cas holmes

I had completely forgotten about this! I did a great course with Cas Holmes a while ago and she posted this picture of my work on her website. Cas is a textile mixed media artist. I would really recommend her courses as they are lots of fun and she is very generous with her knowledge.

sir john tenniel and nicoletta ceccoli

Illustrations by Sir John Tenniel

I had some background reading to do for college. It was from a really interesting book called Inventing Wonderland. In particular the section about Lewis Carroll and consequently Sir John Tenniel and his illustrations for Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.

Seeing Tenniel's images and reading about Carroll's "fantasy (that) trumpets the exuberantly bizarre", put me in mind of the work of contemporary illustrator Nicolleta Ceccoli. Her website is full of her beautiful work and it would be interesting explore, compare and contrast the work of the two illustrators.

sketch book monkey

img002
Originally uploaded by only lucy

Another of the characters in the story is a sock monkey who tidies up after the little boy.

sketchbook

notebook monsters
Originally uploaded by only lucy

I am illustrating a story I have written for the Macmillan Illustration Prize competition. One of the characters is a monster. So the sketches are a record of some of my research.

sketchbook

mama elephant
Originally uploaded by only lucy

sketchbook

(alert) dog
Originally uploaded by only lucy

sketchbook

fox
Originally uploaded by only lucy

sketchbook

fish&bird
Originally uploaded by only lucy

argue design

There is something wonderful about great design and this film from Argue Design, a Swedish company created by industrial designers Matilda Nordgard and Patrik Nilsson, sums it up nicely.

shaun tan

Illustration from The Red Tree

Illustration from Tales From Outer Suburbia

I mentioned him a couple of days ago, but today it was presentation day (15 minutes on who inspires you and I chose to talk about Shaun Tan), and (fingers crossed) it passed off pretty well! So to celebrate I thought I would post a couple of my favourite Shaun Tan illustrations. Check out his blog to find out more about him.

designer traveller: Imaginary Kingdom of Time Walker

Designer Traveller is really worth a a visit. I love these images by Tim Walker that I found on there.  I had come across his work before and the picture of Lily Cole, but I think the swan is fantastic.  The presentation I have been working on is based around the work of Australian artist (and illustrator) Shaun Tan and it is the magic and humour in his work that appealed to me.  I think Tim Walker's work has that magic too.

pretty little thieves and ben kafton

pretty little thieves

Ben Kafton

I am trying to write a presentation about what influences and inspires me.  The only trouble is I keep getting distracted by books, blogs, magazines etc, etc.  Basically I need to be sealed in a room with my laptop (internet disabled) until I can get this thing done.  But needless to say I got distracted again, so my recommendations for you today are pretty little thieves and Ben Kafton. Check them out!

uppercase and the elegant cockroach

Issue 8 of Uppercase Magazine is out now! I think they look gorgeous and would love to get my mitts on one!

If you have a look on the Uppercase website they have the magazines and lots of lovely books for sale.

The Elegant Cockroach

Have you seen The Elegant Cockroach? It is for sale there too. Another book I'd love to have! I love this style of illustration.

happy days and lizzy janssen

gorgeous print by Lizzy Janssen

Been a happy day and I thought this was a happy picture. Am loving Lizzy Janssen's. I recommend checking out her work and her blog Tired Horses.