Updated this capybara drawing. Now there are more lemons!
Have a good day!
Category: Illustration
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.
Art vs Artist
Another year is slowly coming to an end. I feel like I haven´t done much illustration wise, but going through my files it actually looks like I got more done than I thought I did.
I tried lots of new things – media and styles – started on my own book projects (more about that soon) and I am looking forward to see where this journey will take me next year!
How about you? Did you try anything new this year?
Merry Christmas
Who has been missing Mr Fox? Here he is!
Mix of ink, paper, coloured pencils and digital.
Have a happy holiday!
Christmas all the way III
Felt like doing another digital illustration to practice some more.
Merry Christmas from Turtle and Spider!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Casting Shadows
I am just following the Inktober 52 prompt list now for easy inspiration. It helps me to find a quick idea of what to draw as a warm up sketch. I am still trying out different digital pens. That’s why the turtles have a different feel to them, at least in my opinion.
Monday Mood
More practice in digital drawing. The turtle is a good subject for it. What do you think?
Snow time
Going to by a sled today for the little one. There is a decent amount of snow already and hopefully we will get more.
Meanwhile grab your free ebook of What´s the Weather here. Or get the print version of the picture book.
Have a great weekend!
First Snow!
Beautiful sunshine and everything is white. Good start for winter I would say.
We haven´t build a snowman yet, but it is definitely on the to do list.
Meanwhile you can get your free What’s the Weather ebook here! It will be available for free download until the 26th. Just happy to share. Of course the paper version is also available.
Have a great weekend!
Feeling foxy …
Happy weekend everyone! I spent the last couple of days going over my old books (while I am working on a new one). I tried to see where I had improved and where I still have lots of work to do when it comes to my illustrations. I am currently working on a book project and I am quite happy how it is progressing. More about that soon.
Meanwhile I also rediscovered my first own story that I did, more for practice than anything else. The story called Picture Perfect starring the little Mr Fox and his best friend Mr Mouse, two characters you might be familiar with if you have followed my blog for some time.
This was 2 years ago. Back then I had no idea about book or cover design, or making a concept to start with, and just went with it. I certainly improved in that respect, after several children’s book illustration classes. I just finished my first proper book dummy. So stay tuned for more on that.
Anyhow, if you are interest in the Mr Fox story, you can currently download the free kindle version here ! Reviews are more than welcome.
Enjoy your weekend! Cheers from Iceland!
Inktober 2023 Roundup
Despite having been late to the party, I really enjoyed the Inktober challenge as every year and I am really happy with the outcome. Just like in the previous years, I was not sure where the journey would take me. And as every year I am happy about what I learned and the results.
I got so much positive feedback about the little turtle and spider, that I am considering of putting an actual children´s book together with these two characters. So watch this space.
Here are all of the 32 drawings ( yes, I did one extra because I had so much fun)
Did you do inktober? What is your take away from the challenge?
Melanie Franz 
