Mother's Day Cards

I'm doing a little clearance of some of my stock. So updating Etsy gradually with some discounted stock and offers. Main sale will be in early April when I have a little more time, but these are up now for anyone that needs Mother's day cards.

Hope you all have fab weekend, I'll be working on my promo leaflet and new business cards.

Illustration Friday Intention

My intentions for my alphabet book, are well it’s well under way. 

B took a little while because I had trouble with my bears.

Originally my B illustration was Bee in a balloon, too easy… with this project I wanted to step out of my comfort zone. Although I will indulge myself with the odd bird (can't help it) I need to prove to prospective commissioners’ and myself that I can create more than cute singing birds and insect characters.

When I started I realized the Bears I had created where more “memory bank bears” for example they looked too familiar: Forever Friends, Winnie the Pooh, Paddington Bear etc. So I had to sketch my way well out of going down that root. I’ll be showing you my bear character development in due course.

I finally got there and here is my bear.

I love retro/vintage colour schemes so I intend to use this colour palette

Inspired by this lovely Book "Counting Rhymes", World Distributors 1957. Illustrated by Virginia Parsons.

Other news I’m off to Bologna Children’sBook Fair soon so lots to do before I go:

Folio update, promo material, new business cards etc. It will be great to meet some of my peers, collect contacts, receive feedback from publishers in person and sight-see in Bologna, Italy.

If you have a flickr account and want to join the Alphabet fun please do so, here’s my group.

Have a fab week,

Ni

Wow 500 LIKEs and 74 followers

A thank you to all the people that follow my blog page and / or Facebook, I really appreciate every single one.

ABC Let's See

Who'd of thought it an Alligator capable of eating apples? IF submission

Hey lovely people,

I hope you are well. I have some nice little updates for you and some new Illos.

I think it's only right we start with the new pieces because I haven't posted for a few weeks. As you may know I'm working on promo material for children's publishers and focusing on an alphabet book. What you think?

I'll be working on B is for... next and C is here I have started a Group on Flickr called

The Illustrated Alphabet and I'd love for fellow illustrators with Flickr accounts to join in the fun.

I had a few highlights last week, which I'd like to share...

My first Interview
I have had the pleasure of being interviewed by a fabulous website called Inside the Books we talked about my recent Sister to Sister commission and lots about my process and inspiration etc http://www.insidethebooks.com/2012/02/25/whos-behind-the-greeting-cards-series-sister-to-sister/ 

***Convo with a  favourite illustrator of mine Vanessa Brantley-Newton***
I do get very excited when I speak to pioneers in my field and Vanessa is totally a pioneer and inspiration. I'm happy she took the time out to visit my blog and was very encouraging. Happy days if you don't know of her work, check it out it is truly glorious http://oohlaladesignstudio.blogspot.com/

Thanks for visiting, see you all soon and all feedback welcome. 


PS Which of the A is for illustrations would you pic? 1, 2 or 3?

Happy Valentine's Giveaway

Happy Valentine's Day, I'm running a giveaway on my Facebook page...but thought I better do a giveaway on here for all the my loyal blog followers too.

Quite simple...the first 5 to email me "Be my Valentine" will receive a FREE Lil XOXO greeting card. It is a blank inside so not just for Valentine's and can be sent to a loved one anytime of year, featuring a cute little character from my Doodle Kids bunch.

Well I hope you are having a day filled with love and happiness.

Illustration Friday_Suspense

Hey everyone, here's my illustration Friday submission suspense the little chicks just can't wait for the cupcakes. I'm currently working on an alphabet book project along side promo material for publisher. I've started last week, working on ABC and here is C. I have been setting little challenges for myself to keep my illustration going in the right direction. I'm keeping in mind "illustrators do it everyday" by "do it" I mean illustrate/draw, although I Design for my day job and it takes up lots of time an energy I'm trying to keep the end plan in sight, so have changed a few things around and added a few rules for myself. I sometimes struggle with motivation and completing projects. I have made clear goals this year and they’re more focussed and deadlines are realistic. I have added some pressure techniques such as I have told my fans and followers of projects which I'm aiming to do and finish.

My little niece will be working on this project with me, creating her own alphabet book too. This will not only be totally fun but will keep my speed and momentum up...kids work faster than adults :o) when it comes to art they just can't put it down, they can't wait to get started. I've never heard a child say; "I'm not motivated" have you? So I'll be implementing the enthusiasm of a kid.
 

Self-belief and Fear

Ones self-belief is fundamental if you are to succeed at anything.

I’m more than pleased to share the link to my fully live and functional website.  www.nyhagraphics.co.uk

This is a personal victory, its been years of procrastinating, re-designing, self-assessing that made this a “to do” which never got completed.

I am totally aware I am my own worst critic. A practicing perfectionist, the perfectionist trait is a total handicap especially for an growing illustrator; as you and your style are always changing and growing. 

Perfectionism is even more detrimental if it is dictated or driven by fear. For me it was the fear of not reaching my own expectations of the perfect illustrator. The illustration business is so competitive and with the Internet you get bombarded with images of what you should achieve or what you should be better than.

In a frustrated discussion with a dear friend she said  “it would never be perfect just get it done! You can always update it and improve it, just get it done!” which of course is totally right. It was time I stop holding my self back and just do it. I thought I was too close to the project so I accepted the kind offer of help from a great website designer Gary Stevens. Gary was wonderful and let me have total creative control, he was focused and his dedication drove my project to completion.

This year I’m continuing my "Feel Fear the Fear and Do It Anyway" campaign. This is step one completed.  

I wish anyone having a similar problem good luck, I know it is hard, but I know you can do it, now you need to believe that too and here a nice quote.

"It's lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believe in myself." 
Muhammad Ali