Happy Monday!
Today, a quick sketch today to wish you HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
Black ink on craft paper.
Tag: hand lettered
The Cold Never Bothered Me
Original poster artwork.
Winter seems to be in it for the long-haul. I’m in the last leg middle of my second winter after my move from Los Angeles and it doesn’t seem like the cold will be letting up any time soon. Fortunately the last few days have been warm sunny.
I hear this winter has broken all sorts of records: Snow (it would seem) every other day. Several days with -26 degree wind-chills (today is a balmy -13 degree with the wind-chill). Snowvember! The list goes on and on. Good thing the “cold never bothered me anyway” or so I tell myself.
This wintry piece was inspired by the lyrics from ever-popular Let it Go song from Disney’s Frozen. I created it using several programs and started off with a sketch on paper. I’ve included some of the steps below:
The original sketch with pen and paper.
Once the sketch was finalized, I took it into the computer where I used several programs to get the lettering “just right”. Manga Studio by Smith Micro is a fantastic program for sketching or inking AND it can work in vector and pixels. The program seems to be under-appreciated and under-used in the art community. My artistic best buddy uses the program all the time and puts out amazing work. It’s a GREAT program and version 5 is a huge leap from version 4. I used Manga Studio for most of the original hand lettering and sketching.
Lettering almost finalized and color swatches are in the corner.
I then took the file into Adobe Illustrator to clean up the letters and curves. I wanted to leave some of the hand-lettered feel, so not every curve and flourish is 100% perfect. Once the lettering was finished, I took the file into Photoshop where I added the colors and final touches. Here is the finished piece again:
Look for prints in my Etsy Shop soon.
What do you think?
2015 off to a GOOD START!
2015 is already well underway. The first day of the New Year and I am already trying hard to complete my resolutions. If you haven’t noticed, I gave my website (especially the blog feature) a complete overhaul! I decided it was time for a change and no better day than TODAY to get that done!
Yesterday I posted about my newest item available in my Etsy Shop. I created this poster as a way to encourage myself and others to stick to New Year’s Resolutions. If you are curious, here are mine:
A great way to encourage yourself to stick with your goals is to put a reminder in a spot where you will see it every day. I designed this poster to be a piece of art that can live comfortably in your own home. The size of the printed image is 8 x 10 inches when trimmed, which will fit nicely in a variety of frames or you can even mat it! The possibilities are endless.
Best of luck with your New Year’s Resolutions. I wish you many happy returns in this new year!
-P
NEW Birthday Cards Added to my Etsy Shop
As I was looking for a birthday card for a friend’s youngster the other day, I found myself at a crossroad between “girly” and “just-for-boys”. It would seem that most children’s birthday cards are highly gendered and pretty sarcastic. I wanted a nice card for a nice little girl who isn’t into princesses or shopping yet. There were none to be found.
I took it upon myself to make a set of three birthday cards for boys or girls (and unisex!) that are cute but not overly-cute; boyish but not brutish. I mentioned them in an earlier post…
It’s no secret that I like cats. I designed these cards to have a retro feel with the bold, iconic illustrations of boy cats and girl cats. I gave each card a hand-lettered message that says “Birthday Girl or Boy” and “Happy Birthday” for a gender neutral option. I am very pleased with how they turned out.
Wish “Happy Birthday” to a boy or a girl (or adult!)
*Also available in lime green and other colors!
Blues and greens for the Birthday Boy
Pink or red for the Birthday Girl
I styled the design after 1950’s-style cartoon characters with the simple eyes, bold lines, and bright colors. Each cat is holding a cupcake in one hand and a present in the other. The hand-lettering gives the card an informal feel that lends itself well to children’s cards. They are, however, not overtly childish, so you could send one to an adult too!
They are available in my Etsy Shop and every card is printed by me and hand scored. Each comes with its own envelope. Other custom-colors can be created upon request.
Newest Greeting Card Design
A sneak peek of my newest greeting card designs! I’ve got more in the works but this is the first design that is completed. Hand-cut lettering on recycled, acid-free card stock with colored card stock insert. The perfect card for your David Bowie loving girlfriend (or boyfriend)! Awesome!
Find More information available at Pink Toe Press’ Facebook Page about some of my new projects! NOW available at Rocket Fizz and in my Etsy Shop!
Page Redford 