Coastal Designs

This year is already slipping by so fast. As my two boys get older, in some ways their demands are greater than when they were small. School projects and weekend activities seem to take over your life.

However, I have penciled in 5 or 6 Summer Art fairs as well as the Guernsey Arts Festival so the creative wheel must keep turning! Here's a peek at some new designs I'm working on for a set of new coastal inspired cards. Right, back to working on the rest!

Visit Guernsey

Phew! last post May? How did that happen, I guess it's been a busy year...

A quick post showing some of the illustrations I did for the Visit Guernsey brochure earlier this year, which is out now for 2015. Tote bags to follow...

Collage Seagull

I created this seagull illustration yesterday using the collage papers from a couple of weeks ago. It was actually great to get away from the computer for a change with pleasing results too. I may explore this method further in the future...

 

I really like Mark Hearld's illustrations below. He creates layers on acetate then lays them on top of each other to get the finished piece. A bit like real-life Photoshop, which I can see would give you greater flexibility to make changes and try different things out.

collage papers 2

Have been creating some more collage papers today.

The way I do it is to paint onto a styro-foam sheet with a mixture of watercolor and acrylic paint, then press the paper on top and rub gently all over the paper to transfer the paint. This is done several times to build up layers of texture. This stuff is really addictive!

For the print below, I built up several layers of paint first, then on the last print I drew into the paint with a cotton bud before transferring the image to my paper. It reminds me of fossils.

collage papers

I have gone collage paper mad whilst preparing for a workshop inspired by Eric Carle's technique of illustrations made from painted tissue paper.

It's really addictive - try it! This green one is my favourite.

seabirds

Sketching up some different seabirds at the moment and trying out some ideas for new card designs. I love drawing birds and am particularly drawn to seabirds what with living by the sea so was very sad to hear recently about all the seabirds that have suffered during our recent terrible weather. No doubt puffins will be making an appearance in this new set of illustrations.

hand drawn typography

Managed to pull myself together after the Christmas break to enter the Tigerprint 'Hand drawn typography' competition.

fabulous flats

Lovely summer shoes.

Flats are my fave but I'll make allowances for the the tiny heel in the middle pair but only because they have studs!

this little light of mine....

Hand lettering process in my trusty Moleskin sketchbook before the finished illustration.

finished sunshine lettering

Here's the finished piece...

Rough idea process below as I try to work out the layout.

Old Quarter

Have just finished another illustration of the Old Quarter in St Peter Port. It's a beautiful part of the town with antique shops and an 'arty' feel. None of the big name shops that you would find on every high street in most large towns. Cars are restricted and 'street parties' are often held with stalls and activities for all the family.

new guernsey illustrations

I've been working on some new illustrations of Guernsey to kick start the year. The first is of St Peter Port harbour and the second is of Fort Grey, sometimes known locally as the cup and saucer. I've spent many a summer eve on the beach overlooking the cup and saucer enjoying a BBQ and watching the sun go down. Aah, roll on summer.

woodland creatures

Phew! September has flown by, we're almost half way through October and everyone's talking about Christmas. My biggest and smallest boys are settled back into school and I've been busy with various projects so not much time for blogging but... at last, something I can share.

So excited that these woodland critters have been whisked off to the printer today!

They will make great Christmas cards as well as useful notelets and thank yous for after the festive season.

Ahoy!

Look out! Especially if you want to use this telescope..

return of the seagulls

This little chap was inspired by a trip to a secret location on the Essex coast during last week's holiday. The location has to remain secret as it's my brother's favourite unspoilt spot and he would be none too pleased if I blabbed the name!

hand drawn competition

My entries for the latest Tigerprint competition - Hand Drawn. You can see the other entries here.

Wish me luck!

bold florals

New bold floral illustrations as Summer is just around the corner. Woooah, they're bright!

happy mothers day

easter poster. part2.

OK, ok I know I blogged this a couple of weeks ago but just so you can all see which poster got the majority vote. Cute tickets to go with it too. So, if you happen to be passing Guernsey that weekend and are stuck for something to do...

And talking of Easter...

Right, back to work. Been busy, busy with a couple of new projects but more of that later.

killer wedges!

Roll on Summer so we can all wear a crazy pair of wedges! My current fave is the red snakeskin pair although I already kinda know that I'll spend most of the summer in Birkenstocks - not quite so snazzy but oh so much more comfy!