Sketchbook work

Here are some snippets from my sketchbook over the past week for The Sketchbook Project 2012. I'm working on some studies for a book i've written, and character development for various other ideas swimming around in my brain.

If you go into the woods today.

So this is just a little piece i've created in my sketchbook to play with acrylic paints. I'll be working on characterisation next.

Patterns in nature

After completing my painting of Owly moth, i've been experimenting in Photoshop with patterns and wallpaper designs using his beautiful wings. It's a really fun and exciting process and i'm pleased with some of the results, particularly the limitless avenues I could take my designs through.

Playing with the colour pallette is also very inspiring, and I've found this process useful in giving me new ideas for future projects.

I hope you like some of the results. :)

Malayan tree mouse says: meep meep

As you may or may not know, I am participating in the Sketchbook project this year. Here is a link if you want to find out more about it: http://www.arthousecoop.com/

I chose the title: A path through the woods, it being in keeping with the majority of my work which is largely inspired by nature, animals and the woodland. I hope to use this project to experiment with new techniques, improve old ones, and work out ideas for existing commissions and projects I'm currently working on.

The Malayan tree mouse you see above was drawn using watercolour pencils, one of my favourite mediums to work in.

I'll continue to post my pieces of work over the coming weeks and hope you enjoy them. Feel free to leave any feedback or comments you may have, it's always nice to hear from other artists and creature lovers.

The company of wolves

The sketchbook project

I've recently been experimenting with acrylic paints for the sketchbook project which will eventually go on a world tour, here are some results. This piece is called a path through the woods.

The sketchbook project

I've recently been experimenting with acrylic paints for the sketchbook project which will eventually go on a world tour, here are some results.

Children's book Illustration Rally: Runner Up

I received some fantastic news today! I am a runner up or "worthy mention" in the Children's Book Illustration Rally. To view my work follow this link: http://illustrationrally.blogspot.com/2011/11/childrens-book-rally-result.html?m=1

Congratulations to the competition winner Elys Dolan, with the piece: "Weasels". I first saw her work as a runner up in the Macmillan children's book illustration competition. It's great to be considered alongside so many talented artists, and a huge thank you to Frances Mckay Illustration agency and the Illustration Rally for the opportunity to showcase my work.

Children's drawings

Yesterday I was busying myself helping my mother clear out some old boxes when I stumbled upon a real gem. A box containing drawing my brother and I had created as children!

Here I've attached my favourite drawn by my brother Alex when he was around 8 years old!

Personally I think it's genius. We were both huge fans of star wars at the time, but what strikes me is the detail and what an excellent depiction of the scene it is. I can see it exactly, and I love how freely he has drawn it and the way children draw out a composition so effortlessly. I could learn a lot from this drawing. I often feel I need to untrain myself a bit and get back to drawing intuatively, this could well be the start of that process and the inspiration I need.

TROTTERS CHIMERIUM GRAND CIRCUS OF ANIMAL SINGULARITIES: a counting book by and for circus creatures everywhere

This is a counting book for children but with a twist. We are introduced to numbers through the exciting world of a circus run by and for animals. All the acts represent an exciting insight into their world and introduce counting. 

ONE Majestic Ringmaster will guide you through the Extravaganza with Aplomb and Exqusite Efficiency shown here.

TWO: That Extraordinary Pair, Bruno Wood and Tommy Cave, the Biggest, Strongest Bears in the World, will lift a Hippo as big as a House.

The THREE Tremendous Travelling Turtles will Tumble from Terrifying Heights into a Tiny Tank. Will they Survive?

Our FOUR Fabulous Juggling Sea Lions will Perform Feats of Prodigious Skill with Balls and Skittles amid fun and laughter for All! 

All the way up to twenty, then 50 Marvin, the Marvellous Millipede will display his Extraordinary Wellington Boot extravaganza (shown here). 

Then 100: Now feast your Eyes and dim the Light, a hundred Fireflies shine out bright. They look like stars up in the sky, but look, those stars have learnt to fly.

There are several things I want to introduce children to through this book: Counting, New words, Colour, Animals, countries of the world, the imaginary (mythical and extinct animals of the past in one act). In my book the animals are in control and are hopefully loveable and admirable. My aim was to create a book that can appeal to children of different ages and reading ability. 

Aesop's Fables: Raynard the fox and his uncle Bruin

The Bamboo Forest

Hello and welcome to my new blog!

Sorry it's a bit sparse at the moment, but it's only 30 seconds old! As it grows I can promise to show you lots of lovely things including: my artwork, things that inspire me, news about the illustration world, things that are going on, including things you could see and do and anything that inspires me really (which covers quite a lot). 

To view more of my work please follow these links: 
Here's my site: http://sarahunderwood.co.uk/site-wood/recent.php

I'm on twitter: @sarahundart, Linkedin, Behance and Flickr

I'm always happy to hear from people, so please feel free to leave me feedback and let me know what you think of my work. I'll post up some pictures for you to look at very soon! 

Love and Happiness to you. 

Sarah

Illustration Rally: Children's book Rally: 79. Sarah Underwood

Illustration Rally: Children's book Rally: 79. Sarah Underwood: Circus Animal The Bamboo Forest‏ Raynard the Fox‏ By Sarah Underwood blog facebook flickr behance @sarahundart ilovedesign