Viral Videos

The internet's gone all silly. Whether its pages of very silly animals or singing goats, we've all crowded round a screen to laugh at some mundane something or other.

Three appear to be the kings of it all, of late. Their Moonwalking Pony left me tickled last year, but I was truly uplifted by their latest feel good ad; Singing Kitty. It had me punching the air at my desk - and with nearly 3 million views perhaps I wasn't alone (or maybe I was?). It's random and ridiculous sharing material at its best.

Three #SingItKitty app ad

Coke have cleverly tapped into the irony of the disengaged / engaged, with their Social Media Guard ad. Encouraging us to free our lives from Social media - the thing that gets in the way of the real world or 'the thing that happens when you run out of battery.' So we can all share put the 'social' back into our lives.

I'll wish I had one of these next time someone reaches to take a photo of their dinner!

Coke's Social Media Guard

Christmas jumper watercolours

I recently stumbled across this rather lovely 1950's Christmas jumper on a routine lunchtime venture to Pop Boutique in Covent Garden. I couldn't resist, so here it is on my bed. Hurrah!

Feeling smug and inspired from my retail success, I couldn't help but think how great these festive pieces of attire would be as subjects for watercolours.   

So here they are. Nice eh?

I thought they'd make perfect Christmas cards too, so had some printed. Not quite in time for this years Christmas card rush, but I'll be selling them next year for sure!

Happy Christmas xxx

More pastel portraits

Here are some more of my super speedy pastel illustrations. Do let me know what you think.

A quick sketch at Borough Market

The weather has finally turned in London so I made my way to Borough Market last week for an obligatory chilly wander around. I managed to make one sketch of the market entrance before the heavens opened. I must make it back to do more.

Quick pastel portraits

I've become obsessed with drawing quickly in pastels and the results are pretty charming. I hope you agree? 

The wobblier and more energetic the line, the better so I've even been timing myself. Here are some pics of my sketch book, these are mainly 1-3 minute portraits... 3, 2, 1, GO!

Screen-printed wedding table plan and table decorations

My lovely friends Sophie and Dave got married at the rather amazing venue of Kew Gardens last weekend. Having spent many an hour together on the sofa watching the birds in their garden (yes they are old before their time), they asked me to create a bird themed table plan and table markers for their big day. I gladly accepted.

The finished product featured seven bespoke bird illustrations which I screenprinted onto their table plan and individual table cards. 

Each of the cards had a little info about the bird on the back. Something to keep grandma entertained during the speeches!

And for those of you who are nosy - this is her beautiful dress and a few snippets of the day. Hot-house fun and hazy drinks on Kew lawns. Perfect. 

Drawing tips & tricks.

In the final weeks of the course our fab teacher Claudia encouraged us to draw with our left ('wrong') hand, draw without looking at the paper and draw without taking the pencil off the paper. The outcomes may look like a old right mess to you, but their wobbliness, mistakes and simplicity give them so much energy. I love em!

Working in this way inhibits you from drawing what you think you see and rather creates a direct connection between looking and the mark you make on the paper. I will keep my these tricks up my sleeve for when drawings get stagnant or appear too challenging. 

 2 min pose not taking the pencil off the paper

Quick poses, using my left (wrong)hand

Two longer poses done entirely with my left (wrong) hand

Applying my learnings in longer poses with the 'right' hand