La Mode Outré - Fashion Illustration Collaboration

I have recently completed this illustration in collaboration with street photographer James Bent, of La Mode Outré. I love his images and the fact he dedicates time to bringing so many illustrators in to illustrate them. You can see the interview about me and my work, along with this illustration here. And do take a look at the other illustrations whilst you're there. There are some beautiful pieces and some recognisable names too! Erica Sharp and Natsuki Otani have both submitted stunning illustrations to the project.

Something a little different...

Hello everybody! I just wanted to let you know I'm still here, just very busy working on ideas and plans for the near illustration future. At the moment I'm working on personal illustrations that I wouldn't normally tackle - challenging myself and getting ready for a new little adventure (I'll tell you more when/if it happens...)

Today I will be working on this illustration I started last night. I've never ventured down the animal route before, but I must say, I'm really enjoying this piece! I may bring you the finished piece later, I just wanted to bring you a little work in process. Do you like her so far?

Another beautiful commission..

I was so delighted when Georgia Coote asked me to illustrate a picture of her husband and their beautiful daughter, Delilah, for his birthday. I felt so touched that someone as talented as herself wanted me to illustrate such a special and beautiful image as a gift for her husband. I loved every moment of it. The photograph (and little Delilah herself) is stunning. 

I wanted to make sure it was perfect, and worked hard to create something both myself and they could be proud of. And they loved it! This makes me so happy, I always feel so nervous illustrating such intimate and special photographs! I really love illustrating family and baby portraits, it feels so wonderful. So here is the illustration (I hope you like it too!).

And if you haven't seen Georgia's work before, go and take a look! And say hello to her on twitter too, she's just lovely! She is an amazing textile and surface pattern designer and I know you will love her work as much as I do!

If you wish to commission an illustration like this (or completely different!) do not hesitate to get in touch! I'd love to hear from you. 

Have a lovely Easter and I will post again soon!

Angie Lewin: Plants and Places

As my mum is so interested in textiles, design and pattern, I thought this book (by one of her favourite artists of the moment) was the perfect Mother's Day gift. I also happened to fall in love with the book, which is filled to the brim with beautiful works by Angie Lewin. I love the colours, the design, the movement and the sophisticated style of her work. 

This book is wonderful, not only does it showcase so much of her work, but it takes the reader through processes, sharing techniques and showing her work from beginning (sketches, cuttings) to the end, bold results. It's fascinating, stunning and definitely worth buying! I've selected some of my favourite images from the book. Enjoy!

Galaxy Love Note

Hello!

I'm here to share a little commission I recently finished to help in the campaign to celebrate Samsung's new phone - the Galaxy Note. They have just launched a website which allows users to make and send physical postcards to loved ones around the world, for free! All you need to do, if you would like to send one (or lots!) is go to the website, pick a design (or you may use your own), write your special message and send it to those you love. I think it is a wonderful campaign. I love that they have teamed with Touchnote and been able to send physical postcards. Everything seems to be online nowadays so this is special.

I also loved the brief, I was asked to create an illustration that represented love in a global way, showing love through picture alone, be it romantic, between family, friends or any other forms; the choice was mine. I decided to use to use one of my previous illustrations,  reworking and altering it in order to answer the brief.

There are many fantastic illustrators and photographers involved, some of which you may recognise. Please take a look and share/tell anybody you know who may like to send one of these postcards! And if you do make one, have fun!

Inspiring Artist: Kirsten Jones

When I first moved away from home, I was delighted to discover there was an incredible artist, Kirsten Jones, living in the same building as me. I often see her work in the communal areas and it is stunning. I thought I would share it with you! I love the colours, fine detail, movement and the found elements in her artwork. I also like the sense of fun she brings to some of her images.

 

Her website reads:

'Each piece has a subtle narrative, which she creates by collaging vintage envelopes, stamps, dictionary text and maps.  These clues evoke of the places objects were found or bought. Once the collage stage is complete, Kirsten paints over the richly layered surface using gesso, inks and washes of acrylic paint.'

Do go and find out more about her and her wonderful collection of work, there is so much more to see! I hope you are as inspired as I am.

Some very good news...

Hello lovely followers! I'm here to announce that I got engaged on Wednesday evening! I'm so very happy and can barely stop smiling! He asked me in our home, with romantic music playing. It was incredibly sweet, he got down on his knee and told me how much I meant to him. Perfect. We had an amazing evening - meal, drinks, talks and lots of laughter. It's early, but I'm quite excited by the thought of illustrating our wedding stationery! Have a lovely weekend everybody!

 We picked out the ring together from our local Antique shop. We didn't see the point in spending so much on something new when we could have something so beautiful and delicate with a history. I'm so happy with it and I'm very glad we made this decision! :)

A couple of illustrations to end :)

An old illustration I did of us together..

 

?!X - Think Act Vote

A few months ago, I was asked to take part in a project, with the aim of creating a book including writing and illustrations. The project is Think Act Vote and here is the aim:

'Think Act Vote (?!X) is radical think tank that brings together culture, creativity, digital, sustainability and citizenship. A space online and offline where how you dream the world and how you see it come together. A place where all of us can share inspiration and be inspired. Think Act Vote is built to inspire us to think positively about our future and the votes we cast, today, tomorrow and forever. Create the future you choose.'

Here is the future I choose to illustrate:

Emma McGinn‘s Future “The Future I Choose is where focus is put on people and planet rather than MONEY.”

I love to draw people and it was this reason, along with the fact that I wholeheartedly agreed with the statement, that I chose to illustrate this future. It instantly took me back to my childhood - when love, nature, people and happiness was the only thing that truly mattered. Memories of climbing trees, making boats from scraps in the garden, creating jumps for our games of 'horses', skipping and using our imaginations. This is what inspired my illustration. I wanted to create a piece that showed happiness. Happiness through nature and people and without the need for money. This future would be wonderful, just like childhood should be.

Buy Now!

I have two of each of these prints packaged and ready to sell at the moment. They are just £18 (including P&P) and printed and mounted to a very high quality.

I don't think the photographs quite capture the quality (bad lighting - sorry about that!). If you are interested in buying one please get in contact with me either through my blog or email me at: yodalpip@hotmail.co.uk

Have a lovely weekend!

Photography...

It's been a little while since my last post, so firstly, hello! Unfortunately my drawings didn't win the What Is Love competition, but I'm working on improving them and hopefully I can launch them myself as prints and cards in the near future!

I've recently treated myself to a new camera (the boyfriend handily stood on and broke the last - but I was secretly happy about the fact we had the perfect excuse for a new one!), so I've been happily snapping away this last week. One subject I never tire of capturing is flowers. I love the final images, they're so bright and inviting.

We went for a little trip to Oxford last weekend, so I took the opportunity to take some architecture photographs, another beautiful subject matter. (I always find architecture fascinating and believe buildings can really bring something special to a place - I could spend ages gazing, snapping and drawing an interesting structure).

The final image in Oxford (above) reminded me of my holiday in Venice - the closeness, how unique each building is and those beautiful colours. Below are some of my favourites.

And, of course, I can't get excited about buildings without mentioning my trip to Tokyo. The vibrancy, the height, the lines and the excitement of the landscape there was incredible and completely different from the aforementioned.

And, finally, Kyoto! Just as stunning but a stark contrast from Tokyo. I love how intricate these are. It really is a very magical place. I can't wait to go back and see more!

I've decided I want to illustrate some of these photographs, both the flowers and buildings. I love illustrating people and fashion but I also love experimenting and working on something completely different. I think it helps keep work fresh and interesting, as well as allowing me to translate my way of working into new subject matter. I think it definitely helps someone's decision when commissioning you too. I remember a tutor at uni once told me - if someone wants a drawing of a spoon, they want to know you can draw a spoon. You may be a brilliant illustrator but they may not be able to envisage your style working with that subject. So draw anything and everything - I love that!

So you may see some of these come to life as drawings very soon! Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I won't leave my next post as long!