While life is busy with my day job and my second picture book is taking shape behind the scenes in the hands of my wonderful book designer, I am enjoying having little pockets of time to sketch and create illustrations just for fun.

This week inspiration came from a little fox who sleeps in the sunshine in the garden beside my flat. I sketched the first picture on a train journey and then created a coloured version when I got home using Photoshop and Kyle T Webster brushes. I gave the fox a much bushier tale than he really has and a nice cosy nook surrounded by flowers which isn't quite how the garden looks in reality. I love how character can be created with a tiny touch. Moving his head to a slightly different angle, deciding whether the eyes should be open or closed... And just a tiny tweak in colours can emphasise different elements. Everything contributes to the final image. I'm quite fond of him and I've been looking for a new character to play with. I feel a third picture book idea coming on...