China vs Columbus

Did the Chinese get to the new world before Columbus? A Q in the Q&A column for BBC History Magazine that I'm illustrating from January. It seems that maps from the time (which I referenced for the pic) show that the Chinese visited many places in the world before Columbus' 'discoveries'. Have a look at www.1421.tv if you're intrigued.

Big Picture 7

Here's one of the latest illos for Big Picture 7 for Wellcome Trust. Following hot on the heals of Big Picture 6 (see below) this time the subject is Drug Development. An idea was needed to show the different ways a drug will protect a cell. Some repel attackers, some fight them inside the cell and some protect the core of DNA. Seemed to lend itself to a castle idea! It'll be out in December and the pdf will be downloadable on their website (in my links list) along with the other 6!

Come to Cumbernauld

I've just completed a map commissioned by the Scottish Wildlife Trust for the friends of Cumbernauld Glen. Haven't done a map for a while and boy was this one complicated! Hopefully it'll attract people to a more picturesque area of Cumbernauld (made semi famous in Gregory's Girl). There'll be slate waymarkers set into the paths around the area too. Never had images set in stone before!

tic toc bots

Tic Toc design agency rebranding. Robot pics to show a combination of creativity and technology. Follow the link for their website.

wee spuggy too

The full 'wee spuggy' pic. See below!

leave it!

A DPS for Scotland in Trust to show the upcoming autumn events. Thought it'd be nice to have the events drifting on falling leaves with areas for the text to be inserted. I did a background of different types of leaves falling too. Boy do I give myself more work than necessary!

wee spuggy

Good to do some self generated stuff. This one's part of a bigger piece looking at the fate of some animals, insects and one particular baby bird in our house!

McMerchandise U.S.

For complicated reasons (i.e having to send a t-shirt to Australia) I've now opened a U.S. version of my t-shirt site. Seems this site has better options for printing and with the exchange rate being so good it's about the same (if not better) prices as the EU site. Have a look at the McMerchandise links!

Big Picture 6

Big Picture 6 from Wellcome Trust on its way. Follow the Wellcome Trust link on the right to see the previous editions of the 'Big Picture' series. The new one on emerging infections should be published soon.

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby!

On March 23rd we welcomed a very small Ruby May McBeth into the world! After 6 weeks in the neonatal ward she's home with us at last! Now I have to try and do some work in between the feeds, the visits, the screaming, the sleepless nights, the nappy changes......
Maybe I can start her off early with the colouring in. 'Ruby, here's how a dip pen works....'

Compost critters

Part of a new series of pics promoting composting and recycling.

Thin Aussie

Final pic BBC History's current issue minus the big belly from the rough!

Beak ology

Part of an illustration about evolution for the latest in Wellcome Trust's 'Big Picture' series. Follow the link for more!

Clan Castle

Clan characters for Crieff Hydro's kid's activity centre. Follow the Crieff Hydro link for virtual tour. More pics of the 'Big Country' centre coming soon on the website too.

Glen Mac Bus

The new travelling exhibition lorry for Fife Council Museums (MAC). More photos coming soon on my website.

Aussie rules

rough for current BBC History pic