Too young to be 100!

I have just discovered that this is my 100th post! I know I'm supposed to make some sort of fuss about this and get all reflective, but I've too much news - maybe next time! First of all, I have received my copies of my latest books in the "I'm Glad" series. It's still in that "Sneak Peak" category at the moment, but I will reveal more once they are released.(Sorry about the blurred image but I am too lazy to re-shoot it!)




I have also just completed some brand new characters for "the other" series that I work on! Normally I work with existing characters from this well established series, but this was my first opportunity to create some brand new characters for them. It was pretty exciting as these type of characters are quite new for the series. It's probably about time I revealed this series so maybe once this book comes out I share them with you. They are also featuring me on their website next month, so will tell more then.

These great magazines arrived in the mail this week (thanks to the magic of PayPal play money!)I ordered them online after learning that one of my favourite illustrators Linzie Hunter was featured in the current edition.


It's proven to be a great read, and I have since spotted this mag on the shelves of local newsagents, so keep an eye out, or check out their website if you are interested. This months edition focuses on Handmade Design, and there is also a great feature on 7 artists who reveal their sketchbooks.

I have never been good at keeping sketchbooks. I am always too conscious of people who might come across it expecting some amazing insight into me, or my creativity. I have this weird thing that I always start from the back pages and work forward on the stupid thinking that if they see the first few pages are blank they wont keep flicking through?! I have ALWAYS done this! It's the same with my idea's book for writing and stories! I know it's weird and does not make any sense at all! Perhaps I need to get past this by sharing my sketching here....then again maybe not!

I know that I have been talking about getting back to a more "hands on" approach to illustration of late, and this week I finally thought it was about time I did something about it. So I started back at Life Drawing classes! I have been debating about whether to share any of the sketching with you or not, but have decided to show you a couple of quick sketches. It's quite different from my usual work here, but if you want to see more, just click the link below.


I used to attend life drawing classes 3 times a week, but I was shocked to realise that was over 10 years ago! I am obviously VERY rusty, and it's amazing how quickly you fall out of the habit of drawing,but I loved it! Just the smell of the art studio brought back memories of a more creative time in my life when art was more about the pure pleasure, than making money! It was really liberating to just draw for the fun of it! No clients to impress, no brief to fill. Just pure enjoyment. I plan to keep this up once a week now that I have started. Not sure how much I will share here, but it's nice to get back to basics.



Comments

Ratlion said…
Hey, Congratulations on the books!

This post resonates with me in so many ways. Though I'm not wary about showing my sketches, I am conscious about them to a certain extent, cos' they tend to be very loose and 'scribbly'. Also,I so know what you mean by getting back to a more hands-on approach to illustration. I've been getting that feeling more and more lately too but haven't figured out exactly how to act on it yet apart from digging out the paint.

:)

Glad you shared the life drawing sketches!

Cheers,
Radha
Ratlion said…
Oh, and congratulations on the 100th post landmark too!!

:D
Life drawing classes are one those things that I keep telling myself I should go back to but haven't in the longest time. Good for you for going back and doing some of that. The drawings are gorgeous.

Congrats on the 100th post!! woohoo!
ale balanzario said…
congratulation for your 100th post!!
AstridMueller said…
Hey Danielle,
firstly thanks for stopping by at my blog! Love your blog and illustrations. And how fun - you're from Australia?! I'm from Switzerland and currently in Alaska, U.S.A., and blogging brings the world of illustrators so close.
I think you shouldn't be worried about people wondering about your sketches, if someone glimpses at your sketchbook. 1) your lifedrawing studies are beautiful 2) sketches are supposed be rough, to help you develop ideas and/or get practice on a subject - no finished masterpieces. Mistakes are good in sketching! 3) whoever just takes your sketchbook and looks in it without you asking is plain rude (laugh). And it shouldn't matter what such a person thinks.

Have a great Sunday!

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