Talking at London School of Fashion: Fashion Illustration

This week I was invited to the London College of Fashion to talk to the fashion illustration students.  I was in a panel discussion with NoéMie Schwaller, Editor in Chief of DASH magazine and Charlie Herman, illustrator and Community Manager at Talenthouse.

 We chatted about how what kind of portfolio you should get, the importance of networking and the pros and cons of different internships. It was a lovely experience and hope I had some useful advice for the students. 



Willa, x

A Holiday in Girona

You may have noticed that I've been a little quiet online recently.  That's because I have been catching the last of the summer sun in Spain.  A friend was getting married in the Catalonian countryside, so we used the opportunity to see Catalonia, relax, read some books and indulge in some art.
We booked a sweet little Air bnb just outside Girona; a working farm.  It was beautiful and peaceful with chickens, ducks, rabbits, cows and not-so-wonderful mosquitoes.  We learned our lesson after the first night, and closed the windows before dusk.

Our Airbnb apartment

It was a great holiday.  Here's some of my highlights:

Can Ginebreda's erotic sculpture park
Amazing! Okay, I have to admit that the sculpture was not always my cup of tea, and the artist (Xicu Cabanyes) seemed to have a mixed style, but wow!  This massive park sits on top of a forested hill with incredible views and there was noone around. Noone except Xicu and his assistant, who have been working, creating sculpture within this idyllic workshop with his many cats and dogs for 40 years.  How he managed to swing this studio space, I don't know.
I dream of a studio like that!

Admiring the sculpture
View from the park




 The Dali Triangle

Three tourist spots in Catalonia; Dali's house, Dali's theatre museum and the castle that he gifted his wife.  The museum was an amazing building, but not the best collection of his work.  plus it was super busy.  But, the houses were wonderful! A real insight into Dali's life.  I've been reading into the relationship between Dali and his wife Gala - truly interesting

the view from Dali's house
Dali's theatre museum
The wedding
Of course! David and Tine hosted the most fabulous weekend.  A pinterest worthy wedding in the Catalonian countryside.  Think farmhouse, picnics rugs, boutique food vans, cake tables and the most amazing scenery.  All topped off with a bit of limbo dancing and early morning dancing in a field. Beautiful!.
cutting the cake
Catering from a vintage caravan


Digital illustration workshops with Microsoft


Recently, you may have spotted on Instagram and twitter that I have been working with Microsoft to host some drawing workshops.  I was teaching people how to draw portraits on the new Surface Pro 3 tablet.

Over the two weeks, I went from Nottingham; Birmingham; London; Glasgow; Newcastle; Manchester; Bristol and finishing with two events in London.  It was a lot of travel, but I was with a great team and it was a lot of fun.

Drawing on a tablet is a different experience from drawing on paper, and I'm restricted from working in my normal ink and watercolour, but I have developed a slightly different handwriting for digital drawing using thicker lines and solid colours.  It's a good way of trying out something different.  Scroll down to see some examples of my ipad drawings.

Working with Microsoft
Explaining how Photoshop works

My drawing style as a digital tablet drawing
Fashion drawing on an iPad

Commissioning illustration for social media.


Recently, I've been creating a lot of illustrations for Tesco.  I've worked for their paper magazine before, but this time it's different.  I've been creating work especially for their social media outlets; Instagram and Twitter (@BeautyatTesco and @TescoFood).  It's the first time I've been commissioned for editorial illustrations in this way, and I think it's pretty exciting.

It's reckoned that a tweet with an imbedded image is much more likely to be retweeted. Hurrah! We've always known that a picture tells a thousand words; which in essence solves the issue of only having 140 characters.  Plus, illustration is an perfect way of solidifying your companies brand and making it instantly recognisable.

It's great to see that Tesco are taking their social media seriously; creating new and interesting content while supporting the creative industry.  Rather than the all-too-often regurgitation of images that have long lost their copyright owners.  I really hope it is succesful for Tesco! If it is, then I'm sure more online magazines and blogs will start using illustrators in this way. 

Perhaps this is a new arena for illustrators to excel with the demise of the classical publishing industry?





 

Illustration and Photography Collaboration

You might remember a few months ago I was at Lorna Milburn's photography studio working on a  collaboration.  Well, I'm delighted to say that we've had our photographs published in the Anniversary Edition of Elegant Magazine.
It was a great collaboration, working with make up artist, Sam Norman, stylist, Emma Cherry Rolf and model, Samantha Ker  .  We were also able to use the beautiful creations of the jeweller, Susan O (I have a serious obsession with her necklaces now).

I created both the illustrated backdrop and paper crown for the photoshoot.  I then illustrated over the photographs.  I'm really pleased with how they turned out.

It was such great fun doing a collaboration.  I'm hoping to do many more this year.





Yo Illo Berlin


I'm really excited to be starting a monthly illustration meetup in Berlin, beginning on the 4th June.  It means that I'll be spending a bit more time in Berlin, but also, hopefully that I'll be meeting some amazing people and gaining some more friends out there.

The meetup, Yo Illo Berlin, is a spin out from my favourite event in London, Yo Illo.  If you don't know Yo Illo, then you should definitely come.  It's a really informal, fun meetup for illustrators; basically, a few drinks in the pub.  I've made some really good friends through Yo Illo, and feel like its really helped me to become part of the illustration community.

Hopefully Berliners will come along and join me at Yo Illo Berlin.  Freelance illustration can be a lonely career, so let's meet up and make friends.

Our first meetup is at Brachvogel beer garden in Kreuzberg on Wednesday 4th June 2014!



For more information about our first Berlin Yo Illo, you can sign up for email updates here or like our Facebook Page and follow us on Twitter.

For more information about the London Yo Illo, head to the website here.


MakeUp Illustrations in Tesco Living Magazine

I finally managed to grab my copy of the free Tesco Living Magazine and see the illustrations that I did for them.  They asked me to create 6 painterly, eye illustrations for an article on makeup for different eye shapes. 


Watercolour and Ink Eye MakeUp Illustrations


Event: The launch of The Girls Bicycle Handbook.

Last week I was invited to the launch of my first internally illustrated book,  The Girls Bicycle Handbook.
I created over 40 illustrations for the internal pages of this amazing, non-fiction bicycle book.  The book was written by Caz Nicklin, the owner of Cyclechic, an online bicycle accessories shop and blog with a mission to "promote cycling as a desirable lifestyle choice and encourage more women to take to 2 wheels."  How apt that is was a fully female team that created this wonderful book.
The Girls' Bicycle Handbook - by women for women.

The book is essential reading for any cyclist; with handy tips on how to look after your bike, cycle safety, and how to look good on your bike. It would make a wonderful gift for any lady cyclist.



Some of my pictures


The launch was held at the Mare street "Look Mum No Hands".  It was a great opportunity to meet the lovely ladies from my publishers, Quercus books.  A big thanks to Caz, Sophie and Kerry for making me part of the team!

x,
Willa

Behind the Scenes at my Photography Collaboration

This week I collaborated with the photographer, Lorna Milburn and makeup artist Sam Norman on a photo shoot.    I created an illustrated backdrop for the shoot, and created an illustrated paper floral crown for the shoot.  I can't wait to share the final photographs when they're finished.

Here's some pictures from behind the scenes.







 x, Willa



Insight Video - Learn more about me and my studio

Last week, I talked about how Perry, from WhiteSao, came to my studio to create a short documentary about me.  We spent the morning together, talking about my process, my artwork and my working space.  I've been excited, if not nervous to see the results.  It's never easy to hear yourself talking.  But, the final version is here, and I'm delighted!  I hope you love it too.

Filming in my Studio with Whitesao

Last week I had a visitor to the studio, the filmmaker, Perry from Whitesao.  He came by to film me in my studio.

 Whitesao is an online platform that showcases emerging artists, their working space and their processes.  My video should be ready in a few weeks.  I'm excited to see it (if not a little nervous).  
x, Willa

Working in Berlin (being location independent).

As you might know, my huband works in Berlin a lot, so now that I'm a full-time illustrator,  I'm able to go out there with him and work from the home-studio I have set up there.  It's amazing and I feel pretty lucky!
I spent my first week working from Berlin last week.  To be honest, it was so cold outside, I pretty much stayed inside but I got loads of work done.  I did make a journey to the zoo to do some sketching, but my hands were so cold, I pretty much gave up. 

The view from my studio in Berlin (brrrr!)


This week, I am back in London. I've been creating some new self-initiated work for promotion and been sending a lot of postcards out to art directors.  Also, I'm patiently waiting to hear back about some potentially exciting jobs, so keep your fingers crossed for me!

Male portraits

In an attempt to introduce more men into my portfolio, I have created a set of male portraits.  The style is slightly more masculine and solid than normal, and I really like the results.  I'll be trying to take some of these darker colours and more solid shapes into all of my illustration.

the gorgeous Ryan Gosling:

and the beautiful Chris Helmsworth:


I hope you love them.  You can see the whole set of portraits here

x, Willa

My Round Up of 2013 - a year in pictures.

Before 2013 even started, I knew it was going to be an eventful year; with a new home, a new job and a wedding to be planned.  There's been a few surprises too. I've moved studio and spent a lot of time in Berlin .  And now,  at the end of the year, I've been able to go full-time as an illustrator.  

Here's a round up of my year's work in pictures:

January
This time last year I was finishing up some work for the Salon Selective's relaunch.  I was commissioned to produce floral illustrations for their packaging.  Unfortunately, there were some delays and changes, meaning that the artwork was changed to be linear for the hair accessories range, which you can find instore.


Also, in January, I part of the Call of the Wild exhibition at A-side B-side Gallery with some other great illustrators.


February and March
The start of the year was busy with a number of editorial commissions.
Here's some fitness step-by-steps for Canadian woman's magazine, Glow;


A mother's day special for London's Time Out; 


A perfume guide for UK's Woman and Home;

and a special on wedding hair for different face shapes for online magazine, You and Your Wedding.


April

I worked with American magazine, Bon Appetite, to create this gorgeous BBQ illustration for their BBQ special.  



I also ran an illustration workshop with the Islington Word Festival's Midnight Run. (video) 


June
In June, I was commissioned through 1000heads to create illustrations for Liz Earle's Facebook app.  It was later used in their brochure as well.





July
In July, I worked with The Lady Magazine, creating two illustrations for their short story section.



I also worked with You and Your Wedding again, this time looking at dresses for different body shapes.



I also had a piece of work shown in the  Mail Me Art exhibition at The Framer’s Gallery in London.  


Unfortunately,  in July we lost our studio space in Cobble Lane.  Because of the bad timing, with my wedding in August, I decided to move my tools home and set up a temporary home office.  It wasn't ideal, but it gave me an opportunity to catch up with life.


August and September
I continued to work with You and Your Wedding magazine creating some gorgeous fashion illustrations for a new project they have starting in the new year - I can't wait to show you these.

And, on the seventeenth of August, I got married!  After, my husband I went on honeymoon to Antigua.  It was wonderful!


October and November
I spent October and November working from home and going slightly mad as a result.  I also completed my first full book - The Ladies Guide to Bicycles.  The book will be out in April 2014, and I look forward to sharing this will you all too.



Here's also an editorial eyeshadow feature that I did for Boot's Health and Beauty Magazine.



December
And finally, at the end of the year I found and moved into a new studio.  I'm now working from Candid Arts in Angel, Islington.  



Also, I've been back working on some new projects with both Salon Selectives and Liz Earle, so have finished the year on a high.  In December, I was able to give up my part-time job and am delighted to be starting 2014 as a full-time illustrator.
I'm lucky enough to be spending New Year in Chicago with friends.  I hope you have had a great 2013 too, and have a fabulous NYE party, where ever you are!

x, Willa

Rescuing some of my unloved illustrations

As I was going through my computer files for an annual clean-up, I realised that there was a lot of old sketches, or forgotten about illustrations that have never seen the light of day. 
I've pulled a few out, thinking that I'll be able to salvage some of them and give them a new lease of life.  Here's a couple to start with.

I drew these back in the summer but never did anything with them..... a couple of Orla Kiely bags.
x