Introducing Jelly

Introducing Jelly is the first post in my blog. This blog is really my journal into the world of illustration. I have been working on a children’s book ‘Jelly goes to the end of the garden’ – ‘a long way from home’. Jelly is the main character in the book. She loves jelly cakes but above all she has a pioneering adventurous spirit. Her inquisitive nature takes her on adventures which are ‘a long way from home’ – even if in the next door garden!. The book has its origins from my oil painting series ‘Surprises’. New experiences for children often have an element of surprise and a trek to the bottom of the garden can be a long way from home. Introducing Jelly to compliment her character from the art series has allowed her personality to open up which has been an exciting adventure for me as well.

jelly is the main character.

Developing techniques

Deciding on the medium for the illustrations has led me away from oils and mixed media towards the use of coloured pencils, gouche and crayons. I still like the idea of mixed media and may introduce papers and fabric at some stage. Objects feature repeatedly in the book – like spots, stripes and flowers. Using coloured pencils produces a different effect to gouche and for the illustrations in the books I am tending towards gouche as the main medium because it provides a more solid basis for the illustrations. However, I like the textured nature of the coloured pencils so the end result is likely to be a combination of effects. This one shows coloured pencils effect – spots using coloured pencils This one shows gouche effect – spots in gouche Then there are flowers – like these daffodils –daffodilsAnd nasturtiums too – nasturtiums

Buildings in Japan

Bulidings in Japan are so diverse. There is the old, the new and everything in between. There are the shrines and temples – and the gardens. It seems the old is not replaced by the new but that the new fits in around what is there already. There doesn’t appear to be a CBD as such with different quarters for specified requirements. Little restaurants sit amonst skyscrapers and small back lanes are next to busy bustling major roads. The evolution of the towns and cities are evident. And amidst the busyness of fast trains and interweaving roadways, there are gardens which exude tranquility.