Rue Royale

Just under two years ago I was asked by a local promoter Jez Brown to draw this poster for a gig  that he was putting on involving Rue Royale in the Ent Shed venue in Bedford. 

To my surprise the band really liked the image and I was super happy that they wanted to use it not just for the Bedford gig, but also for the rest of their tour that was taking in gigs all over Europe and America.

Rue Royale (otherwise known as the lovely and charming Brookln and Ruth Dekker) sent me photos of the poster hanging on venue walls from all over the world  and seeing this and receiving feedback on the image felt great. For the very first time it made me consider illustration as a potential career to pursue.

Since March 2010 (when I started drawing the picture) I have been lucky enough to work with Rue Royale on their album covers, CD single covers and other marketing material and we are also talking about other exciting projects that should take shape in the very near future. The band has also gone on to be signed to a record label and continue to tour the world playing their incredible music to ever expanding groups of people. 

So, this image- even though I can see huge flaws in it (the trees are awful) and I can recognise how my drawing style and technique has improved since then- represents a turning point for me. Not only did it get me noticed by a really cool band who I really admired but it also made me focus on illustration and on the task of becoming an illustrator.

The original drawing is framed and hangs proudly in my home. It reminds me of how lucky I was to be asked by Jez to draw the poster in the first place and how grateful I am that the band liked the image and that it has led on to so much more. It made me realise that illustration was something that I really wanted to do and was something that COULD do. 

If you haven’t heard Rue Royale yet then you need to get a move on and listen to them sharpish:

http://rueroyalemusic.com

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