iPad Pro 12.9 inch and drawing apps review

Back in December 2016 ago I bought the iPad Pro 12.9 inch tablet made by Apple. I also bought the accompanying stylus known as the Apple Pencil. The intention was to use it as an additional drawing platform for when I could not access my Cintiq. Unfortunately in the year that I have owned it, the tablet was used mainly as a device to watch Youtube clips and Netflix and I didn't bother drawing on it until only just recently.

Recent home renovations have taken my Cintiq out of action, but this finally gave me the chance to use the Pro as a drawing tool, here's how I have got on so far...

Divine Bow & Arrow

In 2014 I first drew a female character defeating a demon via bow and arrow for the Bristol Grapplethon. I decided to update the concept for a rashguard for my own Meerkatsu brand.

The Divine Bow & Arrow is a male and female fit rashguard and also a female only 3/4 length grappling tights.

They are all available at my store: www.meerkatsu.com

Here's more background to how I put it together:

Gift Wrap

Seasonal holidays and events seem to inspire me to draw jiu-jitsu related artwork and Christmas especially so. Here I've drawn two elves who ought to be helping Santa but are playing jiu jitsu instead. The technique the top elf is using is known as the Gift Wrap.

Here's how I put it together...

Rick and Morty

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Story Book

I created another colouring in book - see here for details.

Where to sit

When coach is teaching, where do you place yourself? Are you a get up and walker? Or a stubborn sitter?

Most times, coach will tell students best place to sit in order to see the technique, but if not, the optimum place to sit is where coach is directing his gaze and vocal delivery at the start of the technique. If coach can see you, he knows you can see him.

Of course there will always be parts of the detail that are obscured wherever you sit, but coach will know this and reveal those parts the second or third repeat of the technique. It is easier for him to do so if everyone is seated roughly in the same place.

In a large room with high ceilings, acoustics can be terrible, so sit where you can both see and HEAR coach talk. Don’t be afraid to get up and move to a better place even in the middle of the coach’s delivery. Another problem with large rooms are that some of them have structural pillars so obviously don't sit behind them.

Sitting closer is of course good, but I’d say if you can reach out and touch the coach, it’s probably too close. Ask questions if you couldn’t see something properly.

At very large gatherings and seminars, you sometimes don’t get much choice where you sit due to the large numbers of people. In such cases, coach should rotate and pivot around to show those behind him during his second or third repeat of the tech, but there will still be a natural ‘front’ when he begins.


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Halloween 2017

Each year I draw something for Halloween. Here is my effort for 2017. A slightly more painterly effect compared to my usual style.

Here is a video showing the sequences from pencil sketch to final version:

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Drawing a killer bee

Here's a speeded up video showing me drawing a killer bee character from very first pencil lines to finished vector.

Making a colouring book using Blurb

I created a colouring book using Blurb that featured my drawings. To order the book, visit this link.

Here is my report on my experience making my first ever colouring book:

Red's Revenge and Twilight Omoplata

I released two new rashguards over on my Meerkatsu Store today. Both feature freshly updated versions of older artworks of mine. Here is more information:

News: 2017 Bristol Grapplethon

15th April 2017 we're set to embark on our next annual Bristol Grapplethon where we roll over a 24 hour period and raise funds for charity. It's a great event and so much fun meeting fellow jiujitsu enthusiasts from clubs all over the UK. This year we're raising funds for sarsas a charity dedicated to assisting and supporting survivors of rape and sexual abuse. Fund raisers who raise a certain amount will become eligible for this limited edition t-shirt designed by me.

Read more about how to join the fundraising team and how to pop in for a friendly roll here at the Artemis website.

Come join us for a roll or twenty!



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Year of the Rooster

Today is Chinese New Year and this year celebrates the Year of the Rooster, my birth sign!
I've drawn the rooster many times in the past, here are a few from my archives...

Quick sketch - betta fish

I don't always get time to sketch and draw with real world media, if I leave it too long I get very rusty. This is my first effort since Inktober - last October - so a bit rough. I'm keen to keep drawing fighting fish, it's a subject I've been thinking about in more detail recently. I think I can improve on the last effort I made on these species. If it goes well, it may progress into some apparel, if I can get it right.

Master Silverback

I was asked to design a mascot and branding character for a new BJJ tournament here in the UK. It's called the National Masters BJJ Championships and is the first one dedicated just for over 30 year olds.

As soon as I was told of the project, the first idea I had was of an old, greying but still very fierce silverback gorilla character, here's the preliminary sketch: