Little something...

The weather isn't the best in the UK right now, but here's a new illustration to warm us up a little.

The Independent on Sunday

The Independent on Sunday

On a journey from Sunderland to Liverpool last Sunday, I was extremely happy to receive messages on social media telling me that I was in The Independent, with 15 Things Not to do with a Baby being listed as one of the '12 Best Children's Books of 2015'.

I've been totally overwhelmed with people's responses to my first picture book and this news has absolutely topped it off... with a full spread in the paper and a HUGE image from the book. It is such an honour to be amongst talent such as David Walliams, Tony Ross, Jacqueline Wilson, Nick Sharratt and Sally Gardner.

Here is the review of the book in the article...

Review by Rebecca Davis, Saturday 28 March 2015

Older brothers and sisters will appreciate Margaret McAllister and Holly Sterling’s 15 Things Not to Do with a Baby (Frances Lincoln, £11.99), a humorous take on the conflicting emotions that younger siblings can inspire.

The 15 illustrated tips range from not letting the baby play with an elephant to more worryingly-plausible suggestions, such as not wrapping the baby in brown paper with a view to popping him or her in the post. It also offers a few handy hints about what you should do with a baby and will prove a useful tool in teaching toddlers the benefits of caring and sharing.

15 Things Not to do with a Baby's list of achievements to-date: 

• Books for Keeps - Book of the week in January
• Books for Keeps - New Talent
• Book Trust - Books we like: February 2015
• The Reading Challenge - Listed book for the Summer Reading Challenge
• The Independent - Listed as one of the 12 Best Children's Books of 2015

Illustration Friday - Light

Noah brought Bear a little light to help him see in the dark wintery night.

KUGB Christmas Cards 2014

Earlier in the year, I decided to use my illustration/design skills to help raise funds in support of the KUGB's (Karate Union of Great Britain) England Squad. There are 16 cards in each pack (4 of each design) and will be available at KUGB events for £3.99 per pack.

There are a limited number available so please take this opportunity to get them while stocks last and help to support our England Karate Squad competing at the European Championships in Zurich at the end of the year.

Illustration Friday - Voyage

Here is a little post for this week's Illustration Friday topic 'Voyage'. I think everyone knows the story of Christmas, and that these two characters have a long voyage ahead of them!

These are two card designs that are part of a four pack that I created for Paper Dove last week. Creating designs for kids packs are my absolute favourite and it is quite nice that Christmas follows me throughout the year! 

I hope you enjoy these little fellas.

Illustration Friday - Voice

This Illustration Friday post was fitting for celebrating both World Book Day and the completion of my first full picture book with Frances Lincoln.

It has been a crazy time getting the book ready for Bologna, but it is finally finished and has been sent to repro. Here is a little vignette from an interior page where a brother and sister are lovingly reading their favourite book together.

Happy World Book Day!!

Illustration Friday - Spirit (of Christmas)

Here is a Christmas card design that I finished this week for one of our briefs at Paper Dove Company. I thought this was a perfect image to contribute to this week's Illustration Friday post with my representation of the 'Spirit of Christmas'.

I hope you enjoy this illustration and have a magical Christmas and New Year!

Holly x

OHFA book in progress - Visit to Frances Lincoln

It been quite a while since I last updated my blog, but here is some news since graduating from Edinburgh College of Art with my Masters degree. 

During the summer I headed down to Frances Lincoln Publishing in London with Elizabeth Hammil and David Wright of Seven Stories. During this visit we got to see the 'Over the Hills and Far Away' book in development, with the two other competition winners Pippa Curnick and Sian Jenkins. 

To see my illustration work in the same book as iconic illustrators such as Michael Foreman, Eric Carle, Shirley Hughes, Robert Ingpen and Axel Scheffler, was unbelievable. I can't wait to see it in print next year!

You can read more about the project here.

Macmillan Prize 2013

I am finally updating my blog! It has been so busy with the degree show but here is a little post about the Macmillan Prize 2013. 

I was extremely happy to hear that I was awarded Highly Commended for the prize this year, for my picture book 'Hiccups!' This is a book that I have enjoyed writing and illustrating as one of my main projects during my masters course at Edinburgh College of Art (2011-2013). 

Here are a couple of photographs from the private view of the exhibition which was held at the Foyles Bookshop Gallery in May.

Illustration Friday - Farewell

I am in my final two weeks of my masters course at Edinburgh College of Art and although it is the craziest time of my life, I was determined to take a bit of time out to enter a Illustration Friday sketch this week.

Here is my happy 'baby-farewell' for you. See you again soon!

Illustration Friday - Wool

Someone is looking very cosy in their woolies!

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!

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!

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 - 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 - 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' :)

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