Samphire Coast book signing in Holt

Me with Robert Greenfield (right) author of Samphire Coast at The Holt Bookshop

On Saturday I spent the morning in the lovely Norfolk town of Holt at the book signing of Robert Greenfield's first book 'Samphire Coast' which I was lucky to have been asked to illustrate the cover and some b&w chapter inserts. It was the first time we had met in person as the entire project was run via email apart from the initial phone call when Robert introduced himself.

I admit to being a bit nervous and excited at the same time to see the book in print for the first time and to meet Robert.

The Holt Bookshop

The Holt Bookshop is situated in the lovely Appleyard Court and is your typical friendly town bookshop. You instantly felt relaxed walking in and it's a lovely shop to browse. Robert was set up on the left as you walked in - he was obviously enjoying the morning and he was surrounded by the prized copies of his book. I walked up and it was funny as he didn't initially recognise me but when I explained who I was he instantly got up and gave me a handshake and hug. We talked for a while (I was lucky as it was early) and he enthusiastically explained to me that the book is doing really well and that he's hoping to get more reviews on it by the local and national press - apparently he's also getting praise for my illustration work. Robert is a really great chap and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting him, it was just a shame that Michael and Barnaby weren't there as well.

Note: I've heard from Robert since Saturday that the book signing in Holt broke all records for the store and they instantly sold out of their copies at which point Robert had to leave some of his, so they would actually have some in store! If that's not a good enough reason to go and buy a copy yourself then what is?

To find out more about Robert Greenfield the author of Samphire Coast, which features my illustration work go to http://bit.ly/qU70OO

To order your copy of Samphire Coast by Robert Greenfield click here http://amzn.to/oc6DKs

A trip to the 'Samphire Coast'

'Samphire Coast' by Robert Greenfield

 I've had the privilege this year to have been commissioned by Robert Greenfield to produce the cover illustration and inset chapter illustrations for his first book 'Samphire Coast' which is published this week by Pegasus Elliot Mackenzie Ltd/Vanguard Imprint.

'Samphire Coast' tells the story of Robert and his partner, Michael (former top London hairdresser to the stars) risk-all for a no-going-back escape from North London bohemia - embarking on a new life in a rural backwater: owning and running a much-publicized boutique B&B establishment on the uber-hip North Norfolk Coast: aka Chelsea-on-Sea.

My involvement in this project all started with a phone call out of the blue one Saturday afternoon from Robert, who'd been recommended me by a mutual friend David Hobart. Usually I don't make instant decisions on these type of projects but Robert was so passionate and eloquent about his story that I'd almost imagined the cover in my head at that moment.

The sketch that started it all

That afternoon I sketched out an idea and sent it Robert and so began our journey on developing the sketch into the final wraparound cover illustration.

Like any illustration it evolved over the time I worked on it, both myself and Robert tried a variety of compositional 'tweaks' and even developed an alternative cover. Robert provided me with an extensive collection of photo references of himself, Michael and Barnaby - to date, we've never actually met, but through those photos and our emails I felt I really got to know them and I hope that I've done justice to the vision he had.

I started this illustration like all my others - on a sketchpad. From there I then worked on individual sections until we were happy with them. Once inked in they were scanned in and composited digitally in Adobe Photoshop onto separate layers to enable subtle changes/tweaks to be made even once digital colouring had commenced. I find this way of working best for me as it offers me the flexibility to fine tune and hopefully produce a piece of illustration work that really hits the mark.

To see more of my illustration work check out my website at www.paulkirk-illustration.co.uk

Samphire Coast by Robert Greenfield is published by Pegasus Elliot Mackenzie Ltd/Vanguard Imprint on 15th September and will be available in Waterstone's, Amazon and other local bookshops.

Order your copy of 'Samphire Coast' by clicking the link below: