Illustration Friday- Spider

Last weeks Illustration Friday topic was 'spider'.

I did a quick sketch book entry for this one.

And I was thinking about spiders whilst I was creating. And my over-the-top fear I have for them! So creepy. Especially the big huntsman types that like to visit us in our homes, or the whitetails that like to hide in our clothes on the floor. Ugh! We also have a few redback spiders lurking out in the garage that we have to be careful of. I don't think many Aussies go willy-nilly grabbing at old dusty stuff in their garages without being slightly cautious! 

On a particular girls trip to Warburton we encountered a previously settled in guest in one of the bedrooms. We elected to leave it to have the whole room to itself and slept in the lounge room instead ;)

I hope the next time I feel inclined to do an Illustration Friday topic it's one that I feel a bit warmer towards.

Go on, tell me in the comments; spiders: love or loathe?

Jules :)

*Daddy-long-legs are excluded from the freaky spider category ;)

New Art Prints

I'm so happy to announce that the whole set of my latest range of animal artworks are available as prints now in the shop! We have an insightful owl, a cheeky bunny, a playful bird, and a sleepy kitty cat. I hope you like them :)

Jules :)

30 Minute Sketch Book/ Art Journal Activity

Creating art in my sketch book/ Art Journaling; whatever you like to call it is one of my favourite things to do. I really should do it more often! It's a place to be free. You don't have to show anyone your results. It's a place to have fun and play. Try it, if you want to, even if you don't consider yourself to be arty or the creative sort.

My Sister in law was over recently and we all painted pictures together. She doesn't paint or consider herself creative, but has dabbled in a few crafty projects here and there. She had a really good time painting, because it's just plain fun.

So grab a sketch book or art journal and get going!

You need: Sketch Book/ Art Journal, Acrylic Paints, Medium (optional; I use gloss medium), Golden Acrylic Ground for Pastels, Coloured Pencil, and of course some paintbrushes, and a hairdryer if you want to speed things up and keep to that half hour.

First, I covered the whole page. Just use colour here, no white or black. Use your favourites or whatever you are drawn to use. I like to add a bit of medium to my paint, but you can add water, or just straight paint. Keep it mid tones, so not too light; not too dark.

Cover, cover, cover that paper! Yay!

Then I dried it with a hair dryer, then coated it with Golden Acrylic Ground for Pastels. This gives the surface a nice grip so you can draw over the top with pencil. If your paints are very matte (I find Jo Sonja's colours to be matte and I'm happy with the quality of this paint) or you have used water to thin your paint, then you may be able to skip this step. Dry with hairdryer.

Next, draw some shapes. I just quickly drew some flowers. But, draw anything you like here. Crystals, a tiger, a paper boat...

Then I started focussing in on the negative space. I coloured a bit in using the same pencil I drew my shapes with. You could use a different colour, or a mix of colours. I'm all about individuality, play and experimenting... :)

I then washed down some white paint and painted in the rest of the negative space. Some parts are thicker than others and I think that's the beauty of it. 

And there you have it, fun! I'd love to see if you use this prompt to create something in your sketch book or journal.

Jules :)

Instagram Loves

I love Instagram. And I love to share other people's work too.

Here are some creative art accounts that I am swooning over at the moment.

Becky Blair. Beautiful, amazing work with a soothing quality. I think the blurry elements she places in her paintings make me feel soothed.

Frances Ryan is an Artist living in Ireland. I especially love the contrast between elements in her paintings. Such as intricate little details next to an expanse of flat space.

I really enjoy all the fun and colour on Lori Siebert's account. There's a lot of really fun energy flowing out of her Instagram feed.

Jill Mayberg. The texture and colour! And the texture and colour! No, that's not a typo, I just needed to say it twice! :)

And Bandicoot Art. These works kind of remind me of doodles. If you happen to be a top-class professional doodler, that is. Seriously, it's really intriguing art with a naive feel. And the works have got that textural quality. And colour. You know I love texture & colour.

Ahh, Instagram. My fave of all the social media beasts.

Hope you enjoyed that line up.

Jules :)

New Cushion

Just listed this new cushion in the shop. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. It started life as a doodle in a sketch book. It feels amazing to create something where there was nothing before. 

And I'm so taken by the indigo blue colour at the moment. I'm a bit like that; I go through colour phases. My kids get upset because I never have a definite answer for them when they ask me what's my favourite colour :) 

I hope you like it. I love making things to pretty up homes.

Jules x

Recent Art & Creativeness

So I'm really quite busy at the moment! No time to upload new products into the shop or get it out there properly, as I'm in a buzz of meeting deadlines and creating. But I thought I would show you a few recent pics of what's been happening. I will be back soon with new products in the shop and show you all my new goodies soon, promise! 

Jules :)

New: Cat Dreams Art Print

I really had fun making this one and I'm wanting to make a lot more like it.

You know what, I tried to make a less busy artwork here, but as always, I went crazy and just kept adding more and more things! I think I just need to accept that that's part of my process. More is more, right!?

Miss 6 is a bit kitty obsessed, but unfortunately, we won't be getting a cat as we are all about the Australian native birds here. I'm longing for a dog, really.

Available as a print now in my Etsy shop.

Happy weekend!

Jules x