Koala Eco Illustrations Commission
I am so thrilled to be working with this beautiful client again, and to be able to share the behind the scenes process of this project with you too. Wrapping up a huge project just 2 days ago, the timing of this one coming in to kick off the new week seemed impossibly perfect. I love that synchronicity as you well know by now. In the past I have worked with Koala Eco to create an illustration of their very own Australian Shepherd for their range, as they expanded their fab offerings into dog wash.
Im definitely not here trying to plug anything at all, but let me tell you, I tried this product on my little old pooch myself, and I was genuinely impressed with it! Mick never smelled so clean or felt so soft in his life. Mick is 18 and my beautiful man is a dog groomer… so its really saying something. Not only this, but it really lasted. But enough about my old dog, how great this product is, and how lovely this client is… 💕💕💕 its time to talk about the illustrations at hand.
A series of diverse nature illustrations are on the table this time around, capturing everything from their beautiful green glass bottles to botanical illustrations in a couple of different styles, and a blue wren – yaye! The illustrations are quite small as their destination is for online use, but even working small, the detailing in my work remains. After a realistic style of illustration, this collection is right up my alley of course and Im looking forward to exploring the uniqueness of each one.
The first Im drawn to for some reason is a small, full plate botanical illustration of mint, including the roots and flowers of the plant in its composition. I love these almost ‘medicinal’ illustrations of plants. They always feel wonderful, mysterious and ancient as if magic and knowledge is somehow captured within its story. Mint is a common plant of course, and not the easiest to paint with its textural leaves and intricate flowers… especially so small, but I wasted no time, pulling up threads of mint from the garden to start observing it more closely, referencing and creating this illustration. With the drawing refined, its time for approvals and rendering.
Second is the Blue Wren. I can never get enough of these for painting thats for sure! My friend Phillip Start captured this beautiful little guy out and about on his adventures and he was the perfect pose for me to work with for this illustration. Again, we started with the drawing for approvals before bringing this little sweetie to life, but this one is a classic, no brainer, gorgeous study to include. Ahhh wrens, my happy place!
Now comes a eucalyptus tree in its entirety, which is something I paint less often as you know. I love getting into the micro worlds of my subjects, so this study is wonderful for me, bringing with it a fun opportunity to explore the tree as a whole. Its part of working with commercial clients the most, constantly pushing you into new areas of your already familiar ground. It really helps you to grow as an artist and illustrator. And so you can see, three illustrations in, there is quite a diversity in the painting subjects, but an important cohesion to the styling and language of them all as a group.