IF: Clandestine

Although pets were allowed at the lighthouse, the tenants thought they ought to keep their particular pet a secret.

Award!

Thanks to Monica at Me-Bear Creations for this award!

I'd like to pass it on to a few of my favourite bloggers for their talent and creativity;

• Kristin's Illustration Blog
• Bella Sinclair Doodlespot
• Monica's Art / Books
• J.L.Meyer Illustrations
• Kris Tea Illustration

1. The winner may put the logo on their blog

2. Put a link to the person who sent you the award

3. Nominate 5 blogs for the award.

IF: Balloon

IF: Opinion (sought)

Would love your opinion on my new characters...(am I exploiting this weeks word?!)

IF: Pretend (Trick or Treat)

IF: Wise

Keen to start learning!

IF: Repair

Someone had better repair the lock on that door before these creatures escape!

IF: Late....run bunny, run!

Appropriately late bunny doodle for this week

IF: Strings

The Quentin Blake Website

Have a look at the official Quentin Blake website, particularly the section for 'Illustrators', there are video clips and slide shows of his working processes. It's always fascinating and a great privilege to see behind the scenes of artists at work, especially such inspirational characters like Blake.

IF: Sugary

This is one I did a little while ago as part of a series of bunnies, it seems to fit the theme this week.... a 'sugary sweet' bunny with cake!

IF: Packed

Play time is over and all the toys are packed away...

IF: Clique

Left out of the clique :(

IF: Island

What a great word! Wish I had time to do something new this week, but I will have to settle for posting an older one.

IF: Clutter

This is a pen drawing I did a couple of years ago when practicing illustrating to a story. I looked on the internet for a short childrens story that might be suitable and came across a website called 'Short Stories', and using the Children's section I found a simple story about a girl with an untidy bedroom.

It's a great way to discipline yourself and develop a character...that said I only got as far as this line drawing and a rough story board!

IF: Memories

Does swinging from trees have to become a childhood memory when your feet touch the ground?...

IF: Routine

Just a quick sketch. This is me, back to school (just realised I haven't drawn any clothes on! May have to redo this post.)

I teach philosophy part time and it's just as big a shock for teachers getting back into the routine of school after a long summer...I've forgotten everything!

Award!

Thank you to the wonderfully talented Kristin for nominating me for this blog award, she has been a great source of inspiration during my blogging adventures this year with her charming illustrations and encouraging comments. Thanks Kristin!

This adorable bear is one of my favourite posts from Kristins' blog....

And now for my nominations, the wonderful work of....

Art of the Masses

Elise's Art Garden

Ice-Cream Monster Toon Cafe

Plentiful As Blackberries - Steve Morrison

Ryan Loghry

Sarah Preston-Bloor Illustration

The Enigma

And here are the rules:
1-Display the logo on your blog
2-Link back to the person you received the award from.
3-Nominate 7 other blogs
4-Put links of those blogs on yours
5-Leave a message on their blogs so they know they've been nominated.

Faces

IF: Detach

As I've been a bit lapse with my IF posts recently I'm hoping this just about covers the last two topics...see how the ballooning bunnies 'detach' and 'sail' away...

IF: Poof! (Tinned Genie)

The lid of the can sprang open and 'poof', a genie appeared!

Art Lesson

After attempting to draw cans for last weeks IF entry, my frustration at having no formal training in art reared its head again. So I asked my husband (who does have an art and design background) to give me a few lessons on the basics. He's been a great help in showing me ways to improve my drawing, especially on how to get a better sense of perspective. The following are a couple of pages of his explanatory sketches.....

My homework and practices.....

And a much improved 'tinned tentacle'!

IF: Canned Creatures

Lunch anyone?....

IF: Enough

Bunny decided he'd had enough of the bath tub and made for his escape [click on image for detail]
(Rather a tentative link, but I needed to draw a bunny this week!)

IF: Foggy

Quick sketch in my moleskine.

Many thanks to the lovely Bella Sinclair for nominating me for an award, I never win anything and am very touched! This blogging adventure has been a wonderful experience and I've discovered a great, supportive community through Illustration Friday.

It is a difficult job choosing just a handful of people to nominate but I've gone for the wonderful work of the following bloggers who have inspired and amused me so often with their art and comments.

Artista Blog

J. L. Meyer

Justzhm

Kev Lev's Blog

Kristin Seeland

The Blue Egg

Tiddly Inks

The rules of accepting are as follows:-
1) Put the logo on your blog.

2) Add a link to the person who awarded you.

3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.

4) Add links to those blogs on yours.

5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

IF: Sour

How to create a sour puss!

I know our cats have their favourite spots, so I think this dog is pushing his luck...

Fierce dragon in colour

IF: Fierce (or one dragons' efforts)

I think I'll have to concede that this dragon will never be fierce, but he's trying!

[Any tips on adding colour would be greatly appreciated. I try out lots of different media, but struggle to find one I'm really successful or consistent with.]

Kiwi

Doodle inspired by Bella Sinclairs' funny entry for IF's 'Punchline theme.

IF: Hoard

'With the advantage of unusually long arms, Molly is able to hoard her favourite toys so that the other children don't get a look in!'

IF: Forgotten (the way home)

This is an older piece but it seems to fit the theme well and is a nice chance to post something a bit different.

IF: Baby

'Mum keeps a watchful eye on her babies as they try out their new wings.'

(Since encountering the truely wonderful art of Jennifer Meyer and her adorable 'fairy bunnies' I've been sticking wings on everything!)

Another photoshop effort

IF: Worry

This fairy has every right to look worried....

IF: Wide (Fat Fairies)

These wide mouth little guys are set to get ever wider tummies as they work their way through this pile of fairy cakes.

The colour version is my first effort with digital colour / Photoshop, which is a media I'm completely clueless in...any advice gladly received!

My first idea was actually to have a large snail making its way along a narrow lane, the snail would have been a 'wide load' due to an extended shell - visualise porches, turrets, extra rooms... Unfortunately I couldn't make this work, would love to see someone else to have a go!

IF: Electricity

Renewable energy?...

IF: Seed

Ok, so technically it's a blade of grass and they don't come directly from seeds, but as I missed my first IF last week since starting this blog, I wanted to ensure that I posted this week (does missing last week count as a 'wrinkle'?!)
This is an older illustration in a media I am really hoping to get back into (acrylic paints and ink).

IF: Primitive

Possibly stretching the topic a bit this week, but here goes....

I've been experimenting with last weeks dragon sketches (middle picture) which were drawn from a dinosaur toy (above) with the aim of creating something new. Here comes the tentative link... so, this entry shows the earliest or 'primitive' stages in the process and the newly enhanced version!

I'll keep playing around with the new dragon character if he proves to be a hit.