The maps are done. Typical me – when they could have been stylised and simple I had to do all the little houses and sheds… There were two maps in the end, created in black watercolour with areas of particular note picked out in ink (that lovely fine nib again!). Here’s a little bit.

The Findhorn pictures – tricky as there is only one bit of reference for ROC (featuring in the pictures and a real person). But I’m finishing off the roughs now and have had to decide to go for a more old-fashioned style that will allow for less realism while retaining wonderful detail. It was what I was kind of meaning to do all the time but I’d hoped to know more about the man. Like his height, build, did he wear a hat, smoke a pipe and how did he carry himself? Can’t show anything yet for this!

The Moorehawke trilogy covers are progressing – I’ll be doing all three as one massive long picture. They’re designed and I’m waiting for feedback… Bruno the Fabulous at A&U has taken my roughs and placed potential titles on them to see how they’d look once all that text is included… Looks brilliant! Will show you as soon as I can. How fun to do all at once. Did I mention that?

Dear Sarindi and the Lucky Buddha is complete and was such a pleasure to do. Pencil. Dozens of illustrations done in a matter of days. My fingers still tingle! There are some books where the work can be done quickly and is done better for it – the style is absolutely consistent, you think and breathe the character and you can hold it all in your head for continuity. Basically – you’re in the swing! But it only came about because of weeks and months really of preparation – sketching, researching and roughing it all out in great detail.

And my pirates are all done in rough and I’m waiting for the publishers to get the go-ahead. Another 40-odd illustrations!