A couple of dishes

Hello,

Today I'm sharing some recent food illustrations.  One of my favourite things to eat when it's cold are hot, spicy, soupy noodles.   If I make them myself I always make too much (and generally eat them all!).  In fact I ate them last night, yum.  You can bung in any ingredients really but I try to put in lots of colourful vegetables and then add fish, tofu or nuts.  It's also a great 'using up' dish.  I'll be honest I generally make quite a mess eating them but that's part of the joy :).

From hot to cold.  I also make a lot of big salads.  The one below is really colourful and the illustration is shown on the They Draw and Cook website as part of their 'Eat the rainbow' challenge.  This salad seemed like the perfect recipe.  I especially loved drawing the beetroot and salad leaves, mixing all the mediums.  

Right, back to work.  The sun is out today, hooray! and I'm starting to see the arrival of spring flowers.  I love spring, the colourful flowers, and longer days.  Have a lovely weekend :).

Summery delights

Hello,

I thought I'd share some recent summer inspired food I've illustrated.  This year in the UK we are having a proper summer, which is very exciting!  So everyday has been warm and sunny for weeks which is lovely (although today is cloudy, but hopefully that's a one off, it's still warm!).  My flat gets very hot as it's on the top floor and gets the sunshine in the afternoon and evening, so it means I can't be cooking and creating more heat, so there's been a lot of yummy salads.  One particular favourite has been courgette with pine nuts and basil or my version of pesto (minus the cheese) which I have to say has been delicious.  It's super light, fresh and yummy.  I've been having it with another cannellini bean salad which I'm going to draw up soon, and sometimes potato salad.  Maybe that sounds like quite a lot of food.....hmm, eating is good.

I loved working on these in the sunshine (with the fan going obviously).  I really hope this weather lasts, it's just a joy to feel the sun on your skin and not worry about taking layers wherever you go.  I'm really enjoying it.  Today I'm working on another coffee illustration and then I'm hoping to get to a local park researching for some new work.  Have a lovely weekend :).

Christmastime is here.......almost

Hello!

It's almost time for a few days of Christmas break and I'm really excited about it.  I actually (for once) feel pretty organised about Christmas, (my presents are wrapped already, normally this happens much closer to the date!) and I'm already packing ready for a few days with the family.  I am really looking forward to some lovely country walks and to just slowing down and having a break from all the rushing around of life here.   I have had a busy year and I know a bit of time to relax is just what is needed....for a few days at least ;).
Here's a couple of Christmas food themed illustrations I completed recently.  I tend to make a lot of lovely roasted vegetables all throughout the year and I love simply cooked sprouts with some nice crunchy walnuts.

If you're having a break over the Christmas period I hope you get to enjoy it with family and friends and eat lots of yummy food.  I'll be back very soon :)

Two Versions

Hello there,

Below are two food Illustrations of the same recipe!  I don't often redo work although I make a lot of rough versions testing out colours, marks and composition, but I tend to move on once I've completed something.  With the first image I was never entirely happy with the composition, there are bits of it I like but as a whole I just don't think it works and the bowl was really bothering me!  I put it away for a couple of days and then decided to do another version.  I'm happier with the second one, it feels lighter more like the salady look I wanted.  I thought I'd post both for you to take a look.  Which do you prefer?

Version 1

Version 2

I have to say the dish itself is delicious and very filling, it's like eating a bowl of health, you just know its super good for you!  
I hope you've had a good weekend and Monday!  Time for bed for me, it's been a long day and I need some zzz's.....
I'll be back soon with some more foodie treats.  Have a good week :).