Pequena Pezuna The Happy Vicuna

Watercolor Kids Book Character

Mats Bootcamp Cactii for Children's Story Book

With our Exhibition 'Metamorphosis' coming down today, it's time to move on to new projects.  The MATS Bootcamp Gallery for our June Assignment is now live http://makeartthatsells.com/galleries/mats-bootcamp-2016/june/page/4

This month we had to create a character sheet of South American Vicuna for a children's storybook.  My little fellow is a rather happy chap called 'Pequena Pezuna' which means 'Little Hoof'.  He's a rather curious fellow and trots around the Andes on his epic adventures of discovery.

The Emperor's New Crown

It's been a somewhat auspicious day for Lord Lionheart, since today was his rather grand Coronation and he now assumes the title of Emperor.

'The Emperor' is the IV card in the Major Arcana of the Tarot.  He is the embodiment of great leadership, new beginnings, adventure, authority and creative wisdom (symbolised by the owl in my painting). His ruling planet is Mars and his astrological sign is Aries.  His message is: 'To trust in your own power and rule by serving others'.

This is my latest submission for MATS Bootcamp.  You can see it in the online gallery along with all the other artists amazing and diverse submissions here: http://makeartthatsells.com/galleries/mats-bootcamp-2016/may/page/11?imagesPerPage=18

The Appointment of Lord Zachariah Beckett

African Lion Watercolour Painting in Tudor Historical Medieval Clothes

Earlier this year, I completed several Anthropomorphic Animals and posted that I'd begun painting a Zebra who would join them shortly:

http://www.illustratorsimaginarium.co.uk/things-to-come/

  Well, here he is, Lord Zachariah Beckett Keeper of the Great Seal of The Realm.  Accompanied by none other than his Emperor Lord Lionheart, who himself has received a bit of a makeover, since I've added some more depth to the painting.  Who knows what adventures await them in the Tudor Court, I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

The tale of the birthday tea...

Anthropomorphic Fox in Regency Clothes Looking at Cottage in Woods

Anthropomorphic Mouse in Shabby Chic Cottage Kitchen with Aga Watercolour Painting

Anthropomorphic Woodland Animals dressed in Regency Clothes in Cottage Gouache & Watercolour Painting

Anthropomorphic Mouse Dressed in Shabby Chic Cottage Kitchen Gouache & Watercolour Painting

Anthropomorphic Woodland Animals in Regency Clothing Gouache & Watercolour Painting

The brazen fox had slipped away, but for his crimes he'd have to pay.

For this time he'd been caught red handed.  A sneaky thief he was now branded.

He knew that he could not remain, and no-one saw that Fox again... ...

Sometimes, a project I'm working on becomes a journey of artistic challenges and discovery.  Ventures like these seem to require an endless amount of motivation and determination to complete.  This has been one of those projects; it has pushed my boundaries and challenged me to confront feelings of self doubt, while working on six images at once for the first time, has been intense.  It has also been a labour of love and given me great joy.  Would I do it differently if I started all over again?  Yes definitely!  But, I am happy to finally put my paint brushes down (for now at least), even with all my perceived imperfections.  So here after more than a month in the making is my Woodland Animal Series.  You can see how these paintings developed here: http://www.illustratorsimaginarium.co.uk/woodland-animal-paintings-experiments-in-colour-palettes/

Nostalgic Muse

Blue & White Pencil Drawing of Woman Seated

Blue & White Vase with Flowers & Bird Pencil Sketch

Time is passing very quickly, as our college exhibition draws ever closer.  One of the projects I've been working on lately is an editorial piece about Self Identity.  This post, shows my working process, she's the embodiment of my nostalgic muse, surrounded by some of the things I love. This was an assignment for a live review with Lilla Rogers and Janine Vangool from Uppercase Magazine on the MATS B  course that I've begun to study.  It's up in an online gallery alongside some fantastic pieces by other Illustrators: http://makeartthatsells.com/galleries/mats-b-self-paced/mats-b-live-review-april-2016/page/2

Jane Austen's Regency Shoe Collection.

So, I'm a bit of a Jane Austen freak and I've been having so much fun turning my Georgian shoes into a magazine cover mock up with hand painted lettering.  It's certainly kept me on my toes!  Playing in photoshop as a complete beginner has had its mind bending moments, but here is my finished piece and the shoes as a pattern repeat.  This was my submission for MATS A Self Paced course, you can view it in the online gallery here: http://makeartthatsells.com/galleries/mats-a-self-paced/mats-a-live-review-april-2016/page/4

Alternatively, check out my sketches that evolved into this final piece:

http://www.illustratorsimaginarium.co.uk/sketchbook-drawings-of-vintage-regency-shoes/