Upping sticks and moving North!

If you follow me on social media then you will of seen my post (or perhaps not) just over a week ago, telling the world of my change of location.  It's quite a big move, but it is reminding me how small our lovely UK is.  I've relocated from London to Crewe to be with my boyfriend, so it's the start of a new adventure for me.

I've already discovered we can drive to visit my parents in under 3 hours, I've survived so far without a car and have made the flat feel like home.  Somewhat surprised how much stuff came out from the tiny flat I used to live in in Hammersmith, but this one is considerably bigger so problem solved!

I'm working on some lovely commissions at the moment and a few personal projects so I will share those with you soon.  If you're interested in me doing something for you, from house portraits to wedding invitations, then have a browse in my Etsy shop or get in touch.

www.charlottevallance.etsy.com

Bespoke House Illustrations

These are my favourite pieces to work on!

It always starts off with quite a bit of pressure (on myself, from myself), to get the initial sketch right, and to then actually get paint to paper.  But the final outcome is always so rewarding, and knowing how happy the person who commissioned it will be to have a one of a kind illustration of their home - priceless.

Here are a couple I've worked on recently, one just before Christmas and the following just after.  Both were commissioned as gifts - such a lovely present idea!

These sweet house portraits are A5 in size and just £35 (no frame included).

A gorgeous Mother's Day gift

I had the loveliest request the other week.  To illustrate a family home for a present for Mother's Day!  This is one of my favourite parts of what I do, illustrating peoples homes, favourite cafes or shops(for example).  This particular house is so adorable and has some lovely little features that I hope I was able to catch!  I've added personal touches such as their dog, Frasier, in the downstairs window as well as their daughters tap shoes in her bedroom window at the top of the house.

If this is something you'd like me to do for you, then please get in touch!

An Amsterdam Home

Many of you are familiar with my Amsterdam screen prints, lets be honest, they are one of my favourite pieces and I do tend to use the illustration on quite a few bits...screen prints, cushions, greeting cards, pocket mirrors...the list goes on!

This request, was for a thank you present.  I'm a huge fan of a bit of travelling, the odd holiday etc (well who isn't?), and this client had stayed with a friends parents whilst in Amsterdam and commissioned me to illustrate their home as a thank you for having her and a few friends stay.  Such a lovely, thoughtful idea for a gift!

Illustrated Homes Part 2

You can find 'Part 1' here.  This is the second commission I got from the April House Coffee Morning last October, which you can read about here.

This is such a gorgeous house, it really was a pleasure to illustrate.  If you follow my Untapped Cities illustrations, you will of seen my love of bricks shining though!  My use of perspective was really put to the test, which was good - it needed it.

Illustrated Homes Part 1

Back in October I had a table at the April House Coffee Morning in aid of Macmillan and Renaissance charities.  I took details down from two lovely ladies both interested in having their homes illustrated by me.  I absolutely love being asked to illustrate peoples homes - there is something very individual and personal about them.

Due to Christmas coming towards me very fast we scheduled in that I would begin work on these pieces in February, and to be finished by the end of March.  Perfect customers!  Any other time of year I'm able to be much more flexible, but coming up to Christmas it was just too much work to juggle.

This first piece I'm sharing with you was to be a birthday surprise for the lady's husband - lovely!  With a view in mind to have some greetings cards printed with the illustration on them as well in the near future.

If you'd like your home illustrated then please get in touch.  You can leave a message under this post or send me an email to : charlotte_vallance (at) hotmail.com

A winning commission

A few months ago I did a big giveaway on here - thank you again to all who entered, you can read about the runner's up here.  Jodi of 'Art by Wiley' won the big prize of a custom illustration - YAY!

We started off with Jodi letting me know that she wanted the illustration to be of her house in Melbourne, Australia and was kind enough to take photos for me from all angles (having to take these myself would of been a bit pricey!).  I got going with my sketchy rough draft, following a few pointers from Jodi of key pieces that should be included.  I then got way-laid with commissions to do which you can see here and here - Jodi, you were so understanding, thank you!  And finally, I got on with painting and sharing my progress with Jodi.  This was one of the best kind of commissions that I get.  I absolutely love it when people want me to do a piece for them, they let me know what they would like it of, but other than that they are happy to see me interpret it as I like.

The Wiley's have 3 lovely chickens too which got pride of place in their garden.  This illustration arrived safely in Melbourne and is now happy in it's new home!