Monthly Muse - December

Here is December's monthly muse painting and poem collaboration for the Wide Island View magazine. I painted a yellow bellied fly-catcher.
Painted with Holbein watercolour paints on Wirgman 320 cold press watercolour paper.

Merry Christmas 2016!

Hello and Merry Christmas!

Despite my lack of Christmas spirit this year I ended up painting some holly for one of my school's vice prinsiples. Perhaps once the school holidays start I'll be able to relax more.

I took this painting as a chance to try a different technique with the way I approach highlights. I went for an obvious speckled effect with the masking fluid. I think it was a successful experiment, I'll see if I can use it more in my own paintings.

Featured in Artists & Illustrators!

Hello and happy December! It's icy cold here in my Japanese apartment, being a productive human being right now is near impossible! But nevermind that, there is some awesome news which I'd like to share. In the January 2017 issue of the Artists & Illustrators UK magazine (which is out this month), I got a two spread feature about what it was like painting my 30 Days of watercolour project!

I never expected my work to be featured, it's a good feeling. If you live in the UK, make sure to pick it up.  After reading the article though, I realized that my self deprecating sense of humor comes off little on the harsh side.🎭 So I think my new years resolution is to be a little more kinder when talking about my art and myself in general.

UPDATE: December 20th 2016
My friend Amy, who works with me in Kure city has traveled back to the UK for the December holidays, while there she surprised me with this photo! She spotted my article and kindly got me a copy of the magazine! LUCKY!

Laboratory Watercolour

This week, I managed to finish up a painting which I've been working intermittently on for the month of November. I plan on giving it to my extremely cool and arty hair studio, called Laboratory. They have a cool logo design which I painted realistically.

Monthly Muse - November

This illustration of Koi fish in the sky, is my monthly contribution to the Wide Island View webzine which is run by a team of JETs in Hiroshima Japan. Here's Akilah Bel's beautiful poem, Last Night I had a Dream.

Before painting the final illustration, I first did a few fish studies of goldfish and Koi in my new 200gsm cold press Moleskine watercolour sketchbook. Here are my studies which were much darker and dramatic compared to the light pastals I ended up painting.

Business Cards

Recently I received business cards which I ordered from a company called Moo.

This was my first time ordering business cards and I think my expectations were perhaps low, I'm VERY happy with the quality of the print and feel of the cards.

The reason why I chose to order from Moo was because of their Printfinity option which most printing companies do not offer at all. When you order a pack of cards you can have a different design on every card at no extra charge! That's a game changer if you ask me especially for artists, every card is basically a mini artwork. So, if you are in the market for business cards, postcards and such then I highly recommend these guys. They are doing things right.

 

Halloween Watercolour Challenge: Paint Yayoi Kusama’s Pumpkin Sculpture

Hey everybody, I hope you've all had a spooky cool halloween.
Today I want to share something awesome. The super nice people at Artists and Illustrators Magazine posted a Halloween watercolour challenge of my painting of Yayoi Kusama's yellow pumpkin sculpture! #HappyDance

They were very kind to let me share the how to tutorial here on my blog.

Contact Page Animation - Work In Progress Part 1

Work In Progress Part 1- Character Design and Rigging

For a few weeks now, I've had this idea to make an animated gif for my blog's contact page.
Today I had the urge to rig the characters and I even got to do a quick test animation on the post box character. 

The next step is to design and paint the watercolour background.

 Rough sketchbook thumbnails:

It's been a while since I've rigged and animated so I really enjoyed getting absorbed in the creative process of it all. Here's a quick video of a bit of the character rigging.

Monthly Muse - October

  

October 

So I've joined the JET run Wide Island View webzine team as a monthly art contributor. I was lucky to illustrate the Editor-in-Chief, Akilah Bel's beautiful poem. Click here to read Aki(Autumn) Looms.

I go this idea from Dice Tsutsumi from the amazing studio Tonko House.  He does a similar thing where every month both him and his mother collaborate on an illustrated poem for a Japanese magazine. His mother writes the poems and Dice illustrates them. Here is an example of their work.

30 Days of Watercolour - GIVEAWAY WINNER

The giveaway has ended, a big thank you to everyone who entered! I've really enjoyed this experience and look forward to doing more giveaways in future!

It's time to reveal the name of the lucky winner who will be receiving the complete set of my 30 days of watercolour postcard series!

http://gvwy.io/kmgrw2m

Congratulations Jewel H.S! The full set of my 30 days of watercolour postcard series is all yours!
I'll be getting in contact with you soon for all your shipping details!

30 Days of Watercolour - Japanese Summer Collection

My Japanese Summer Collection

Yesterday was a big day for me, I completed the 30 Days of Watercolour challenge!
I've been blown away by the amazing support and encouragement I've received throughout this project. I can't express how thankful I am for that. I've absolutely loved sharing my watercolours everyday and I thank everyone who was kind enough to join me on this 30 day journey!

I encourage you to keep an eye out, I have more plans and ideas that I wish to explore and can't wait to get start on them. In the mean time I've compiled all 30 watercolours in one image, feel free to select the days which interest you on the side bar for more information.

I've learned so much on this project! I have amazing friends who were kind enough to share their experiences and knowledge with me. Jessica, Desirae and Chris, thank you!

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 30

Day 30 - Daruma Doll

I did it! _(_  ^  _)/  We've reached day 30 and I'm beyond happy.
Before I started this 30 day challenge my good friend gave me a small daruma doll. I coloured in one of the eyes with the goal in mind, to complete this 30 day challenge. Today I can finally colour-in the other eye as I have achieved what I set out to do! That's why I've painted a completed daruma doll.


Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 29

Day 29 - Peacock Blue Holbein Paint 

Seeing as watercolours have been a huge part of my summer I feel it's only fitting to paint a watercolour paint tube. This striking colour is Peacock Blue and comes from a special Holbein artist collaboration colour set by Yuko Higuchi. 

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.
Sakura Micron, PIGMA 03 pen.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 28

Day 28 - Melon Pan

Melon pan is a simple sweet bread bun with a thin crisp layer of cookie dough, topped off with a sprinkle of sugar. Melon pan is without a doubt my greatest weakness.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 27

Day 27 - Hiroshima Carp Baseball Cap

Baseball is a big sport in Japan and Hiroshima loves their Carp baseball team. Today I painted my Carp baseball cap.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days pf Watercolour - Day 26

Day 26 - Kumamon

The quirky Kumamoto mascot's fame reaches all prefectures in Japan. His face can be seen on fresh produce packaging in most supermarkets. Kumamon is my spirit animal. 

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 25

Day 25 - Asahi Beer

It's day 25 and there are five more paintings to go! I'm having a great time painting everyday and sharing them with everyone but man, I need a drink!>___<


Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.
Sakura Micron, PIGMA 03 pen.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 24

Day 24 - Ice Cream

When it comes to ice cream, it takes me ages to eat it. This is a very common ice cream here in Japan called Gari Gari Kun ice cream. It's soda flavoured.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour -Day 23

Day 23 - Black Eyed Susan Flowers

These Black Eyed Susan flowers line the street that leads to one of my schools. They are so striking and make my Tuesday mornings pleasant.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 22

Day 22 - Gashapon Neko Atsume Toy

So, yesterday I painted a mystery gashapon and today I've painted it's contents! This gashapon was from a Neko Atsume themed machine. Neko Atsume loosely means collecting cats. After three tries and 300 yen later, I finally got the cat I wanted!

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 21

Day 21 - Gashapon

Oh, how I love gashapon! Gashapon are capsules that are dispensed randomly. The prizes are usually little toys, keychains or figurines and in Japan you can gets some really cute and arb things.
Tomorrow I'll be painting the mystery contents of this gashapon! 

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 20

Day 20 - Ebi Nigiri

What would a Japanese summer be without some sushi?! I painted ebi nigiri which is prawn that's been placed on a small bed of sticky rice with a bit of wasabi.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 19

Day 19 - Watermelon

 

When I think of watermelon, Christmas by the pool side comes to mind. Watermelon in Japan is rather pricey, so I only buy it for a special treat.    

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 18

Day 18 - 50 Yen Coin

A friend pointed out that I should perhaps paint some Japanese money. Seeing that it's pay day, what better day to paint my favorite Japanese coin? I painted the back of a 50 yen coin.


Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
HolbeinWaterford 300g/m², watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 17

Day 17  - Cup of Coffee

I'm the kind of girl who likes her hot cup of coffee even in summer. I really don't think I could get through the day without one.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
HolbeinWaterford 300g/m², watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

GIVEAWAY - 30 Days of Watercolour Postcards

My 30 Days of Watercolour GIVEAWAY has just launched!

Enter to stand a chance to win a full set of my 30 days of watercolour postcard series! It's open to everybody and ends August 31st! It's quick and easy to enter, all you have to do is like my Facebook page or follow me on Twitter. Doing both increases your chance to win.;)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

30 Days of Watercolour - Day16

Day 16 - Wind Chime

Wind chimes are considered to have a refreshing effect during the Japanese summer time. Hearing a wind chime in the height of summer is a truly welcomed sound. I like to think of it as a friendly reminder that there is in fact a breeze somewhere out there. 


Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking ink.
Holbein Waterford 300g/m², watercolour paper.
Holbein 350R Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 15

Day 15  - Japanese Energy Drink

We have reached the half way point!

Juggling work and everyday life with painting one watercolour everyday defiantly keeps you on your toes. For me, it's already been worth it. I'm happy that I see some progress in my paintings and it motivates me to keep going.

I do feel the grind a bit and that's where the Japanese energy drink come into play. I swear that my Japanese coworkers live off this stuff. I don't make the habit of drinking these often but from my personal experience these small energy drinks are legit. I haven't experienced any negative side effects and usually feel energized through out the day.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
HolbeinWaterford 300g/m², watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable 350R brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 14

Day 14  - Uchiwa

During the summer time, it's very common to see people walking around with a hand fan. There are plenty of pleasing designs and styles to choose from, I myself have three. I find that hand fans and even parasols are far more commonplace here in Japan compared to South Africa.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 13

Day 13  - Watermelon Fanta

Japan is the land of glorious limited edition treats. This summer there is a watermelon flavored Fanta drink which is absolutely divine.  Once the summer season ends I'll have to sadly wait a full year to get to try it again. Fanta isn't the only product to do limited editions, Kit Kat and Pringles are also full of surprises.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking ink.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 12

Day 12  - Berry Tart

Gosh, where do I begin. The cakes and tarts in Japan are absolutely gorgeous to look and they are of really high quality. I'm always looking to see what adorable animal shaped baked goods my local supermarkets often put out. I got this mixed berry tart at a cafe called Stick Sweet Factory, where all their cakes and tarts are usually in the shape of a rectangle. 

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking ink.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 11

Day 11 - Gatsby

Summer time in Japan is super hot! Luckily there is this item to help you survive the heat. Gatsby facial wipes leave a tingling sensation which can be very refreshing. I decided to paint this today seeing that I always have a pack in my bag during the summer time, they come in different scents too. 


Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking ink.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 10

Day 10 - Transportation Cards

We've hit the double digits! Today's watercolour is all to do with the transportation cards which I use on a daily basis. The ICOCA is usually used on the trains, trams and some buses and the PASPY is used on the buses and trams. I absolutely love the platypus mascot for the  ICOCA card!

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking ink.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 9

Day 9 - Onigiri

My favorite "grab and go" kind of food in Japan has to be onigiri. Onigiri is made of sticky white rice shaped into a triangle or ball, it's usually wrapped in nori seaweed. you can get a variety of fillings.  My recommendations are ebi mayo onigiri (prawn) and tuna mayo onigiri which is also sometimes labeled as sea chicken!😂

You have to love the genius packaging here in Japan. There is a simple three step process to opening the onigiri which keeps the seaweed fresh. It's really awesome.   

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking ink.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Sakura Micron, PIGMA 03 pen.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 8

Day 8 - Japanese Green Gum

Green is a pleasant colour to look at.:) Those who know me know well that I have a strong liking for the colour green. Sap Green, Kelly green and Hooker's Green. The name doesn't matter, I love them all. Much to my delight, my favorite gum in Japan just so happens to be called Green Gum! I really liked looking at my watercolour pallet once I was done painting.

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking fluid.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 7

Day 7 - Origami Paper Crane

Yesterday on August 6th, marked the 71st anniversary of the atomic bombing.

Living in Hiroshima and seeing the A-bomb dome regularly can really put things into perspective. In the peace park near the A-bomb dome there is a statue of Sasaki Sadako. Paper cranes from all over the world are placed in showcases next to her. They are place there to remember the tragedy and represent peace. Today I painted a paper crane.


Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 6

Day 6 -  Anpan

Today's watercolour is dedicated to Chris, my husband. I'm not really a fan but he loves anpan and most red bean flavored treats. I got pretty hungry painting this one.:)

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking ink.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.

30 Days of Watercolour - Day 5 + Progress Photo

Day 5 - Kure City's Station Sign

Update 08/06Here's the final watercolour for the Kure train station sign.

______

Today we welcomed a few new Kure ALTs to the family with a tour of the city and treat to a Hiroshima style party! Despite the busy day, I managed to squeeze some painting of the Kure city's train station sign. Tomorrow I'll finish this up and update this post with the finished version. Tomorrow will still have it's own watercolour as planned. Hope you have a great evening!

Materials used:
Holbein artists watercolours and masking ink.
Wirgman 350g/m², Orion original watercolour paper.
Sakura Micron, PIGMA 03 pen.
Holbein Para Resable brush series.