Archive for the ‘Art & Design’ Category

Big news!

Saturday, August 6th, 2011

Hey!

Guess what!

I have a new job!!!!

YAY!

I start at the beginning of September – similar kind of work – still in food packaging…..but now I’ll be out east instead of north….and lots more opportunities in the new place (I hope!). It’s going to be a super fast paced role, servicing a very high profile client in their head office.

So that is what was special about the grey sheath dress in my last post – it was what I wore to my first interview with my new employers. :-D

That’s all I got for you today. I finished a dress – but I’m not taking photos cos today is a bludge day and I can’t be bothered getting dressed up and doing my hair etc when I don’t plan on going out. Heh. I’ve also been drawing…a few crappy sketches. I’m really out of practice with sketching.  Here is one just so I don’t have a words only post.

pinup

Till soon guys! I’m off to go figure out THIS pattern – make it smaller, and squish the skirt onto the small amount of fabric I have. I’m going to see if I can use parts of another pattern where its a gored skirt not a full circle. Should still have enough swish and hopefully be more economical on fabric.

Where I inadvertently draw Cate Blanchett…

Tuesday, July 12th, 2011

Hiiii!

Soooo I have a drawing for you. A very old drawing. One I started at the end of January to be exact. It’s been hanging around that long and I’m finally sick of it enough to call it done. But – its DONE. It could be a lot better yes…I could have added a whole bunch more pixels in there and got fiddly with the details…..

I’m still kinda hung up on the piece I’m working on now though – and this being unfinished was bothering me. So here it is.

teal-profile-final

Inadvertently you ask? Well I’d found the reference on Tumblr somewhere which had no text to explain who it was. I thought “It kinda looks like Cate Blanchett”. I wouldn’t make a good paparazzo would I? Haha ;-) Derp!

I do like these colours though. And I don’t know how I have my colour settings set up – but when I work in Corel Painter, the image is a lot lighter, so when it gets to Photoshop for my final touches (signature, that’s about all really), the colours become super saturated. Painter, I think is the odd one out in this chain but I like it this way.

(detail)
teal-profile-detail

I’m still stressing about my creative “skillz” – too scared to set my own projects where I can really explore different methods of drawing and I dunno – just letting go. Maybe I should jump back into the ConceptArt.org challenges. They’ve set up a new section called Illustration of the Week (IOW) which looks promising.

(WIPs)
teal-profile-comp1

teal-profile-comp2

teal-profile-comp3

Anyways…I best be off. :-D

Ciao!

 

Commissioned Portrait!

Monday, June 20th, 2011

Hi All,

I asked permission from my client to post the portrait I did for her. The drawing is to become a gift for her and her partner for their anniversary – How sweet!! I had fun drawing this – slightly different method from my usual style as I it was essential that I do justice to my subjects! So I spent a lot more time on it and made all efforts not to hate my “skillz” in the process.

I’m actually rather pleased with it!

(detail)

WIPs

What do you think?

If anyone else would love a portrait drawn then feel free to email me (address is in the About section). My rates are very reasonable – just send me a line and we can chat!
I know I don’t advertise this as heavily as I should, but if I could make a living off drawing I would be one happy girl. Imagine that – spending all day drawing (and sewing) and not having to slave away those 8+ hours in the office. My job isn’t dreadful, but if I could choose drawing over it then I would. It’s something I’ve been thinking a lot about lately – Coming home, making dinner and then spending a few hours on my hobbies – those few hours aren’t enough. I have such a big list of the things I want to make and draw right now, there just aren’t enough hours in the day. And that doesn’t include my personal obligations like maintaining my relationship and friendships – neither of which can be neglected either.
This sorting of priorities is one of those “I’m an adult now” realisations….and yes, I still get those at 27…If only I didn’t have to rely on money so much! Ha – that goes for everyone doesn’t it!?

So – musings aside, I think that’s all I have for you today. There is currently a new drawing in the works (non-paid) and about 6 sewing projects I need to update you on! Sheesh! We’ve got the BF’s fancy camera back now so the quality of my photos should get a bit better – no more horrible graininess. Yay!

Seeyas!

Face Studies – Elinkan

Thursday, June 9th, 2011

Hi Everyone!
I’m a bit late on updating this little here blog. Not to say I’ve been procrastinating either – there’s always lots happening at Chez Kitty!

This is the first drawing I’ve finished in a while. I’d left it too long again and couldn’t be bothered tidying it up. When I opened it today to see what needed fixing, it didn’t look like there was that much to do. So it’s not so bad…I guess. I hope I’ve done the subject justice. Probably not. Errrm. Sorry! It’s kinda crap actually. Waaaa! *sob*
NEED TO DRAW MORE.

elinkan-final

It’s this uber-cute lass here – Elinkan – I love her photos and her style – as well as how often she changes her hair colour! Way cool :-D

(detail)
elinkan-detail

(WIPs)
elinkan_WIP_comp1

elinkan_WIP_comp2

Other news: We’re gearing up for Fiji. I’ve done all the sewing I need to do but if I’ve got some time next week I might be able to make a top or two to go with my Tara Starlet sailor shorts. Hopefully I’ll be able to get a sewing post up on the weekend. I’m really far behind and this lack of light is really frustrating! The only thing I don’t like about winter (Yes, I love the cold so shoot me). The emerald green wool crepe 40′s dress (phew!) is finished. It was very time consuming but I’ve very happy with the result. I’ll blabber more about that when I post about it.

There’s also a completed 70′s dress which came together surprisingly fast. And I have a whole jumble of things I want to make next – including, but not limited to, a slinky, draped 40′s dress, a ROBE (that word needs caps haha), an apron, and a sheath dress for work.

More stuff, I’ve been baking like a madwoman. Why? Cos I can. I love making cakes. They’re usually not very elaborate but sure taste good (if I do say so myself).

My Vivienne Westwood for Melissa mary-janes finally packed it in, so there was much hunting for a new pair of black shoes. Buying shoes here in Australia was not much of an option – I don’t seem to fit any of the ‘normal’ brands like Tony Bianco and Wittner very well, even though I have narrow feet. They’re so BORING as well. Hideously hideously boring. So online I went and have purchased my third pair of Irregular Choice shoes. I will show you the beauties when they arrive. Fingers are crossed they are as comfy as they look. They meet my stringent criteria: thick heel with slight taper (not too boxy or too narrow),  almond/round toes, between 4cm and 7cm high and most importantly -  quirky.
So I’m fussy about shoes…shuddup!

;-)

I should stop yabbering on…Time to get back to my commission. Making significant progress on that! If my client lets me I will post that next week too as it will be finished this weekend.

Till soon,

Slackie Kitty

Thursday, April 21st, 2011

Okaaay so I suck

I was meant to draw the Simple comp last week

But. I’ll give everyone an extension instead. Cos I’ve been so busy. And lazy. Is that possible? Heh.

Get your entries in peeps – HERE

And cos I can’t leave you without a pic – here is a sneaky at something that has been lingering in my “To Finish” pile (which only has one drawing in it haha)….almost done…..will show you all one day. I promised someone it wouldn’t get 86′d ;-)

Happy Easter!!

Portrait Studies – Geranium (Rather pic heavy!)

Monday, April 18th, 2011

Hiiiiiiiiii!

Drawing time!

Woo! This one took me quite a while. I lost count of how many hours. Up to 8? I’m guessing though. I ought to keep track of these things shouldn’t I?

geranium-final

And some detail – since I’m making an effort to create bigger drawings…

geranium-detail

This I am very happy with. Feel like I’m making some semblance of progress with my techniques.

geranium-comp1

geranium-comp2

Where to from now? Should I concentrate on some drawing from life? Inanimate objects on my desk?

geranium-comp3

Not sure if I’ll get much done over the Easter break. I have friends visiting :-)

Other news: I organised my fabric stash. It has it’s own place now and it’s all neat and ordered by colour. Makes me happy to look at it. Though it also makes me want more time to sew. Also – I tried a machined zipper technique I found online. Used some scrap to test it out – and it was so easy!  A really nice, faced and bound zipper. Woo! Now to apply the same steps to an actual garment. I hope I can pull it off as it’s a proper professional finish. But I will show you later.

Time to gooooo.

Portrait Studies – Summer

Tuesday, April 5th, 2011

Hi All!
A quick drawing and a quick post today.

This one took me a few hours (maybe 4?)….Using reference as usual. I loved the light and the fairly simple tones in this.

Summer-final

Typical nose frustrations. That’s what I’ll be working on next. Noses. More noses. More!
Summer-WIPs

Other news…busy busy as per usual. Trying to push through some motivation issues.

It should be a sewing post next? I’m pottering along with a few things. My frenzy has died down to a mild simmer. :-D

Okay – well this is short/long enough. Til next time!!
(sorry for not being wordy today!)