giambattista VALLI

 If there's anything more beautiful than a Giambattista Valli Couture collection

I certainly couldn't tell you what it is!
I always melt when I see his designs, and pretty much all of them

call out to be illustrated.
Lace, blooms, jewels!
*Sigh*

I wish I had the time to illustrate a look from every collection, but alas.

This time I just chose my favourite from the SS '13 Couture collection,

featuring the gorgeous Lin Kjerulf.

It was such an exquisite look - and this barely even shows the gown! Now that's impressive.

Image credits: Style.com / Giambattista Valli Couture SS '12 & '13

wildly DECADENT

 

  A few months ago I was invited to create an illustration and document my process

for the wonderful DIY fashion-hub that is A Pair & A Spare - the brainchild
of the extremely talented Geneva Vanderzeil.

Of course I said YES!

What resulted was a series of two new illustrations, 'Wild Entwine' and 'Doe Eyed Decandence.'
The step-by-step method behind 'Wild Entwine' can be seen on A Pair & A Spare HERE.
I had so much fun working and documenting, and am so happy with the result.

It's not a comprehensive tutorial but hopefully it provides a bit of an insight into how I work.
Those of you who have ever asked me questions about my process
may find it interesting so do check it out if you have some time!

Limited edition prints of both pieces are available in my etsy shop now.
Click here to purchase: www.birdyandme.etsy.com

:: UPDATE ::
"Wild Entwine" is now completely sold out. Sorry for any inconvenience.
"Doe Eyed Decadence" still available.

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velvet HEART

Velvet Heart
Styled by Taegan Reid & Karissa Fanning / Photographed by Ali Mitton

Model - Ksenia (Chic) / Hair & Make-Up by Abbey Love

When I saw the newest editorial on The Lane last week,

Velvet Heart, I immediately fell in love!

I'm in hardcore planning mode for my wedding next Summer, and the gowns and make-up

struck me immediately, as both are similar to what I've been cooing over.

But then, putting my Illustrator cap back on, the photographs sang out to me,

 the way they sometimes do, as perfect reference material;

a monochromatic/nude palette with bursts of plummy/pink colour.

I emailed Karissa at The Lane and asked if she'd mind much me illustrating

some of these beautiful images.

 "They're so me," I said. "Blooms, beauty, lace and pink."

I was so happy that she obliged and I'm excited to share them with you.

Once again, they're a little more pared back than usual,

focusing much more on the colour and the more intricate features.

I hope you like.

Make sure you check out the full original editorial on The Lane's website HERE

for more of these stunning images featuring gowns by the amazing Jane Hill,

Amanda Garrett and Collette Dinnigan.

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rock your BODY

 

 *Sadly this is not a post about circa '02 Justin Timberlake*

I was asked to illustrate a gaggle of gorgeous girls for the "Rock Your Body"

shape special in the latest issue of Shop Til You Drop magazine - on sale now.

I always have a ball working with Shop as their briefs are pretty much
"lovely lady celebs in spiffy outfits" - although the last time I worked with them

it was "lovely lady celebs in bathing suits" which was equally fun.
(Co-incidently RHW was the cover star on that issue also!)

I mean, who would complain about drawing pictures of Beyoncé or Olivia Palermo?

Definitely not me.

I had trouble deciding who was the most fun to draw - Adele, Beyoncé, Mila...
So many of my faves.

I hope you like them, and that I did these beauties justice.

For a closer look, be sure to pick up the May issue of Shop.

You can scope out the best way to flatter that beautiful figure while you're at it!

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sticker fashionista - A YEAR IN FASHION

 

I was so excited to come home today and find a box containing advance copies

of my new book waiting for me on the doorstep! 

A Year in Fashion is the second in the Sticker Fashionista series

that i've been working on with Laurence King.

(You can read about the first one HERE.)

Where the last book was more trend and city based, this book follows the

glamourous life of our pencil fashionistas over the course of a year.
Think Cannes, brunch, fashion week, ski trips and photo-shoots.
 

The book is not out until May, at which time I'll be able to share a lot more,

but in the meantime I hope you enjoy this little preview!

Have a safe and happy Easter break.
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fashion LINES

      

 

 So, as I alluded to a few posts back, I've been experimenting lately

with a more pared back and basic style for a bit of fun in between jobs;

stripping everything right back and focusing only on the details that matter.

I'm loving this simpler way of working!
I played around with solid colour a few years ago, but it gradually made its

way out of my work in more recent times, so it's nice to see it come back. 

I think it lends itself well to this style of illustration.
The coloured backgrounds are a change too, owed to the fact that all of these gowns

were either all or partially white; which of course doesn't work well on a white background.

I do hope you like them!

Stay tuned for more as I update the series.

Maybe it'll change even further, I don't know yet.

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robinson STYLE

 I watched The Graduate for the first time last night, and WOW.

Totally not what I expected, but in a good way.

In so many ways it's quite a bizarre film, but it just works.
A lot of it is owed to the combination of music (by two of my FAVES Simon & Garfunkel),

the actors (Anne Bancroft, Dustin Hoffman and Katherine Ross), as well as the stunning imagery.

Being made in 1967, it was always going to be a cracker in that regard!

While Anne Bancroft was so stunning as Mrs. Robinson, I just couldn't take my eyes

off Katherine Ross (Elaine Robinson) whenever she was on the screen.

I am literally obsessing over her right now, so in love with her style in this film.

If you haven't seen The Graduate, go rent it now!
Even if it isn't quite your cup of tea, it's worth it for the visuals alone.

Have to end this post off with the amazing Simon & Garfunkel as they set the tone

of the whole movie, and era, so absolutely perfectly.

test ILLUSTRATIONS

 Sometimes in this biz a client will ask you to pitch or test for a certain job

to get an idea of how well you fit together, or so they can visualise a concept.
Every now and then the job doesn't eventuate, or the pitch is unsuccessful,

and the final illustration, like a deleted scene, ends up on the cutting room floor.
Sad face.
 

This is a test illo I did recently for a client, which I had a lot of fun doing!

So, even though the job didn't quite pan out, I still wanted to share it.

It's a different style for me - much more pared back and unfinished.

But I really love it, so I think I might do more like this.

Hope you like!

silk + BLOOMS

I'm dying a little over the covers of the Oriental-inspired March issue

of W Magazine, featuring Kate Moss, Lara Stone and Natalia Vodianova

photographed by Mert & Marcus!

I can't decide which one is my favourite;

Mossy is Queen, Natalia has the eyes, but Lara's is amazing!
Silk, blooms and a bold red lip is always a winning combination.
I'm probably going to have to buy all three.

I've been kicking myself hard over not renewing my subscription to W last year.

Every cover since December has been perfection!

Why is that always the way?

Image Source: wmagazine.com

edward SCISSORHANDS

 

 

(PROGRESS SHOTS)

 

Last year I began working on a series of illustrations inspired by my favourite films.

With only Midnight in Paris, and Breakfast at Tiffany's preceding it, Edward Scissorhands

is the latest in this slowly developing series.
I work on them here and there as I get time in between jobs, which lately hasn't been often.
(This one took me about 4 months to finish!)

I have a huge list of films to do, so hopefully I can create some more in the next few months.

For now, though, I hope you enjoy Edward, Kim and the Inventor.
I love the warped reality that Tim Burton creates in his films, at the centre of which

are always the most incredible and loveable characters, even better when portrayed

by the amazing Johnny Depp.

Do you guys have a favourite Tim Burton film?