Best blogs to follow for 2014

                                                                  

Good afternoon!

I'm in desperate need of some amazing new blogs to follow for Christmas and the new year, I want to really get involved and see some great blogs I can interact with an be inspired by,

So if you're blogging about fashion, illustration, crafts, fashion or lifestyle drop your link below and I'll check you out and follow you!

 Just a quick question, how would you recommend following people on blogger, I'm signed up with bloglovin which is cool, any other ways or simpler methods?

Looking forward to seeing some blogs :) 

Hand Made Butterfly Garland 6ft

So i've just finished making a lovely big batch of there Garlands! They've gone really well as christmas gifts, I assume as little stocking fillers which is ace!

Each butterfly is hand cut and then sprinkled with fine silver glitter and sewn together with around 35 others to make a massive garland, I've hung mine over my desk now (after moving it all over my room)
they catch the light with every turn.
They're not too christmassy, so they will outlast the festive season too.

For one pack of 30 glittery butterflies is £6 from HERE

Fashion illustration new working in progress

So we're fast approaching the NEW YEAR!
so i thought i'd show you what i'm up to and the plans for 2014, I've already finished a few Illustrations which will be in magazines early next year! which is mad to think i've already completed work which will be shown in the new year. (for two of my favourite magazines) I'll post them when the magazines are out! :D

This particular piece is in it's very early stages is drawn from some reference images that were taken by a friend of mine of a lovely model called Amy, She was great to photograph and gave me some amazing photos to draw from and play around with, I brought some roses on set so i could draw them and then visually build them all around to how I wanted, etc.
 This particular piece is only for my own illustration portfolio, but it's nice to do something for myself and explore some new ideas, techniques i'm working with.

If you can see the detail in the lips and eyes you can tell how pain staking it was to create all the little grooves and shadows, it's a difficult territory to be in, as I still wanted to retain the Illustration quality and not make it too realistic.

 Now! This lady is Laila Daho  you may recognise her from youtube! she does some awesome vidoes on make-up lifestyle etc, i'm working on a banner for her youtube, and this is a very early stage of the work! 

New fashion illustration. Blue eyes

So! A little different i hope, every new piece of work i do i feel like i'm getting a bit better and my style is evolving!
 I found my New Years Resolutions from last year, which were.

To get some artwork in a shop
Expand on my textiles
To refine my style

I've had a good go at all three! I've got my artwork and crafts in a christmas shop in Lichfield, made lots of new cushions and Designs, and created loads of new artwork!

Really hope you're enjoying my new work, This seems like a new style i'm really going to explore further,

I've got a few more Magazine Illustrations to finish in the next few days, Then i'll be starting my Christmas Holidays :D

Christmas Cards

Well, It's December, Already! Where has this year gone?
 We all had goals and ambitions for the year, mine was to gain more exposure within the Illustration word.
set up a shop! (DONE)
 and, I think, to explore my artistic style a bit more.

I do think i've achieved a little of it, i'm never 100% happy with my work, but i'm ok with that, personally i don't think i'll improve if i'm content (I think i've said that a lot)

I've made some really girly Illustrative christmas cards, they're luxurious, pretty and delicate, and are perfect to send to those friends who love Fashion and all the stereotypical girly things I adore too ;)
I wanted to experiment with the pink and gold colour palette, I think it works really well as a christmassy Card to go along with presents or as a gift card, After xmas I will be selling these as Happy Birthday Cards too!

They're £5 for a pack of 5! or £1.50 each
The pack can be a mixture of the two designs or of one only.
It's up to you, but be quick, They're selling out :)
You can buy them HERE

Illustration, black and white watercolours

Hey all!
Thanks for viewing my new blog, Hoping everything looks nice on it, I just wanted to write an update on my new work, I really felt like my portfolio needed some versatility and a breath of fresh air, so i decided to experiment with some watercolours and pencils in a different way.

The image below is something i'm really proud of, it look a long time and I do struggle with making sure the image is simple enough but still pleasing to look at. (something I spoke about with my Asos Illustration in a previous post)

  I thought it looked a little plain, so i added some extra movement with sharp brush strokes at the bottom to imply a fluffy jumper! If you really like this piece you can get the A4 Version Here for £10
 I think it shows a really mature side to my work and something i hope to pursue and experiment with. 

This Second piece is a very early work in progress shot, It's going to have a very stark black background and dramatic reds. I'm looking forward to completing this piece as it won't be like something i've done before.

My First watercolour piece, very close up and simple again, 

It's gotten a really good reaction, I do like the eyes, If you like this illustration you can buy it here for £10

Spring into illustration