Christmas is fast approaching, with just three more sleeps to go! The weather has been pretty wet and cold recently and I’m still crossing my fingers for snow (especially on Christmas Day!).

Here are my best nine for 2019. It’s interesting seeing what designs people have favoured over the past twelve months. As you can see, cats and sea-life have been popular, including blue and red tones.

Best nine for 2019

This year has been the busiest yet my most enjoyable as a full time, freelance illustrator. I love being busy, just drawing and painting in my little studio.

I have created two fashion collections, which I’m really excited about being able to share with you next year. I’ve also created six patterns for apparel; one children’s book, six book spread illustrations, two editorial projects and have been featured in two magazines.

I have enjoyed researching and painting different types of animals for the 100 day project. That is where I found my creative voice! What I got most from the 100 day challenge was my awareness of what’s going on in the environment and the effects human activity is having on it.

I’ve loved painting and experimenting with pattern layouts in 2019, as well as creating numerous colour palettes. It’s really interesting seeing what shades sit well together, whether they be complimentary, contrasting or tonal. This will always be a continuous development path for me in my design career.

Here are a few of my personal favourites throughout 2019.

Personal favourites

This started off as a very loose sketch which I first drew about ten years ago. I decided to bring it to life and add colour.

At the time I produced this illustration, we were having a mini heatwave and I was so looking forward to taking a break; to relax and enjoy the sunshine.

I loved creating collages from summer flowers and insects, using gouache paint and markers. The textures you can create from both when combined together look stunning.

During the autumn, when the temperature dropped and the nights became longer, I tried to absorb myself within this season by drawing owls and autumn fruits & foliage. What I loved when drawing these creatures were their facial expressions. Priceless!

I had lots of fun drawing this rather dapper polar bear. I combined a winter animal with Christmas, illustrating the bear wearing a festive floral crown. He’s pretty cute isn’t he?

Finally, I’d like to say, “thank you” for joining me on this year’s creative journey! Your support and comments are truly appreciated. 🙂

Emma Jayne x

“Hi!” I’d like to introduce myself to new social media and blog followers!

My name is Emma Jayne and I am an illustrator & pattern designer. I live in the UK, in beautiful, leafy Cheshire (which is about halfway up the country, if you’re looking at a map). I live with my beautiful daughter and my cool hubby (he asked me to write that bit!).

I have a degree (BA (Hons)) in Surface Pattern, an MA in Textile Illustration and a PGCE (yes, I am a qualified teacher, so please pay attention, as I might be asking questions later!).

I’ve always been practical and creative. When I was a teenager, I used to love making my own clothes. I learned to knit and embroider and also to bake. My real passions, however, are drawing and painting.

I describe my style as colourful, painterly and playful. I like to combine different colour combinations – a skill I worked hard at honing, whilst working for a large soft-furnishings company. When starting client briefs, I’m often asked to create an idea in sketch form, although I prefer to draw in colour right from the start, which is then colourised later. This is because I think in colour and when visualising my end goal, the colours are a primary part of my consideration. I do understand why many clients ask first for a line drawing sketch – it is quicker and gives an overview of the piece but for me, it lacks the depth and meaning that I want to give it.

“Hi!” New Followers!

Some more facts about me

I’m a Leo. Apparently, Leos are creative people. Some sources say they are born leaders. Of course, my teenage daughter might interpret that as my being a bit bossy. You can’t win them all, I suppose.

I’m from a large family (I’m the eldest of five children) and even though I love being around people, I’m as equally happy in my own company.

I have a sweet tooth. So much so, that I have to try very hard to curb my enthusiasm for sweet things!

I taught art, along with maths, for a while but realised that teaching was not my true calling, so I gave it up to freelance and also started blogging. Contrary to what some people might think or have experienced, I find that art and maths do go together quite well. After all, art is an application of maths, in many ways.

When starting my blog, at first, I used it purely as a scrapbook for keeping notes about trends and to show the inspiration for the pieces in my Master’s degree work. That encouraged me to start posting images and descriptions of my own work and the materials, and methods that I used for each piece. At the same time, I started to build up my portfolio and to hone my skills by taking some online courses. There are quite a few now which are very useful, especially when it comes to creating commercial work. To name a couple are Make Art That Sells by Lilla Rogers and Rise Design and Shine.

I love fashion, in particular from small, boutique shops and you can usually find me wearing patterns – colourful, geometric patterns, quirky and modern floral designs.

I prefer to draw from real life than from secondary sources. You can see the textures up close and all the little details.  After drawing (I like to use a wide range of media – gouache, ink and water colour ) I then polish off my artwork in Photoshop. Sometimes I bring in elements that I’ve drawn on my ipad too i.e. procreate.

I am inspired by women who have overcome stereotypes and prejudices to become successful in their fields.

I love artwork made with a touch of humour, although I do have a sensible side and am fascinated by documentaries about history and nature.

During my research for my 100 Days Project on the Ocean, I learned so much about sea-life and marine ecology, yet I know I have only just scratched the surface. Our oceans are full of awe-inspiring beauty and hold such a wonderful and vast diversity of life. My eyes were opened to the issues of climate change and pollution, especially with the discarding of day to day chemicals and single-use plastics. It is saddening to think of the damage which has been done and is being done by past and present generations. However, I am filled with hope and encouraged by knowing that even small changes in our lifestyles can lead to great reductions in the damage being done and nature being what it is, those reductions will help it heal itself.

Well that’s more or less me in a nutshell! 🙂

Emma Jayne x