Illustration book - self publishing?

I'm not sure if many of you are aware, but i like to draw.

I'd call myself an illustrator, but i don't like to.

I feel like my drawings are nowhere near as good a quality as some illustrators i admire.

So i feel like a fake calling myself one!

Let's just say i draw.

Something i've always wanted to do is make a little art book of my drawings.

I've always been too afraid though.

Not anymore. 

I want to do it.

I need to do it. I'm having an existential life crisis at the minute.

I don't know what i want to do.

The only thing i am certain of is, i want to make my book.

Ever since i bought Mistakes in the Backgound by the ever wonderful Laura Dockrill, i knew i wanted to do something like this.

I remember finding it in Borders [r.i.p] one lazy sunday afternoon.

I never knew this kind of art existed.

It opened my eyes to a whole host of other artists.

David Shrigley and Marc Johns being two of my favourites. 

My project now is to make this book happen.

My drawings are super simple.

Black pen on white paper.

Line drawings.

Sometimes text.

I need to now research someone to publish my book.

I want really nice paper, something i can be proud of, i love good matte paper.

Does anyone have any experience in self publishing?

Or know anyone who does?

Help would be massively appreciated!

What's in my...sketchbooks

I have dreams of being an illustrator. 

There. I said it.

Some of my absolute heros include Marc Johns, Gemma Correll, and Laura Dockrill.

I've been really unmotivated since leaving my art degree and continuously feel i am not good enough.

I worried people would tell me my drawings look like that of a 5 year old.

I was obsessed with finding my own style, but at the same time telling myself the way i drew was utter crap, and that no-one in their right mind would like it, let alone enjoy it. 

Needless to say, i lost a little of myself when i stopped drawing. 

I used to work a lot of different hours in a pub, so i got to meet some amazing characters, and listen in on some intense conversations. 

Inspiration was everywhere. 

Now i have turned into a bit of a hermit. I prefer to stay in, i don't work [i know, i'm lucky], and i am an anxious, anti social moron. 

I couldn't find inspiration anywhere for a long time.

I have recently started drawing again. I don't know what triggered it. Trying to remind myself that i love drawing, even if i can't.

I have no problem admitting this, i cannot draw, but as guru Tim Gunn says, i "make it work" for myself.

This is one of my current sketchbooks. I attacked a Muji notepad with washi tape.

Oh my how i love washi tape.

My other book, this one has thicker paper and can handle watercolour and inky pens better.

Again, it has been washi'd.

This is far from my normal style. 

I was trying something a bit different and more 'realistic' i guess. 

The last page is a little series of zine type books that i'm working on. 

So, there we have it. 

My absolute dream would be to write, illustrate and publish some kind of kids book.

I just need to stop being so scared and push myself. 

I have a few fun posts coming up, a couple of hauls, book reviews, craft projects, and maybe some more drawings. 

Have a nice weekend!

X