Illustration Friday: Faded / Diamond Jubilee

The celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee kicks off this weekend in the UK. To mark the occasion (when in Rome etc) I have illustrated what I imagine the royal corgis to be getting up to during the celebrations!

Rather than the traditional Union Jack colours, I have chosen to use faded colours on the flag. I hope this allows the flag to act as a background and to draw attention to the corgi.

I've rushed this a bit, but I'm happy with it. I've always wanted an excuse to draw Dame Edna type glasses!!

Happy Diamond Jubilee to those of you celebrating and to rest enjoy the extra day off.

Illustration Friday - Sight

"A watched kettle never boils"

It has been far too long since I have submitted something for Illustration Friday so here is my interpretation of "sight".

Illustration Friday: Return

Return Home Kiss

This illustration was inspired by the iconic photograph taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt of V-J Day in Times Square (August 14, 1945) which featured in Life Magazine. Apparently the sailor celebrated the news by running down the street grabbing and kissing every girl in sight! Hello Sailor! This is one of my favourite photographs as it captured the moment beautifully. I have played with the pose to make it look a little less spontaneous, but to keep the romance.

Illustration Friday - Shades / Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers who love ALL their children equally no matter what - especially my own fantastic mum!!

This image was partly inspired by this week's Illustration Friday theme of shades which I took to mean sun-shades (do people still call them that??)

Illustration Friday - Capable

This week's theme is capable and who is more capable than the tortoise who defeated a hare in a race?* I was recently asked to illustrate some of the children's stories for the Kids Out World Stories project. It is a brilliant project and I have literally just finished these. I was so chuffed that it fitted in with the IF theme.

You can view it with the story here...http://www.worldstories.org.uk/stories/story/58-the-hare-and-the-tortoise

*Answer: No one!

Happy Valentine's Day - Illustration Friday - Popular

"Someone's popular today..."

and no doubt

"Someone's jealous today..."

Illustration Friday: Suspense

The Illustration Friday theme this week is SUSPENSE so I thought I'd do part of a story to leave you in SUSPENSE. Quite blatantly this story was inspired by Goldilocks/The Three Bears*. I couldn't quite remember the tale so had to look it up. Apparently the original story was about an ugly old woman, but was changed years later to a pretty girl with silver locks. These locks were later changed to golden and most recently changed to blue (by me!). Wikipedia what would I do without you!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Story_of_the_Three_Bears

*not to mention a simply brilliant bear pun

Illustration Friday : Grounded

I've been a bit stretched for time this week so sadly rushed this one a bit. Hope it looks okay and keeps in the theme of "Grounded". It's true what they say "When the cat's away...". Being grounded isn't fun...unless you're like me and love to spend hours doodling on your own with a pen and paper.

Illustration Friday - Highlight

This week's theme is "highlight". Initially I was going to draw a lamp on a ladder, but thought that was too dull. Then I remembered this story that I heard on the radio that made me laugh and it inspired me to draw this little treat. Perhaps I should pitch this as a "happy anniversary" card?

Anyway - happy hogmanay (to the scots) and happy new year (to the rest of you)! All the best for 2012.

Illustration Friday : Messenger

This is not my address (I wish it was though!). If you do want to reach me probably best to leave a comment or try my twitter account @_karenbradley