More about Bren

For those who quest after knowledge, here’s a bit more information about me and how I work.

If you need more, take a look at the chronological details in my profile on LinkedIn.

Cartoons

My work mainly involves single panel gags, strip cartoons, and humorous illustration.

I draw cartoons using Adobe Illustrator and a Wacom Intuos graphics pad. I draw on the pad as I would on a piece of paper, but using this vector graphics package means I can scale drawings easily, and I have the full might of Illustrator to work with if I want to add something fancy.

Business analysis

There are few things more rewarding than jumping into the middle of a complicated business problem, working out exactly what’s going on, and thus assisting the stakeholders to find solutions to their problems. I use UML (Unified Modelling Language) to document the material, and over the years I have developed strategies to make the process rewarding and inclusive for everyone involved.

Art

I really enjoy lino printing and wood engraving but I haven’t had time to do any for a while. I have a few big canvases primed and ready to do some seascapes in oil. I do find time to sketch. If I’m going to a concert I take a pad and sketch the musicians in pencil or whatever comes to hand. Occasionally I’ll take myself off to a life drawing class where I enjoy drawing using thick greasy oil pastels. I’ve started going to life sessions for animators where the poses are held for around 10 seconds to 3 minutes. It’s a challenge, but you certainly get to appreciate movement.

Scientific leanings

I love science for the sake of it, and find logic exciting. All science is interesting but I have a particular affinity with earth science and the physical sciences.

…and the rest ?

I sail a Laser racing dinghy most weekends (this is Laser sailing ), and race round the cans at my local sailing club in Portishead. My husband sails there too, and we are thinking about getting a fast two person boat again. Then there’s music, I play guitar in a big band, although my aspirations really lean more towards heavy metal. Occasionally I find time to sew, not decorative stuff (well not often), I’m very keen on dressmaking. I need to find more time to sew as my fabric stash is beginning to take over the house!

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