Work in Progress...

I just wanted to bring you a little update on the flower illustration I'm working on. I'm very happy with how it's coming along but work has halted due to an exciting commercial illustration I have just been commissioned to do this week. I'll let you know about that when it's done and published! I love the subject though, it's just the direction I'm enjoying at the moment :)

 I would love to hear your thoughts on this illustration. It will be ready shortly and as soon as it is, it will be available as a limited edition print. There are other prints available in my Etsy shop at the moment. Or Folksy, if you prefer!

I'm not sure if I have mentioned it before, but I am now signed to Rare Bird, an illustration and design agency. There are some amazing people on there and I am very excited and happy to be a part of it! :)

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!

What Is Love?

This morning I found that Tigerprint had a competition ending today. I decided the subject, "what Is Love?' was too good to pass up so got working on it this morning. I love illustrating love, it's a beautiful and strong subject and with everybody being so different, there is a lot of scope.

I had actually started some personal work a few days ago and they seemed like the perfect start. Flowers have very strong connotations with love, so it was perfect! Basically my thoughts were to produce a number of different phrase and colour combinations, writing some of the things love means to me, and hopefully means to others! (I produced the blue and green for those who don't like pink - but I think it worked just as effectively!)

The first two are the drawings I had already done followed by my five entries. I hope you (and they!) like them.

And my entries..

Wish me look!

EDIT: The LOVE part is my own text, the other is a commercial use text I found. With more time I would have attempted it all by hand. Maybe next time, I'd love to play with text more!

Pattern Books..

 I think my book shelves need these pattern books. They're on my wish list, along with the others from my last book post, if anyone is keeping their eyes on that list!

I've bought a couple of the V&A Pattern books as presents in the past and they're beautiful - I want the whole collection for myself! Hopefully Christmas will bring me a couple!