Angus Update #2 // Suit of Armor teaser...

Hello wonderful blogger friends!

I know I was very quiet throughout January - and so I would like to thank my followers so much for bearing with me. For the most part its been the good kind of quiet! I have been busy - and I'll be able to start updating you with new work over the next few weeks...I am excited to share what I've been working on with you all.

For now, here's a little Friday update: I am almost finished with my "Angus" story book commission...and here is a little teaser. Ooh a mysterious hallway...

Personal // Ellie Goulding Drawing (A work in progress...!)

Something different for me: portraits. An Ellie sketch developed into this finished drawing during a bout of lots of portrait/people practice in 2012. 

This is my favourite of the bunch and still remains uncoloured! We all know "WIP"s always end up being long forgotten relics in our desk drawers, but hopefully that wont be the case with this one...

(C) Amy Holliday 2012, please do not take or use without permission

Gallimaufry by Grace // Flamingo Gift Shop Sign

A few photos of one of my flamingo illustrations in use - this one makes a very pretty logo and sign for Gallimaufry by Grace gift shop, located in Mississippi, US!

 

What a beautiful little shop! These photos are courtesy of the owner.

More of my very vibrant greater flamingo series can be found here.

Digital Arts Feature June 2013 // What's hot in Animal Illustration

In June I was featured in an article published in Digital Arts magazine! (Pretty delayed I know - I had completely forgotten about it and have only just seen the finished article!)

A handful of (fabulously talented) contemporary illustrators give their perspective on current trends in animal illustration, and discuss preferred techniques to capture their animal subjects.

I was flattered to be one of those illustrators asked to contribute, alongside Sarah Maycock, Tim McDonagh and Kristjana S Williams and more, all of whom I am personally a fan of.

You can read the full article here

(Only a small part of what I submitted was included, so I think I will blog the rest of it here!)

Badger Family in the Snow // Christmas Cards via Animal Aid

As the Christmas season rapidly approaches, I would like to remind anyone who might be on the hunt for their Seasons Greetings cards that my Badger Family illustration is available to buy in packs of ten via the charity, Animal Aid. 

I ordered two packs for myself, and took the opportunity to take some photos. Here they are alongside the original illustration. They are of excellent quality and have a lovely gloss finish. It is always so exciting for me to see my work in print!

The cards are being sold in packs of 10 for £3.95 and all proceeds go towards helping this wonderful animal charity continue their amazing work.

 You can purchase them from the Animal Aid website here.

Happy Thanksgiving!! // Autumnal Turkey

Last weekend I was asked to create a very seasonal turkey illustration for a US client...

I kept the colours very seasonal but still vibrant, and I experimented with lots of feather textures to create his huge fantail.

The design required a traditional pattern with corresponding autumnal elements for a border design. I painted this using only browns and greys, and later added in a little more colour digitally.

I ended up having two different versions for his head - I felt the first was too cute and subtle so I made sure that the second shows his profile and details of his wattle much better.

Border Detail:

Images (C) Amy Holliday 2013. Please do not use without permission.

Tea Packaging // Appetizing Ingredients: Juicy Strawberries

I was recently thrilled to be approached by a prestigious client with the prospect to provide the new illustrations for a certain rather large tea brand's new range of packaging...

See previous post for the full story here. Previously posted ingredients:

Spicy Ginger

Refreshing Mint

...here is my final series of the three; juicy, rosy strawberries...

These are my favourites from the three series...I love strawberries! It was torture having the ripe, juicy strawberries in front of my nose while I worked on them. I have painted strawberries before although it was a long time ago (2011) so it was great to have a fresh attempt at them using new techniques.

All images are (C) Amy Holliday. Please do not use without permission.