAT LOVERS
“When I first read this manuscript I thought the cats would be the main characters throughout, but as I began to prepare the early sketches I soon realised that their eccentric owner, and the people she interacted with, would be equally important” (Martin Kenny - the illustrator)
A SLEEPY VILLAGE GETS A SURPRISE AT THE CONCERT...
The story in brief: Mrs Holmes-Seedley is a retired music teacher who lives alone with her six cats to keep her company. The villagers look upon her as talented, with a heart of gold, but quite eccentric. When she hears that her local church is struggling to raise funds to pay for roof repairs, she suggests a concert night with a difference. The musicians would be her trained cats! ‘MRS HOLMES-SEEDLEY’S CAR AND HOUSE HAD TO BE UNUSUAL
“I used a digital airbrush pen to create this artwork. I wanted the images to be semi-realistic rather than cartoon in style.” (Martin Kenny - the illustrator)
‘MRS HOLMES-SEEDLEY’S MUSICAL CATS’ SKETCHES/ARTWORK
The minister calls at Mrs HolmesSeedley’s House. There are many weeds in the front garden and the ivy is takng over. The letterbox has junk mail and a free newspaper in spite of warning signs. The milk has not been taken in and the bell is out of order.
It was felt that it would be better not to reveal the cats too early in the story but instead concentrate on Mrs Homes-Seedley and her concert planning.
‘MRS HOLMESSEEDLEY’S WOULD NEVER BE PART OF THE FLOWER ARRANGING CLUB ‘‘HEAVEN FORBID!’’ WOULD BE HER RESPONSE
‘MRS HOLMES-SEEDLEY’S MUSICAL CATS’ SKETCHES/ ARTWORK
‘MRS HOLMESSEEDLEY COULD NEVER USE AN ORDINARY CUP OR TEAPOT
Many hours were spent researching and gathering reference images.
MUSICAL ITEMS WERE ALL AROUND HER UNUSUAL HOUSE. THIS CLOCKWORK METRONOME SAT ON THE MANTLEPIECE
‘MRS HOLMES-SEEDLEY’S MUSICAL CATS’ SKETCHES/ ARTWORK
THE MUSIC ROOM IS WHERE WE FIRST SEE THE MUSICAL CATS IN ACTION
NEIGHBOURS WONDERED WHAT WAS GOING ON
“I couldn’t resist - I just had to include a dog or two in this story.” THE OLD WOMAN DRAWING ABOVE WAS NOT USED IN THE FINAL BOOK
(Martin Kenny - the illustrator)
‘MRS HOLMES-SEEDLEY’S MUSICAL CATS’ SKETCHES/ ARTWORK
‘MRS HOLMES-SEEDLEY’S MUSICAL CATS’ SKETCHES/ ARTWORK
PHOTO REFERENCE IS VITAL IF A PICTURE IS TO BE CONVINCING
‘MRS HOLMES-SEEDLEY’S MUSICAL CATS’ ARTWORK/REFERENCE
YOU CAN SEE HOW SOME OF THESE IMAGES WERE ADAPTED TO SUIT THE STORY
‘MRS HOLMES-SEEDLEY’S MUSICAL CATS’ ARTWORK/REFERENCE
COMICS FOR PRISONERS The thinking behind the booklets: Christian Prison Ministries have been giving out free comic booklets in prisons, and to those who have been directly affected by crime, as part of an ongoing outreach initiative throughout the United Kingdom. This modern illustrated format gets a more positive response in comparison to the traditional style of religious literature offered. These A5 size booklets contain a selection of true life conversion stories told by either criminals or policemen who have become Christians. The story featured here was about an ex-prisoner, Joe Turner, from Belfast Northern Ireland in the dangerous times known as ‘The troubles’.
ABOVE IS SOME OF THE PHOTO REFERENCE USED
‘COPS AND ROBBERS’ ARTWORK AND PHOTO REFERENCE THE TYPFACE USED FOR THE LOGO WAS BASED ON THE WELL KNOWN GAME (SHOWN LEFT)
THE HEAVILY FORTIFIED LOCAL POLICE STATION WAS REGULARLY ATTACKED BY GUNFIRE, BOMB, MORTAR AND EVEN PAINT.
‘COPS AND ROBBERS’ ARTWORK AND PHOTO REFERENCE
‘COPS AND ROBBERS’ ARTWORK AND PHOTO REFERENCE
BACK PAGE SHOWN ON RIGHT
MARTIN KENNY DESIGN & ILLUSTRATION
Graphic Designer/ Illustrator BA (Hons) DESIGN SPECIALISING IN: ILLUSTRATION & CARTOONS
Follow me on Facebook: Martin Kenny Artwork
028 9050 4575
www.martinkenny.co.uk / info@martinkenny.co.uk