Above: Tim in the BBMF Lancaster PA474 during an evening flight over Bracknell, May 1999. "Ten years ago - doesn't seem like five minutes!!!"

Above: The 2009 Waddington International poster artwork complete with wording and logos. "Looking forward to attending the show and seeing the Vulcan!"

Above: The Guy Gibson VC book cover. See www.speedmanpress.co.uk for more details.

Above: Copies of the first 'collectors' hardback edition of 'Last Post at Newton' that sold out in just four weeks! A second and revised edition is due out late July 2009. "The book's success came as a pleasant surprise and has encouraged me to publish more subjects as time and funds allow!"

 

 

COLOUR PRODUCT LIST

PHONE 01949 877590

OR EMAIL

tobrienart@hotmail.com

TO REQUEST YOUR COPY

 

 

 

Welcome

Welcome to my website showcasing a small selection of artwork from my portfolio. Before I start to ‘Twitter’ I thought I would introduce a ‘Blog’ as a new addition to chat about my latest projects.

My ‘Visual Approach’ Blog!

23/06/2009 SIGNING PRINTS

Busy signing Lancaster midi-prints today for the Westminster Collection. This one seems to be proving as popular as the Spitfire midi-print judging by the quantity!

03/06/2009 VISIT TO BBMF / RAF NEWTON BOOK SECOND EDITION

Visited the BBMF at Coningsby today along with 93 year old Polish pilot Jozef Warchal who, courtesy of Sqn Ldr Al Pinner MBE. was re-united with a Spitfire Vb (and in Polish markings too!) for the first time in 67 years since crash landing his Spit in Kent. Due to his injuries, he then became an instructor at RAF Newton. Armed with some photos taken today and more anecdotes, I can now add his story to the revised second edition of 'Last Post at Newton'. Jozef's story is the final revision to the book which I hope will be ready in late -July.

01/06/2009 AIRSHOW POSTER COMMEMORATIVE POSTCARDS

Been talking to the Airshow Office at Waddington today for an update about an exciting new range of postcards featuring poster artwork by Wilfred Hardy GAvA (poster artist from 1981 to 2004) and myself (poster artist from 2005 to present). The cards will be on sale at the show (4/5th July) in commemorative packs to raise funds for charity. More details will be posted as and when I receive them.

28/05/2009 CHRISTMAS CARDS

Painting snow scenes and Santa Claus during May is bizarre I know, but this week I am working on two new TOB Cartoon Christmas card designs. I'll post images when the cards are printed.

18/05/2009 A PAINTING FEATURES IN THE RAF YEARBOOK

Just bought my copy of the 2009 RAF Yearbook and was pleasantly surprised to find my second commission for 5 (AC) Sqn featured on page 79 in a photograph next to the CO, Group Captain Harry Kemsley. I am currently preparing the 'groundwork' for a third painting - more details to follow.

6/05/2009 LATEST AEROPLANE ILLUSTRATION 

I have just delivered two pen drawings for the 'Halibag Down' story for the next edition of Aeroplane, a Special ‘Handley Page’ issue which is out on 1st June.

30/04/2009 MORE SYERSTON BOOK RESEARCH

This week I have been carrying out more interviews for first-hand accounts of those stationed at Syerston. Its amazing that once you scratch the surface you find a wealth of stories that are lying 'un-tapped' out there. Even though I hadn't planned to carry out this work until later in the year, it was a case of striking while the iron was hot as the opportunities arose!

18/04/2009 FINISHED COVER TO ‘GUY GIBSON VC – THE GLORIOUS DAMBUSTER’

Here is a testimonial from Susan Econicoff, MD of Speedman Press in response to recieving the finished book cover; “We needed a cover design for our new book Guy Gibson VC –  The Glorious Dambuster and, knowing of Tim O’Brien’s aviation illustrations, asked him to help. We had only a vague idea of what we wanted so left it to Tim to provide us with some suggestions.  The resulting book cover has exceeded all expectations – it is a stunning, atmospheric piece of art and we are delighted with it. Tim is a joy to work with and we will definitely be asking for his help with our future publications.” If you would like to purchase a copy, please go to www.speedmanpress.co.uk for more details.

31/03/2009 WADDINGTON INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW POSTER

I am in the last stages of completing the poster artwork for the 2009 Waddington International Airshow which takes place on 4th/5th July and this year incorporates the 60th Anniversary of NATO. A last minute addition for the ‘Inset’ artwork is of course the Vulcan which has now secured its much needed funding. I hope they repeat the Lancaster and Vulcan flypast this year!

17/03/2009 ‘SECRET PROJECTS’ & GUY GIBSON BOOK COVERS

I am currently working on two book cover illustrations, one for Midland Counties (Ian Allan) as part of their on-going Secret Project series and another for a book about Guy Gibson for Speedman Press.

05/03/2009 ‘AEROPLANE’ MAGAZINE ILLUSTRATION

My latest pen illustrations for ‘Aeroplane’ magazine (IPC Media) feature a Royal Navy Phantom and a US Navy Skywarrior involved in a ‘friendly fire’ incident in 1972. They will appear in the May issue, published on 1st April 2009.

10/02/2009 THE FANTASTIC JOURNEY

Have just been ‘googling’ to see if a book cover I produced last summer for ‘The Fantastic Journey’ by Martyn Croft, an adventure fantasy published by Arima Publishing had in fact been published. And it has and can be seen on Arima’s website. Will have to buy a copy myself!

02/02/2009 RAF SYERSTON BOOK

After publication of the second/revised edition of the RAF Newton book, see details below, I will start in earnest on the next book project which will concentrate on RAF Syerston, Nottinghamshire. If you, or you know of anyone with a story to tell about Syerston, or have photographs/paper ephemera/memorabilia (airshow programmes, menus, Christmas cards etc) that you would like to see appear in the book, please contact me on 01949 877590 or write to me at 15 Angelica Court, Bingham, Nottingham, NG13 8SU. Note – any material loaned will be returned and images credited.

09/01/2009 RAF NEWTON BOOK

“LAST POST AT NEWTON” by Timothy O’Brien GAvA

The books were initially launched on Saturday 15th November 2008 at the popular and successful 'O'Brien' family art exhibition in Nottingham with a follow up 'meet and greet' session at the former RAF Newton base on the 6th December. This first edition proved very popular and sold out in just four weeks. A second/revised edition is currently in production which I hope to release late July 2009.

Hardback, plus dust jacket Size 175 x 250 mm. 288 pages Colour and black & white photographs, paintings and drawings throughout Approx 40,000 words The book is about the life of RAF Newton, Nottinghamshire and covers all aspects of life on the station from the day it opened in 1940 to when the last person to leave switched the lights out in 2001!  The book includes many archive and contemporary photographs, plus specially produced line drawings and paintings.

 To reserve your copy of the second/revised edition please email tobrienart@hotmail.com or phone 01949 877590.

In addition, much of the original artwork produced specifically for the book is also available for sale. If you would like to purchase one of the paintings or drawings from the book please contact for more details. Prices – various, starting at £70.