Frances McKay Illustration

How to Draw Norm in the Guardian

Ever wondered how Donough O' Malley draws Jonathan Meres' 'The World of Norm'? Well now is your chance to find out over at the Guardian newspaper's website. 'How to draw..' is a regular feature where artists and illustrators give step by step guides on how to create your favourite kid's book characters. Donough was very chuffed when he was asked by the paper to provide a guide to drawing the main character from this award winning, best selling series. Which just so happens to have a new book out too!

So get you pens ready, click here, and start drawing Norm for yourself!

Jiggy McCue and the toilet of doom

How unlucky can a young lad get? By having a toilet of doom and some evil underpants! FMI illustrator Donough O' Malley shows us some of his artwork for the re-editions of the hugely popular and funny Jiggy McCue series by Michael Lawrence.

Every young lad can get the notion that the world is against him, and sometimes they can be right. Especially if you are Jiggy and his friends who have all sorts of mishaps fall upon them. From body swapping shenanigans to evil y-fronts with a mind of their own, Jiggy has a lot on his plate.

The Toilet of Doom and The Killer Underpants were re-released last month by Orchard books, and they were great fun to illustrate. Getting to use a loose and scratchy ink line, the scenarios were wide and varied with the only stipulation that the reader never gets to see Jiggy's face.

The series of books, created by Michael Lawrence, has been phenomenally successful with these two just the latest version in reprints. I had previously worked on a book for Michael with Barrington Stoke, so I knew his style of writing, which I love. Imaginative and just a little bit bonkers. Just what I like.

I'm hoping to see more of Jiggy in the future, not just because they are great stories(check out the reviews) but are really fun to work on!

World of Norm's first TV advert

 

World of Norm has it's first TV advert! Illustrated by FMI's Donough O' Malley, Norm makes his TV debut this week in the very first World of Norm advert in conjunction with Asda. The advert, which is narrated by the author Jonathan Meres, will run across the Disney channel and Cartoon Network running from the 17 to 31 July. This campaign is estimated to reach 14.9% of all children that's 1,300,000 across the UK and Ireland!

Orchard books have also secured a giveaway of 20,000 copies of the first World of Norm title: May Contain Nuts with the Guardian on Saturday 19 July. The book will be given away with all copies of the Guardian sold in Tesco and Tesco Metro stores. The full World of Norm series will be advertised in the back of the special A format giveaway book. So don't forget to get a copy of the Guardian this Saturday!!!

Introducing Irene Dickson

FMI has another great new talent joining the books this week. Irene Dickson introduces herself with some fabulous samples of her work. "I am so excited to be joining Frances’ group of wonderful illustrators, and doing what I have always wanted to do!"

Introducing Neil Price

FMI is proud to introduce a new illustrator to the agency, Neil Price. Here, Neil tells us a little bit about himself and his work.

Steve Cole's Secret Agent Mummy

FMI Illustrator Donough O' Malley has a new book out this week, here he tells us a bit more about it.

It's a boy!

Frances is very happy to announce that FMI Illustrator and good friend Elena Gomez has given birth to a baby boy, Jude. Both mother and son are doing great, and both will have a pencil and a crayon in their hands in no time. A big congratulations and best wishes from us all.

 

Creativity or Control?

Author Cathy Farr shares her thoughts on the process of working with FMI illustrator Alan Marks on the interior illustrations of her book 'Moon Chase'. 'Moon Chase' Book cover by Sam Wall.