This is an evening shot of St Nicholas’ golf course in Prestwick, in South Ayrshire, Scotland, using my Canon 750D SLR.
Below are some shots taken with my Canon 750D SLR, using a Sigmam 500mm zoom lense. I was quite a distance from the birds and tried not to frighten them. The image was taken handheld, on Ayr ‘Auld Brig’, in broad daylight in winter. I used Photoshop to duotone each image.
The images taken below the birds, is of the Gleneagles hotel, viewed from the side entrance. Below that, is the countryside, in and around the hotel, North of Perth, in Scotland. All of these shots were taken with my Olympus EM10 Mk iii, mirrorless camera, using a pancake lens.
Poster Designs 2005-2015, from various parts of Scotland
The moon taken in November, from my bedroom window, hand held, using my Canon 750D SLR, with a 300mm zoom lens. later edited in Photoshop.
When I first began to draw, all my work had a sort of illustrative feel to it. This was mainly because I had only comic books and illustrated magazines to work from and learn technique.
My Illustrative style
Here are a collection of works, not necessarily in a chronological order. I have selected a few examples that convey my styles and approaches. Some are drawings and some are more finished pieces. Most have never been published or used commercially, as they were more attempts at developing something of a trademark technique. I still haven’t found that yet, but my friends disagree! I’m very rooted in classical art and I was influenced by many comic book and Scottish artists. My home was a mile or two from the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Galleries in Glasgow in Scotland, and because of this, I was very influenced by many artists, whose work I could study up close. I was also an avid comic book collector, and I was able to draw well, even before starting school at five yrs. My mother was also a big influence on all of her children. All of us are particularly good at art, through her encouragement. Practically all of her children and Grandchildren are also good too, yet she had no art training, but loved drawing people, and faces. She taught me to draw a proper face at the age of 3!
Figurative illustration, intended for commercial publication. It was one of a set of three. I only have this image of the three. All were executed from my imagination using historical costumes as a resource. This costume was from a Vermeer painting and is a typical Dutch costume of the period. Gouache and ink on board.
A Commission from BBC Scotland
This was a commission in 1977 from the BBC in Scotland. I had hoped that this would have been my big break, but it didn’t quite work out that way, as things or life often does. I was asked by the chief designer in the Graphics department in BBC Glasgow, if I could do 4 caricatures of famous political and entertainment personalities. The programme was a one off special, called; The Food Programme’, hosted by Angela Rippon, who was a well known newsreader with the BBC, at that time. Later she would be known as one of the ‘Come Dancing’ personalities, who would occasionally show up on our screens. She interviewed all of the people shown here, and my illustrations were used as a link, to reflect their eating habits. Barbara Castle, liked to start the day with an egg, at the time she was working in the Labour cabinet, under George Callahan, illustrated here too. Robert Morley showed that he had a more regal approach to eating. He enjoyed a feast! Barbara Cartland made her millions and advocated taking Vitamin tablets alongside healthy vegan food. Jim Callahan had dreams of having a healthy diet, but I had him bonking his opposition leader, Maggie Thatcher. It was she, who later, would topple his Labour government. She wasn’t that easy to get rid of, but I had him daydreaming that he would!
This illustration was produced for a Glasgow Science Fiction Convention, in the 1990’s, and was my first attempt at this particular Genre. I was influenced by various famous illustrators, but tried to create something of my own. I think 2001, the Stanley Kubrick film, slightly influenced this, as well as Jean Giraud, or Moebius, as he was also called. Indian ink on board
Below is a set of coloured developments from this original work all done using SAI and Photoshop
I’m particularly pleased as to how this turned out. I’m sure that I’ll be doing more of this type of art, using my new found computer skills. I’m interested in working on an illustrated version of the life of Jesus, based on St Luke’s Gospel. So watch this space (pun)
This was the original study of the Hobbit Frodo and his companions. This was done in pencil, from my imagination, just after I had read the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. I had not seen any illustrations of how the characters should look, but I did manage to create some drawings that looked like some other artists impressions.This my final version of The Hobbit, or Lord of the Rings illustration. Coured using SAI and Photoshop.This was a narrative illustration, to accompany a story about Charles 2nd and one of his many women. Original artwork in pen, and later coloured using SAI and Photoshopthis is a pencil drawing depicting a typical Frank Frazetta sword and sorcery story. I had no story in mind, but felt that this would suit any good vs evil storyline. Below is a developed version using SAI and Photoshop.
This is the original B&W drawing, loosely based on a caricature of Norman Rockwell’s youthful self portrait. Originally used in a newspaper supplement, for the Glasgow Herald. Colour was added only recently using SAI and Photoshop.One of my CR Mackintosh Caricatures, that is one of the many variations. Below are some more.
This is a Conan The Barbarian comic book illustration. I would have liked to have drawn one of these comic covers. This was only recently completed in SAI and in Photoshop.This is a sort of ‘Outlander’ illustration. Made popular on the TV series recently. I have always loved the Highland costume, and I have worn the tartan at all of my own children’s weddings. I have both Scottish and Irish ancestry in my blood. I love all things Celtic. This illustration was done using Photoshop.
GO IN MY NAME BOOK
This is is an illustration, that shows some of the artwork that I produced for a Scottish school religious book in 1984. The book was mainly in black and white, except for the cover which was in full colour. I have recently re- visited some of this work and have redone the original illustrations by adding colour using SAI and Photoshop effects. I hope that what I have done is something of an improvement over the original work. Jesus calls the disciples Peter, Andrew, James and John. Coloured using SAI and Photoshop.The calling of Levi, Matthew as he was also named. He was a tax collector, and as can be seen, he left his life of tax collecting, to follow Jesus. Coloured using SAI and Photoshop.Here we see the moment that the Apostles were anointed by the Holy Spirit, with tongues of fire, coming down on them. This was the start of their mission to spread Jesus’ word, after his Resurrection and Ascension into Heaven. Coloured using SAI and Photoshop.In this Illustration we see Mary, Jesus Mother, who goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth. She has been told that she will conceive of a child, and that she is to name him Jesus. He is to be called the son of the Most High. Mary is also told by the Archangel Gabriel, that her cousin will have a child. The child will be John The Baptist, and he will herald the arrival of Gods Kingdom on earth. This prophesy will be fulfilled with the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, 33 years later, in Jerusalem. Mary will be called the Mother of the church, and also the mother of God. Coloured using SAI and Photoshop.In this illustration we see that Jesus had a tough start in life and yet he has been one of the most influential people to have ever walked the earth, yet he never wrote anything about himself. He did gave us His Holy Spirit, and through that great gift, and His presence in the Eucharist at Holy Mass, he will conquer the evil that is in the world. His message of Love and Respect for the good of all humanity is still relevant, today and for always. Coloured using SAI and Photoshop.Jesus’ life and birth was predicted, many centuries before he was born, and we can look these prophesies up in the old testament. As shown here two particular prophets foretold his coming, and the manner of his birth. He was to be born in Bethlehem, to a Virgin. That He would be called the Son of God. And, as was prophesied in the writings of ISAIAH, he would suffer and take away all of our sins. This he did by dying painfully on a cross. Coloured using Photoshop and SAI.This illustration shows how Moses led his Israelite nation out of slavery in Egypt. The picture shows how ungrateful they were, and how Moses prayed for bread from heaven and also meat. God answered Moses prayer, and He gave them bread in the form of ‘Manna’ and flesh in the form of birds. This was the start of the great Jewish nation, the ‘Chosen People’, of God. Jesus later came to earth and died as a sacrifice for all of our sins. Like we see in this picture, he gave his body, like the Miracle of the ‘Manna’, or bread from heaven. This ‘ Passover feast is celebrated in all churches every day, all over the world. Coloured using SAI and Photoshop.In this illustration we see how Jesus heals a blind man, called ‘Blind Bartimeus’. He perseveres in demanding that Jesus heal him of his blindness. His faith in Jesus heals him. Coloured using SAI and Photoshop.In this comic strip we see the parable of the ‘Good Samaritan’. Jesus asks the Pharisee, who was the poor mans helper, and he, the Pharisee, had to concede, that the Samaritan was a true neighbour to the injured man. Coloured using SAI and Photoshop.This picture shows a ‘Flashback’ about Jesus’ birth, upbringing and about his life as a young man in Nazareth. Later we see Him, just before his mission on earth has to start. This mission will commence when John the Baptist, His cousin, Baptises him in the River Jordan. Coloured using SAI and Photoshop.Here we see the moment that Jesus comes out of the water of the River Jordan, after being baptised, and John sees the Holy Spirit come down on Him. He also hears Gods voice talking about Jesus being His Son. What Joy must have filled John, when he witnessed all of this. Coloured using Photoshop and SAI.In this illustration we see Jesus as a young boy, helping with the sheep on the hillside off Nazareth, and how he would have witnessed the conquering Roman Garrisons all over Israel and the surrounding countryside. Coloured using SAI and Photoshop.Here the Illustration takes the entire text from the Acts of the Apostles. Coloured using SAI and Photoshop.This illustration is of St Columba of Iona, His life and his influence of the Christian faith in Scotland. Coloured using SAI and Photoshop.St Ninian was the first Saint to bring Christianity to Scotland to Whithorn, in the south of Scotland in the Galloway Diocese. Coloured using SAI and Photoshop.A small piece of information about the first Christian Martyr, St Stephen. Coloured using SAI and Photoshop.Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem, on the Way of The Cross. Acrylic paint on canvas.This illustration use the Superman image, to show that Baptism pack Power. The power to live a good and happy life, with Jesus helping us. Coloured using SAI and Photoshop.This picture shows the many ups and downs of married life. I tried to fit in many of the aspects of married life, that I had encountered in my own life. Coloured using SAI and Photoshop.A Haunting image of Mother Theresa of Calcutta. This watercolour study was taken from a black and white photo, which I discovered in a book about her life and work. The love in her eyes was what I wanted to capture. She pleads for the poor, and you can’t help but be moved. by her look of desperation, her cry for help for all poor children. Watercolour on cream coloured board.
The Lockerbie bombing bronze plaque, in The Holy Trinity RC Church in Lockerbie.This is the full plaque, showing the complete list of those killed in the Lockerbie air disaster.
Final clay version of the Lockerbie sculpture. This was a commemorative plaque to commemorate the loss of the passengers, flight staff and villagers, who lost their lives in Lockerbie on that fateful night.
ST ANDREW’S INTERIOR DUMFRIES COMMISSION
Four banners depicting the beginning of creation up to the birth of the church
three large altar chairs for the priest and for two concelebrant priests
Altar servers and other concelibrating priests chair
The side table for the bread and wine, and two stools or altar servers
An altar servers stool
The side chapel partition for the tabernacle from the inside.
The side chapel partition, viewed from the church.
Hymn numbers board
Readers lectern from the front, in travertine marble and wrought iron
Readers lectern from behind, showing the raised book holder and shelves
ST PAUL’S SHETTLESTON SCULPTURE AND INTERIOR COMMISSION
ST PAUL’S CHURCH IN SHETTLESTON, GLASGOW
Front view of crucified Christ from below
Close up of the Christ’s feet showing the iron nail
Altar servers cross using the iron nails, woven thorny crown and the spear that pierced his side
View of all of the items commissioned for St Paul’s. Note that the figure of Christ is set on a metal cross, so that the figure can be taken down on Easter Sunday.
The twelfth station; Jesus is Crucified
ST LUKES IN MOTHERWELL
ST JOACHIM’S CHURCH CARMYLE SCULPTURE OF THE RISEN CHRIST
ST JOACHIM’S RISEN CHRIST
This is the original clay version of the plaque, before a mould was made, to create the final bronze version, seen above. This scilpture is small, around 70 cm wide and 40cm tall. The final plaque with the names is around 120cm by 70cm wide. The names are et he’d in brass, and all is mounted onto thick oak planks of wood, as is the shelf below the plaque.
Charles Rennie Mackintosh portrait.The cover for the Glasgow Herald; The Weekend Extra in 1996. This watercolour of C R Mackintosh was originally a study for the later triple portrait of Mackintosh
Charles Rennie Mackintosh portrait. This is the original triple portrait of C R Mackintosh in oils on canvas 3’x 2′. This portrait is done in a bold Colourist technique. I spent the best part of a year painting this portrait. All colours were used using a documented commentary by Annan on that day. He, Mackintosh, wore a dark green Liberties scarf and an oatmeal coloured jacket. The bow gives him an affected look, but apparently Annan asked him to tie the scarf into a bow like a continental artist. This is the first attempt that I know of him in colour. He had a very handsome look, I think.
C R Mackintosh. Three views of the sculpted head, using the triple portrait as preparation.
THE SCOTTISH COLOURISTS
Scottish Colourist; LESLEY HUNTER 1877 – 1931
Scottish Colourist; SAMUEL J PEPLOE 1871 – 1935
Scottish Colourist; FRANCIS C B CADELL 1883 – 1937
Scottish Colourist; JOHN D FERGUSSON 1874 – 1961
Portrait of Clare, the artists daughter, in oils on canvas 14″x 14″
Portrait of Clare, the artists daughter ( close up)
Portrait of Maria at two, the artists daughter. Watercolour 12″x 12″ 1983
Portrait of Marian Gahagan, chalk on paper A2 1980
Portrait of Mother Theresa water colour on cream card A2 2008
Portrait Study of a young girl pencil on watercolour paper 8″x 6″ 2008
Several years ago I had a small art shop in Prestwick, selling art materials and occasionally my own paintings and drawings. The shop eventually was hit by the recession and I had to close up, but a year before we closed I was asked down to London to show my drawings to the design team at Papermania or Design Objectives, as it was also called. They were impressed with the drawings and they produced several different products for card making and printing. The drawing that first impressed them was my illustration of a young boy with his home-made kite and his small Jack Russell terrier. See below;
Boy with kite wooden stamp. This is based on my original drawing that started me off designing for Docraft. The idea was based on a memory of a time when my brothers; Jim, Hugh and I made hand-made kites using cane, brown paper and string. My brothers and I were always doing something adventurous.
The fist commission involved my producing several drawing of boys and girls in a variety of activities. These products sold in tens of thousands, all over the UK and also in Europe. Here are the final products. Later I also produced drawing of men and Vintage cars too. All seem to have been successful and sold in their thousands as well. The finishing and packaging was done in China. Recently I looked to see if I could get a pack of these cards on Ebay and was surprised that they were asking three times the original retail price. Perhaps I should have kept some in their original packaging!
A set of decoupage cards using the ‘Girl with Satchel’ image. Also includes the ‘Rainy Day’ girl.
Girl with satchel wooden stamp.
The boy with the kite decoupage card set. This pack also included the wee boy footballer.
The ‘Rainy Day ‘wooden stamp.
An Excellent variation on the rainy day stamp. This is so professionally finished. I particularly like this design. The embellishments are well chosen.
Another great variation of a card makers design using the rainy day stamp
Rainy day card makers excellent design, using interesting embellishments
Boy blowing bubbles stamp
Very good example of how professional card makers cards can look, when all the extra pieces are added
A card makers decoupage birthday card. This design was ready cut out and just needed mounted and stuck on to the blank card. Sentiments are the designers own.
The ‘Girl with the Gift’ stamp
A card makers design for a birthday card using the wooden stamp of the ‘Girl with the Gift’
These are some of the initial drawings I completed for the commission from Papermania. The theme was of men’s activities.
Some of these drawings were not used. In all cases the men’s faces are obscured from the viewer. The faces being hidden helps when the card designer is making a card for a particular person
A set of transparent stamps for making cards for men
A card makers design for a card for a man using the golfer stamp. Below are the original car drawings, used for another set of stamps.
A set of transparent stamps of cars for making cards for men
A card makers use of the Model T Ford stamp for a father’s day card
JOHN BYARS MY PORTFOLIO 
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