I reecently returned from a lengthy Bigfoot search expedition. Evidence such as this photo seems to leave no shadow of a doubt as to his existence. Great creatures of mystery like Bigfoot and the Lochness Monster have always managed to elude capture but it's probably better that way. Humans find a good mystery irresistable and so the harder they are to catch, the more their legend grows. What they really look like and are who knows, but it's a true testament to the power of exponential imagination. I'm sitting in wait to be called to document in sketches, Reinhold Messner's next quest for the Yeti.

Ever the attention seeker, the incorrigible actor/comedian Russell Brand has been popping up in the news again, this time for ending his year-long marriage/shag to pop star Katy Perry. The famously wacky bohemian Brit is known for his indulgent hard-partying lifestyle, as well as a series of high profile relationships. His marriage to Perry was always a hot topic, the media never really fully buying in to the image of him settling down. Despite being made famous for his debauchery, Brand has actually been drug and alcohol free for several years, and is also a meditating vegan. Just to really confuse people.

In doing a portrait of Russell Brand there is a certain quality about him that requires a little searching beyond the obvious. There's the frizzed up hair, peculiar outfits and the owl-stare eyes...but there's also the smirk of a possibly serious comedian always in the middle of a joke. I started out with a drawing inked with brush on rough paper to give a loose quality to the brush strokes and then overlayed some greyish digital colours, just building up the tones and texture. The drawing did most of the work, with lots of black in his hair and beard and after adding in a few props alluding to his debauchery, the portrait was complete.

Here's a sketchbook spread from last year. I find I'm attracted to sketching mostly real things like buildings and people more and more...it seems easy that way. Less thought more drawing. Sometimes it's worthwhile to inject some random out of the brain doodles into the creative routine, just to make sure the noggin is still working. Good ideas often ensue.