Watercolour DNA // Somatic Cell Illustration Process

Continued watercolour cell illustrations for a bio-engineering client. This time to produce organic, fluid and beautiful-looking DNA helices. 

Initial concept sketches: To help produce these designs, the creative team continually request additional input from working scientists, who help to ensure the images being portrayed remain somewhat realistic and scientifically-correct.

When the shape and style of the helix had been determined, the next stage was to find the most effective way to add colour.

In addition to a vertical helix, a horizontal design was also suggested:

The final, finished illustrations are... a bold, vertical helix shape in turquoise and purple with chartreuse-green and fuchsia-pink highlights:

...with an accompanying horizontal perspective using a similar colour-theme:

Artwork (C) Amy Holliday 2019

www.amyholliday.co.uk

Raku Pottery Illustration // Painting Process

A little painting to illustrate Japanese style "Raku" pottery-firing event at an annual fair. This illustration was created for Southbound magazine in Atlanta.

"The process of Raku firing differs from other firing methods because the pots are removed from the kiln at their maximum temperature. The unique look of Japanese Raku pottery is achieved by utilizing both smoke and fire in the Raku kiln to create an unpredictable and unique style." 

Painting the iridescent glaze on this beautiful style of pottery was a first for me - so I needed some practice before I was confident enough with my technique...as you can see some turned out better than others!

www.amyholliday.co.uk

Pattern Design // Honey Bee & Bumble Bees | Watercolour illustration bumblebee patterns

EDIT 03/01/24 - re-added artwork with watermarks. If you would like to use these illustrations and/or patterns please contact me, thank you :)

As a little side project I've been working towards perfecting the art of "repeat patterns", which I hope will help me create a variety of decorative fabrics and products with my illustrations. Some of the first I've put together are based on this small series of pollen-dusted bee paintings. Let me know if you like them.

Fluffy Bumblebees

And I couldn't forget the iconic Honey Bee. I wanted this one to be quite symmetrical to create a more uniform pattern. 

And just for fun, a fat bumblebee!

Images and artwork (C) Amy Holliday 2016

To view more of my work please visit www.amyholliday.co.uk

Angus Lord Snizzort of Trotternish // Madoli Design Costume

I was very surprised and excited to hear that Angus, the Lord Snizzort of Trotternish himself has his first fan-creation! This incredible costume was created by Olivia Laking of Madoli Design. The details are spot-on! 

Angus is the main character in a book I illustrated last year for children's author Kelly McGill.

Artwork (C) Amy Holliday 2015 

Angus Lord Snizzort of Trotternish (C) Kelly McGill 2015

Angus stage costume by Olivia Laking. For more info visit www.madolidesign.co.uk

Wild Scarlet Macaw Appeared!

The first to be completed in my series of macaws. I had a bit of a paper experiment with this one and actually printed the drawing onto better quality paper before painting it. Let me know what you think! More macaws to come soon!

Poodle Portraits!

My Mum suggested it might be a nice idea to surprise my Dad with a portrait of Rosie our miniature poodle,  as part of his 50th Birthday gifts. I'm not sure which one I'm going to give him yet, I think my Mum can choose since it was all her idea! When its decided, I'll frame it and wrap it up. I can't wait to surprise him!

 

Jet Set Radio Future Love!

I finally got round to painting some drawings I did a while back…I don't draw people often so I thought I'd have a go and make sure I have some fun while I'm at it… and yup these were SO much fun to do! These are kind of my own takes on some of my favourite characters from a game that's influenced me since I was a tween. In order they are: "Beat", "Gum" and "Ryth"....."Jet Set Radio Future" is (C) Sega.

 

Milk Packaging Completed

I went back and added more colour to my typeface to give it more of an impact and to complement the colour scheme of the illustrations. I painted over the top of my pencil drawing in Photoshop:

 Today I finished photographing my milk carton designs and point of sale stand, which completes the uni brief of illustrating/designing milk packaging that is aimed at children and parents.

I also finished building my website! http://www.amyholliday.co.uk

Tourist "Camel Trek" Camels of Tunisia & the Sahara Desert

The series was inspired by last summer's visit to Tunisia and a Camel trek in the Sahara desert! I worked from photographs which supplied a change from my recent life studies. I wanted to capture the atmosphere by showing distance through differences in scale and conveying the variety of textures.

Click to view full-size images.

Here are some early camel drawings and rug patterns; I found coloured pencils brought out the surface of the paper underneath which created quite a believable fabric texture:

 I added colour as well as textures, experimenting with various implements and techniques until I got the hot, dusty atmosphere I desired:

 

 

 

I incorporated my rug patterns into the drawings:

I experimented with different ways of drawing the camels. The elongated shadows and different viewpoints can make the desert seem a very alien environment, especially at sunset:

I focused on the foreground details and textures for some up-close camels:

The final composition: (click for larger view!)

 

 

 

2012 Edit: The evolution of a project! This is a good step by step example of how I work and progress through a project, from early drawings, to experimental stages, to producing many studies of the subject before selecting the best to use for the final illustration(s). 

"British Firsts" Postage Stamps: Award winning Vegetables!

Brief: Celebrate the idea of 'firsts' and create stamps that inspire the nation whilst instilling national pride.

I chose to focus on British first-prize winners, and from this I chose to further narrow it down to award winning vegetables. I set out making various studies on vegetables that are frequently entered into competitions based on weight, length, best in show etc.