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.

Illustration practice IV

Another slight changed master copy. My favourite so far. It will get a spot on the wall for sure. You might be familiar with the boat crew. Original illustration by Janosch.

Ink and watercolour.

Have a great weekend!

My version

22 Janosh Fox fishing _Melanie Franz

The original by Janosch.

One Week 100 People II

Love how these 4 turned out. I am using the opportunity to have fun with different styles and mediums. Used a mix of sienna ink, watercolour and coloured pencils for these.

In the Water

As previously written, I love water. I started cold-water dipping a couple of years ago and absolutely love doing, especially in nature. But also every swimming pool in Iceland will have a cold water pot next to the hot tubs. That makes it even more enjoyable jumping from hot to cold and back.

Here is another watercolour practice from a year ago. Watercolour on hot press paper.

2111 swimming fish_watercolour_Melanie Franz

Underwater

Another watercolour practice on cold press paper. I do love swimming and being underwater is amazing. Unfortunately I never met a rock n roll starfish before.

Take Your Pet to School Day I

This was my first attempt at a full scene in watercolour and ink, where I put the characters of the previous posts into action.

I am very happy how it turned out. Any comments and criticisms are welcome 🙂

Did you ever take your pet to school?

2111 classroom- Take your pet to school day - Melanie Franz

Swim with me

Another page of my Capybara and Friends – Colouring book , now in full colour. Here is the original.

Have a great weekend everyone!

2201 Capybara swimming with fish_Melanie Franz

Art vs Artist

I made a last one of these Art vs Artists collages. Also more for me as I enjoyed taking a look at my work from last year.

Below are my first proper attempts of watercolour illustrations. I still feel like I have a long way to go. But practice makes you maybe not perfect, but better bit by bit.

Happy weekend!

Art vs Artist 2021_Melanie Franz

Adventurous Seas

Just like life, a lot is going on below and above sea level.

This is another seen from my latest Capybaras and Friends Colouring Book.

Happy Monday!

Art vs. Artist

There was this art vs artist posts on Instagram and I am late to the party but this was the image I put together.

It has been a though year with many downs put I have certainly learned a lot illustration wise. I still feel like I have a long way to go until I get to where I want my illustrations to be, but hey, it’s a journey.

Curious to see how my style and skills will further develop throughout the year.

What are you looking forward to?

Art vs Artist 2021_Melanie Franz

Capybaras are Excellent Swimmers

Capybaras have webbed feet and it makes them excellent swimmers.

They can dive and hold their breath for five minutes at a time, and their ears fold back when they are underwater so they never have to worry about water getting stuck in their ears.


This diving capybara is also part of my latest Capybaras & Friends Colouring Book.

Diving Capybara_ Melanie Franz

Inktober Day 5 – Blade

It took me a while to figure this one out. And I am not sure where the idea came from in the end. Maybe my need for sun and the beach?

Mr Fox went snorkelling today to look for a precious sea shell.

Inktober 2020 Day 1 – Fish

Woop! Here I was waiting all September for Inktober to start and then the month started without me noticing!

I haven´t touched my ink and pen since January. I totally forgot how much fun it is and it was surprisingly easy to get back into it. Certainly easier than the previous years. I´m going to follow the official prompt list again and maybe something else… Let´s see what happens.

Just follow the light…

Pelicans and their Fish

Pelicans can eat 4 pounds of fish per day.

They will take large amount of water together with the fish they catch. But before swallowing the fish, they move their heads forward to remove excess water.

Pelican eating fish_Melanie Franz_

Flying into the Weekend

Off to the countryside to barbecue some fish. We not gonna catch it ourselves, that is too much work. But the eating part, we certainly can do.

Colourwise this pelican is one of my favourites so far. What do you think?

Happy weekend everyone!