Sun "Summer Solstice" Watercolour Illustration on Tumblr...

My little sun illustration recently hit and passed 20,000 notes on Tumblr...twenty thousand people have either clicked "like" or reblogged this one little sun image. Amazing. Tumblr is amazing.

Do you use Tumblr? Find me at www.amyholliday.tumblr.com

Throwback Thursday: (Old) Scenes from the Life Drawing Room

Whilst sorting through folders of old work this week I came across some of my life drawings from my second year at uni. I always like to see some good figure drawings now and then, so I thought I would share some of my favourites with you all, just in case you enjoy them too.

At this time I got really into Da Vinci and all of the classic renaissance artists and movement. My drawing technique has really changed since.

I didn't keep many that I considered "good" as I've always felt uncomfortable rendering realistic human forms. I think I need to pick up where I left off and start conquering my figure-drawing fears.

Sketchbook: Sea Turtle Sketches

Personal sketches - I love sealife of all kinds and have a huge list of creatures I would like to eventually illustrate. Turtles seem to be a good place to start!

A Website Update for 2014 (Finally!)

Hooray!! I have finally finished updating my website! Lots of new work and a slightly fresher layout...if you have a moment to spare go take a look! 

www.amyholliday.co.uk

Parrots in Love! Red and Blue Macaw Pair // Avairy Logo

I recently had the pleasure of painting more macaw parrots. This time a loved-up couple to be used as a new logo for the wonderful "Feathered Companions Avairy" in Delmar, Maryland. The aviary breeds many kinds of parrots, but the stars of the show are of course the big-hearted and beautiful macaws. 

It was great to work on the parrots' face detail this time, (my previous paintings are less detailed)

:: Process and Roughs...

There were many possibilities for the design, which I drew inspiration for from the aviary's own photos. Below are just some of my exploratory drawings...

...in flight and very happy:

...and a baby.

You can find previous posts with my macaws series from 2011 here:

Blue and Gold

Catablu

Scarlet 

Catalina

Military 

More Sketches

All images are (C) Amy Holliday 2014.
Please contact me first to seek permission before using. Thank you!

Angus Update #3 // Fairytale Scottish Castle & Bonnie Highlands teaser...

Another teaser from my unreleased "Angus" storybook work... I love these Scotland highlands. Being from Cumbria obviously the fells and highlands of "up north" are close to my heart, so illustrating these landscape scenes was a treat, even if they took a LOT of practice to get right...!

Image (C) Amy Holliday 2014 do not use without permission. 

Celebrating Germany's Spargel (White Asparagus) with the Brandenburg Gate // b.there! Magazine for Brussels Airlines

I was asked to illustrate Berlin's majestic Brandenburg Gate...but not as we know it...for Brussels Airlines in-flight magazine "b.there!".

The article discusses Germany's annual white asparagus obsession, as it becomes the traditional dish of the spring season which is enjoyed all over the country throughout the springtime months.

The main aspect is of course the asparagus, but I also wanted to highlight the glory of the gate itself - grand architecture can look even more stunning in certain light, so I chose to show it off with a golden sunrise.

I am very surprised to have been asked to draw something so quirky. Obviously my favourite part of the whole gate is the horses on top...

The article in b.there! magazine - (right click > open in new window to view)

:: Process and Roughs...

The overall idea was for the columns to become the asparagus, but I began with a few ideas which helped to decide how far the asparagus theme could be (or should be) taken.

All content and illustrations is (C) Amy Holliday 2014 do not use without permission.