New Capybaras coming your way!

My notebook of ideas is filling up. Since the beginning of the year I had a million creative ideas in addition to the ones that have been piling up for years. The only issue is lack of time. So I have been utilizing every free minute this past week to work on the current project but also start new ones… I really need to get better at focusing.

Anyway, I just wanted to do a warm up sketch today before getting started on my book illustrations, but then ended up doing capybaras, as I missed their entertaining pokerfaces. Here is a behind the scenes.

What situation would you like to see the capybara in?

Snow snow snow

And it didn´t even snow that much overnight. But with the lack of total winter service in Reykjavik, people drive like they have never seen snow before and everything turns into a challenge. Quite remarkable.

Different winter, same story…

snowstorm_dog_snow shovel_Melanie Franz

Dogs dogs dogs

For all the dog people out there, I have been drawing dogs all weekend. Well, actually the same dog over an over again. Character design for my new book! I will be giving you a sneak peak soon, so watch this space.

Meanwhile I am still enjoying these two. The sun came finally back to Reykjavik but so came the wind and it feels like – 24 degrees Celsius out there…

Mood Today

After a week of rain and wind, the best attempts to stay motivated seem to fail… Tea, blanket, sketchbook and movie it is.

Capybara King_Melanie Franz

Return of the Capybaras

I have been going through my old capybara drawings and I still really like them. The one below and another capybara lemon picture are actually hanging framed in our living room.

I went through my old drawings as I am in the process of putting products together for an Etsy shop. And I think this should be part of it. I actually would like to include a series of my When Life gives you Lemons Capybaras. What do you think? Would you put this up on your wall?

C is for Civet

Let’s start off the new year with another digital drawing attempt. I am kind off having fun with it in between actual ink drawings. And I am actually learning a lot of new things which is great and after the initial struggles I feel like the learning curve is getting easier. One of the project ideas I had in my head over the last year is an African animal ABC book in collaboration with a Kenyan friend. 

So civets are the ones that eat and poop out coffee beans and make them taste delicious in the process… I worked once in a coffee roastery, amazing job. Before that I thought coffee just had to be black to qualify as coffee. I learned better. The most expensive coffee I tried was the Galapagos coffee.

ABC BOOK_Civet_Africa_Melanie Franz

Art vs Artist II

For the beginning of the year I felt like putting another one of these together. More as motivation for myself than anything else. Just as reminder of what I did during the last year, beside travelling a lot and raising a tiny human.
I am excited about the coming months. Lots of creative plans are in the works. Now I just need to make the time to get started.
Happy New Creative Year to Everyone!

Merry Christmas

Who has been missing Mr Fox? Here he is!

Mix of ink, paper, coloured pencils and digital.

Have a happy holiday!

2303 fox card Christmas tree_Melanie Franz

Christmas all the way III

Felt like doing another digital illustration to practice some more.

Merry Christmas from Turtle and Spider!

Turtlemas_Turtle xmas sweater _ Melanie Franz

Christmas all the way

Still missing wrapping paper? I have been playing around with pattern making and it turned out to be a lot of fun. It’s also easier than I though it would be.

Fox xmas wrapping paper_Melanie Franz

Christmas all the way II

We got more snow and I am still missing some presents.

Still missing gift tags? For those of you who have been missing Mr Fox, get your printable gift tag below.

Gift Tag Mr Fox_Melanie Franz

Christmas all the way


I have been having fun with Christmas design options. Expect a week of Christmas inspired images and cards.

Let’s start off with a snowman. We got so much snow last night that we can build one today.
If you want to print it, download the card below.

Capybaras revisited II

Any other capybara fans out there? Snowstorm today, so this is the current mood.

What situation or with what animal would you like to see a capybara in? I am in the mood to draw some more as after all the digital drawing I think it is time to get back to my black ink, so I am looking for inspiration.

Capybara King_Melanie Franz

Capybaras revisited

I am currently redoing my second capybara colouring book. While I sold quite a few of the first colouring book – Capybaras and fun facts, I only sold 2 copies of the second one. So I thought I update and republish it, as personally I like the drawings in part two better. But then, I am also not objective.

If you are still in need of a Christmas present, here you can it. Do people still give books as presents?

And this is the current, not yet updated, sequel, Capybaras and Friends.

Should I go back to drawing more capybaras? I kind of miss their grumpy looking faces.

20 Capybara Lemon_Melanie Franz

G is for Galago

Also known as bush babies. Yes, it is wearing its party hat. Because, why not? The first digital drawing I am actually very happy about! What do you think?

I just used the same pencil to get the traditional look.

After being once again knocked out by the flu for the last couple of days I am full of energy, ready to continue drawing. Have a great week!

ABC BOOK_Galago_Melanie Franz

K is for Klipspringer II

Alright, another digital version of a Klipspringers feet.

They don’t actually skateboard. Or do they?

This small antelope is found in East Africa and South Africa. More of a browser than a grazer, the Klipspringer enjoys fruits, flowers and young plants. It’s also an agile rock climber. 

Have a great weekend!

Odd Turtle complete

Alright, my finished digital drawing attempt. What do you think about the style?

Not sure about the composition. Drew the first thing that came to mind… and added the birds because… reasons.. The pose could certainly be improved.

Happy Monday!

Progress with Turtle

I am experimenting more with different brushes, trying to find my digital drawing style. I don’t like digital illustrations when they look stiff and too neat and would like to still make it look hand drawn. So I have been experimenting with different brushes and techniques over the weekend. What do you think?

Turtle is my subject or rather victim of choice. I am just having fun with it.