Pre lockdown 2 Museum visiting

Hello,

Just before lockdown 2 here, I headed out to a couple of museums before they shut again for a few weeks.  One of which was the Victoria and Albert Museum.  This is one of my favourite museums to wander around in.  At that time some galleries were closed but it didn't matter, I didn't have time to get around all that were open anyway.  I knew I specifically wanted to look at tapestries on that particular visit, and that I could do.  When I came home, I started sketching a few ideas for an illustration based on what I had seen and this is the final piece.

I knew I wanted to feature a unicorn, and I also knew I would find them within the tapestries on display.  That was my one 'rule,' I could only feature something I had seen in some form, but I was free to change it as I wished (I always like to give myself a few boundaries).  I took a lot of inspiration from the beautiful wrought iron work on display (there is a pretty large collection there).

I do love wandering around museums and seeing all the amazing things they have on display.  I love everything about it, the quietness, learning, and of course seeing all the beautiful crafted objects.  A visit to any museum for me can really transport me somewhere else, and give me so much to think about.

I had so much fun creating this and I have so many ideas have been sparked off in my head from what I saw, so there will be more to come I'm sure.  With everything that is going on right now it was so good to escape into my own world of fantasy :).  I hope you're all doing well.

New Christmas goodies

Hello,

I thought I'd do a quick shop update.  I've added some new Christmas/Festive cards to my shop.  I've got two new designs, both bird themed.  I had such fun working on these, just as we had turned into autumn and the weather had started to change.  The cards can be bought as singles or as a pack of four.  I know it may seem a bit early but if you're someone who likes to get organised you can find them here at SharonFarrowArt.

I've also got lots of art prints, illustrated cards, pocket mirrors and more over in the shop if you're looking for other non seasonal goods.  

It's a lovely start to the day here today, blue sky and those lovely leaves that are beginning to golden are swaying gently in the breeze.  Starting the day with sunshine can't help but give you a lift!

Have a lovely day and I'll be back soon :).

More new things in the shop :)

Hello again, 

I hope everyone is doing well.  I've been spending today doodling away which has been rather nice.  Autumn is very much here so I'm enjoying getting out all my cosy clothes and socks and drinking lots of tea! (nothing out of the ordinary there then!)

This week I updated my Etsy shop with some new products so I wanted to share them with you.  I've now added small lined notebooks and pocket mirrors.  I loved creating these designs.  I got really carried away creating all the patterns which was something a little different for me too.  

First up are the mirrors.  They're pocket sized 76mm in diameter so ideal to be carried in your bag.

Next are the notebooks.  A6 in size and lined so again they can be easily slipped in your bag for reminders and scribbles.

I'm really happy with how they've turned out.  Hopefully they will also brighten up your day!  

Ok, I'm off to make a cuppa, I think it's time.  Have a lovely weekend! :)

Etsy shop update and the start of autumn

Hello, It's Monday morning and it looks like it's going to be a nice sunny day! That always makes a good start to the week. Yesterday I uploaded some more products to my Etsy shop so I thought I'd tell you a bit about that today. I've added five new art prints including an Autumn themed print, some nature themed prints (including an owl print of course), and a fruit and vegetable print. They're printed on 400gsm silk card and are A5 in size so they could be used as a postcard or as a print for the home.

 

What do you think?  I'm so happy to finally have them up in my shop.  I've got some more items coming soon, I just need to get them all photographed and listed.

Other than that I've been getting used to now being in autumn.  The weather has definitely changed here, it's got colder and I've got my woolly socks out.  I'm looking forward to the season of cosiness.

I hope you're all keeping well.  I'll be back soon with another shop update, now it's time to drink my coffee and get on with the day :).

Time away in the countryside and a shop update :)

Hello, I thought I’d do some updates as it’s been a while.  Also because I had a little break away for the first time since the beginning of the year which was really needed and lovely.  Normally I would have had a break by now but with all that’s happened….well, need I say more!

Firstly, I’ve updated my Etsy shop with new products since I was last here, including custom house portraits in a variety of sizes.  I’m offering black and white portraits as I think they make lovely personal gifts.  I’m hoping people will like them especially with Christmas coming up.  We have all spent a lot more time at home this year after all.  I’ve also added some pick and mix print selection bundles and a postcard set, so some bargains are available.  I’ve got some new products coming soon which I’m very excited about and when they come I will post about that, promise!  Also, if you’re really organised I’ve added my Christmas tree ornaments.  These are hand painted with various patterns and each one is totally unique!  So, if you’re a really early decorator or you’d like a gift for a friend in advance of decorating time a little bit of Christmas awaits.

I’m also going to share some photos of my time away.  I went to Norfolk/Suffolk and spent my time going out for lovely long walks every day I was there.  It was so good to see my family again and spend a good chunk of time with them.  I really feel refreshed and I definitely needed to get away.  I was so lucky with the weather too.  It was really sunny and warm so it meant every time I got to the coast I got to spend a long time paddling in the sea which for me is a total joy :).

Brandon Park

Wells-Next-the-Sea

Cromer

Flatford

Southwold

Southwold happy feet :)

Dunwich Heath

I had such a lovely time.  I've really missed taking long nature walks so this trip has really revitalised me in so many ways.  I hope everyone is doing well and managing ok during this time.  It will end!  Take care and I'll be back soon x

Cards, prints and Monday sun

Hello,

The start of another (so far, sunny) week.  It is always nice when Monday begins with sunshine.
I hope everyone is keeping well.  Today I'm going to share a couple of recent things I've done.  The first is I've added some products to my Etsy shop.  There is now a range of cards (birthday, thank you, any occasion,) and prints on a variety of themes.  There's nature, London and wildlife.  Here's a little selection :-

Last week I also was very kindly featured on the Feast Norfolk Magazine website.  They did a little interview about me, my work and of course food! 

I'm guzzling down coffee as I write this, keeping it brief.  I hope you're all having a good start to the week and I'll be back soonish with more of my goings on. 

Waitrose food illustrations

Hello,

I know it's been an age since I last wrote a post, but I think we all know the world is a bit of strange place at the moment so I had a bit of a gap.  I'm going to try to get back on posting more regularly from now on though, let's see how it goes!
I'm not going to gabble on for too long.  I have been working away on a few different projects since I was last here and the one I'm going to share today is some illustrations I did for Waitrose food magazine.  They were for the Everyday Food section of an illustrated special and it was the the July edition which is out now.

Here are the actual spreads:-

It was great to work on this as it was a lovely big juicy commission, and it kept my mind active as we were right in the middle of the lockdown.  Also at the time it was really warm and sunny, that's definitely all disappeared at the moment.  

Ok, I'm going to leave it there today.  I will be back with more soon.  I hope if you're reading this that you're staying safe and remaining positive.  I know that can be extremely tough some days.  Please take care and be kind to yourselves xx

London

Good morning!  It's a rainy morning here in London...again!  Still, March is almost here so I am confident that will mean things are on the up.  I can spy a lovely array of spring flowers from my window out in the garden, and that's always a highlight for me at this time of year.  When it stops raining I will pop out to pay them a visit.
I wanted to share a recent personal piece I completed of some London 'things'.  It comes as no surprise that I do love drawing iconic London buildings and bits and pieces.  There is such a wealth to draw from, and many places I've drawn a lot, Tower Bridge is a prime example ;).  I feel I know it very well now!  When you live in such an impressive city with so much history it is tempting to take it for granted, but I still get awestruck when walking around, crossing the Thames and so on.  I still will make many more drawings of London, there are always ideas pulsing away in my head, but for now here's the latest.

I made a lot of preparatory sketches which I then copied and scaled up and down until I was happy with the composition.  In the end I removed the purple and used brown as the additional colour, I wanted mainly to use red, blue, black and white.  

I hope you can tell this is a corgi!  I'm sure that in their spare time the Queens doggos love to have a good run-around in their own crowns :).

Ok, it's Friday which means a drawing day for me.  I've been working on some commissions which I can't share but today I should be able to work on something new that I've been doodling with for a few days.  Have a lovely Friday and weekend!

Under the sea

Hello,

I hope you're having a good week.  Today I'm sharing another sea-themed work (I think I really need a coastal visit!).  I had a very specific colour palette in mind when I started this and I'm really happy with how it turned out.  Drawing all the creatures for this was such fun and I hope it conveys as sense of the movement of the sea.  

Below is one of my work in progress sketches.

Also I picked up a copy of Uppercase Magazine which features an illustration of mine.  The illustration was for a They Draw and Cook challenge.  The theme was 'Food Geometry' so I created a food pattern.  I was delighted when it was one of the entries picked to appear in the magazine.  

Ok that's it for now, keep warm!