Sunday, February 21, 2010
Nursery art
Hello everyone, I'm sorry it's been a while since my last post. Things have been terribly busy and I haven't been able to make much time for my websites and blog. Just a quick update tonight to show some new work I've done lately.
Hello
This is my new blog. New year, new opportunies and a fresh new start with my blog and my other websites. Still monkeying around with it, but we're getting there.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Couple of Updates
Hello everyone, it's been a while since my last post here!Things have been busy and I've been doing some book illustration work for a couple of publishers. My first real foray into the world of freelance illustration, really - and it's been real exciting. Unfortunately I've neglected my websites and blog a little bit, but not to worry, I have a few plans.
The Bookish Owl
I'd like to revamp the Bookish Owl into a more illustration and industry related blog, and a little less of my own personal updates. More on local gallery shows/happenings in Melbourne, more on breaking into freelance illustration in Australia, tutorials/tips/advice on topics of interest to artists and all that sort of thing. I'm hoping to get it all going by early February sometime.
A personal site
I've just registed MelanieMatthews.net and it's going to be my personal site and blog. This site will also be sort of a 'home site' to which all my other sites are connected. I'll also have some other articles and things of interest here, as well as the personal blog and news updates.
Bearprints
Bearprints, my portfolio site, is in serious need of updating and that will happen in the next month or so as I re-arrange and re-build my portfolio to a higher, more current standard.
Other Projects
So far I'm working on 365 Cartoons, a blog where I post a cartoon a day even though I've already missed two days, oops. There's some other things I'd like to do but I think I have enough on my plate to get through now, so more on other projects later.
Anyway, thanks for following the blog, hopefully I'll have some more good things to report shortly.
The Bookish Owl
I'd like to revamp the Bookish Owl into a more illustration and industry related blog, and a little less of my own personal updates. More on local gallery shows/happenings in Melbourne, more on breaking into freelance illustration in Australia, tutorials/tips/advice on topics of interest to artists and all that sort of thing. I'm hoping to get it all going by early February sometime.
A personal site
I've just registed MelanieMatthews.net and it's going to be my personal site and blog. This site will also be sort of a 'home site' to which all my other sites are connected. I'll also have some other articles and things of interest here, as well as the personal blog and news updates.
Bearprints
Bearprints, my portfolio site, is in serious need of updating and that will happen in the next month or so as I re-arrange and re-build my portfolio to a higher, more current standard.
Other Projects
So far I'm working on 365 Cartoons, a blog where I post a cartoon a day even though I've already missed two days, oops. There's some other things I'd like to do but I think I have enough on my plate to get through now, so more on other projects later.
Anyway, thanks for following the blog, hopefully I'll have some more good things to report shortly.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Why art school is totally rad!
So a few weeks ago, I finally got my Diploma of Arts: Illustration. I'm now a certified illustrator! Woohoo!
Now, I can't think of why anyone would be hesitant about going to art school. With the exception of things like time and money, there's no reason not to do it if you want to become an illustrator (or anything really), no matter how old you are or your level of skills. I'd like to talk about some of the things that I appreciated about art school and what I got out of it.
Working in a studio environment
The first great thing that I can think of about going to art school is, of course, working with other art students! I shared my classrooms (it was two rooms joint together by a corridor) with 15-20 fellow artists and creatives, all with different styles, tastes and ways of seeing. We had the anime guy, the extremely cool dark fantasy/gothic chick, the photo-realism lady, the tattoo guy, the comics girl, you name it, someone in our class did it.
Even though we all had different ways of working and our art was totally different, being able to bounce ideas around, learn new techniques and voice different opinions about our own work or other artist's work was invaluable. It's rare to find such camaraderie anywhere else. And with 15-20 different points of view, you can get so much valuable feedback about your work that you probably wouldn't get from a community website such as DeviantArt, where people follow your work because it's the type of work they like.
And finally, 15-20 fellow artists means 15-20 different tastes in art, which leads to new and interesting artists and genres that you might not have ever known about before. Which is awesome!
The facilities
At school, you probably won't get access to the best facilities (your own studio space, computer, fancy art materials and goodies) until later. But even then, having easy access to photocopiers, scanners, books in the library, and a comfortable space to work just can't be beat.
I really miss having my own little studio area, though. It was great having my own big desk and my own wall for pinning up inspirational images and works in progress. Now that I am working on art mostly at home, it's been suprisingly difficult to adapt without having that nice big desk that you can tilt up at an angle, the photocopier just in the next room, and the library only a 30 second walk away. So when you're at art school, seriously, take advantage of all that stuff while you can.
Meeting local artists and illustrators
This year, I was extremely fortunate to have class meetings every fortnight with a working Melbourne artist. They talked about lots of different things - their work and process, what it's like working in the industry today, tips on how to get your work noticed. Something special that I gained from these meetings was learning about how many different roads one could take to becoming a professional illustrator, and the amount of possibilities there are for artists. Because really, anything that has type or an illustration on it - that was designed by somebody. That was illustrated by someone. This advertisement was the result of the work of lots of illustrators. I could go on and on!
The absolute best thing, however, was being able to see rough work and sketches, and hearing each artist talk about the steps that they take when creating a piece of work for a client. Ann James, a children's book illustrator, showed us tons of sketches and studies that she did while working on her latest illustrated book, Chester and Gil. The amount of research and drawing behind it was stunning.
Life drawing, and trying new things
Finally, being at art school means regular classes in life drawing and observational drawing. You're also sometimes forced to use unfamiliar mediums and methods of working, which is a good thing. These things are exercises that you would probably shy away from if you are at home teaching yourself.
Suprisingly, these classes are a great way to boost your creativity and spontineity. You can approach drawings in different ways, develop new ways of seeing, learn new techniques and try out new mediums. I mean, sure observational drawing sounds pretty boring, but it's so good for stretching those creative muscles.
Making the most of it
All of the above means nothing if you don't make the most of your time at art school. Prior to studying illustration, I did a course in Fine Art. But during that time, I didn't make the most of my time there. I was lazy, close-minded, stubborn and unproductive. So naturally, I didn't get much out of that course. Back then though, I didn't think that it was my fault.
When I look back, I can see that it was indeed my fault. You are responsible for your own experience. So, work hard, draw lots, ask lots of questions and have fun!
Now, I can't think of why anyone would be hesitant about going to art school. With the exception of things like time and money, there's no reason not to do it if you want to become an illustrator (or anything really), no matter how old you are or your level of skills. I'd like to talk about some of the things that I appreciated about art school and what I got out of it.
Working in a studio environment
The first great thing that I can think of about going to art school is, of course, working with other art students! I shared my classrooms (it was two rooms joint together by a corridor) with 15-20 fellow artists and creatives, all with different styles, tastes and ways of seeing. We had the anime guy, the extremely cool dark fantasy/gothic chick, the photo-realism lady, the tattoo guy, the comics girl, you name it, someone in our class did it.
Even though we all had different ways of working and our art was totally different, being able to bounce ideas around, learn new techniques and voice different opinions about our own work or other artist's work was invaluable. It's rare to find such camaraderie anywhere else. And with 15-20 different points of view, you can get so much valuable feedback about your work that you probably wouldn't get from a community website such as DeviantArt, where people follow your work because it's the type of work they like.
And finally, 15-20 fellow artists means 15-20 different tastes in art, which leads to new and interesting artists and genres that you might not have ever known about before. Which is awesome!
The facilities
At school, you probably won't get access to the best facilities (your own studio space, computer, fancy art materials and goodies) until later. But even then, having easy access to photocopiers, scanners, books in the library, and a comfortable space to work just can't be beat.
I really miss having my own little studio area, though. It was great having my own big desk and my own wall for pinning up inspirational images and works in progress. Now that I am working on art mostly at home, it's been suprisingly difficult to adapt without having that nice big desk that you can tilt up at an angle, the photocopier just in the next room, and the library only a 30 second walk away. So when you're at art school, seriously, take advantage of all that stuff while you can.
Meeting local artists and illustrators
This year, I was extremely fortunate to have class meetings every fortnight with a working Melbourne artist. They talked about lots of different things - their work and process, what it's like working in the industry today, tips on how to get your work noticed. Something special that I gained from these meetings was learning about how many different roads one could take to becoming a professional illustrator, and the amount of possibilities there are for artists. Because really, anything that has type or an illustration on it - that was designed by somebody. That was illustrated by someone. This advertisement was the result of the work of lots of illustrators. I could go on and on!
The absolute best thing, however, was being able to see rough work and sketches, and hearing each artist talk about the steps that they take when creating a piece of work for a client. Ann James, a children's book illustrator, showed us tons of sketches and studies that she did while working on her latest illustrated book, Chester and Gil. The amount of research and drawing behind it was stunning.
Life drawing, and trying new things
Finally, being at art school means regular classes in life drawing and observational drawing. You're also sometimes forced to use unfamiliar mediums and methods of working, which is a good thing. These things are exercises that you would probably shy away from if you are at home teaching yourself.
Suprisingly, these classes are a great way to boost your creativity and spontineity. You can approach drawings in different ways, develop new ways of seeing, learn new techniques and try out new mediums. I mean, sure observational drawing sounds pretty boring, but it's so good for stretching those creative muscles.
Making the most of it
All of the above means nothing if you don't make the most of your time at art school. Prior to studying illustration, I did a course in Fine Art. But during that time, I didn't make the most of my time there. I was lazy, close-minded, stubborn and unproductive. So naturally, I didn't get much out of that course. Back then though, I didn't think that it was my fault.
When I look back, I can see that it was indeed my fault. You are responsible for your own experience. So, work hard, draw lots, ask lots of questions and have fun!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Business Cards!
A little while ago I was lucky enough to win a giveaway prize of 250 business cards from UPrinting! They arrived a few days ago and I couldn't be happier with them. I even managed to get 2 sides in full colour! The folks at UPrinting were very friendly and helpful and I'll definately be ordering some postcards and things from them soon.
Also, here's a recent ink drawing I did!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Final school art show
My class's final show will be held at the Chisholm Institute of Tafe's Frankston campus, within the art department buildings. It's been a totally awesome year and I have learned so much and met some fantastic illustrators and creative people in the industry. I've also spent the year studying with a fine bunch of illustrators and artists who are totally awesome and I look forward to seeing their work out there in the world sometime soon!
For our end of year show, some of us got to paint some big pieces of plywood to hang outdoors on the art department's walls. From left to right is the work of Lea Smithers, yours truly, Bonnie Eichelberger, Ben Lopez and Ashlea Bechaz.
Unfortunately I can't find a site with more of Lea's wonderful art on it, but if I find one I will update with a link.
For our end of year show, some of us got to paint some big pieces of plywood to hang outdoors on the art department's walls. From left to right is the work of Lea Smithers, yours truly, Bonnie Eichelberger, Ben Lopez and Ashlea Bechaz.
Unfortunately I can't find a site with more of Lea's wonderful art on it, but if I find one I will update with a link.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Beasties
I've had a bit of a frustrating day today, and I think the lesson learned is to remember the number 1 reason why we draw and paint in the first place: for ourselves. I have a painting that is stumping me at the moment and for a good chunk of the day I've been pouring over other artist's work searching for inspiration and guidance. And as I kept returning to the drawing board all I had was feelings of inadequacy and self doubt.
Even though I'm working on my portfolio, finishing up my schoolwork and determined to get somewhat close to having an 'industry standard' level of work, I often forget why I do it at all. Because I love it, I enjoy it and it's my identity. It's a part of me.
All you can do in times like these is work through it and keep drawing. I sketched up a few beasties in Photoshop and decided I liked them enough to post them!
Monday, October 26, 2009
New art and interview
I have been interviewed! Yaay! By Sneh Roy over at Little Box of Ideas. I talk about inspirations, animals, and dreams of becoming a Steve-Irwin like explorer. Check it out!
I have a couple of new drawings plus a digital commission I completed over the weekend. I'm kind of looking at a different sort of style at the moment, something a bit more realistic (but still cartoony and stylised of course!)
I have a couple of new drawings plus a digital commission I completed over the weekend. I'm kind of looking at a different sort of style at the moment, something a bit more realistic (but still cartoony and stylised of course!)
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Dragons
Today I made some dragons, and made another pattern with more dragons. I played with just flat colours instead of adding all the textures I usually do.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Partytime
It's time for a birthday party themed pattern! Hooray! This one is a big improvement over my last pattern I think.
The jungle cat pattern from before was bothering me so I fixed it up a bit, too.
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