31 March 2007

Just another doggie doodle and a word on copyright


Well, I haven't posted for a while, because I've mostly been doing layout work (not much "pure" illustration work at the moment!)

On the downside, I have started to realise that knowledge of what copyright is and how it applies to images on the web may well be something that is not widely known/understood. So I feel forced to commence placing ugly copyright information on all my images *sigh* such is life. If you are interested in learning more about copyright, I will point you in the direction of "Svenska Tecknare" (the Swedish illustrators society) of which I am a member:

http://www.svenskatecknare.se/upphovsratt.html

Generally a good rule of thumb is, ask permission before you use an image! Remember that it is the end product of hours and hours of drawing and practice.

On the upside, I thought I'd just post this cute little guy! I think he's a mongrel Westie. I for one, have already had my first outdoor icecream after the long dark winter! Wohoo! it was a yummy Triumf Glass (they have a "wholesale" place near my house -- One big waffle/wafer with 2 scoops: 1 scoop After Eight and 1 scoop Lion. I'd say the Lion ice cream was HEAVENLY... ah, the small joys of life.

Don't get too sunburnt in the spring sunshine, our sun-starved skin needs time to adjust! Bye!

11 March 2007

For my cousin's two sons

These dragons were painted relatively quickly this weekend. They were started upon when watching "Melodifestivalen" - a swedish "popular music" contest (slightly camp, but fun in some ways) - and finished today (Sunday). My cousin provided me with two ready stretched canvases and matching frames. I brought along paintbrushes, black acrylic and gold gouache. It felt great painting "in real life" for a change, and not on the computer. I'd been longing to paint for ages, and my cousin, sly as she is, talked me into doing some. It also felt great doing something for the kids who are possibly my favorite 5/7 year olds around!

Business Card Design

Right, so I've decided to post smth so ppl won't think I've dissapeared off the face of the earth. I have been busy busy busy. And with what you may ask? Well, working, having the flu, delivering fruitbaskets and dancing at a celidh (pronounced "kay-lee") in Edinburgh are just a few of the fun things that one fill one's time with...oh and, become a year older (in secret).

Interestingly enough, I have had a spate of business card design...

This is a before-and-after job (small bookeeping/accounting company):





Here's a start-from-scratch job, but with a clear wish from the client to have a "nice entrance" on the card (small building company):













Here's one for a small "Fashion Jewelry design" company. Don't know what fashion jewelry is? Well nor did I -- google it! It's apparently really popular in, for example, Japan...

Inspirational material provided by client:













Final card (patterns hand-drawn in Illustrator, finishing touches in Photoshop):