crem-bru-laa...

'Twirl' - Illustration Friday

2012-01-25T16:12:00.000Z

A really really quick pen and pencil sketch for this weeks word 'twirl', as oh boy it's been one of those weeks!

We have a miniature toy poodle called Saffy who, when excited or pleased to see someone, twirls round and round and round and round, sometimes on her hind legs! Which inspired me to draw a circus dog, as I sometimes think our poodle belongs in the circus - she's a very little but very cute performer!

Re-working some work!

2012-01-23T23:03:00.000Z

Looking at my blog stats (which always gets me very excited and happy!) I noticed one of my most popular posts was for an Illustration Friday contest 'artificial'. I did the clockwork heart for it, and thought the other day it would be fun to do more of them based on other organs. So here is the lungs pumping away creating puffs of lovely breath! I kept to the same style and colours, and may try and do the stomach next :)

'Prepare' - Illustration Friday

2012-01-16T21:13:00.001Z

The Ant and the Grasshopper

In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest.

"Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper, "instead of toiling and moiling in that way?"

"I am helping to lay up food for the winter," said the Ant, "and recommend you to do the same."

"Why bother about winter?" said the Grasshopper; we have got plenty of food at present." But the Ant went on its way and continued its toil. When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew:

It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.

'Grounded' - Illustration Friday

2012-01-10T19:31:00.002Z

Finished! Really enjoyed doing this one, I added more seagulls of different sizes and got rid of some of the heavy black lines keeping it quite serene. You'd need to be calm if you were stuck grounded on that boat!

I need a phone with a better camera...

2012-01-09T14:24:00.001Z

Apologies for the terrible photo, it was taken on my phone. Note to self: next upgrade get a phone with a decent camera!
Anyway, here's progress on this weeks Illustration Friday contest with the topic 'grounded'. I loved the idea of a little fishing boat getting stranded in a precarious and slightly ridiculous place. I've gone sailing a few times before and I always get terrified of getting grounded! Although, to this extreme is thankfully impossible :)
Next to the finished drawing is my tiny 30 second sketch I did whilst on the phone at work, inspiration comes at the strangest times doesn't it? Really pleased with this one so far, looking forward to finishing it tomorrow!

'Highlight' - Illustration Friday

2012-01-04T00:28:00.000Z

This year hasn't been the best, and unfortunately the highlight was seeing the end of it!

Here's to a better and healthier New Year!

The Great Cantini!

2011-12-29T16:18:00.000Z

Here's something I've been working on as a bit of light relief during the holidays. Watching a biopic of Tommy Cooper last night I thought I'd create my own magician! No fez though, that's Tommy's thing. I wanted it in an art-deco poster style, so I might add a few faux details about a show he'll be in, could be quite fun!

'Sink' - Illustration Friday

2011-12-20T22:16:00.000Z

A bit of a tangent from this weeks topic, but I really like the colours and wintery feel, fits in perfectly with the weather we're having in England!
Hope everyone is all set for Christmas :D

'Separated' - Illustration Friday

2011-12-15T21:10:00.000Z

One of the bonuses of Christmas, everyone coming together. People usually separated managing to spend some time together over the holidays :)

My first post for a looong time due to working on some really exciting projects! I can't disclose any details but boy it's exciting!

Free Delivery!

2011-11-30T23:13:00.001Z

Over at my Etsy shop you can get free delivery within the UK if you use the code XMAS2011 at the checkout! To make the run-up to Christmas even easier :D

'Round' - Illustration Friday

2011-11-28T22:53:00.001Z

My entry for this week's Illustration Friday, the topic being 'round'.

This is the second drawing I did for this week and definitely the better one :) time to get those Christmas decorations out folks!

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas...

2011-11-28T13:57:00.001Z

Here are some Christmas card designs I've been working on since last year (I know!) based on the 12 days of Christmas. So far I have Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves and a Partridge in a Pear Tree. Not sure I could fit 12 Lords A'Leaping onto an A6 card, so I might leave it at these, I think they make a cute series :)

Also, I've started work on this weeks Illustration Friday topic 'Round'. I've done one drawing but I'm not very happy with it, plus I've come up with a better idea. Hopefully I'll finish that tonight! I thought I'd be able to relax after the craft fair but turns out I was wrong!

first craft fair = success!

2011-11-27T20:03:00.001Z

A huge thank you to everyone involved in the Delapre Abbey Craft Fair, it was so much fun! Here's what my stall set-up was like, I was pretty pleased as I hadn't done it before I thought I'd get it wrong but I think it was ok! So now I'm off to bed because I'm SHATTERED! Will definitely be doing more fairs soon though :D

Delapre Abbey Craft Fair is tomorrow!

2011-11-27T00:33:00.001Z

It's come round awfully quickly but tomorrow it's Craft Fair time! So if you're in the Northampton area come and have a look, it opens at 10 and closes at 4. Hope to see you there!

My Etsy shop will be closed tomorrow, but I'll be re-opened on the 28th :D

'vanity' - illustration friday

2011-11-21T20:45:00.001Z

I love faux fur; it looks nice, it feels nice, and it's perfect for winter.

But why can't all fur be faux?

Killing and maiming for vanity is never right, and I myself will never own anything made of real fur thank you very much!

'silent' - illustration friday

2011-11-15T00:19:00.001Z

Christmas is on my mind 24-7 at the moment, so it's only fitting this weeks entry to Illustration Friday is festive!
I remember being a kid at 2am on Christmas morning, silently sneaking down the stairs with my stocking to open my presents whilst trying not to wake my parents up... they'd make us go back to bed if they caught us! So this is what this lad is doing too. Is it bad that I STILL can't wait 'til Christmas morning, even though I'm 23?

it's beginning to look a lot like...

2011-11-11T21:24:00.001Z

...Christmas! And this year I'm in a good mood because I've actually got myself sorted out, the first year this has ever happened. My Etsy shop has been updated, and even includes a festive banner specially for my seasonal shoppers. Also, here's one of my card designs for this year (which is also available in pink, red and gold and is sold as a pack of 4, for £10) and my cute little felt hearts (2 for £6)

Not long now until my stall will be appearing at the Delapre Abbey Christmas Fair in Northampton, on the 27th of November, come visit! I've prepared tons more cards and all my Etsy stuff will be there too.

I do love Christmas :D

'stripes' - illustration friday

2011-11-07T19:41:00.001Z

Another quick one this week, I've been frantically crafting to get ready for a Christmas market! But here is my stag/cow (I reckon it has a very cow like face, which isn't what I wanted but hey!) ready for winter with his striped scarf :)
Incidentally, I've started crocheting a snood for myself, why buy when you can make aye?

'scary' - illustration friday

2011-11-02T16:16:00.000Z

This weeks Illustration Friday prompt got me thinking whether there are any tales of ghostly happenings around where I live, and it turns out there are a few!
I found this story on the Luton Paranormal website, and thought it was a tad odd...

"Burials have not been permitted at the Priory Church in Dunstable for some time over concerns of releasing an evil that is buried there. A long time ago a witch called Sally was burnt at the stake along with her cat and broomstick but she returned to haunt the priory which stood on the site where the Priory church now stands. Ghostly hands would box the monks around their ears and the altar candles would burn with an evil green light. If Sally's ghostly fingers touched the prayer books the covers would be singed.

Things got so bad that a Palmer (a wandering medieval European pilgrim who carried a palm branch as a token of having visited the Holy Land) was called in to remove the spirit. As the Palmer began the service Sally struck him so hard about the head that he fell to the floor of the Chancel. Eventually the Palmer outwitted Sally by luring her into a bottle. This bottle was then buried in the grounds of the Priory church but no one knows where. No more burials were allowed which might break the bottle and release the witch."

'fuel' - illustration friday

2011-10-27T21:07:00.003+01:00

My entry for this weeks Illustration Friday prompt 'fuel'.
I used pen and pencil for this and then tidied it up digitally. Out of my comfort zone a bit but I'm pleased with it :)

ch-ch-ch-changes!

2011-10-25T11:28:00.001+01:00

Yes a little change always makes me feel better, my blog needed a spring cleaning (or, as it turns out, an autumn cleaning!) Still in progress but hopefully it'll be finished in a couple of weeks, please bear with me! :D

10,000 views!

2011-10-24T01:42:00.003+01:00

I'm not sure whether it's a big milestone for the internet in general, but for me it's like wow! So as a thank you and hooray there'll be 20% off at my Etsy shop when you use the code 10KBLOG at the checkout :D you can find my Etsy shop here.
Happy shopping!

lesser mouse lemur

2011-10-20T00:33:00.002+01:00

I've been going back to basics the past few weeks, actually using pencils and paintbrushes instead of relying on the digital stuff, and it's so bloomin' satisfying!

Here's yet another sketch from the NHM, I've become a tad obsessed with all things furry and cute since my visit. This is a Lesser Mouse Lemur, a bit like a Bush-baby really. I used watercolour, pencil and pen on paper, but messed up the tree trunk. Instead of throwing an artistic tantrum I simply cut out the lemur, cut out a trunk shape from black paper, and collaged the two together. Problem solved!

oh deer...

2011-10-14T12:41:00.000+01:00

Another sketch from the photos I took at the Natural History Museum.
Watercolour, pen and pencil on paper. Will be on sale at my Etsy shop soon!

...so i can be organised!

2011-10-13T17:24:00.002+01:00

Yes, I have started my Christmas cards in October. Which means that this year I've actually got myself organised! Time for a celebration!
Here are my top end price cards, complete with crocheted snowflake and little cut-out snowflakes (I cheated with the cut-outs, it's a punch cutter from Hobbycraft! Can you blame me?)
LOTS more designs to come :D
My cat decided to help me put them into their cellophane, hmmm...

'contraption' - illustration friday

2011-10-10T20:45:00.002+01:00

A quick doodle for this weeks Illustration Friday topic 'contraption'

I always loved Wallace and Gromit as a kid (and I still do!) so took a little inspiration from them to create my kettle boiling contraption! I need one of these I can operate from my bed so when I get downstairs there's hot water ready for tea making.

Mmmmm...

natural history museum

2011-10-09T22:51:00.000+01:00

It's amazing that you can live on the doorstep of some amazing places and never actually go isn't it?

I finally visited the Natural History Museum at Tring over the weekend and it is FULL of amazing taxidermy and animal-info. I took a million photo's and couldn't resist a bit of sketching, so here is a moonfish that I've just finished. It's watercolour, pencil and graphite on paper :)

More sketches to come (and visits no doubt!)

'hibernate' - illustration friday

2011-10-04T13:44:00.000+01:00

Here's my entry for this weeks Illustration Friday topic 'hibernate'.

Originally I wanted to do a badger, but apparently English badgers don't actually hibernate? I never knew that! So here is a tiny little dormouse curled up snug ready for winter.

Bit of a different style for me this week, going back to traditional and actually painting! I'm quite happy with it, although the mouse was tricky to colour.

This piece is gouache on 250gsm paper, and is window mounted using black paper.

monday musings

2011-10-04T01:39:00.001+01:00

I heard Peter Sarstedt's 'Where Do You Go To (My Lovely)' on the radio the other day and I cannot get it out of my head. It's so beautiful and makes me want to go to Paris instantly, literally jump on the Eurostar and go right now. I'm so in love with the lyrics I may do some drawings inspired by them, if you haven't heard the song please please please give it a listen, it'll make your day I guarantee it.

Also, I have FINALLY started my Christmas loot, cards have begun as have crocheted goods. I'm going to be at the Delapre Abbey Christmas Craft Fair in Northampton at the end of November, and want to have a good stock of all things Chritmassy ready for it :) plus I'll need cards for friends and family, so I'm glad I've started now!

As my leg is really on the mend now I can finally start re-photoing my Etsy stock too, and have a few pieces mid-completion so will update with those soon!

So much to do so little time... particularly at this time of year aye?

caldecotte arms, finally done!

2011-10-01T02:01:00.001+01:00

Phew! Finished at last. Had alot of difficulty colouring this one for some reason, just couldn't pick them and stay happy with them, and some of the lines I'm not totally pleased with but overall I think it looks good. Time to go to sleep now...

new mkpulse piece progress

2011-09-25T23:34:00.003+01:00

This drawing of the Caldecotte Arms in Milton Keynes is hopefully going to turn into a lovely finished piece in the next couple of days, and will be published in November's MKPulse magazine :) needs so much more work yet... going to take a while!

half a century calls for a special card

2011-09-20T20:16:00.003+01:00

My dad turns 50 this week, 50! So here is the card I've been working on for him finally finished. As you can probably tell he's into all things nautical hence the theme!

'mesmerizing' - illustration friday

2011-09-19T22:50:00.001+01:00

As I was truly mesmerized by Malta when I visited, I thought it would fit perfectly with this weeks IF topic!

This is the first of what I hope will be a series based on photographs I took whilst out there. In an ideal world I'd go tomorrow and live there for a month and do nothing but draw... sadly life doesn't quite work like that.

Such a beautiful place!

malta drawing... at last!

2011-09-19T01:41:00.000+01:00

I visited Malta for the second time at Easter and made sure I took TONS of photos, because I was stunned the first time I went. Visiting for the second time I was just as stunned, it's such a beautiful place.

Waking round the walled city of Mdina was so inspiring, and this is a sketch of a street there (yes, the streets are that narrow!)

I don't know why it's taken me so long to do anything with the photos I took, I guess life just gets in the way sometimes aye?

Once this one's finished I'll be doing more for sure :)

this weeks IF progress?

2011-09-17T00:51:00.000+01:00

This weeks Illustration Friday topic 'mesmerizing' has got me a bit stuck. As I've been housebound due to a knee operation I haven't seen many things lately that have mesmerised me. And just as I was thinking about this sitting in my garden, a dandelion seed flew past me, and I ended up staring at it until it blew away.

I took it as a sign.

So, more tablet messing and many 'undo' hits later I've come up with this sketch. It's nowhere near a finished piece yet I don't think, more work can and will be done. Who knows I may be mesmerised by something else this week, it's only Friday after all!

getting to grips with the graphics tablet!

2011-09-16T00:48:00.004+01:00

So my lovely boyfriend bought me a Wacom Bamboo Graphics Tablet for my birthday, and I'm finally getting a bit more confident in using it! Here are a few little bits I did tonight. I love the fact I can sketch literally straight on to my computer, it's like magic! So more tablet creations in the coming weeks I feel :D

old contour drawings re-vamped!

2011-09-12T03:02:00.000+01:00

I found some old contour studies from December-time sitting in a folder somewhere in the depths of my Mac, and thought they made quite cute little images. They would probably have been 30 second studies (or about that) drawn at work on my lunch break due to the squiggly lines.

Here they are after a little TLC, complete with ruddy noses thanks to the winter weather we had back in December! Not long 'til winter this year either... crikey.

some crochet happenings

2011-09-11T13:44:00.000+01:00

Extreme apologies for no updates, no scanner and immobility means my work is suffering somewhat at the moment. However, I shall share with you my recent crochet creations that are adorning my bedroom at the moment!

This is probably the most complicated one so far, but also the cutest! The pattern is available from amigurumis.nl and it's very well written and easy to follow. Although with all the colour changes it's not for the faint hearted crochet-er, but it's oh so worth it!

Then there's this guy! The pattern is from Pink Tree Creature's Etsy shop and was really good fun to make. Very easy to follow and again great instructions, it'll take you a while but I reckon it's achievable for beginners/intermediates.

Although he's been trying to buy all sorts of lovely things through Etsy, tsk!

There are tons and tons of fantastically written patterns out there, I wish I had the patience to create my own. So thank you to all the dedicated crochet people for these lovely patterns!

something i've been meaning to finish...

2011-09-04T02:35:00.002+01:00

The scanned file of this has been sitting on my laptop for about a month now, it was high time I did something with it!

I wanted to try and illustrate the front covers for some of my all time favourite books, and these books happen to be nearly all by Haruki Murakami. If you haven't read any of his work please please do, it's sublime.

'Kafka on the Shore' is by far my favourite book in the entire Universe, and illustrating the front cover scared the living daylights out of me. I won't divulge into the story so you'll have to go and read it, you shan't be disappointed.

This is what I have so far, I want to change the title around, but the bottom half I'm really pleased with. I've also started a cover for 'After Dark', also by Murakami, so we shall see what happens with that in the coming days...

... what book cover would you illustrate?

'disguise' - illustration friday

2011-09-02T00:39:00.002+01:00

So my scanner was not fixed in time :( so I couldn't add any more detail, but here's the simpler version finished for this weeks IF 'disguise'!

Where there's a determined illustrator - there's a way.

finally some drawing... getting back to normality!

2011-08-31T23:09:00.004+01:00

So they released me from the hospital and all is a-OK, thank you for all the well wishes! Leg is on the mend and I'm no longer experiencing painkiller induced narcolepsy so here is my progress this week for Illustration Friday's prompt 'disguise'.

Every cat has an air of mystery to them, where do they go at night? And what do they get up to?

I imagine my cat Milly prowls the neighbourhood in disguise to cause maximum mischief... until she is caught. Then she becomes cute and cuddly and gives the 'butter-wouldn't-melt' look (see the attached photo!)

I want to add a lot more detail to this yet, particularly to the mask and cat. My scanner is on the fritz but hopefully this will be sorted in time for me to submit :)

'swell' - illustration friday

2011-08-19T00:31:00.003+01:00

A quick entry for this weeks Illustration Friday. The prompt was 'swell', so what better than a puffer fish?! Poor things get startled and swell up like a huge balloon... still, very cute even for a fish!

This'll be my last post for a while as I'm back into hospital from tomorrow, more knee work! All the recovery time will give me loads of time to draw, crochet and embroider though so it's not all bad :)

My Etsy shop will also be down for a while, but as soon as I'm back feeling a bit better it'll be back in business!

birthday discount today at my Etsy shop!

2011-08-15T10:40:00.003+01:00

So today is my birthday! And to celebrate I've decided to say a big thank you to all my followers for lovely comments and feedback!

Head on over to Crem-bru-laa at Etsy and enter 23BDAY at the checkout to get 23% off! I know, madness but everything is 23% off until midnight (GMT) tonight.

Happy shopping!

apologies for the grainy photo...

2011-08-14T23:47:00.004+01:00

... I'm hoping for a new camera very soon!

Another A3 drawing and working at this size still seems huge! However working bigger means you can get loads of detail in which is a bonus :) this bit of the drawing is only taking up a quarter of the page, so still A LOT to do!

I want this to be almost a pattern of townhouses, filling the paper. I may then experiment with a bit of colour and perhaps make it into an actual pattern that can be repeated (would look pretty funky printed on to fabric I reckon?)

We shall see how it ends up, I've been in an experimental mood of late so who knows what'll happen to it!

100 illustration's book opportunity

2011-08-11T21:26:00.002+01:00

Listen up fellow Illustrators! The lovely Diana Evans at 100 Illustrations blog is wanting submissions for a new book based on 'Favourite Foods'. Illustrators from all across the globe are welcome to enter and it's free to do so! All the info can be found here, such a good opportunity it'd be silly not to give it a go!

Here's my entry, depicting my undying love for all things cereal. I may get a bowl now... mmm!

'imperfect' - illustration friday

2011-08-10T22:50:00.005+01:00

This weeks entry for Illustration Friday. Going through my make-up bag I was a bit shocked at the amount of stuff I have to mask the fact that, like everyone, I'm imperfect...

... and I'm a sucker for buying the next wonder cream or super-extending-volume-boosting-ultra mascara, but what girl isn't?!

No-ones perfect :)

illustration friday progress

2011-08-09T11:15:00.004+01:00

A sneaky peek at my drawing for this weeks IF contest - 'imperfect'. Nowhere near finished, however the drawing is A3 which is huuuge by my standards. One thing I can tick off my list of things to do, work bigger! It'll be finished Wednesday evening (pub time depending, it is my birthday week after all!)

That reminds me, there may be a wee birthday discount code coming up in my Etsy shop... you heard it here first!

ideas ideas ideas!

2011-08-08T10:07:00.004+01:00

I have far too many ideas swimming around my head, and if I try and do all of them I'll end up forgetting where I've got to or what I still want to do. So... it's list time!

Reading the wonderful Sissy Sparrows blog I saw they're creating adorable calender desktop backgrounds for their readers to download, this is SUCH a cool idea! I've wanted to do a calender for ages but printing costs scare me, this would be a fab way to do it (and my lovely blog readers would benefit too!)

Tee-designs, there are so many sites where you can upload your images to and they'll be sold on t-shirts, totes... all-sorts! Should give this a go as you never know until you try!

I need a proper online portfolio or website, should really get on this a.s.a.p. No excuses.

DRAW BIGGER! Just bought some lovely A3 paper and need to make my images bigger, better and louder!

Use more materials, I seem to have fallen into a comfort zone of drawing-scanning-tidying-colouring. Although this is fine, I need to push out of it occasionally.

Re-photograph my Etsy items - The lovely Rebekah Leigh Marshall did this not too long ago and the results were stunning. Hopefully I'll be getting a new camera shortly so this is the first job it'll have!

I've been reading Max Scratchmann's Illustration 101, and it's so damn useful you wouldn't believe. Such a good book if, like me, you're starting out on the scary Freelance Illustration road. Anyway, in it he talks about Portfolio Investment, doing mock-ups and voluntary work to build up your portfolio. This is one of millions of helpful hints in the book, and is something I really need to do (have already done a voluntary piece for MKPulse magazine which is being published in September, which I'm super excited about. Thanks for the tips Max!)

Start actual PROJECTS, like an idea I have for a book aimed at children having to spend time in hospital. Or a series of images for an exhibition I'm hoping to plan with MK Arts for Health in the future. Stop thinking about it and do it woman!

I think that's it, any suggestions are always welcomed. Hopefully I'll have ticked these off by October. Ready... set... go!

a sewing machine sunday

2011-08-07T21:13:00.004+01:00

For some reason I really fancied doing some sewing this afternoon, but also wanted to do a bit of drawing... after a bit of combining the two this is what came out!

It's freehand sewing machine embroidered onto paper, which didn't rip as I was half expecting it to do thank goodness.

Rather pleased with this little experiment, I'll have to do bigger and better in the coming weeks :)

we draw dogs, aka the cutest blog EVER!

2011-08-07T17:43:00.007+01:00

If you're like me and love anything canine then head on over to We Draw Dogs. Lots of submissions from Illustrators all over the globe sending in adorable and funky images of all kinds of dogs! I fell in love instantly.

I submitted a few pieces to the fabulous creator of We Draw Dogs - Jo Cheung, and she kindly put them up! :) You can find the post here.

Thanks Jo!

sketchbooks and new art stuff

2011-08-05T18:02:00.003+01:00

You know those drawings you do in a sketchbook that you never get round to doing anything with? Well here are two that I DID get round to doing.

Hooray!

I've also just splurged on some lovely new pens and silly priced paper, so I am happy (if not a little guilty for spending more money...)

heatwave!

2011-08-03T17:55:00.004+01:00

We finally have a bit of summer in England! Nearly 30ºc most days this week, and that's hot for us! So here is a bit of tropical summery-ness in the form of a fancy flamingo.

I really enjoyed colouring this one, but struggled with the eternal dilemma of 'when does vibrant turn into garish?'

But, with tropical and hawaiian patterns I suppose a bit of clashing is allowed... it is summer after all!

'obsession' - illustration friday

2011-08-01T22:04:00.008+01:00

I've always had a slight obsession with wanting to travel around America, and I've wanted to go to all the big cities for years!

My uncle went when he was my age (22) and used the Greyhound buses to travel across the country, stopping off whenever and wherever he was. How amazing would that be? Never know who you'd meet or what you'd get up to, and get to see so many great and iconic places. This would be a dream for me to do, and if I ever get rich it's the first thing on my list, and these are only a few of the cities on the agenda!

One day...

MKPulse - finished!

2011-07-29T22:29:00.004+01:00

So here is the drawing many hours later, turned out it needed alot of tweaking. But they liked it so it's going in September's Issue :D find out more about MKPulse magazine here.

MKPulse illo drawn... to be continued!

2011-07-29T18:48:00.008+01:00

I've been looking to do some portfolio work for a while now, and thought how about seeing if local publications need an illustrator willing to work for free? The lovely people at MKPulse magazine replied and want me to produce some images inspired by Milton Keynes, and I jumped at the chance!

Here's the first one I've been working on, it's of the Theatre District which I am frequently in and around with friends so I know it quite well! I'm going to do some more of rural parts for a bit of contrast, but I do like the architectural style of this drawing. MK is full of amazing architecture and sculptural work so this style fits quite well I think. Needs a fair bit of tweaking yet so I better get to work!

more moo.com cards!

2011-07-27T22:16:00.006+01:00

My cards from moo.com arrived today, and I love them! Go on over to my Etsy shop as they're up there already :)

'perennial' - illustration friday

2011-07-25T18:55:00.002+01:00

This weeks illustration friday theme 'perennial' was a perfect opportunity to do some lovely summery flowers, so here they are!

A bit gutted that I've just ordered some more cards, as this would have made a good'un I reckon. Ah well, next time :)

freckles... finished!

2011-07-24T23:27:00.003+01:00

My nan's birthday is fast approaching so it was high-time I finished her print! I think these colours will go well with the colour scheme in her house, I hope she likes it!

spoonflower's coffee contest

2011-07-22T11:51:00.001+01:00

first attempt at a repeat pattern that's tiled, this one is for Spoonflower's coffee contest. Was good fun doing but a bit confusing, got there in the end though!

retro roost!

2011-07-20T16:12:00.001+01:00

Some very exciting news, I was contacted about a month ago and asked to join Retro Roost, a fab showcase of 99 British designers and artists... and I very happily said yes! The website goes live tomorrow (Thursday 21st July) and the preview site looks amazing! Already some lovely work on there, and there'll be more to come from a whole host of different artists. Have a look and from tomorrow buy some gorgeous British work :)

another holiday over...

2011-07-18T12:26:00.004+01:00

... packing to return is just so depressing isn't it? Almeria is a beautiful place though, very dry and arid but some beautiful houses and scenery - including the Sierra Nevadas which you could see from our balcony! Had a lovely time, but now it's back to work.

Here's a very quick drawing I did out there, I loved the orange tiles that were on the roofs of nearly all the houses there, really pretty and very mediterranean!

'remedy' - illustration friday

2011-07-03T23:18:00.003+01:00

This weeks topic got me thinking about what remedies I use after a difficult day or if I'm feeling a bit naff... and really all I need is drawing, painting, crafting, reading, getting mail, sweets and lots of tea! Makes me feel better instantly. Decided to do this piece as an old apothecary cabinet where I could pick out all my remedies and pour a little bit when I need it, would be great to bottle all those things that make you feel good!

I'm off on my travels again tomorrow, south of Spain for 2 weeks, I can't wait! Im sure once I'm back there'll be a lot of updates but until then I shall say adios :D

hello mr.magpie how's your wife and kids?

2011-07-02T21:34:00.002+01:00

Naughty little magpie stealing all sorts of shiny goodies.

Even though they have this stigma of being bad luck I think they're very pretty birds, so this is my homage to magpies everywhere. There are HUNDREDS of superstitious sayings and gestures, where did they all come from?

Although I should have done two, one for sorrow and all...

'midsummer night' - illustration friday

2011-06-28T23:46:00.003+01:00

Imagine it: a barbeque with friends and family, good food, good drink, and the garden illuminated with lanterns and candlelight. Without a doubt these are the best things about summer.

wool #1, now on etsy!

2011-06-21T17:43:00.005+01:00

Fresh from the art-desk, the first in a series of crafty paintings I hope to do in the next few weeks. Available at my Etsy shop

'launch' - illustration friday

2011-06-20T22:06:00.003+01:00

Everyone needs a bit of encouragement launching from the nest, but it gives you the space to spread your wings.

I can't wait to get my own nest with space! 22 and no money for a place of my own, I'm sure I'm not alone either with that one...

Anyway this is my entry for this weeks IF, it's a contour drawing (which I love doing at the moment, creates some really interesting lines and shapes) and a different approach to composition for me too. Let me know what you think!

papercutting

2011-06-20T16:57:00.002+01:00

Just wanted to share this amazing shop I found on Etsy, Papercuts by Joe. The work is out of this world! Take a look.
Makes me want to take up papercutting again as I haven't done it since my degree (www.louisetaylorfineartillustrator.blogspot.com) so much amazing stuff on Etsy!

hectic week!

2011-06-19T14:27:00.004+01:00

My schedule at the moment seems to be crammed full of stuff, but unfortunately it's not art work! This is the only piece I've managed to finish this week, chameleons are ridiculously cute and they tend to dance a fair bit too given the opportunity. If I wasn't such a girl about insects I'd keep one myself but they eat live crickets... not in my house thanks!

post-pals

2011-06-13T14:58:00.002+01:00

Just stumbled across the Post-Pals website, and my goodness what amazing work they do. It's a way for everbody to send their well wishes to really sick children across the UK, some as young as 3 years old. So I'm going to do some paintings for some of these youngsters in the hope it'll make them smile. Come on arty-crafty folks lets send some happiness!

'What I Wore Today' submission

2011-06-12T20:00:00.003+01:00

Over at the What I Wore Today blog they have a little competition going on. Submit your illustrations of what you wore that day and you may feature in their new book! Pretty cool stuff, click the link and have a look if you're interested in entering. This is my submission, a typical working day outfit with some of my old favourites including my crocheted waistcoat and my most prized possession - my great great grandmothers engagement ring. You never know hopefully I'll be picked and going into the book... fingers crossed!

greetings cards now on etsy!

2011-06-05T20:19:00.005+01:00

They arrived! My cards from moo.com. I'd used Moo in the past for business cards but whilst reading the fabulous and very talented Rebekah Leigh Marshall's blog found that she had some cards printed from there and they look gorgeous! Thought I'd give Moo a go for cards too after being recommended :) The quality is amazing and the colours have come out really well so I'm very chuffed with them indeed. These 5 are now for sale on my Etsy shop at £2.50 each, will definitely be getting more printed soon!

freckles

2011-06-03T01:39:00.004+01:00

This is a piece that I've been working on for my nan's birthday present. It's of her super-cute jack russell Freckles (who has the shortest legs ever, so cute!) Still need to play around with the colours a bit but it's getting there!

'asleep' - illustration friday

2011-06-01T20:07:00.003+01:00

I love the night-time, when everyone is asleep and it's all quiet it's the best time to think and clear your head!

the garden is in full bloom!

2011-05-31T13:46:00.004+01:00

Sitting in my garden this morning I thought, 'Wow, the rose arbor looks amazing in the summer', so got my sketchbook out and drew furiously while the sun was still out. Scanned and coloured this is not a bad finished piece for a scribbled sketch really :)

Bordeaux series is finally finished!

2011-05-24T16:31:00.004+01:00

Finally got round to finishing all three illustrations, and I think they look pretty good! I picked the colours out of the photographs I had taken and used these in the images to give them a proper French feel. Going to get some prints done once I get paid :)

'safari' - illustration friday

2011-05-18T23:42:00.002+01:00

A simple one this week, why would I most want to go on a safari? To see some of these gorgeous creatures!

bordeaux now has colour!

2011-05-16T22:27:00.001+01:00

Have finally got round to scanning and colouring these contour drawings... well one of them anyway. Once they're all done they'd make a nice series I reckon. Can't wait to get some prints of these made!

'inchies'

2011-05-13T20:40:00.004+01:00

Another Swap-bot swap, this time inchies! 1x1" pieces of art that are traded amongst artists... pretty good self promotion as well as fun! These are my first and I love 'em, done with gouache on thick watercolour paper with some collage and pen work. I was warned creating teeny-art was addictive and I can see why! So once the weekend is over these will be going in the post :)

my first swap-bot!

2011-05-10T22:42:00.005+01:00

I read about this on Dara's (aka ravenastoria) blog A Very Good Coat Rack and just had to sign up. It's called Swap-bot. If you don't know or haven't done it yet... have a look, it's pretty amazing if you love getting mail and trading arts and crafts with people. You find a swap that interests you, join it, then you get assigned a random 'partner' whom you create work for and send it to them. And another random person does the same and sends it to you... simple!

This is my first which was called 'doodle, doodle, doodle', and is being sent to the U.S of A tomorrow :) the swap involved creating an 8x11'' doodle that covers the page, and you can use your 'partners' profile as inspiration. It also required a note on the back, and a flat/paper made 'surprise' (I did an illustrated origami!) I hope my receiv-ee likes them!

'lesson' - illustration friday

2011-05-04T20:26:00.003+01:00

I based this weeks topic on one of Aesop's Fables "The Peacock and the Crane"...

"A Peacock spreading its gorgeous tail mocked a Crane that passed by, ridiculing the ashen hue of its plumage and saying, "I am robed, like a king, in gold and purple and all the colors of the rainbow; while you have not a bit of color on your wings." "True," replied the Crane; "but I soar to the heights of heaven and lift up my voice to the stars, while you walk below, like a cock, among the birds of the dunghill."

"Fine feathers don't make fine birds."

Had been a while since I'd read or heard any of these stories and loved the moral of this particular one. Probably more relevant now than ever with the unobtainable expectations we have on our shoulders, but reading the fable today was really uplifting and I hope this illo shows this :)

the sketchbook project 2012

2011-05-02T11:37:00.003+01:00

I've ordered my sketchbook! Have wanted to take part in this for years but (like alot of things) never got round to it... til now! I've chosen the theme 'stitches and folds', was difficult to choose one but thought this would be quite a broad subject :) can't wait for it to arrive and get cracking!

The Art House Co-op's website with all the details is here, have a look!

'bicycle' - illustration friday

2011-04-28T22:31:00.001+01:00

the one bad thing about holidays... going home!

2011-04-27T22:30:00.007+01:00

I nearly had to be dragged onto the plane to go home! Although I do miss the UK a bit when I'm away I could easily have stayed in Malta for another month... ah well.
Highlight of the trip was visiting the walled city of Mdina, so called 'the silent city'. Full of amazing churches, houses and teeny tiny streets (well, alleys really as you can see from the photos!) and views to die for; we had tea overlooking half of the island! Also got a horse and carriage to take us round the city as there are virtually no cars allowed, it really was an amazing place. Did a few sketches over the week and took tons of photos I can do some work from :)
Back to routine now I guess...

i'm leaving on a jet plane...

2011-04-18T16:45:00.002+01:00

...but i know when i will be back again, next tuesday! off to malta again for a week, perfect chance to do some drawings (the moleskine was the first thing i packed!) will put them up upon my return :) have an awesomely arty week all!

'bottled' - illustration friday

2011-04-13T23:34:00.003+01:00

had a bit of fun with this weeks theme, had such a serious week with interviews and such i needed some fun illustration time! originally i thought about doing a bottled ship, but THEN had an idea of a hot air balloon inside a bottle instead, drifting to the top but never being able to float away... poor balloon!
if i had the patience i'd try it out for real but i know i don't. would be pretty cute though :)

new bordeaux drawings available on etsy!

2011-04-10T13:07:00.007+01:00

browsing through some old photographs i've taken in various parts of the world, i stumbled across some i took when down in Bordeaux, France. it's one of the most beautiful and relaxed places i've ever been to, and thought some would make excellent drawings. These i've done as contour drawings (one continuous line) and i love the effect so am going to get on and do some more! both are available to buy on my etsy shop which is here.

bright light in blue :)

2011-03-31T19:46:00.004+01:00

tidied and with a bit of colour (i thought the blue was nicer than a green :D). i think some prints are in order...

bright light!

2011-03-30T17:26:00.002+01:00

not sure what to do with this drawing yet, i'm thinking olive green background and leaving the chandelier white... will have a play soon :)

it would also look pretty good embroidered, but i don't think i'm that good/patient!

'toy' - illustration friday

2011-03-29T14:28:00.003+01:00

my second idea, which is my favourite. no matter how amazingly awesome the toy... they only want to play with the box!

'cultivate' - illustration friday

2011-03-21T20:16:00.003Z

i wish i could cultivate some of these in my garden... but then again doesn't everyone?

button it - new painting now on etsy!

2011-03-20T18:53:00.003Z

another sunday filled with painting, two weeks in a row now! this is the latest, inspired by my mums button collection when i was teeny, i particularly remember the yellow duck with the green bow! (it's tiny, see if you can spot it!)

it's available to buy from my etsy shop here :)

multicoloured embroidery fun

2011-03-20T12:05:00.005Z

another amazing find from ebay, some white flexi embroidery hoops! this is a design i drew and thought it would look pretty good embroidered:

and here is the start of the threaded goodness! the scarf is going to be the only bit with satin stitch (filled in with thread) and the rest will be split stitch, already loving it though!

sunday is painting day

2011-03-13T23:25:00.001Z

another spring inspired card design :)

'warning' - illustration friday

2011-03-09T19:29:00.003Z

always wise to check the weather warnings before setting out on expeditions!

reading the news today aparently next week the moon is going to be much closer to the earth, causing all sorts of weather, tidal and geological problems. scary stuff, let's hope no-one gets hurt because of it.

'swarm' - illustration friday

2011-03-02T20:01:00.003Z

the way starlings move in their hundreds is so mesmerising, i've made it the subject of this weeks IF. swarms of them are flying over bedfordshire at the moment. i hand-drew the image and just coloured digitally, those dots took forever!

more painting fun

2011-03-01T16:01:00.002Z

it's official, i love gouache paints! these are the latest paintings, although i would like to have done more by now but as usual the boring mundane stuff takes priority over lovely arty stuff. the problem with getting older aye...
going to send some of the paintings off for prints so i can start making my own greetings cards :)

'layer' - illustration friday

2011-02-23T00:04:00.001Z

time to get rid of some layers, springs nearly here and then it'll be summer! hooray!

'reverse' - illustration friday

2011-02-09T23:40:00.002Z

going the wrong way? reverse!

this weeks IF progress

2011-02-09T16:12:00.001Z

the topic for illustration friday this week is 'reverse', so i thought about wrong directions and having to go back on yourself (which career-wise i seem to be doing a lot of a the moment!) so a compass encapsulates this well i reckon. colour and general fiddling with to be done tonight hopefully.

dachshund

2011-02-07T19:34:00.002Z

dachshunds have to be the cutest dogs in the entire world (well, after basset hounds!) when/if i ever move out i'm going to have to get one of each!