Quick studies from earlier in the year of a border collie sheep dog named Angus...
Thursday, 24 October 2013
Sketchbook: Horses and Horse Racing Sketches
These work-in-progress sketches are from earlier in the year and are still waiting around begging to be finished. The inspiration was spurred on (pun intended) after seeing the beautiful sculptures of Paris (Visiting the art capital of the world this summer was incredibly inspiring...)
I love how something still can capture so much movement, power and emotion.
Horses used to be my favourite thing to doodle when I was little, but I have rarely attempt them lately as they cause my perfection-ism to kick into overdrive.
Horses used to be my favourite thing to doodle when I was little, but I have rarely attempt them lately as they cause my perfection-ism to kick into overdrive.
Sunday, 20 October 2013
Collaboration // Swanky Egg Design: Sleeping Beauty Illustration to Fairytale Sculpture
The lovely Molly Miller aka Swanky Egg Design of Etsy, has finished her wonderful fairy-tale sculpture inspired by my 2011 Sleeping Beauty illustration...
Molly completed her whimsical sculpture a few weeks ago now, and I was so excited to see the finished piece. Molly really captured the essence of my illustration and then some. She added in extra details of castle spires and the spinning wheel, and even created a star-lit night sky by entwining tiny fairy-lights into the rose briars. The piece sold within 15 minutes of listing in her online Etsy shop!
Molly Miller is "Swanky Egg Design". She lives in Salt Lake City, US and creates beautiful fairy-tale inspired decorative pieces that she sells online in her Etsy shop. To marvel at more
of her creations visit her online Etsy store here...
More of my fairy-tale illustrations from 2011 can be seen at my website here.
Friday, 18 October 2013
4G British Isles Map // for O2 UK Magazine October 2013
In August I was absolutely thrilled to illustrate for UK telecommunications brand O2.
O2 required a watercolour map in their signature brand colours, to show their 4G coverage in England, Scotland and Wales. I also provided the sea background as well as they pink and blue markers, leaving O2 to then added the labels.
This is a full page illustration which features in this month's magazine, available to pick up free in stores all over the UK, I've already got my copy!
O2 required a watercolour map in their signature brand colours, to show their 4G coverage in England, Scotland and Wales. I also provided the sea background as well as they pink and blue markers, leaving O2 to then added the labels.
This is a full page illustration which features in this month's magazine, available to pick up free in stores all over the UK, I've already got my copy!
All images are (C) Amy Holliday 2013, please do not use without permission.
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
SEWE Southeastern Wildlife Exhibition // Save the Date Illustration for U.S. Magazine
In July, I was approached by a US magazine who needed an illustration to open up their calendar of events section.
They wanted to depict the Southeastern Wildlife Exhibition which is held annually in Charleston, South Carolina. The exhibition celebrates all things wildlife and there is a huge focus on different mediums of fine wildlife artwork.
The brilliant concept they presented me with was "a fine art frame with different flora and fauna emerging from it"
As you can imagine, this one illustration was a lot of work but a dream to work on. I first needed to research South Carolina's wild plants and animals. Bears, foxes, deer...eee! Once I had established that I was working with the correct species, I was ready to work on placing them all inside the frame.
Also held at the event is a Dock Dogs competition, where sporting dogs run and jump into water to retrieve toys, competing for the title of farthest jump. I was therefore asked to also include a dock dog in the mix. (I had not heard of the amazing "Dock Dogs" this brief, and I loved what I learned so much that I ended up creating more work on this just for my own fun, (not to mention practice), more on this in another post).
Below is the progression of the project from concept sketches to finished illustration.
This piece was so much fun to work on, can you tell that I was enjoying myself!? That said - I also learned a lot from it. You can see more rough/sketch work for this project on my Facebook page here.
They wanted to depict the Southeastern Wildlife Exhibition which is held annually in Charleston, South Carolina. The exhibition celebrates all things wildlife and there is a huge focus on different mediums of fine wildlife artwork.
The brilliant concept they presented me with was "a fine art frame with different flora and fauna emerging from it"
As you can imagine, this one illustration was a lot of work but a dream to work on. I first needed to research South Carolina's wild plants and animals. Bears, foxes, deer...eee! Once I had established that I was working with the correct species, I was ready to work on placing them all inside the frame.
Also held at the event is a Dock Dogs competition, where sporting dogs run and jump into water to retrieve toys, competing for the title of farthest jump. I was therefore asked to also include a dock dog in the mix. (I had not heard of the amazing "Dock Dogs" this brief, and I loved what I learned so much that I ended up creating more work on this just for my own fun, (not to mention practice), more on this in another post).
Below is the progression of the project from concept sketches to finished illustration.
Concept progression from first roughs to final drawing in three stages:
The final illustration:
Details:
All images are (C) AmyHolliday 2013, please do not use without permission.
Monday, 9 September 2013
Q & A: "How did you find your style of working?"
Q: "Hello. I just wanted to say I love your work! I'm studying illustration in university and was just wondering how you came about your definite style in working.. I have yet to find mine. ha."
Afterthought: I feel I have so much more to explore and learn. I think a "style" develops a little with every new subject/project you encounter and with any new techniques you try. Many artists' work tend to vary and change over time...maybe in the future my work will have a completely different look to it?
A: Thank you, it’s so nice of you to get in touch. Which year are you in? I didn't properly find/settle on my best way of working until the end of my second year (of university). I experimented a LOT with all kinds of media and approaches as I tried to fulfil the tutors' briefs and please them. I did learn a lot from trying many new and different things, but in the end, (and with the helpful guidance of one tutor in particular), I realised that I produced my best work when I stayed true to myself and what I love; drawing. As soon as I had found my focus, (and stopped trying to please everyone but myself) everything gradually started to fall into place. I returned to focusing on traditional techniques with drawing at the forefront, but applied my newly discovered skills and fresh ways of thinking as I strived to better myself and make my work stronger.
Afterthought: I feel I have so much more to explore and learn. I think a "style" develops a little with every new subject/project you encounter and with any new techniques you try. Many artists' work tend to vary and change over time...maybe in the future my work will have a completely different look to it?
Personal: Small Cat Studies
Personal work: Some smaller, quicker ("spot") kitty illustrations to contrast the large, more detailed ones from the start of the year. Trying to capture the feline essence/way - I had 32 sketches by the time I had finished, (some turned out much better than others did!)
I returned to them at a later date and added some colour to my favourites... (click for a larger view)
All images (C) Amy Holliday 2013. Please do not use these illustrations without prior permission!
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