At the beginning of July, I joined the #MATS (Make Art That Sells) Summer Boot Camp for creating children's book characters. This is my first MATS class but so far it's been great fun... So let me introduce you to Minnie, seen above, who was created in response to some text provided by one of the course tutors Zoe Tucker. Without giving too much away, the story tells of how Minnie wakes from a dozy dream...I hope you like her. As a backdrop to creating Minnie, I have been listening to You Tube Music's Discover Mix and one song that I liked was Blinding Lights by the group X Ambassadors, who are new to me - I loved the way the acoustic guitar threads it's way through the track. Check it out here if you're interested.
Until next time, Thanks for reading!
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I sat this morning feeling stuck, what should I draw? I know that many artists often feel the same, this thing called procrastination it's like being stuck in mud and the only way to stop the overthinking is to move forward with something, anything, a simple line or pencil stroke. So after endless scrolling I came across a photo that I took many years ago whilst on a walk in the Derbyshire Peak District. It was the middle of Winter, it may even have been Boxing Day, but I remember it was dry and clear with just a hint of frost, and very few walkers about. So now my fingers are stained with graphite and there are smudges on the paper...but that's ok as I go back to basics with pencil, paper and something a little different today.
It's the magnificent views from Curbar Edge in the Derbyshire countryside which was my inspiration and it's only now that I look at it this sketch that I realize how fitting it is to me personally...on the edge of something new, I'll admit it's a little scary, as I share my less than perfect work, but exciting too! I hope you'll join me on my journey... I don't know about you, but I always find the greenhouse to be a quiet space, and I'm longing for the weather to change so that I can get in there and begin planting seeds and generally pottering around. Although, it's a place where you can go even if the wind is blowing, when the temperature is still in single figures outside, it's not too inviting... So in anticipation of those days where heady scents of home grown tomatoes, and basil fill the air, I've been working on some greenhouse inspired illustrations instead. Also, in an effort to slow down and try to get away from so much screen time, I decided to illustrate the Watering Can in Holbein Acrylic Gouache, it's a brand I haven't' tried before, I'd read several reviews about how good they are, so I treated myself to a few tubes and I have to say they were lovely to use and I really enjoyed the process.
So whatever you are doing this weekend, I hope it's a relaxing one! |
Hello!In this space which has no ceilings, walls or doors... I would like to invite you in, and share with you some of the simple things in life which help to inspire my illustration work, from music to the places and spaces we call home...
AuthorCatherine Hoggins |