CHILLED WEEKEND MORNINGS & RECENT SKETCHBOOK PAGES

I found that it's good to take Sunday morning easy and have started to use the time to relax and do what I love most, draw and paint. What's great about the recent weeks is that early mornings in my home are mostly full of sun and it's so lovely to sit with a cup of coffee and paint with the warmth of the sun on my back. It's moments like these that make me feel blessed to be here. I thought I would show you some of my recent work from my sketchbook. A lot of my recent work has been inspired by botanics and plants. This is because my mum is a gardener and so there are always lots of pretty flowers in the garden and about million orchids in the living room which is where I spend some of time creating artwork.

In the last few weeks I've been trying to sketch more in my sketchbook and have tried to experiment with line pen drawing and painting them which I really enjoy. I love the clean and simple look of them and how I can also add so much detail to them, I've also loved painting with black Indian ink and painting some watercolours. I've found picking a theme like nature really enjoyable. Although I used to not be a huge fan of drawing flowers by placing them in a pattern or in a vase for me can create a much more interesting display to draw and paint. You can find more of my artwork on my Instagram.

Thanks for reading. Becky x

INTERVIEW : SURFACE PATTERN DESIGNER AMY HODKIN

Welcome to the artist interview series where I interview talented designer makers, surface pattern designers, artists and illustrators. Today's artist, the fourth of the interview instalments is talented 
surface pattern designer and illustrator Amy Hodkin.

Explain a little about yourself and what you do?

My name is Amy and I'm currently in my final year studying Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern Design at Leeds. I love to draw and design patterns for a variety of things.

Do you have any favourite techniques?

Drawing will always be number one for me because I find it so fun and special to record things through my own interpretation. I also have a huge love for screen printing onto fabric because in a way it 's almost like collaging as you piece the design together. I really like the textural outcome and how the mistakes have to be embraced; it's not as easy as clicking "undo" on your computer.

What are your favourite art materials to use?

My go to materials for drawing would be wax crayon, graphite, drawing ink and fine liner. I love to paint with gouache and I always use Photoshop with my graphics tablet if I'm working on something digital. 

Do you have a favourite piece of artwork you have made?

My favourite pieces right now have to be my passionfruit, banana and pineapple screen prints I created in my second year of university. Even though it was a collection of six prints those three will always be my favourites. I think the drawings are lovely, the compositions are great and the choice of colour was perfect for my concept. 

What's your preferred colour palette?

I love to use it all except black, my favourite combination probably has to be mustard and navy with a little bit of pink. Although recently I've been really into bright red... It depends on the project I guess!

What influences your work?

The world around me is always a huge influence as I like to draw from observation. I'm inspired by exhibitions, visiting museums, going to the seaside, watching films, music videos, tv series, etc. I like to work with stories so my designs will mostly always have an element of narrative within them. 

Could you show us where you work/studio space? 

This was my studio space last year but it's basically the same space with different imagery. I love it because I can see all of my latest developments and inspirations right in front of me as I work. 

What path did you take to get where you are now?

From GCSE I went straight to College to study a Level 3 BTEC in Fashion and Clothing. That's where my interest in fashion came from, and where my tutor suggested doing surface pattern design. Then I completed the Art Foundation and here I am now studying Surface Pattern Design! 

Are there any defining moments in your creative career?

I suppose being at university has been a huge defining moment, it's been so good having the chance to experiment and discover who I am creatively. I've been given so many opportunities to gain professional experience on my course and I'm so thankful and proud to be a part of it. 

When did you know you wanted to be an artist/illustrator/designer/printmaker?

I've known since I was in school and thankfully my parents have always been quite supportive with my decision to have a creative career. Through the years I've wanted to be a graphic designer, web designer, photographer, fashion designer, illustrator and now print designer. I couldn't imagine doing anything else!

What would be a normal day for you?

Well, I'm always working on different things and it totally depends on the project. I have to be in from Monday to Friday and usually try and get into uni at around 10am and then leave at 5pm. It's hard work but most of the time it's worth it!

What is your dream project or goal?

In five years time I want to be able to live as a freelancer working from home but my ultimate life goal is to have my own successful business.

Is there any advice you could give to an aspiring artist?

You're really only on this planet once so do what you love no matter what anybody else says. Successful artists and designers already exist out there, so why can't you be one too?



Thank you so much Amy Hodkin!
If you would like to see more of Amy's work then click the links below:

Instagram

Blog

Portfolio

MY FAVOURITE ART TOOLS | PART 1

As an aspiring illustrator and graphic designer, I kind of have an obsession with collecting pens...and stationery + art supplies in general. So like my weakness for cacti and film cameras, if I see a new Pentel brush pen or need an excuse to buy a new roller ball ink pen ( because who doesn't need loads of the same pen) then I go for it. So here is part one of my favourite illustration pens, paints, and papers that I like to use.

PROMARKERS

One of my most favourite art supplies are Promarkers! I use the pastel colours as I find it gives the loveliest look and they are great for mixing. I use them to mostly draw portraits and I love how when you draw with them they almost look like watercolours. 

BRUSH PENS

Brush pens have to be my favourite things to use when it comes to art tools as they can add so much texture and fun to an illustration or painting. I normally use them to draw outline on my watercolour paintings. The ones I use are the Pentel Brush pen and the Zig Real Colour Brush pen.

WINSOR & NEWTON COTMAN WATER COLOURS

Omg! I love the Winsor & Newton Watercolour mini palette. I've got the 12 Farben, 1/2 Napf & Pinsel one and I love it! I think the best thing about it is that it's portable as I've painted on train and in coffee shops with it and I mainly also use it as home because I like the colours so much. You can also replace the colours with new ones once they've been used up. It comes with a little paint brush but I mainly use a water brush pen.

ROLLER BALL PENS

I use many style and types of ink and roller ball pens. I love using them to draw outlines and add details to watercolours and portraits that I create. 

POSCA PENS

Oh Posca pens...a great staple to anyone's art kit! I mostly love using them to paint or draw onto fabric to create patterns as seen below. I use the thick nibbed one as they are great for creating thick textured lines. Mixing the black & white with colour creates a really fun effect. 

PINK PIG WATERCOLOUR BOCKINGFORD BANANA BOOK

Pink Pig is a new discovery I found when looking for watercolour sketchbooks. I love the quality of the paper and it works really well with the Winsor & Newton paints. I like working mostly on a small scale so I got the A5 books from Amazon and got in natural. 

Becky x