Home Sweet Home

 I thought I'd share one of the lovely commissions that I worked on last year, they all make me so proud and happy but this one in particular from 2015.  People get in touch with me from all over the country/world with requests for these, and luckily, thanks to digital cameras, it is very easy to accomplish!  This is the largest size I go to currently and is just a bit smaller than A1.  Painting on such a large scale is quite daunting but such an accomplishment when it's finished and in it's new home.

If you're interested in having a house/home illustrated by me then just get in touch, charlotte_vallance@hotmail.com prices are very reasonable, starting at just £35, and there is one that should suit every budget.  You can see more information in my Etsy shop under the commission listings.

Great Oaks from Little Acorns grow

If you live in England, you might of seen an Entertainer shop around when you're out and about.  Well, that business started up where I live in Amersham.  Over the years it's been in 3 different locations in the town, the one it's in now being a very recent move.

I was commissioned to illustrate both the oldest and newest shops next to each other, showing the progress of the shop, toys and the Entertainer as a brand.  It's come such a long way!  It was a pleasure to capture these shops in an illustration and it'll make the perfect gift for the recipient at Christmas.

A travel commission

I can finally share this with you! HURRAH!

My latest client commission has been an amazing piece to work on.  Back in 2009 I went travelling with my sister for a year, and if you look far enough back on this blog, I'm sure there are a few posts on it too!  Before, during and since I went travelling many others have done so as well.  One of which was a friend of a friend who went with her boyfriend and did a similar trip to myself.  As a birthday present for him, she commissioned me to illustrate 16 of their top destinations / experiences.  Amazing no?

Going left to right on each row:

1.  Christ Redeemer

2.  Iguassu Falls

3.  Maccu Picchu

4.  Salt Flats

5.  Bunji Jumping New Zealand

6.  Sky Diving and Pancake Rocks

7.  Patronus Towers

8.  Sydney Harber

9.  Angkor Thom

10.  Federation Square, Melbourne

11.  Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

12.  Lanterns in Hoi Ann, Vietnam

13.  Hong Kong Skyline

14.  Terracotta Army

15.  The Great Wall of China

16.  Tori Red Gates

I absolutely loved working on this, although it has given me seriously itchy feet to jet off to a beach somewhere lovely and exotic.  I'll have to resist for now, and enjoy these pieces instead.

Have you been to any of these amazing places?

Twickenham

Inspired by my 'London Town' map I illustrated for 'They Draw and Travel' at the beginning of the year, I had a couple approach me with a commission to illustrate Twickenham for them.  This is the town where their son and daughter-in-law met I do believe!  The brief was to include both flats and pretty much all the quirky little bits in-between, that they love about the area.

First up, a day trip to Twickenham :-) I took my lovely boyfriend and we had a great day out.  I'd been supplied with a little tour almost, so that I wouldn't miss seeing particular bits, buildings and streets.  With this to hand we had plenty of stops for coffee, snacks, food, viewing points, etc.  I can't say I'd actually been before, so it was nice exploring the area, and part of the commission was for me to include those little bits that might otherwise be forgotten (but would be missed if not included)!

I then came home with initial sketches, photographs, cards and memories and started work on the rough draft.  Showing a rough draft often doesn't get us anywhere.  Luckily, my clients have a lot of faith in me and know that as long as I'm happy with how it's going, they know that they'll love it when it's coming together a bit more with colour and detail.

Once I have the initial sketch down on the paper (big, clean, white, lovely sheet) I find it a lot easier to get going, with more detail, then to add colour and finally to add finishing detail to bring out certain points for the viewer.

TA DA!

Wedding Invitations

Extra Special Wedding Invitations

Finally I can share these with you!

My first wedding invitation design!

What makes these so special is that they are for a close friend of mine.  She is the first of my friends to be getting married, starting her own family.  And I've got to say, also probably the most grown-up as well.  She didn't have too many demands for me to work with, which was nice.  Just the bits that add some structure into the starting point - she wanted traditional features, aka, doves, flowers, bells and ribbons.  And the colour scheme was 'Cadbury Purple'. Lovely.

For ages I've wanted to get my designs letterpress printed and this gave me the perfect opportunity!  The Bride-to-be fell in love with the lovely swirly text and soft somerset paper that Blush Publishing use on some of their letterpress prints.  We were able to combine this with my illustration and come up with a layout that worked well and was loved by all.

If you'd like something similar designed for you for your wedding/party/celebration or even just personal stationary, I'd be more than happy to help and advise where I can so do please get in touch.


Thank you
x

Home from Home

A lovely commission


I recently was approached by three of my best friends (who happen to be sisters) and asked if I would illustrate their family home for their Mom for a Mothers Day/Birthday present.  I was SO thrilled that they had asked me, and was more than happy to.  

Their house is one of my favourites, and I have many happy memories from staying there over the years.  I hope I've done it justice - Happy Mothers Day/ Birthday Kelly!

Coco Marie

Commission for Coco Marie

I've been a massive admirer of Coco Marie in Old Amersham for a good couple of years now.  It was on route from my car to work in the days that I worked at Seasons, and since I don't do that anymore I now enjoy the online aspect of the Boutique.

Last year, for the opening of Seasons Cafe at Rowan I illustrated the Seasons Cafe Deli in Old Amersham, to remind them of the Rowan Cafe's Mother Cafe!  The lovely Jen, happened to spot this particular illustration and got in touch for me to illustrate their little Boutique 'Coco Marie'.  I was obviously more than thrilled to get this commission!  It's so lovely illustrating the buildings in my town, and even nicer to know how much it is appreciated.

Above, you can see the final illustration.  I'm really happy with the finished piece, it shows off the quirky nature of the shop (it being in such a petite building!) and the cuteness of it.  Below, are some photos I took inside the Boutique for inspiration.  It gives you the whole picture - as it were - of what the illustration is showing off!

Thank you for reading.  Have you been into Coco marie, or do you have a local Boutique like it?