Still working on this page. After some feedback changed it from the previous one, to the one below. Definitely an improvement but not quite there yet. What do you think?
Author: Mel
I'm a painter, curious student of life and traveler.
Work in progress
So I spent the last month working on my book. It took me a while to actually figure out the final style that I wanted to go for. Now I kind of figured that out.
Next I am still in the process of tweaking some of the compositions. I liked the initial sketches and all but now that I am doing the fully rendered pages, I feel that some of them fall flat.
The story is about Madame Woof Woof, a black Labrador, and all the different reasons of why she barks at night.
Practice makes perfect
More doggies. I had so many ups and downs this past week. One day was great and I was all happy about my book progress and the next I felt like I cannot draw a single line and I should give up then and there. Quite a rollercoaster. And the progress is slow. I am seriously considering to start going digital after this. It will certainly be quicker. On the other hand, having ink stains on my hands is also fun….
But I ran out of paper and now I cannot find the same paper in the art supply shop anymore… bummer. Will do another shopping spree tomorrow to see what I can find. Until then, happy weekend!
One for the Dog Lovers out there
I am still having fun coming up with new designs for my Etsy store. I have been adding some more cards since Valentine’s Day.
This is one is my favourite at the moment. What do you think? Perfect for your mate, friend, colleague.
Another round of dog sketches…
More doggy sketches on this sunny day. Currently my illustration process alternates each day from “I love it” to “I hate it all and I cannot draw shit..!” I suppose that is normal? Either way, I decided to push trough and get all the pages done by the end of this month. So watch this space.
More dog sketches
As you might guess from the sketches, Mouse´s favourite past time beside eating and running around is napping. I mean, dogs sleep 12-14 hours per day. I am pretty much envious at this point as I have been sleep deprived for a month.
And more dog sketches…
I have been pretty much drawing dog after dog, exploring different poses and especially sleeping positions. Dogs can look too funny while sleeping.
I was stuck with my book dummy and some of the spot illustrations I wanted to add. So now I have a huge number of sketches from which I will pick my favourite ones.
Sketching Dogs!
Actually it’s supposed to be character sketches for the same dog 🙂 I mentioned previously a book I am working on. So this is it. The original idea started 2 years ago with the first sketches, and it has been brewing ever since. As I am not a writer it took me a bit to put the story together and to have it professionally edited.
Since getting into illustration, I realized that for many illustrators it’s a race to the bottom with some authors not willing to pay more than dumping prices. So I decided I would rather do my own stories and illustrate them. I know that marketing will be the hardest part, but I will deal with that later.
Anyhow, since I started working on this book I have been coming up with multiple other story ideas, so there will be no shortage of ideas to explore once I am done with it.
Inspiration for the story is Mausi (Mouse, yep, what started as a nick name when she was little became her actual name.), my sister’s adorable Labrador. She is gentle, loveable, cheeky and a bit gaga at times, especially when it comes to water and sticks.
Last but not least
Ok, last greeting card design for now. At least for today. I somehow feel like making more cards, but I guess I should stop the procrastination and keep working on my children’s book!
Are there any other card designs you would like to see? What’s your favourite animal?
If you need a last minute Valentine’s day card you can find it here in my Etsy shop as printable download!
Happy Valentine’s Day or Friends Day as the Finns call it! 🙂
Happ
Who doesn’t like capybaras?
Another design attempt. This is really fun.
Are you looking for a last minute Valentine’s day card? Maybe for the capybara lover in your life?
You can get the card here in my new Etsy shop as digital download.
Playing around with design
I decided to set up an Etsy shop for printable wall art and cards and have been having fun the past week in coming up with designs. I think it is also a way of procrastination from the task at hand, which is getting my illustrations done for my latest book project. I still haven´t managed to posted about it…. Maybe tomorrow.
Anyhow, I have been having fun learning more about photoshop and designer and mock ups, so it is not all wasted time. Apparently Valentine’s day is just around the corner and I thought I experiment with that. Here is one for the honey badger in your life! What do you think?
You find the download in my shop here.
Capybara Motivation
Needed something to distract me from my actual work plan, so I messed around with my capybara drawing and Affinity photo and voila! Meet the Capybara queen Brenda 🙂
Now back to work…
Time to build a snowman
Perfect weather for it today finally!
Sun is shining!
Snow, sunshine and good music. Perfect Sunday 🙂
Capycoffee
Is it a coincidence that I keep drawing animals drinking coffee?
Capycapybara…
Coming your way…
Return of the Honey Badger
It’s been a while since I drew a honey badger. After what feels like days of sleep deprivation, I feel like drinking coffee is not enough anymore… Give me that bucket!
Snow Snow Snow
The plan for today looks like this! SLedding!
Followed by the pool. It’s only in Iceland where the outdoor pools are packed when it is snowing. Best time to soak in the hot water when it is freezing out there. And to watch children´s play in swimsuits in the snow.
Have a great week!
Watching your back
That’s me, waddling out into the snow today. We are back to winter wonderland after 2 days of snowfall and no one who cleaned the roads…
Happy Sunday everyone!
The Weather Today
We are having the best snowstorm ever right now and we ran out of coffee. I guess I have no other option than to venture out…. See ya!
Melanie Franz 