Avocado Studies // Watercolour + Graphite VS Watercolour + Ink

A little experiment with a simple subject matter, the humble but super healthy avocado fruit. A lot of people believe the majority of my work is made with watercolour and ink, yet this is not the case as I usually don't use any ink. So! I thought I would give ink a go - here is a comparison showing the two techniques on different illustrations of the same subject. 

Here is my regular go-to technique, simply graphite and watercolour:

More avocado studies, this time using watercolour and ink:

I really enjoyed using the ink with my watercolour - surprisingly it is also a little quicker to complete than my usual graphite and watercolour technique. It does seem to create a different overall look to the illustration, perhaps a more fun, sketchy vibe than the traditional, more polished feel the graphite exudes. I will definitely continue to experiment with the watercolour + ink more.

Do you have a favourite out of the two styles? Let me know your preference in the comments! :)

Artwork (C) Amy Holliday 2015. Please do not use without permission. 

Food Illustration // Organic Chestnut Mushrooms

A little "still-life" chestnut mushroom study. 

(C) Amy Holliday 2015 please do not use without permission.

Radio Times // BBC Proms 2015: The First Night of the Proms

I was very excited to be asked by Radio Times magazine to illustrate "the first night of the Proms" which was due to air on BBC Radio 3 on Friday. I came up with a number of various designs, compositions and colour schemes before a favourite was selected. 

I drew inspiration from the page's purple colour scheme and incorporated this into illustration. Drawing the Royal Albert Hall and classical instruments provided an interesting change to the norm. :)  

This work was commissioned via my agent, Lemonade, who very kindly sent me a copy of the issue featuring my work.

 

rough thumbnail ideas:

practice sketches:

Artwork is (C) Amy Holliday 2015 please do not use without permission.

Sketchbook // Watercolour Succulents in Pink Purple Blue and Green

I love succulents! They are stunning little things. Here are some rough experiments in combining/blending completely different colours within the same object.

Find more information on stunning succulent plants on this lovely site here.

Edit 2020: vinyl art stickers of my succulent paintings are now available on Etsy! You can find them here.

Artwork (C) Amy Holliday 

www.amyholliday.co.uk

Cancer Treatment Centres of America // Cancer Fighters Thrive Magazine: A Place to Call Home

My work is featured in this month's "Cancer Fighters Thrive" magazine! A quarterly magazine distributed by Cancer Treatment Centres of America. The magazine is designed to inform and empower cancer patients, their friends and families.

I was asked to illustrate the article "A Place to Call Home" which discusses ways in which patients make their stay at the centres more homely. After reading the article I submitted lots of idea sketches. The favourites were then selected and painted for the final illustrations. This was a very lovely and enjoyable commission.

Read the article online here.

Sketchbook // Garden Bird Nest with Eggs

I revisited a favourite subject...bird's nests. They're so fascinating, I've loved them since I was a kid! Can't wait to paint this one.

 

Artwork (C) Amy Holliday 2015. Do not use without permission.

Super Vegetables // Broccoli and Sugar Snap Peas

I've been so busy lately working on quite a few projects, but unfortunately I'm not able to share any of the work just yet - but that's no excuse to neglect my blog. As always I'm still working on few personal projects when I have time to spare. One of them being new vegetable studies. Here is broccoli and sugar snap peas. Both absolutely delicious and superheroes when it comes to nutrition. Let me know what you think!

 

Artwork (C) Amy Holliday 2015. Do not use without permission.