Eilidh's Home Made Evening!

For our context this semester we have to arrange an event that is going to help to inform our practical work.

My very lovely pal Eilidh hosted an evening of tea, cake, chatting and mug painting at 'Fingers and Thumbs' in North Berwick. This research event is going to help her to create a series of illustrations inspired by the word 'home'. She is planning to include illustrated recipes, patterns, drawings of objects that are special in our homes and images from stories we love to read.

It was a great evening of drawing and eating... two of my very favourite hobbies.

I'll be posting about my own event soon, so watch this space.

Illustration Friday - Whiskers

Just a little sketch for Illustration Friday this week. Things have been a bit crazy here with deadlines but I'm pleased to say I took part!

Seven Stories

I have recently had a trip to the wonderful Seven Stories in Newcastle. This is a very exciting time for them, as the have recently become the National Centre for Children's Books. The current exhibitions are 'A Viking's Guide to Deadly Dragons with Cressida Cowell' and 'A Squash and a Squeeze with Julia Donaldson'. Make sure you get yourself there!!

Here are a couple of photos from their amazing book shop with a few of our favourite titles!

Bouncy Bounce!

Here is an illustration that I have created using the textures that I have been making over the past few weeks. Hope you enjoy it!

Christmas Range, 2012

Christmas Cards, 2012.

Christmas Badges, 2012.  

Mono printing in the ECA Print Room

I have recently been making a product range for Christmas using these four little characters. They are all interacting with a different coloured snowflake that has been created using mono printing. There are cards and badges on sale for the very first time this Saturday at the Arts Centre Washington Craft Fair, followed by the launch of more exciting products at the Christmas Fair (Saturday 1st December).

Hope to see you there!

Illustration Friday - Sky

Someone is enjoying gazing at the beautiful starry sky for this week's Illustration Friday post.

Marchmont Gallery

I have recently had my work stocked in the beautiful Marchmont Gallery in Edinburgh. Here are a couple of photos of my stuff in their new window display! :)

Illustration Friday - Water

The weather in Edinburgh has been very very wet recently and I have realised that I need to invest in a new umberella. Someone else had the same idea!

Rubber Stamps

 

I have had lots of fun printing my homemade rubber stamps this week. Here is a peak at some of the textures that I have made... now to make them into something even prettier...!!

Craft Fair - Arts Centre Washington

This weekend I had my very first stall at the monthly Craft Fair at the Arts Centre Washington. This venue is perfectly positioned in the middle of Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham. The fair itself, hosts a variety of stalls from talented local and regional artists and crafts people. It is held on the first Saturday of every month.

This was a great fair to be apart of and an interesting way for me to test my work in public. I met some very talented artists and some very lovely customers. I have posted a couple of photos of my stall to share with you.

I will be at the next two fairs leading up to Christmas, so if you are in the local area, please pop in and say hello. There will be a great variety of exciting gifts, to suit every member of your family!

Next two dates:
3rd November 2012  10am - 3.30pm
1st December 2012   10am - 3.30pm (Christmas Craft Fair)

Hope to see you there! x

Illustration Friday - Book

I don't normally do pink, but thought I'd give it a go for a change.

Illustration Friday - Burst

A poor little someone is about to burst into tears. I hope she feels a bit better tomorrow.

Illustration Friday - Teacher

Here is a little taster of something that I have been working on over the summer. For purpose of this week's Illustration Friday topic I am going to say that 'this little girl is teaching this cute dog how to behave nicely.'

There is more to these two little characters though.... I am being very daring and having a go at writing AND illustrating my own picture book, after much encouragement from friends, mentors and my lovely agent Kathryn Ross.

I wouldn't say that writing stories comes naturally to me, but I feel that things are finally starting to take shape. The main character is inspired by my little niece, which definitely keeps me entertained!

Working at Walker Books, 2012

Arranging the page order for NEW Maisy Mouse book.

It has been a very busy summer, but I finally have the opportunity to sit down and update you on my news from Walker Books.

It was the most amazing few weeks working with the designers in the Picture Book Team. I have collaborated on some fantastic projects such as NEW Maisy Mouse creations by Lucy Cousins, Jon Klassen's latest book This is not my hat, a new project written and illustrated by Sue Heap and James Marshall's classic Goldilocks and the three bears. I am so excited to see the work in print!

Book plate designs for 'This is not my hat', by Jon Klassen.

This experience also allowed me to handle some breathtaking original artwork by Helen Oxenbury and very precious twenty-year-old Noah's Ark illustrations by Lucy Cousins. This was extremely interesting to see the artwork before it is touched by the designers. I also got to handle early concept stages for new Mary Murphy and Sue Heap projects. 

Handling original Noah's Ark artwork by Lucy Cousins. 

Noah's Ark artwork by Lucy Cousins.

As well as having the opportunity to contribute to such exciting projects, I have met some amazing illustrators. I had a beautiful Maisy book signed by the very colourful Lucy Cousins. I also met the absolute genius Chris Haughton and the illustration legend that is Miss Polly Dunbar!

With Polly Dunbar in the Picture Book Department.

Working on new 'Tilly and Friends' picture books. 

I would like to say a very big thank you to all of you lovely people in the Picture Book Team. I miss working with you all, but will make sure I pop in (with some cake) next time I am in London.

Best wishes,

Holly :) x

Illustration Friday - Secret

Celia the elephant has a wonderful secret talent to share with everyone this week.

Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show 2012

Kathleen Meaney

Josefin Sundqvist

Josefin Sundqvist

Jade Price

Lisa Lind

I have recently been to the Edinburgh College of Art degree show and have come back extremely inspired for the final year of my Masters course next year. My favourite work that was on display belonged to the talented illustrators Kathleen Meaney, Josefin Sundqvist, Jade Price and Lisa Lind.

Well done to all those graduating this year and good luck for the future!

Illustration Friday - Sight

Lucas was overjoyed at the sight of so many coloured pencils.

Illustration Friday - Heights 2

Yay!! I have finished my balloon illustration!!

This image started off as a doodle in my sketchbook, which I decided to develop using screen-printing techniques. I then used some of these elements and combined them with other textures using my Wacom tablet.

I wonder where Molly and Teddy are going today...

Illustration Friday - Heights

New heights for Molly in more than one way...

This illustration is taken from a sketch that I did during the early stages of developing my character. Continuing my experimentation with my Wacom tablet I started adding textures and depth to the sketch.

Molly has also started to develop a beautiful friendship with Teddy. I'm looking forward to sharing more of these two with you soon...

It would be great to hear your feedback. What do you think Molly and Teddy are watching..??

Many thanks for your time.
Holly x

Illustration Friday - Puzzled

I have been experimenting with my new Wacom tablet this week and this is one of the results. I don't often draw animals, so thought I would have a play with it whilst experimenting with my new equipment.

I think it is going to be worth the investment and the start of a great partnership!

Molly and Teddy

Illustration Friday - Intention

I have recently been working on a commission for an illustrated book called 'Bend Your Knees'. The book showcases a collection of artwork from a variety of different illustrators.

The book is being sold to raise money for the Lake Victoria Disability Center in Mosuma, Tanzania, and will be available in Analogue and The Red Door Gallery in Edinburgh very very soon.

I'm pleased to share my image with you for this week's Illustration Friday topic, 'Intention' :)

Molly - Part 1

This is a little peak of a project that I am working on at the moment. I have recently been doing lots of story-boarding and planning but I am finally starting to add colour to my illustrations.

This little girl is called Molly and she has a very interesting tale to tell.

More to come soon...

Cupcake Camp Bournemouth 2012

I have recently been working on this illustration commission for the wonderful Cupcake Camp Bournemouth event 2012.

This wonderful event is taking place on the 17th of March 2012 at the Bournemouth Pavilion and is raising money for the NSPCC charity. If you are a keen baker please get in touch as they are looking for donations to reach a total of 600 cupcakes for the day. If you are a keen cupcake eater and you live in the Dorset and Hampshire area make sure you keep this date free!!

It has been a pleasure to be apart of such a wonderful event!

You can find and LIKE Cupcake Camp Bournemouth on Facebook here, and you can follow them on twitter here.

Thank you x

Holly Surplice @ ECA

This week at Edinburgh College of Art, we were very lucky to have a very special visiting illustrator... the lovely Holly Surplice. Holly is one of my favourite illustrators working in the current children's book market so I was EXCITED when she agreed to coming in.

During her visit, Holly did a little presentation telling us all about her, her work and making it in the industry. She showed us a variety of her work, both old and new. We even got the opportunity to see her screen-printed children's book that she created for her degree show. "Silly Jack" went on to be her first publication with Walker books in 2006.

Those students who are particularly interested in creating artwork for children and children's books also had the opportunity to have personal tutorials with her. What a fantastic experience!

Thank you to Holly and ECA for this wonderful event. I am very much looking forward to the next visit in March.

You can find Holly Surplice here....
www.marblesink.co.uk
www.hollysurplice.blogspot.com

My Products

I have recently been creating products for my own online store. These cute little keyrings and mugs are a sneaky peak at the sorts of exciting things that you will find there.

I had so much fun making them, it became a little addictive. I have definitely found another niche that I would like to create more for. 

So if you need a pretty new mug for work, or a very cute new keyring then check out my store when it is up and running. I hope that my little products all find kind and loving new homes.

Watch this space! :)