Tag Archives: art

Art Challenges

Avalanche, Zest and Zen

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The latest illustrations for the Ski A-Z book are for the contrasting subjects of Avalanche, Zest and Zen.

Avalanche Essentials

Avalanche Kit Essentials – new page illustration on a serious subject for the Ski A-Z book. This will follow the lighter mood Apres-Ski illustration.

Training for Avalanche scenarios is advisable as part of a tool kit of knowledge and equipment.

Concept inspired by the @actionman_official toy kits that my brother had when we children.

Illustration prompted by the many people who tragically lost their lives in avalanches this season.

Zest

The exhilaration, full body workout, fresh air and stunning scenery makes skiing a fabulous way to switch off from the daily grind, to get new perspective, and to revitalise the spirit.

Ski illustration on a citrus theme for @makeartthatsells Bootcamp, doubling up for the Ski A-Z.

I love the idea of skiing through beautiful citrus flowers that have fallen. Really enjoyed creating this piece.

This is a truly multimedia piece, the mountains are sewn using free motion embroidery techniques (on my trusty Bernina sewing machine) and there’s watercolour and digital work.

Zen

Z for ‘Zen’ in the Ski A-Z book.

Zen mountain meditation to illustrate time to enjoy restorative calm.

I find that after the exhilaration of the day on the mountain there is a quiet satisfying stillness. It’s like the vibration of the body is calmed; and the muscles are relaxed, soft and numb feeling, in a good way, after the dynamism of the sport.

Painted in watercolour, metallic inks, and with diamanté jewels.

I’ll be completing the Ski A-Z book in the coming months, follow to see the project progress to fruition.

Here are the latest posts… thanks so much for being here.

Art Challenges, Book Projrct, design, editorial illustration, illustration, ski

Ski A-Z Cover Design

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I’m delighted to share that I’ve completed the Ski A-Z book cover design which I’ve been developing over the past month.

The Cover Design

It’s a bright, bold design with three cover stars supporting the title letters in a mountain setting, The book will appeal to both those wanting to find out more about the sport, and to seasoned skiers.

Here’s the cover mocked up on a coffee table setting with ski themed props to bring the book concept to life. Notice the ceramic snowflake as a coaster for the edelweiss coffee cup.

The Book Concept

The Ski A-Z book concept – a practical, informative, fun, illustrated glossary of skiing with hints, tips and advice.

It’s the kind of book that you’d recommend to the friend that wants to get into skiing, it’s a gift for a ski lover, it’s a conversation starter for an evening in the chalet during your holiday.

The Design Process

I created the background and skiing characters in watercolours and ink, used a glue gun to give the letters texture and composed it digitally in Procreate.

My mini model Bruce posing for this character’s painting.

I had an idea to animate some of the book characters ‘excited to meet the readers’ to demonstrate the energy of the book.

Watch This Space…

Watch this website, my Instagram or Facebook page for updates on the project.

Here are posts about my latest work. Thanks so much for following my blog. Please feel free to share it with friends and colleagues who will enjoy it.

Enjoy!

Kim

editorial illustration, illustration

The Social Life of Forests – Editorial Illustration

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My latest work is an editorial illustration inspired by The New York Times Magazine article, ‘The Social Life of Forests’ by Ferris Jabr.

Final illustration created with cut paper, watercolour, inks and digital.

The concept demonstrates the fungal networks through which trees can ‘communicate’.

“Carbon, water, nutrients, alarm signals and hormones can pass from tree to tree through these subterranean circuits.” Reported Ferris Jabr on the research findings of Suzanne Simard.

The Creative Process

After some Internet research on fungus I left home to see what I could find. The collage shows just some of the varieties I saw on two fungus spotting research walks.

I was surprised how much more there was to observe in forests when I looked closely.

Through rough illustrations I played with concepts and compositions. At the rough stage I explored a map concept, but decided to settle with the ‘above and below ground cross-section’ scene for the final piece. Can you tell that I like alliterations?

I painted elements for the final piece in watercolours.

Watercolour on 100% Cotton Paper

(This concept was explored alongside more general concepts for communication, the illustrations created are shown in this previous blog post. Connectivity, Love and Partnerships)

I used the paintings along with carefully cut crinkled paper, all assembled digitally in Procreate app,

Finally I created a 14 second animated version of the illustration. See more of my art ‘movies’ here.

This is the New York Times Magazine article, for if you’d like to know more about this fascinating way that trees communicate – The Social Life of Trees by Ferris Jabr.

The brief by Lilla Rogers, of Make Art That Sells, was for Editorial Illustration Live 2021.

I’m presently busy working on the Ski A-Z book, so watch this space. My latest posts follow.

Thanks so much for your support. Have a great day.

Kim

Art Challenges

Cosy Decor and Sweet Treats

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I’m presently working on a number of concurrent projects, here are a few fun creations which I’ve instinctively wanted to create for my own enjoyment.

There is cosy decor and sweet treats in this post so I hope you enjoy it.

Belgian Waffle and Berries

The latest in my Pretty Puddings series of paintings. Since last summer I’ve been doing art chats with my friend, we create art whilst chatting on Zoom. It’s a lovely way to connect through these difficult times.

A delicious delightful sunlit dessert painted in watercolours. And yes that strawberry was immense.

Relaxing Reading Space

Home decor painting based on a space that I curated at home. Featuring my favourite furniture items the yellow Art Deco chair and my mid-century teak G-Plan Astro table.

Painted in watercolours on 100% cotton paper.

Gingerbread Gift Box Birthday Cake

My husband likes cake and also gingerbread so I brought the two together for his birthday. The chocolate and vanilla tiered cake was ‘bursting’ out of a gingerbread box with gift ribbon and bow.

I made cardboard templates for the gift box and lid, which I built using ceramics handbuilding techniques learned at The Art House in Sheffield.

I used the Mary Berry gingerbread house recipe and adjusted the quantities to suit my plan. Fizzy Rainbow Belts from M&S worked well as gift ribbon and present bow.

This latest gingerbread build follows the two storey ski chalet I made at Christmas.

Art for well-being

I thoroughly enjoyed creating these and to be distracted by creating is wonderful respite from all that us going on, painting presently feels very meditative. I find that my breathing slows, I relax and I know when I’ve found the sweet spot of art when I find myself singing. I’m grateful that despite being in lockdown there aren’t restrictions on creative materials or home based art activities.

I’ve been listening to the wonderful Creative Pep Talk podcast which is insightful and inspiring. It’s great to listen to when making, it can help distract the conscious mind, so I can create with my subconscious mind instead. I’m interested in hearing other people’s experience of where mentally they find they make their best work and/or feel most in flow with the creative process. Feel free to comment below about your experiences.

If you’re interested in see my previous gingerbread builds and sweet pudding paintings they are at these links…

Chalet in Gingerbread

Gingerbread Adventures

Pretty Pudding Paintings

Here’s my review of 2020

2020 Review

And here are my latest posts.

Thanks so much. Enjoy whatever makes your heart sing.

Kim

Art Challenges, commercial illustration, editorial illustration, illustration, travel

Travel Illustrations

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This year I wanted to use the opportunity of #Inktober to work on illustrations of travel memories. Using the prompts from #theydrawandtravel illustrating the places on the list which I have visited.

Paris

Paris – Homage to the Paris icons of La Tour Eiffel, Moulin Rouge and La Basilique du Sacre-Coeur.

Paris is one of my favourite cities at any time of year. We were fortunate to visit most recently in November last year, which I have used as reference for this illustration.

Cairo – for many visitors this is the gateway to Egypt and its ancient wonders.

Here are my favourite Cairo landmarks brought into a composition – the majestic, mysterious pyramids, the stately Sphinx, the Ramses statue which looked onto to a bustling city square, and a river boat which is carrying intrigued travellers to explore the many temples along the banks of the Nile.

I was fortunate to visit first on a mini-cruise from Cyprus where I was working at the time, later on a trip from Sharm el-Sheikh, and on a work trip was fortunate to have a top floor hotel penthouse all to myself, when I attending the conference in place of my boss. A wonderful city, fabulous memories.

San Francisco – My favourite US city – first visited on a tour of California with my mum. We enjoyed the steep streets in a speedy taxi, rode a cable car were surprised by the sea lions at Pier 39. Most recent visit was en route to New Zealand with just a 24 hour stopover to enjoy the city and shops on Union Square.

Moscow

The stunning golden domes of the Kremlin and the colourful tiled domes of St Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square were what struck me visually when visiting Moscow. These and the enormous imposing Hotel Ukraine, one of the “Seven Sisters” of Moscow. 

Time in the city was a great experience which bookended our trip heli-skiing in Sochi. 

Sydney – what struck me as we walked towards the Opera House were the brightly coloured birds. The city felt much like a Northern European city, but the birds were striking, tropical, seemingly in stark contrast to the uniformity and familiarity of the buildings. The birds which enchanted me that day were Rainbow Lorikeets.

Sydney Opera House is a stunning feat of architecture, which I hadn’t realised until close observation is constructed in creamy coloured tiles, which appeared white in the bright sun, a little like the surface the space shuttle.

I took the opportunity to attend a dance show at the Opera House, performed by a number of Australian dance companies that was an evening to support Unicef. It was a dream come true to visit this stunning iconic landmark humanmade wonder.

Rock and Rome – featuring my Rome favourites. The Forum, The Colosseum, Vittorio Emanuele II monument, brought together with the tiny Fiat 500 so loved by my Mum.

Visited Rome on three trips last Autumn to help a loved one, and ‘Rock and Rome’ became a catchphrase.

Beijing – the iconic Great Wall, the curious roof adornment that is a man riding a Phoenix, and the Temple of Heaven.

Had a wonderful trip to China with @kuonitravel and met Cherie Blair (Wife of the UK Prime minister at the time) on the Great Wall. Recalling the fascinating acoustic effects at the Temple of Heaven.

Flamborough – Here are my favourite aspects of Flamborough brought together in this composition – Flamborough Head Lighthouse, the awesome gannets at Bempton Cliffs and our biking on the coastal path, all set under that huge sky with the salty breeze.

Here’s a round up collage of these travel illustrations.

Thanks so much for being here. These are my latest posts…

Best of 2021

Reflecting on 2021 and the favourite work from the year. Best of 2021

Come Across To My New Website

Thank you for your support, come across to my new website. Subscribe to continue to receive notifications and news, and illustration tips as they arise

Enjoy wherever you travel, real, memories or travel dreams.

Kim

Art Challenges

Painting on Location – Renishaw Hall

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This beautiful view on my visit to Renishaw inspired me to paint.

I wanted to give a sense of the house and garden without being too literal.

I love to paint in the gardens but this is the first time it’s been dry enough to sit since lockdown restrictions lifted and the gardens reopened.

Here’s my watercolour, mostly painted on site and then completed in our garden.

See photos of my visit to beautiful Renishaw Hall Gardens on my Instagram. Blooms, boomerang videos and pollinators.

It’s a stunning place to visit in North-East Derbyshire.

I painted this floral watercolour at Renishaw Hall last summer.
This was the same day but a much softer piece. I like them both.

Which gardens do you love to visit, and why? Please comment, I’d love to know.

Here are my latest posts. Thanks for being here. Please ‘Like’ if you do and share with friends who may enjoy my work.

On the roof at Renishaw Hall

Art Challenges

Horse in Tulips

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I decided to paint this Horse in Tulips after @mchorpash asked last week what was the hardest thing to draw, to which I said ‘Horses’.

Seeing this majestic horse on our walk this past weekend made it the perfect opportunity.

A weekend also filled with bountiful tulips for our wedding anniversary encouraged this composition painted in Acryla Gouache and metallic watercolour.

I enjoyed painting this work whilst video chatting with my good friend @dg_realise who was painting beautiful birds.


I’m pleased with the painting. Hoping I can identify the owner to show them the painting.

horses #tulips #illustrator #illustration #lovehorses #horseart #makeartthatsells #wipsandblooms #💐 #flowers #art #artistsoninstagram

Here are my latest posts…

Thanks for being here. Have a lovely day.

Kim

Art Challenges

Art and Illustrations To Inspire And Uplift

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It’s been a tumultuous and busy past couple of weeks for most of the planet. I’m determined to keep sharing uplifting work, both new illustrations and ones from my back catalogue when they are relevant.

The situation has moved fast and already has provided reflections on gratitude, for what may have previously have been undervalued, and the situation its is a reset of perspective of who is, and what is important.

Sending heaps of kindness and wellness to all those who are unwell or suffering.

I’ve been busy adapting our home for lockdown, had to make heart wrenching strategic business decisions, as well as finding tech solutions to replace face to face demonstrations. I’ve managed so squeeze some time in for illustration, which is therapeutic and can hopefully brighten someone’s day. This art from my heart follows…

I’ve been finding the terms used such as self-isolating and social distancing as having very negative connotations, and wondered whether putting a more positive slant on staying at home might make this feel more enjoyable and therefore sustainable. Here’s an example of this work, I’ll be developing these ideas and responding the World Health Organisation (@who) Creative Brief to communicate the key messages.

Wear Your Wings – Copyright Kim

Home and family are everything. Despite the restrictions we must nurture our minds, bodies and relationships all from within our home. Thankfully technology can bridge between those we love but do not live with. Our families have come together for some great multi-generation live video calls which have been a great distraction and really made us laugh.

It’s snowing here. But it’s cosy, safe and warm in our home. Enjoy the home comforts. #stayhomesavelives

Here are a round up of the posts from my Instagram, to uplift and reassure.

This is for all those suffering with fear and anxiety. You are not alone. These feelings are understandable in this situation, so try to go easy on yourself. Comfort yourself with reassurance that you are safe and you are loved.

If there is someone that you feel would also like to see this please share. Spread the love. 💕 #stayhomestaysafe

There can be great joy in nature and this lovely season. Flashback to this watercolour painting from last year created as a book cover design.

The bright flowers are blooming to herald Spring, the birds are singing, daffodils shine bright. The sun radiates low into the rooms to warm away winter. Beautiful weather last week made the first days of lockdown easier as the garden is springing to life and the birds are full of energy and song.

Stunning spectrums that I spotted in our kitchen, cast by a refractive book cover being hit by the sun’s rays.

Have Courage, Hold On. We are stronger than this thing. #alonetogether

I sprayed this positive quote from Audrey Hepburn in our garden, as a reminder, and for a little spray painting therapy.

Relaxing retreating in reading at the end of the day.

Watercolour and digital. You might recognise this scene from my chalet picture. Worked with a work in progress scan digitally to create this piece with a work in progress scan digitally to create this piece. #stayhomesavelives

Enjoy the Great Indoors. Whether you choose to scale your stairs for a work out, adventure to far flung places on Netflix or enjoy some Eastern philosophy on your yoga mat, wishing you a lovely day. #stayhomestaysafe

Created this house in watercolours on wet then developed this further to create the composition at the top of this post…

And finally: Only Tweet the good. Trying to only share positive and factual content. The birds are so active around our home, their beautiful song so clear in the stillness.

Thanks for being here. Stay safe, stay home and if there’s somebody who you feel would like to see my work please share the blog with them.

Here are my my most recent posts…

Thanks so much for being here. See my Facebook Page and Instagram for more frequent updates and work.

#staysafestayhome

Kim

#washyourhands

Art Challenges

Apres-Ski Illustration

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My latest ski illustration is:

Apres-Ski – Party In Ski Boots

Apres-Ski – Party In Your Ski Boots – Copyright Kim

Intending to capture the atmosphere after a day on the slopes and feeling everything from euphoria of achievement, to relaxing relief, I painted this conceptual illustration in honey based watercolour paints. This will be applied as editorial illustration and wall art for limited edition prints.

The artwork features a live music band entertaining skiers and snowboarders, some are dancing on tables, two are relaxing in deck chairs, there’s a little romance on the balcony whilst a discussion of the day’s route tales place over a piste map, and a light hearted snowball fight is underway.

Apres-Ski – detail

And because Apres-Ski is reputed to be a party straight from slopes, whilst still wearing ski boots, it’s all happening in a ski boot. A nod to the children’s rhyme about the old lady who lives in a shoe, “had so many children she didn’t know what to do”.

Apres-Ski – detail

I’m intending this piece as the first in an Illustrated A-Z of skiing. I’ll be sharing the work as I continue to create it so please follow along here and on my Instagram or Facebook.

Apres-Ski – detail. Copyright Kim

I’ll be putting words with the illustrations so I’m interested to hear how Apres-Ski is across the globe so please share this project with your ski friends, and tell me about Apres-Ski in your favourite resorts.

Here are my other recent ski illustrations.

Ski Illustrations

Heli-skiing in Russia – Illustrated travel memoir

Here is some more related work

Christmas Commercial Illustrations

Best 9s of 2019

Thanks so much for being here. If you know someone who’d enjoy seeing my work please share www.inspirebykim.com or if it sparks an idea of how my illustration can promote your brand or service then please get in touch. To discuss licensing and commissions contact me at inspirebykim@outlook.com

Bye for now and happy skiing. Have fun and stay safe. Don’t be the one who takes it too far, like the guy in the Apres-Ski illustration who’s balancing precariously one the high balcony 😊.

May all your nights have fresh snowfall and your days be blue sky ones, with the magic of sunshine. I love it most when the sun causes a myriad of tiny colours to refract in the snow crystals.

The mountains are a wonderful place for a perspective reset. They are eternal whereas problems are more transient and will pass in time. Have a good day.

Kim

Art Challenges, Brand Art, commercial illustration, illustration

On Brand Illustration

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Following on from the two festive illustrations for K Steels (below) I created a third on brand illustration. Each illustration was designed to reinforce the brand service values, delivery messages and the product range.

The new illustration was to reinforce the precision cutting service offered for steel, using a play on words of how New Year’s Resolutions are often stated as cutting out vices such as drinking or smoking.

The illustration uses a main photographic image with digital illustrations adding a resolution list, a warehouse operative, branding – both on the saw and on the steel, and a ‘text message’ style box to anchor the meaning and allow the viewer to quickly read the content.

The visual was created in a square format making it suitable for use on social media.

Secondly, in order to attract attention and increase stand out on social media, a GIF with light flares on the steel cutting blade and the text box being revealed.

So here’s to 2020. I don’t so much have resolutions but I do have exciting intentions for the year which will be revealed as they evolve and are created. Watch this space to see more and to follow the work progressing.

Thank you to K Steels for their illustration briefs. These are great opportunities to work with live briefs, which pushes my work forwards and helps to develop my evolving process.

Here are some recommendations for my illustration work…

Tennis Club event poster/social media visual

Instructional illustration sheet for Bali Parasol

Find out more about how I can help your business or project here…

Creative Solutions, Visual Content and Illustration

If you have a need for visual content or an illustration to promote your brand and key messages, please email me at inspirebykim@outlook.com

Thanks so much for reading, please Like this post if you do, the feedback really helps.

These are posts that relate to this work…

Christmas Commercial Illustrations

Ski Illustrations

Best 9s of 2019

Bali Parasol – Instructional Illustration Work

Breakfast Cereal Design Concept

Tennis Club Promotional Work Highlights

Brand Art and Infographic – Steel Company

Thanks so much and here’s to a great 2020!

Thanks to much. Have a great year.

Kim