Process, Flowers and Self Promotion Monday :)

We all start somewhere. 

I thought I'd share some process pics of a painting I made this weekend.

I like to start by drawing everything out loosely with charcoal, 

but I sometimes use pencil or just start painting. 

For my latest series of flower themed art, I've been working on canvas again.

Most of my animal illustrations are currently painted on gesso board or wood.

Pre-primed canvas provides a smooth surface for acrylic paint. 

Filling in the background with color is really relaxing to me. 

I guess because it requires only light focus and skill.

Painting each flower is the most fun, but the moment comes when you gotta decide just

 how far to go. I considered keeping this loose and painterly, 

but decided to add lines for definition and to keep it similar in style to the 

last couple of patterns I made. Below, is a detail before I went lighter.

I tried a softer look, by making the background pink, plus I worked a little more on it overall.

And then, I went back to a bolder background using Photoshop, which you can see below. 

Of course, with tools like Photoshop, you can alter almost anything. 

I can get lost in all the color options, alone!

In general, I prefer to do as much with paint before scanning or photographing a piece.

I currently use my iPad to photograph work that's too big to scan, 

like this, which is about 40" x 40" I think it's time to consider buying a large flatbed 

scanner or investing in a better camera or even using my old camera again.

I would love to license work like this to fabric companies, furniture and home accessory

manufacturers. I will begin researching places I can send samples to once I have a few more 

in the series. I'll probably have some printed using Spoonflower, plus create 

some pieces in my Society 6 shop to see how they look on products.

Speaking of samples, nice segue, huh - 

Here are my little square business cards being printed by Moo as we speak :)

Below is the back with a list of select social media platforms & my website, of course.

I'm doing a variety of square cards, here are a few -

and I want to start promoting my custom work again.

I used to paint murals more regularly and I miss it. 

I also live in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, a mini-mecca for newborns!

Below, are postcards of my latest custom painting, which I like a lot.

I decided to print detail shots bc I think it shows the work off better 

than the full image on a postcard size. 

I may print some larger samples or some flyers also.

Thanks for taking a look and indulging me on this self promotion Monday!

Finally, I will leave you with something sweet -

* TAFFY *

Have a great week!

xo, A

For the Love of Gingham, Florals, Vintage & Critters

Hi and Happy Monday!

Here are some of the latest products available in my online shop -

Society6.com/AllynHoward

I created these characters in Lilla Rogers' course MATS 3A, 

which I wrote about last month, in several posts.

I decided these guys were cute enough to use on some products.

Kitsch-y bear and chipmunk are based on a couple of pieces from my 

collection of ceramic animals.

You can view some of those in an earlier post or on my Instagram stream.

I just ordered the Hello Love pillow and bag for myself. 

Yes, that's how much I like it and the quality of these products is fantastic.

The prints on paper have a nice border and the canvas prints run to edge.

All products available in Society 6 shops are offered in a variety of sizes.

I rarely use white as a background, but I think these little characters 

look sweet on it.

and here they are on a darker background -

Hope you find something you might want for yourself or that great kid in your life!

Here's a puppy and a pear for your time ;)

:::

Look what came today! More bags ... outstanding quality.

See more work, old & new, on my site - AllynHoward

Have a swell week!

xo, A

Hello you!

Hello Love - painting/pattern I made for class

This Monday did not begin like my last 5, with a "mini" assignment 

from agent, Lilla Rogers. 

I miss it. 

For the past 5 weeks I've been taking MATS 3A, the online course 

Make Art That Sells - unabashedly bold, huh? 

Initially I felt a little funny tagging the phrase as I added some of my sketches 

and reference to Instagram. Like most things, you get over it.

I took this course because I'm a fan of many of Lilla's artists.

I would love to one day create art to license to manufacturers and companies

like Anthropologie, Blue Q, Land of Nod, Oopsy Daisy, 

Eeboo, Galison, Madison Park (ipop)...

the list goes on. I realize these are tough to get, but a girl's gotta dream.

My friends, Yuko Katakawa just completed part B of this class

and Melissa Iwai is currently in Bootcamp. Click links to learn more.

One thing I've learned, the world is FULL of TALENT.

What the heck is in the water in the UK and Netherlands?! 

Soooo many fabulous designers & illustrators.

:::

Lilla's positive energy and encouraging words, each week filled with 

industry insider interviews, plus the class itself, most of whom participate on the 

private Facebook page (sharing work, ideas, links, reference & support)

make for an addictive productive experience.

I created these gingham "zipper pouch" designs as incidentals. The top one, Hello Bear

accompanied my main piece for last week, which needed to be "Hyper Lush and Full". 

Gingham doesn't quite suite the assignment, on it's own at least. 

I created the one below today and I think it's pretty sweet. 

This is another pay off from class, creating lots of elements, 

those edited out can be used in some way later.

This chipmunk also went with my final presentation. 

Below is my final, Hyper-Lush or just plain weird? you be the judge ;)

I worked on this a long time, made numerous little paintings of select ceramic animals and flowers

((the mini had been to gather personal collections - find inspiration, then photograph, draw, scan))

 The main assignment was to create a Hyper Lush Zipper pouch. I own several by BLUE Q 

assumed this would be a breeze. Not really, I never think anything will be a breeze.

I may have put too much pressure on myself, but it was fun to see  

my little ceramic animals together in one place and put them to good use! 

Many I've collected myself and some were gifts. I have to hand it to

Melissa Zexter and Kristine Lombardi for understanding my aesthetic so well!

Thank you.

These are some of the rough sketches I made in my notebook.

T

This sketch of the Scooter Bears was ok, but I could not paint 

anything that came close to the awesomeness of the real thing. 

I wish I'd had time to put together a collaged version using my photos. 

I suppose I can still do that.

 I couldn't help wanting to paint each thing.

Some flowers for background, stripes didn't work out.

This little bunny didn't make the cut, either but I will find a place for her soon.

Below, my Hello Love painting without text. I created that separately.

I will definitely do something with it in my Society 6 shop and 

will look into licensing or producing some of my own tea towels, pillows, 

fabric, maybe a card or journal?

Who knows. I will make more similar, it was probably the most simple 

piece I did for class. I had made separate pieces to attempt some sort of collage,

week 4 was 'Wall Art' 

but that was enough of a fail that I won't even share it here :/

Alas, sad kitty expresses my feelings.

I'm practicing drawing animals with more expressions than

my current stock of happy and/or surprised :)

:: Back to the drawing board ::

Thanks for taking a look!

Feel free to contact me if you'd like to know more about the class. 

I learned a great deal, not just about habits to get ya going or

the effectiveness of deadlines, but about myself -

looking honestly at what needs improving, 

pushing myself to use or draw subject matter I might not have 

chosen myself, face insecurities & look at envy directly, whether of another 

person's skill level, creativity or the success they've experienced.

For instance, I will definitely keep in mind,

that if I see work or a product I wish I had created

and feel some jealousy creep in, to look at it as a sign of 

just how much I want that for myself. 

I'll try to embrace some of the positivity Lilla exudes,

believing that more is more, that people and

businesses want great work and there is room for everyone.

Almost everyone, you know.

A BIG thank you to Lilla and Beth Kempton for a wonderful experience.

:::

I'm now going to watch the last interview, 

it's with one of LR Studio's agents, Jennifer Nelson.

This and a glass of wine will be my reward for waiting all day 

for a fridge to be delivered. 

It never came.

 ! wtf !

* Update - fridge came and it works, hooray *

PS - if by chance you'd like to see how each piece is presented, visit 

my Flickr page (the 1st 5 are all from this class)

Love ya! Have a great week. xo, A