Mural – Part 1

On December 4, 2024December 4, 2024 By MelIn Artwork 2024, Murals2 Comments

It’s been months since I have been drawing. I have been busy with my Etsy shop but otherwise I somehow let everything slip. There are lots of new print designs in my shop (bathroom humour seems to be a favourite) and I am working on a few Christmassy cards this week.

But beside that I haven’t managed to pick up a pen in the last two months. My excuse is “not having” the time but I think it is rather “not taking” it. However, I managed to use a paintbrush and did a mural while visiting a friend. I was equipped with bad paint, one very used paintbrush, limited time and only a vague idea of what to do.

Here are some before shots of the space and a first sketch. The old wallpaper was also anything but ideal as a surface.

Mural in progress - before shot - Melanie Franz

Stay tuned for part II tomorrow.

Book Project – Work in Progress VI

On April 2, 2024 By MelIn Art, Artwork 2024, booksLeave a comment

After a short East break I am back on the drawing table. After a break it always takes me a bit to warm up again. So I spent about 2 hours sketching and inking people. I am still on my way to 100. Currently at 76…

Not sure if these two below count. Maybe they should! They are part of a page from my book project . Keep walking and talking…

OneWeek100People 2024 – Getting to 37

On March 14, 2024 By MelIn Art, Artwork 20242 Comments

More people… I guess I spend about 2-5 minutes per person.

2403 One week 100 people sketches_ Melanie Franz

OneWeek100People 2024 – Getting to 100

On March 13, 2024 By MelIn Art, Artwork 2024Leave a comment

I totally forgot about One Week 100 People this year! I had so much fun doing this challenge last year and I actually was looking forward to it again but completely forgot to check the dates. So it apparently started Monday the 11th and runs until Friday. I started to play catch up last night and just went to my Pinterest board from the previous year as there are about 300 people pins that I never got to.

Drawing feels much easier than in the previous year, although I think I haven´t sketched any people since then. Anyhow, great practice and warm up for other drawings. I will try to make it to 100 until the end of the week. Currently I am at #37.

Are you taking part?

Snow Snow Snow

On January 29, 2024January 29, 2024 By MelIn Artworks 2023, Paper-cut artLeave a comment

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!

snow-sledding-paper cut illustration_Melanie Franz

The Weather Today

On January 26, 2024 By MelIn Artworks 2023, Paper-cut artLeave a comment

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!

03 snowstom_Paper illustration _ Melanie Franz

Art vs Artist II

On January 1, 2024 By MelIn Art, Artworks 20239 Comments

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!

Art vs Artist

On December 27, 2023 By MelIn Artworks 2023, Illustration10 Comments

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?

Art vs Artist 2023_Melanie Franz Illustration

Snow time

On November 25, 2023 By MelIn Art, Artworks 2023, books, Illustration, Paper-cut artLeave a comment

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!

Winter is here!

On November 22, 2023November 22, 2023 By MelIn Art, Artworks 2023, booksLeave a comment

First snow arrived, just on time for my daughters birthday and the What’s the Weather book release!

The project came to life when I had a creative blog and bought a bunch of colourful paper last spring. The dining room table was covered in paper and glue for about a month I think. The results can be seen here in this very colourful picture book for 1-3 years old.

It not only helped me through my creative block, but it is also a fun way to go through the seasons and different kind of weather.

Vertical snow fall is rare in Iceland. It usually hits you horizontally. Just like that. This is an almost accurate depiction of me going to the car today.

What’s the Weather?

On November 20, 2023 By MelIn Art, Artworks 2023, books, inktober, Paper-cut artLeave a comment

I finally managed to finish the weather book! What started as a fun way to get over my creative block last spring, is now finally finished! Last spring I was stuck and a friend suggested to try something I have never done before. That’s what started this paper-cut project.

The finished project is a picture book that takes you through the seasons with funny weather pictures. You can see more of those in my earlier posts like here and here.

The book will be released on Wednesday the 22nd, just in time for my daughters first birthday! Until then you can find the kindle version here if you would like to take a look.

The Weather Today XI

On August 4, 2023 By MelIn Art, Artworks 2023, Illustration, Paper-cut artLeave a comment

We are greeted with mixed weather for the weekend after a rather sunny week.

This is another page of my upcoming picture book – paper and gouache. I am still working on the cover. It will hopefully be finished soon.

Have a great weekend!

2305 rain frog paper boats paper cut _ Melanie Franz

What’s the Weather Today X

On August 1, 2023 By MelIn Artworks 2023, Illustration, Paper-cut art1 Comment

This Icelandic summer is way better than expected. Another beautiful day to be outdoors!

The Weather Today VIII

On July 10, 2023 By MelIn Artworks 2023, Illustration, Paper-cut artLeave a comment

Summer has arrived here at last.

Also the earthquakes are still going strong. If that volcano errupts again this year I will definitely hike there this time. I missed out on the last two eruptions.

Meanwhile we’ll be at the beach. And another page of my new picture book.