'Hare Moon' Illustration and Lithographic Art Print

This atmospheric illustration 'Hare Moon' explores the themes of growth and renewal, depicting a representation of love and friendship illuminated amid the darkness. The hare's are characteristic of my illustrative style as the features have been exaggerated to emphasize their silhouette. 

'Hare Moon' is available now on my Etsy store as high-quality lithographic art print.

My 'Hare Moon' illustration was also featured on greetings cards with Sellers Publishing Inc.

What the Fluffy Bunny said to the Hungry Hippo

Last year I worked on the upcoming picture book ‘What the Fluffy Bunny Said to The Hungry Hippo’.

Written by P.Crumble, this quirky story follows the adventurous lengths one rabbit will go to in order to find 

some delicious Easter eggs. This egg-citing new instalment in the series will be available from March 1st 2019.

 This picture book is the follow-up title from last year’s ‘What the Fluffy Bunny Said to The Growly Bear’, 

written by P.Crumble and Published by Scholastic Australia.

For more information please visit scholastic

Wish

“Once every year, wishes take flight,

Filled with hope and twinkling light...”

My new picture book ‘Wish’ is now available for pre-order! This is my debut book as both the author and illustrator. 

Wish explores the nature of what a wish is, through the journey of a little Rabbit who is unwaveringly selfless and kind.

With the help of his friends Mouse, Fox and Bear, Rabbit discovers that thinking of others can sometimes bring the

greatest rewards of all.

I can only show the front cover for now. I’ll share more about the book and the development process close to,

and after its release. For any updates be sure to follow me on Instagram.

Illustration Friday: Stripes

This week's Illustration Friday entry. The theme this week is Stripes.

Feature Friday: Essi Kimpimäki Illustration

Where do you currently practice your artwork?

I'm originally from Finland but I have been living in Glasgow, Scotland, for over nine years. Currently I'm renting a desk in a shared creative studio space near my home.

Are you self taught or have you completed any training?

I studied Illustration at the Glasgow School of Art, graduating in 2011.

How would you describe your artwork/process?
I mainly work digitally nowadays as it is just so much faster and lets you edit

the art work painlessly - which is essential with tight deadlines! I do however still like to have some organic hand drawn feel and textures in my work. My medium of choice is a Wacom graphics tablet and a nice selection of Photoshop brushes, these make the process pretty similar to actual drawing and painting. 
I also, whenever I can find the time, love to do some screen-printing!

What is your biggest influence/inspiration?

Inspiration can come from anywhere really and often hits when you're not

looking for it. I do love looking at other people's artwork however I find

more inspiration just by looking at what's happening around you - the light, the

colours, the scenes, the people. I also love travelling and get very inspired by

looking at pictures of faraway places - or ideally of course visiting them myself!

What are you working on at the moment?
I'm currently finishing off illustrating a second children's book for the Quarto Publishing.

Where can people see your work?
Website: http://essillustration.com/

Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/essillustration
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essillustration/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/essillustration

Ferret Character Concept

Above; a few concept sketches of a warrior ferret character. The design explores the long slender shape of the animal and a couple of expressions. The design is based on observations of my pet ferret 'Bandit', so called because of the contrasting mask shaped patch on his face. I believe the best way to characterise an animal, if it's possible, is to observe it and make sketches as well as mental notes about their behaviour and movements.

Bon Voyage!

Off for a little break...we'll be back soon with lots of new artwork and artists to share!

Feature Friday: Quill & Fox - Yas Imamura Illustration

Where are you from and where do you currently practice your artwork?
I'm a visual artist from Portland, Oregon. I illustrate and run my paper shop from 
our home.

Are you self taught or have you completed any training?
I went to art school for graphic design but I was already self-taught prior to that, 
and when I decided to branch out into traditional illustration I just kept practicing.

How would you describe your artwork/process?

A slow and sometimes rigorous buildup of brainstorming and sketches. The execution becomes an absolute delight when I have clear set goal and vision, much less frustrating. The early hard work is well worth it!

What/who is your biggest influence/inspiration?

Duvoisin, Charley Harper, Henri Matisse, Maira Kalman, Eleanor Macnair

You've Stolen My Heart

What are you working on at the moment?

Christmas cards - eek! I'm late! I'm also working on some commissions.

Deck the Halls

Where can people see your work?
At quillandfox.com but the cool process stuff is on Instagram

Write it Down Print

Fancy showcasing your work? Click here for more information!

Christening Commission: Baby Elephant

I was recently asked to produce a small illustration of a cute baby elephant as a christening gift.

I always start with a sketch before diving straight into the painting.
Top Tip: Once you are happy with your sketch use tracing paper to get the placement of your design correct - it's not cheating if it's your own sketch and it saves wasting expensive paper!

The painting is kept loose overall with a few details bringing the whole image together. The background is left clean and untouched, ready for a simple mount and frame.
For bespoke commissions contact us here!

Feature Friday: Maja Lindberg Illustration

Where are you from and where do you practice your work?

I’m from the south of Sweden and I have my studio in the basement of our house.

Are you self taught or have you completed any training?

I went to an art school for three years and specialised in ceramics and pottery. After my education I worked as a ceramic artist for a couple of years. In 2009 I started to draw - in that field I’m self-taught.

How would you describe your artwork/process?

  I always start with paper and pen. When I'm finished with the image I scan it and continue to work with it in the computer where I set all the colours, background, shades and textures.

What is your biggest influence/inspiration?

A lot of my inspiration comes from fairytales, memories and movies. I also find a lot of inspiration at Pinterest, looking at photographs and other artists illustrations. Some of my favourite artists are Rebecca Dautremer, Nicoletta Ceccoli, Gabriel Pacheco and the director Tim Burton.

Where can people see more of your work?

At my website www.majali.se or at my shops www.etsy.com/shop/majalin and http://www.nordicdesigncollective.se

Feature Friday: Cori Dantini Illustration

Where are you from and where do you practice your work?

I am from Washington State and I currently live in a little town called Pullman. I have a wonderful studio in my home.

How would you describe your artwork/process?

I refer to my art as mixed media painting. In a nutshell it is a mixture of layered papers (old and new), combined with watercolour and acrylic paint. I typically draw with calligraphy nibs and ink but I do supplement with various other types of pens, typically at the very end to add in the final details.

Are you self taught or have you completed any training?

I graduated with a BFA from Washing State University, my emphasis was painting and my minor was printmaking; that being said I consider myself self taught.  

What is your biggest influence/inspiration?

I try really hard to speak to the magical things in life, to remind people about all the good things that fill up their days, and I try to do it in many layers.  If you really look at my work you will see all kinds of surprises that aren't necessarily something you notice at first glance.

Have you ever received any artistic awards for your work? 

I received a painting scholarship when I was in college (it was one that they hadn't given out for quite some time), which I feel was a really special acknowledgement from my mentors and teachers. I also won a Louie Award years back in conjunction with a greeting card company called Great Arrow. I like to describe it as an Oscar from the Greeting Card world! That was a great day!!!

Where can people see your work?

You can find my originals, prints, and a few greeting cards at my Etsy Shop

Instagram

Fabric

Home Products

Greeting Cards

Feature Friday: Norse Kids

Where are you from and where do you currently practice your artwork?
Spain

Where do you currently practice your artwork?

In my home studio.

Are you self taught or have you completed any training?
 I studied design but I consider myself self-taught, everything that helped me to be where I am I learned by myself.

How would you describe your artwork/process?
I like to mix digital and traditional media, I usually sketch with a pen and then do a cleanup and add colour on photoshop. For the textures I use photos I take myself and use custom brushes that imitate crayons to give my drawings a more organic feel, I love working digital but I also love how warm hand drawn art is. 

 

What is your biggest influence/inspiration?
There’s too many to name, I love modern child books that are not afraid to try new things and styles and try to include some of these ideas into my work. I’m also very fond of minimalism and modern art, I like to think of my work as a minimalist approach to traditional kid’s books art.

To view more of Norse Kids fun characters and abstract prints visit https://www.etsy.com/shop/NorseKids

Hole-in-one!

Last year I entered the 'Sock it to Me - Design a Sock' Competition. My quirky golf sock idea was a hole-in-one with the judges and made it all the way to the finals.

Here we are a few months later and the 'Par 4' sock is now available to buy! http://www.sockittome.com/men/crew-socks-men/par-4.html

Check out more funky socks at: http://www.sockittome.com

And follow them on Facebook here for more Sock it to Me competitions!