Flowers

It's amazing how much better things look when you spend a bit of time on them. (Yeah, yeah, I know - I should have figured that one out years ago.)



I usually spend ages on the face and not so much time on the details. But instead of rushing my way through this drawing, I took the time to get the flowers right. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy the process - and it's make a huge difference to the piece.

OK, lesson learnt. No more skimping on the details. Cross my heart.

xxx scarlett

PS. She's still a work in process, but not too far to go now.

Meet Marguerite and Pip

I've just put the finishing touches on two new mixed media flirts.

There's Marguerite - painted in gouache, ink and pencil - a sexy little blue-haired girl who's flicking her locks around in an oh-so flirty way.




And then there's Pip and Stanley (her pet octopus), a sweet little pink haired ocean-going lass. I posted a few in progress images of this piece here earlier. She's changed quite significantly.




Jeez I'm having fun with this at the moment.

I've been a little down lately because I'm seem to be standing in the shadows of a host of brilliant, successful people. A couple of friends have - very deservedly! - had their work published in Curvy and my gorgeous baby brother was one of the lead speakers at Semi-Permanent this year. While I'm incredibly excited for them all, it's also difficult not to feel a little left behind.

But a few brush strokes in and I tend to forget all that! And as my friend Dave keeps telling me - I have to stop trying to run before I can walk.

So I'm walking back to my painting desk right now!

xxx scarlett

Sleeping with the fishes

Lovely Bill organised a weekend away to Adelaide over Easter. I didn't have to lift a finger (or do any of the driving) so I couldn't be happier. It's the first vacation I've been on since I was twelve where I didn't book everything myself!

And how better to celebrate than (mind out of the gutter, please) drawing in the hotel room!



I was so happy with the way 'Milk' turned out that I thought I'd try a similar look, but with some more detail. A bit of seaweed and a few fishies later...



The funny thing is that I didn't realise where I got the inspiration for this piece until I was putting this post together and looking through the photos I took while we were in South Australia. But it seems that fish may have been on my mind.


(Fish painting from the hotel)

(Bill the catfish)

xxx scarlett

Something for me

Since opening my Etsy shop every piece of work I create ends up for sale. So when I stumbled across this amazing frame I decided it's time to draw something for myself again.



My studio is an incredible messy treasure trove of paper and odds and ends, so I rumaged around until I found a huge A2 sheet of grey/green stock and grabbed my pencil case.

I think her name is Lottie (no idea what her little friend's name is yet) and I've used my favourite green for her eyeshadow and flower. I can't wait to see what she looks like once she's done.




A bit further along...



She's done - not sure if I love her though. Rats.


xxx scarlett

From trash to treasure

I've discovered my new favourite combination - cardboard backing from old layout pads mixed with brightly coloured pencils, ink and charcoal.

This is the result.


Cherry, Tabitha (the witch, naturally!) and Nancy (the new air hostie).

I'm so happy with the way Cherry's hair turned out! And I adore Nancy's little blue scarf.

But I just love drawing on this cardboard! It has a slightly flecked texture to it and creates the most superb background. And, when used just right, the pencils (Derwents that I've had since I was little) give the most gorgeous rich tones to each piece.

I'm really excited!

Anyway, I'm flitting off to Queensland at the end of the week. And I guarantee I'll be filling my bags with a pile of cardboard and my little box of pencils!


xxx scarlett