Pelican watercolour pencil Melanie Franz

Pelicans are back

On June 7, 2026 By MelIn Artworks 2026, watercolourLeave a comment

Yes, the pelican book is still on. It’s very much a work in progress. The manuscript is pretty much finished, and so is the storyboard. And I still like it, after 2 months of break, so that is a good sign.

The next step is to create the first proper illustrations. That’s on the agenda for tomorrow, so I can finally get started on that phase.

One of the reasons I’m doing these watercolour sketches at the moment is to loosen up a bit and explore different approaches until I find a style that feels right. I am also still set on ink and watercolour. Need to experiment more with it. But for now I love my Caran d’ache pencils. What do you think?

Making Friends

On June 6, 2026June 6, 2026 By MelIn Art, Artworks 2026, watercolourLeave a comment

Desert Mouse

On June 5, 2026June 5, 2026 By MelIn Artworks 2026, watercolourLeave a comment

I really love the vibrance of these Caran d’ache Luminance pencils.

Day 6 of drawing random animals from my Pinterest board. What do you use for inspiration?

Coocoo

On June 4, 2026June 4, 2026 By MelIn Artworks 2026, watercolourLeave a comment

Not quite the sound a Lemur makes (what sounds do they make?) but still think it fits the sketch.

25min from start to finish. I am really enjoying this loose drawing with no strings attached. 20 years later I finally get the idea of having a sketchbook.

I want coffee

On June 2, 2026June 2, 2026 By MelIn Etsy, Artworks 2026Leave a comment

This print is now officially approved by my partners co-workers and is now on their office wall.

Want to make a statement too? Find the print here.

Good Morning

On May 31, 2026May 31, 2026 By MelIn Art, Artworks 2026Leave a comment

From this, to this.

Fun with Watercolour

On May 31, 2026 By MelIn watercolour, Artworks 20264 Comments

I am actually having a lot of fun with my sketchbook. First time in ages that I took out my watercolours as well.

Do you have a sketchbook? What is your favourite medium?

Just having fun..

On May 25, 2026 By MelIn Etsy, Artworks 2026Leave a comment

Checking if I can still draw… After all good intentions of sketching daily, I did not open my sketchbook once during the last 6 weeks of travel…

Now back home, I got my desk cleaned up, spent another 30min looking for my pencil case, and eventually started out with a number of 5 min animal sketches. This one was 25 min from start to finish.

Oh deer!

On March 25, 2026 By MelIn Artworks 2026, EtsyLeave a comment

Mid-week mode. After a snow storm faced with pure sunshine…

Snack Time

On March 11, 2026March 11, 2026 By MelIn Artworks 2026, Etsy2 Comments

Seems the more I draw and the more creative I am, the more my blog suffers. But I have been drawing a lot, working on the story board for a new book. Doing some new Etsy posters.

Still plenty of things on my to-do list for this week. But first, a snack!

Have a wonderful day!

Hyvää Ystävänpäivää aka Happy Friendship Day

On February 14, 2026 By MelIn Art, Artworks 2026, EtsyLeave a comment

That’s what the Finns call it. Have a great weekend.

Anyone in need of a last minute Valentine’s day card or a Friendship card, you find them as printable downloads on my Etsy here and here.

Last Minute Valentine’s Card, anyone?

On February 13, 2026 By MelIn Art, Artworks 2026, Etsy1 Comment

Time just flies when you are having fun, aka a mountain of work.

Anyone in need of a last minute Valentine’s day card or a Friendship card (as the Finns call it)?
Then you are in luck!

I got a few funny ones. You find them as printable downloads on my Etsy here and here.

Weekly Planners without a Plan

On February 4, 2026February 4, 2026 By MelIn Art, Artworks 2026, Etsy2 Comments

New week new motivation. I made more planners and only semi so so followed my plan. Has been a very productive 2 weeks though.
I have been adding more of the weekly planners on my ETSY.

I also finished several 2026 calendars just right in time for February! Check them out here!
Have a great rest of the week!

Tuesday mode

On January 20, 2026January 20, 2026 By MelIn ArtLeave a comment

Trying to start into the new week full of motivation and with a veeeery long to-do list. So in order to tackle the new year I am trying to be more organized (my main job is being a professional organizer that needs to meet deadlines aka project manager).

As if I don’t have enough things on my to-do list, step one was to make the to-do list look nice, which then turned into the creation of a whole set of weekly planners and a year calendar in the making. I suppose that this is a whole new level of procrastination.
Anyhow, you can also get your own printable weekly planner here on my Etsy. I’ll be uploading a few more online this week.

Use promo code PLAN2026 and get a 50% discount on all weekly planners 🙂

Hello darkness my old friend

On January 17, 2026 By MelIn Artworks 20262 Comments

Actually it is not that bad, now that the days are getting longer again in Iceland. But the coffee maker was broken! A minor disaster. It got replaced today.
Good to be back on my drawing desk! First drawing of the year. Have a great weekend.

Everything is fine, I think

On January 8, 2026 By MelIn Art, Artworks 2025, Etsy1 Comment

Happy New Year! New resolutions there are plenty. Number one is to get better on my time management and to start and finish projects more efficiently.

Number 2 – take a pottery class.

Number 3 – to become fluent in French until the end of the year…. that’s a 25 year mission in the making.

The idea came a little late, but I am currently working on a 2026 calender. Anyone interested in a specific theme? Motivational honey badgers, black humour and aerial foxes are on top of my list.

Merry Christmas & a last Minute Christmas Card

On December 23, 2025December 23, 2025 By MelIn Artworks 2025, christmas2 Comments

After Inktober it got rather quiet here again. Time flies when you are having fun. I have been sketching a bit and exploring Italy.

New children book ideas are in the making and I am looking forward to get working on them once back home in January.

Until then, happy holidays! And as last year, if you are in need of a last minute Christmas card, get your free printable download below.

5x7 Greeting card dog christmas card Melanie Franz

5×7 Christmas Card dog Download

5×7 Christmas Card Merry bunny christmas Download

5×7 Christmas Card Shoebill Download

Inktober 2025 Wrap up

On November 20, 2025 By MelIn Art, Artworks 2025, inktober2 Comments

Inktober! I made it! After missing out on it last year, it was great to have done it again. I got a bit delayed there in the and due to travel preparations, but hey, the journey is the goal.

So what did I learn? Don’t worry so much about the outcome and let loose and have fun with it. I also got a lot faster in sketching maybe 10 min, inking 10-20 min. All in all, great practice as always. Now I am ready to tackle more of my other projects. How about you? What are you working on?

Have a wonderful day!

Inktober Day 31 – Award

On November 19, 2025November 18, 2025 By MelIn Art, Artworks 2025, inktoberLeave a comment

Last but not least, the best award of all, the Golden Plover or Lóa as it is called in Icelandic.

Winter is coming so it is time for the Lóa to fly south. The birds will stay south until late spring. They will return to Iceland when summer starts. There is even a song about: Lóan er komin (The Golden Pover has arrived)

The crown turned out rather awkward I have to admit.

Inktober Day 30 – Vacant

On November 11, 2025November 9, 2025 By MelIn Art, Artworks 2025Leave a comment

Slowed down and went blank just before the finishing line. I eventually ended up having fun with this one and added coloured ink to it.
Gone south, that will be the theme soon.