In 2 days you will be able to pick up a copy of the Financial Times, sporting an illustration from myself. I have learnt a lot from working with the FT, my style has progressed massively and shaped in a way I couldn’t have seen imaginable 1 year ago. Most of all, it has shown me I have the ability to meet ANY deadline but unfortunately not the ability to learn from my mistakes. Let me explain.
The pictures above are first drafts that were later rejected. With only 16 hours left on the clock I managed to completely re-do each image to the delight of the FT’s editor. In one case it resulted in me getting paid more. Whilst I am pleased I have discovered this ability, I can’t help feeling I brought it on myself. As you can see from these examples, they are not what you would expect of a rough image. What I should have done is create a few ideas SIMPLY sketched out, sent those over then I would have had my answer with at least 5 – 10 hours extra and a clear idea of what I am doing. Instead what I did was carefully construct one idea, modelling it into finished artwork expecting the art director and editor to be wowed by this and just accept it there and then. Of course reality then strikes and I’m on the path to a VERY late night and a lot of grey hairs. Its one of the main rules I remember from uni, yet I seem to just disregard it. Ending up like a 16 year old drunk for the first time saying repeatedly whilst hugging the toilet… “I’m never going to drink again”. It’s clearly not loosing me business as I have worked for the FT countless times since and look set to again in the future, but I’m sure it would add years to my life if i stopped doing it, so fingers crossed for next time. Moral of the story : keep roughs rough!
You can see how the Dame Edna image was change by viewing the final outcome here To be able to see the second images final outcome you will have to pick up a copy of the FT on the weekend.
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