David Melling

That time of year again. An oldie when I first starting playing around in procreate. #halloweeen

Appeasing the Rain Gods, one note at a time. (Pencil. Coloured in procreate).

Blustery. #StormBoelo

Very excited to have proofs for the Silver Wolves picture book I’ve been banging on about forever and a day. Here’s a sneaky peak at the front cover. After much deliberation I can reveal the title is: A FOREST FULL OF SECRETS. Publishing early spring 2027.

Bit of a fracas in the sparrow tree this morning. #charcoal

‘Taking a line for a walk.’ Artist Paul Klee described the concept of drawing as “an active line on a walk, moving freely, without a goal. A walk for a walk’s sake.” This drawing isn’t him by the way…just a line taking a stroll. #drawing #doodle

Can’t beat the sound of rain. Pencil. W16cm x H14.5cm #rainyday #mindfulness

The dehydrated worm, It cannot travel far. It’s lost its little juices, That’s why it’s in a jar. (I’ve tried to find the author of this but apparently it’s not officially credited to anyone…it’s a traditional schoolyard poetry that’s been passed down orally for generations). #halloween

Mid October and thoughts are turning towards Halloween… #october #halloween

You know you’re in trouble when you skid on a banana skin INSIDE the studio. #studiolife

‘Strictly 59’ - birthday card. Watercolour 18cm x 18cm #birthdaycard #originalwatercolour

Another sketchbook budgie. #originalwatercolour

Oh…Richard! #celebritytraitorsUK #traitors #richardegrant #brushpen

Mushroom Rider. I have no idea what this means (best to avoid asking myself too many specifics)…but it was fun playing around and experimenting in spare moments. #autumnart

Found this little watercolour tucked away, reminding me I have few similar dog/bird paintings lined up. More soon. Original watercolour W8cm x H10cm. #chihuahua #originalwatercolour

The rain, rain, rain came down, down, down… #rainyday

Silent neighbour. (In contrast to yesterday’s jackdaw). #charcoal

More from my noisy neighbours. Move aside magpies, today it’s the turn of the jackdaw. #charcoal

Saw this chap looking at the bottom shelf in the supermarket recently. He had everything, the shapes, angles, weight distribution, his expression. He didn’t move a muscle in the minute or so I was looking at him. Maybe he was stuck. Perhaps he’s still there. Pencil : W9cm x H10cm #peoplewatching

Bidding farewell to the golden warmth of September and getting ready for an altogether moodier October where things have a tendency to go bump in the night. On a positive, gives me the chance to explore my inner-darkness. (Image from my new upcoming picture book set for publication early 2027).

This Spanish cow deserves a story. A good while ago i was asked by publisher Hodder to do a picture for one of their colleagues who was leaving to live in Barcelona. I was told she was crazy about cows. So this is what I did. And every time I see this cow she gets wondering… What if…? #watercolour

A respectable gentleman contemplating an evening of wild abandon. (Pencil, coloured in procreate). #saturdaynight #deepthoughts

Ruffles really isn't sure about the teeny tiny kittens. Actually he is. He doesn't like them. They're just annoying and they've torn Big Blue Blankie. But then the kittens snuggle up. Maybe they're not so bad after all @nosycrow.bsky.social @mellingart.bsky.social (I love Ruffles and the kittens.)

This budgie is looking for a home: Available. Original watercolour £100 Free UK Special Delivery
DM to purchase Original watercolour on arches 300Ib paper.
W18cm x H26cm #originalwatercolour #originalart #affordableart #handpainted #davidmellingillustrator

When only a smudgy drawing will do. Probably my favourite way of drawing Very cathartic. (Not sure why he’s only wearing socks). W11.5cm x H14cm Pencil #drawingeveryday

Sleep has been a little more elusive recently. Every few months insomnia drops by, hangs around for a few weeks, then moves on. To be fair I’ve had a good run for most of this year so I guess I’m due a visit. #insomnia

Perils of a pointy pencil… #studiolife

Autumn gentle nipping the heels this sunny morning with a refreshing bite to the air. W9cm x H10cm Pencil Coloured in procreate #autumn

Fox & Duck. They say draw (write?) what you know…I try to make sure most mornings involve a coffee and book at some point. #sketchbook

Oxford tourist. I saw this stylish gentleman admiring the exterior of the Bodlein Library in Oxford recently. What caught my eye was the flamboyant nature of his poses as he ruminated. With his distinctive hairstyle, he had more than a hint of Dickens about him. (Repost) #peoplewatching

I don’t speak magpie but judging from the tone I suspect my noisy neighbour is not wishing passers by a great day. Approx image size: W14cm x H17cm Compressed charcoal.

Sometimes it’s just nice to reach for the paint and play around with colour and mark-making. Seem to have a growing fondness for budgerigars.

Friday study available. ‘George.’ £65
Free UK Special Delivery
DM to purchase Original charcoal & graphite on A4 paper.
Image 15 × 17cm #affordableart

A story set in a golden forest with silver wolves, wood sprites and a touch of magic…good and bad. Another sneaky peak at the wolf picture that will be coming out early next year. #picturebook #process

Going through one final edit with my wolfy picture book today. It always helps to step back from a project while proofs are getting made and publishers do what publishers do once the art is delivered. But it’s crunch time now….no going back. Early character development sketch.

Ok Monday, let’s go… #sketchbook

Hope you’re all having a relaxing weekend… #chachacha.

FRIDAY STUDY — AVAILABLE Solo Miaow. £65 Free UK Special Delivery DM to purchase Original charcoal drawing on A4 paper Image approximately 15 × 17cm

Budgerigars from a while ago. Funny looking things, the budgie. Watercolour H10cm x W10cm

Update: * SOLD *

FRIDAY STUDY — AVAILABLE Fish tea. £65
Free UK Special Delivery
DM to purchase Original charcoal drawing on A4 paper
Image approximately 15 × 17cm — First in a short cat series. #originalart

FRIDAY STUDY — AVAILABLE Fish tea. £65
Free UK Special Delivery
DM to purchase Original charcoal drawing on A4 paper
Image approximately 15 × 17cm — First in a short cat series. #originalart

Brainstorming is an essential part of my creative process. Around 2.30, just after lunch. Don’t judge. H8cm x W8cm Pencil. (Coloured in procreate). #studiolife

Some nighttime alleyway shenanigans on the drawing board today. I always use a pencil for my roughs but sometimes scan into photoshop to help show a little moody atmosphere if needed.

Oxford gargoyles. #sketchbook

Keep on keeping on… #monday

Friday study available. Title: Not today. £65
Free UK Special Delivery
DM to purchase Original charcoal drawing on A4 paper
Image approximately 15 × 15.5 cm #fridaystudy #owlsketch #charcoal #affordableart

It’s very quiet outside my studio today. I miss my chirpy little neighbours…August is always a quiet month for birds, but they’ll be back soon enough. #housesparrow #charcoal

It was dark. It was smelly. It was… …Monday. That’s not how the original story goes but you never know with Mondays. Have a good week whatever you’re doing. From THE KISS THAT MISSED (2002) Proud to say this one’s still in print…24 years and counting. #thekissthatmissed

Theobald Whiskey. 6B pencil W6cm x H7.5cm #faces