Lucy tutorial and first art demonstration

Meet Lucy - this gorgeous kitty is the subject of my latest artwork and art tutorial and a huge thank you to Viola on Flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/aoa-/6942317269/in/set-721576230430 for allowing me to use her wonderful reference photo of Lucy. This artwork will be the subject of my first Art demonstration for the Nepean Art Society tonight, which I am extremely excited and just a teeny bit (!!!) nervous. Hopefully all who attend with get something worthwhile from the demonstration. If you would like to try your hand at drawing Lucy, you can find the 19 page step by step tutorial from my website

Hoodie - New Art Tutorial

This latest 8x10 inch artwork is my darling little nephew Chris and was drawn with coloured pencils on drafting film. This time I used Faber Castell Polychromos on Grafix Dura-lar which gives a lovely smooth, translucent look to your portraits. You can purchase the 21 page comprehensive step by step tutorial from my website at http://www.miniatureartbykhull.com/tutorials_34.html. Watch this space for more tutorials soon.

I Love You, Mum sample illustration

This is a sample illustration for Hachette Australia for a planned children's picture book, drawn with coloured pencils and markers (the sky and mountains) on drafting film. I love drawing animals on the drafting film, but one of the things I have always struggled with is getting a nice smooth sky using pencils on film. Last week I invested in the airbrush system that goes with the Tria Markers (Copic have a similar system) and used the markers that I have had for years and it worked like a dream. First time I attempted it, it didn't go so well - the key is to work from light to dark, so as to get the smoothest transition. I did the sky on the back of the film, working right across the page and then used methylated spirits to remove the marker from behind the koala and tree trunk. The mountains were also done using markers and a base coat of pale green was applied to the grassy area. The rest of the illustration was worked from the front using coloured pencil.

Mesmerised

This 8x10 inch artwork was drawn with coloured pencils on drafting film and is now the subject of a 21 page comprehensive step by step tutorial available from http://www.miniatureartbykhull.com/tutorials_34.html

The reference photo for this gorgeous kitty was provided with kind permission of PCB75

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ainhoap/436286674/in/set-72157594475793162

Let's Count Kisses - Cover

Let's Count Kisses - Cover

For Publication by Hachette Australia

Well it has been a marathon month, working day and night, 7 days a week on this children's picture book, and I have to say I am loving every moment. I wanted to get as much done as possible by the 23rd Sept, so as to take a couple of weeks off over the school holidays for some quality family time (and to catch up on sadly neglected blogging and internet activities). These illustrations are being done in two stages - the animals, butterflies and any other elements are being drawn using coloured pencils on drafting film, and these are then scanned and the background is added digitally. This is the approved cover, just awaiting some text and final placement. I have another 6 illustrations completed to the scanning stage, but still needing the background to be added.

A Kiss for Koala

A Kiss for Koala

8x10 inches

Coloured Pencil on drafting film, with a digital background

You never can tell where life takes you. After six months of having no illustration enquiries, out of the blue, I had three in one week which has meant a busy couple of weeks. I spent the first week working on an illustration for a cider ad, with a donkey in an apple orchard - all went smoothly and the client was happy, so I was thrilled to bits.

I was also contacted by a publisher wanting to know if I'd be interested in illustrating a children's picture book!!! This was a sample illustration that I completed for them, based on their brief. I've learnt not to get too excited when these opportunities come along (in case they don't pan out) - just take it a step at a time and hope for the best!!!

Step by Step Drawing Tutorial - Animating your Animals

The final tutorial in my current series of six, this 12 page tutorial discusses how to make your realistic animals look a little more animated and provides a comprehensive step by step guide on drawing this cheeky meerkat. This tutorial also has more hints and tips on using coloured pencils on drafting film and includes a list of all materials used. You can purchase this PDF tutorial either directly from my website or from by Ebay or Etsy stores and it will then be emailed to you within 24 hours for your enjoyment.

Step by Step Drawing Tutorial - Detailed Eye Drawing

This is the second in my Step by Step tutorial series which are available for purchase either directly from my website or from by Ebay or Etsy stores. Your 10 page tutorial will then be sent via email as a PDF file. This tutorial covers how to do a detailed drawing of an eye using coloured pencils on drafting film and features multiple full colour illustrations to guide you on the way. People often comment on the way I do my eyes and ask how I get that realistic glassy look to them. Working on the drafting film makes achieving this realism very easy, but it does take a little getting used to, as the film accepts pencils quite differently to other surfaces.