top of page
My-Illustrative-Creative-Process-For-Fun

I have two fun illustrative styles that are sure to delight. Both are digital but each travels a different path, depending on the result I'm looking for. 

  1. Hand drawn - I draw with pencil and paper, trace over it with an art pen, or Indian ink, then scan the image/s into Adobe Illustrator which makes them into vectors. I like the relaxed organic line results it gives, like cartoon images. The other is...

  2. Vector drawn - I create and build images using shapes right on the screen of my laptop. Vectors have a lovely clean digital line which I also equally love.

I choose between them based on the project's requirements, the client's personality, or the practicality of completing the task efficiently.

I’ve used both styles below as a show-and-tell. You’ll be able to decide which one is more, you. They are both frivolous, sassy, and fun and should leave a smile on your dial, most of all, they’ll give you more of an idea of my illustrative creative process - enjoy...

hand drawings of pengins

The Project: Personal
Theme: Penguins + Print Products

I scribble copious amounts of penguins to get a feel of them, Google spews up a great amount of photos to reference and I doodle several pages of these.

I start by drawing them more correctly, it helps me to loosen up until I start seeing their overall shapes and curves. Wanting to focus on this, I can begin to simplify them. This is an enjoyable part, as it’s like finding their little personalities, which is what I’m after.

pencil and ink doodles of penguins in clothes

I start imagining the kind of clothing my penguins might wear, which then evolves into envisioning them as Christmas-themed ornaments.

Pencil is great, but Indian Ink is FUN because it turns mistakes into happy surprises. I love allowing accidents to happen—they often result in the best artwork.

Fine pencil illustrations of a family of penguins ice skating

All the playing has been helpful, as I now have a clear vision of how I want the little guys to look. I've decided to dress them up, embracing the quirky characters they've become.

It's time to select my favourite shapes and draw them in more detail, adding unique outfits for each.

I referenced "kids wearing winter woollies" on Google, which showed me how kids wear their coats and scarves. I then embellished these designs to enhance their cuteness.

vector illustration of penguins in 2 styles

I love the hand-drawn look above and can immediately visualise various ways to use them.

I also absolutely adore these vector cutie-pies. They give off different vibes and I think they’d make a fantastic pattern.

Redrawing them using my two styles was next, which did I like the most? Easy. BOTH!

raw drawing doodle and a final image of aA Happy Holidays card with penguins ice skating on lake

At the time of drawing these little fellas, I was thinking about designing a Christmas card for the northern hemisphere. TA-DA!...

Examples of using the penguin illustrations made into colouring book and notebook covers

The hand-drawn penguins have found a home in my digital toolbox of Plum Silly items to colour. I regularly include them in printables and notebooks for people to enjoy colouring or as embellishments.

The vector penguins have been transformed into a pattern that I use for notebook and journal covers. They’re gorgeous and can easily be recoloured to suit anyone who likes to customise them for their project.

Look-Book-Mockup

to get a better idea of how you could work with me.

Feel inspired by my process?

Download my Creative Lookbook

bottom of page