Above top: Ohinetahi garden illustration - New Zealand [photoshop]
Above bottom: Illustration for an article on what to pack when you're on the road [Illustrator/photoshop]
Below: A Sydney garden illustration [photoshop]



Images © Allison Langton 2010

Some more illo's for September ...

Top: Illustration for an article on womens midlife [photoshop/Illustrator]
Bottom: Illustration for an article on foster care for pets [watercolour/photoshop]
Images © Allison Langton 2010

Some of my illustrations for Australian House & Garden magazine, September issue.

Top: Illustration for an article on home insulation [photoshop/Illustrator]
Bottom left: Freesia flower of the month illustration [watercolour/coloured pencil/photoshop]
Bottom right: Nowra map illustration [Illustrator]
Images © Allison Langton 2010

It's really great to be blogging again after my 28 day unplugged vacation. For the past week or so I've been changing website templates, playing around with banners and text colours and backgrounds ... it's always so hard to decide on designs when it's your own site isn't it? I decided to go with a half finished orchid drawing for my banner. I bought a stem of orchids two and a half weeks ago and they're still going strong! You can see them in the photo on my previous post. The stem finally snapped last week because it was so heavily laden with flowers - they are so beautiful. Gone is the celadon blue faux wood background of the old template and in it's place something cleaner and simpler. I like it. Even though it's quite pink! Hope you like it to...



So how do you think I went for 4 weeks with no TV and no internet? Did I make it through those 28 days without going on-line or watching the telly?

Short answer - No.

Better answer - I did my absolute best to stay off-line and for the most part I did except for a few stints of work related research and a fleeting late night blog binge during week 2 that lasted all of 5 minutes after which I was wracked with guilt. I also paid my rent on-line week 1 because I just couldn't be bothered lining up at the bank, and I paid my utility bills on-line week 3 for a similar reason. I also allowed email so was technically never off-line at all. Television was much easier. The only TV I watched was to occasionly peek my head up from over a book whilst baby-sitting saturday night week 2 when the kids were watching 101 Dalmations. And I didn't even care that I missed the last two weeks of master chef. The kids told me all about the finale whilst baby-sitting week 3 and I just loved seeing them get so excited about a cooking show.

So what did I discover?
Well for one, the world didn't come to an end. And after a little while I got over feeling out-of-the-loop. I felt aware of my mind slowing down, I could feel the chatter in my brain soften, and as a result I felt fully present with my work - not distracted in any way. But it took a good two weeks for me to feel this way so I'm really glad I committed to four weeks. The design jobs that came in during the latter weeks seemed effortless, gone was the procrastination (perhaps as I had nothing else to do!) and in it's place was a feeling of adventure. I was experimenting with my mind in an effort to change it and that felt exciting because I could feel the shift. It may have been a coincidence but the work seemed to flow out of me without the sense of struggle that often accompanies my creative process. Surprisingly though I wasn't compelled to sew or make things, instead I became a book worm and read 9 books - spending many, many hours at the library researching - it was wonderful. I also discovered radio national. I had no idea they had such great programs like artworks, the book show and by design. I also found it much easier on my psyche to listen to the local and international news rather than watch it on television.

So where to from here?
It's been such a pleasant experience that I plan to stay with it to an extent. No more TV. The handful of programs I do watch I'm going to download from iTunes - minus the ads. I tried to sit through Rush the other night but just couldn't handle the advertising. As for the internet, I'm not cutting that out because it plays such an important and essential part in my life. But the future for the internet can only get bigger and broader, infiltrating more and more of our time. I believe we have to be individualy responsible for the amount of time and energy we spend on-line. I've never set limits on my internet usage before but after this exercise I have realised that it is in my best interest to do so and stick to it. For me, on-line activity does not lead to me being more creative. In fact I think it's the opposite. There is a place for it, I just need to set up boundaries around it. And this month long exercise has shown me I can easily do just that.

If this topic interests you I would recommend reading The Shallows by Nicholas Carr. I found it fascinating to think about how our minds are collectively changing as a result of new technologies and re-moulding to fit around our new experiences - a really interesting read. He does digress a little into the history of different technologies and the philosophy of it all but I found that quite interesting.

So now if you'll excuse me I have many blogs that I want to catch up on ... I did miss my favourites and reading all about my blog friends adventures. That's the best thing about the internet. The sense of community you can experience with others who share similar passions and goals. For that reason alone I can never remain off-line for long ...

See you tomorrow for some House and Garden goodness. Oh, I don't think I have ever blogged three days in a row before!

My favourite room at home and the place where I spend the majority of my time is my office (see image above). It's lovely and light and has everything I need to create. All I need now is a print room :)

My favourite colour is celadon blue - a pale jade green with a bit of blue. This is followed closely by a light or pale persimmon with a splash of watermelon.

I have absolutely no fashion sense and still dress like I did at uni. If the dress code calls for anything besides jeans and runners I struggle.

I share my apartment with an 11 year old fluffy cat named Buffy. Yes, I named her after the chosen one. I can't wait until she turns 16 and gains her supernatural powers.

I have a slight fear of owls or any creature who can turn their head 360 degrees. I wish this owl trend would hurry up and end already. If you feel the need to draw an owl, perhaps try drawing a pelican instead ;)

When I'm drawing, I prefer listening to music with no lyrics. I love movie scores and anything by Thomas Newman plays on high rotation.

Three great books that have helped me understand my own creative issues or just inspired me to create are The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron, The War of Art by Steven Pressfield and The Creative License by Danny Gregory.

I'm not the best cook. I'll usually head over to my mums or sisters place around dinner time under the guise of returning something just so I can get a decent meal.

Without a doubt, my most favourite movie character of all time is Wall-E. When it first came out on DVD I watched it every night for two weeks. I think the people at Pixar are absolute genius for creating such an endearing, lovable character.

My top 3 magazines for inspiration and design ideas would have to be Casa Vogue (comes as an occasional supplement with Italian Vogue), The World of Interiors and Textile View.



10 things about me was kindly sponsored by Alex at Make, Do and Send :) who nominated Bigprint Little for a blog award many weeks ago. And now I nominate 5 bloggers whom I think are super dooper. I know some of these bloggers have already received awards like this but I just wanted to let them know that I think they are really lovely bloggers and I truly value their bloggy friendships.

1. Jacqueline from So Cute it Hurts is well and truly the loveliest and most supportive blogger you will ever come across.
2. Wini from Art love joy and I studied Textile Design together at uni then met up again unexpectedly during Holly's e-course - what are the odds?
3. Kaili Ittensohn is such a lovely Illustrator and is currently putting together a folio of children's illustrations.
4. Lucy from The Bowerbird paints flowers that flow and meander effortlessly across the page. I think she is one super talent and just love her style.
5. Nic from Yardage Design is such a wonderful bloggy friend who is persuing her dream of starting up a hand-printed textile business.



On Monday I'll post about my experiences during my 4 week off-line adventure. What I think, what I felt and did I cheat? It's good to be back! See you all soon ...

I'm still here! It's been one job after another these past few weeks, which has been awesome but a little draining. And I just finished my illustrations for the September issue of House & Garden magazine over the weekend. The lovely Antonia Pesenti who also Illustrates for H&G has been on holidays so I've had a few more illo's to do than usual.

But I'm here to let you know I'm going away for another 4 weeks. I need a break. My creative mind has packed up and moved out and none of my usual tactics are wooing her back. I can't take any holidays at the moment so I'm doing the next best thing. I'm going off-line for four whole weeks. No internet. No television. Crazy huh? I'm allowing email because I still have to work but I'm looking forward to getting back to basics so I can focus on process again and coerce that creative brain of mine back.

I spend a lot of time on-line. It's the first thing I do when I wake up in the morning and the last thing I do before I go to sleep at night. And the more I think about THAT, the more uncomfortable I feel. Don't get me wrong. I love the internet. I love my RSS reader, connecting with friends, reading blogs, design journals, tutorials, on-line magazines, shopping and banking, renewing my library books, facebook, flickr, following twitter feeds, reading the latest news, clicking links for hours and hours, scanning, skimming, researching. But it's come to that point in the relationship where I've heard myself whisper "I need a break ..... It's not you .... It's me". All of that clicking and skimming has come at the cost of creative time and I want that time back.

I feel fortunate that I can remember a time when no one knew what the internet was and very few people had computers at home in Australia. For the current generation of kids that won't be the case. I still remember the very first computer we bought as a family back in the 80's. It was a Microbee 64K - most of today's pocket calculators have a bigger memory -but back then the internet was in it's infancy, we did not have on-line access. We would play Pong for hours and hours and type in code for similar games from computer magazines my brother used to buy with his pocket money. I remember watching the movie WarGames around that time and being awestruck by this brand new on-line world. Who would have thought back then how much our lives would change because of it.

So what do I plan on doing during my off-line adventure? Here are just a few things from a very long list...

The sketchbook project:

My sketchbook arrived a few weeks ago and I want to fill it! I'm a little disappointed with the weight of the paper - it certainly doesn't hold wet media very well. And I don't have any bookbinding skills to rebind with a heavier weight cartridge so I will have to make do I think.

Embroidery Classes:

I saw this and loved it so much I wanted to make my own quilt with my own hand stitched squares. Gracia and Louise are both such inspirational ladies to me.

Reading:

I've started to read The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas Carr and I'm really enjoying it. It actually planted the seed for my little on-line break. I also have a book list a mile long.

Herbarium:

Remember this post? Well have a guess at how many plants I've pressed since then? None. That's how many.

Make and Do:

Lot's of hand-made goodness planned like paper making and felting and painting.

New website template:

It's been almost 12 months and I'm really over my website template. So when I come back in 4 weeks time Bigprint Little will have a brand new look. I'm also creating a page where design clients can log-in securely and view my textile design folio. I found a plug-in that can help me do just that.

And I haven't forgotten the lovely Alex from Make Do and Send gave Bigprint Little a 'beautiful blogger' award. I need to list 10 things about me and pass it on to 5 other bloggers. It will be the first thing I do when I get back - I'm sorry it's taken me so long Alex.

In the mean time ... Thea from Thea and Sami interviewed me a little while ago here. Thea has such a lovely blog, have you seen it?

See you all in four weeks ... hopefully with my creative brain well and truly back where it belongs xx
Image: © Allison Langton 2010 for August House & Garden magazine

Today, I'm sharing my birthday with the Queen. Yes, it's the Queens birthday holiday in Australia (except WA) and I'm very chuffed to be sharing the date with Her Royal Highness. I know it's not her ACTUAL birthday today, but I imagine we will both celebrate in much the same way. Brunch with the family, scones with jam at high tea, early dinner with show in the parlour (I plan to start watching the first -and only- series of Firefly again) then retire early with a cup of hot milk and a chocolate digestive. Yes, I imagine our days will be indistinguishable.

But if you're wondering who the cutie in the blue pinafore is in this photo, well you'd be right if you guessed me. It's the closest I will ever come to the Queen. At least in physical distance. It was taken in Farningham, Kent in the UK. I was three-and-one-quarter and my family and I lived in a big old white house called Southall. The previous owners left this little red car behind and it was the perfect size for me. It had tiny black peddles and a steering wheel that really steered and a horn that sounded like this honking goose. My very first memory was of that car, and galavanting around the wintry English countryside.

Enough about me though and on to something happening over at Pip's. She's such a creative lady and has organised the super fun envelope project. I spent yesterday morning painting my envelope (I drew a map of Pip's shop and surrounds) and filled it with some of my hand made paper, illustrations, a collage, one of my old John Sand's cards (I had to cut it to fit), a glassine envelope with some pantone colour chips and a black and white photo I took of Mt Bogong. Have you put yours together yet? If not don't worry, there is plenty of time. To find out all about it head over to Pip's place ... I had so much fun putting my envelope together!


I also signed up for the 2011 sketchbook project. I chose the theme inside/outside ... can't wait to start sharing my sketches...
Enjoy your Monday everyone - I know I will! :D
xx

I can't believe June is here already but it does mean I can show you my Illustrations for July H&G - and it's such a beautiful issue too. I finally got a chance to flip through my copy last night and was so inspired by the styling and layout. I really am grateful to receive such wonderful commissions from the team at House & Garden. I know how many Illustrators are out there searching for work and understand that one day I may not be so fortunate to have such an awesome, regular gig.
Am I sounding a little sentimental? I think it's because I'm turning 35 next week and lately I've been re-evaluating my career and my future plans. I'm not in my 20's anymore - I'm really happy about that, but thinking about turning 35 has forced me to look at some work issues that I've always ignored. Things like superannuation, savings, you know, the stuff mature people think about!
I've been working for myself for many years now and sometimes I wonder how much easier life would be working 9-5 for a SALARY. I dream about those things. Salaries. And little perks like free seminars and trade shows, frequent flyer points, free internet, only having to wear 1 hat. Sometimes it all feels a little too hard. But when it does I try to think about all the things I DO have in my career like flexibility, choice, lifestyle and the simple fact that I absolutely love what I do. Now what can be better than that!
So I hope in YOUR career world YOU are doing what you love or working your way to achieve it. For me, the hard work has always been worth it.
Images © Allison Langton 2010

This little guy is making an appearance in the July issue of Australian House & Garden magazine. I painted him with acrylic - not my strongest medium but I kind of like him. He only measures about 12 cm by 8 cm as he was a test paint-up before I was to start on the real one but I liked him so much that I didn't do another. He's meant to be a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel but I drew his snout too long and straight and his tail isn't shaggy enough so he looks nothing like he should!
I'd really like to take some acrylic painting classes one day to improve my skills. One thing I find is that the paint dries too quickly for me - I find it hard to work in gouache for the same reason. It doesn't help that I'm such a slow painter. Anyway, the new H&G should be out in the next day or two If you subscribe or it's on sale Monday if you don't...
Image © Allison Langton 2010

I've been really busy these last couple of weeks with design work, unfortunately nothing I can show and tell at the moment. Today (sunday) is my well earned day off and I'm exhausted! I can't even be bothered to change out of my PJs. Don't tell anyone! I secretly love days like this. Just hanging out, reading, maybe watching a dvd. Just me and the cat. Although I may just nip out for a bit this afternoon to find some specimens for my home-made plant press. The press has been sitting in the corner of the laundry for weeks now but I haven't had the time to collect anything. Perhaps today - if I can just get out of these comfy pyjamas...
You may have seen these illo's already. They were for a story in H&G July 2009 about taking control of your finances and managing your wealth. At the time this brief was a really nice change from drawing flowers and gardens. I had to do lot's of brainstorming and research and think about the motifs I could use to illustrate (financial) wealth. And I was really happy with the way it turned out- I think I would include it as one of my top 5 favourite illo's (of mine). It was all done in Adobe Illustrator. Have a lovely Sunday everyone!

Images © Allison Langton 2009

I've received a few emails over the last couple of days on account of this lovely post about bigprint little from Holly over at decor8. Holly's post was so unbelievably sweet (thank you Holly) and as a result there has been a huge amount of traffic over here - so much so I was afraid my hosting company might not cope! Holly sure does have a lot of readers. I felt a little overwhelmed as it's usually only my mum and about 20 other loyal peeps - most of whom I know from around the blogosphere - who occasionally hang out around here. Honestly I don't know how Holly copes with the pressure of a titanic readership. I'd be breaking out in hives and have to breath into a brown paper bag every hour - just ask my mum ;) (love you mum). Anyway, I've had a few emails asking about the process and materials used to make my chrysanthemum illo. Fortuitously, I took some photos as I was drawing it because I had planned on doing a process post but decided against it because I thought it uninteresting - which is silly because I love to see other artists and designers work in progress. So I hope those that have emailed don't mind that I answer their queries in a post ...



First, I search the internet/ library for a couple of good photographs of the flower as a reference that I can draw from. I'd prefer to draw from a real bunch of flowers but I usually receive the brief months before the flower is in bloom so my only option is to work from photos.

• I take my time to draw a pencil sketch of the flower- large enough to fit nicely on an A4 page. Then I use a light-box to transfer the image onto a sheet of arches hot press 300 gsm paper. I draw this outline in coloured pencil rather than a grey lead pencil (1)
• I use my winsor and newton pan water colours to paint each petal and leaf individually in a light wash. (Try and use the best water colours and paper you can afford - it really does make a difference)
• Next comes the coloured pencil stage (2). I start with the dark bits first then I'll work my way through the shadows, mid-tones, making sure I leave some highlights (3)(4)(5). I use lots of different coloured pencils from derwents to faber-castell to staedtler - I choose the right colour for the job.
• Then comes time for my favourite part - photoshop! I scan the image in at 300dpi, adjust levels and/or curves and erase the paper background
• I then use a filter to blur the image slightly and smooth out pencil lines to create a softer feel. Then very slightly, I go over the major shadows with the burn tool and some random highlights with the dodge tool until I'm happy with the final result. And that's it!

I do want to add that this method works well for me but everyone is different and it may not be the right method for you. The trick is to block off a period of time when you're not stressed, to play around with different mediums, scan them into photoshop and see what you come up with. Often I discover my best mark- making techniques when I'm not under any time pressure and I'm mucking around, making mistakes and just having fun with the media. This way you truly are creating a style that is unique to you and that you can be proud of. Have fun!

Some Illustrations for the current issue of Australian House & Garden magazine (June)
Images: © Allison Langton 2010

Finally feeling almost 100% after struggling with a virus for the past few weeks - hence my absence. And I'm glad to be almost free from the cough that was not only driving me crazy but I'm sure my neighbours too! I'm now working on getting my creative motivation back which always seems to completely disappear whenever I get sick. So I'm reading flow again by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, because it always inspires me and I get something new from it with each reading. And most importantly it always seems to top up my motivation for creating. Do you have a book like that?

So because I don't have any new work that I can show you at the moment I thought I would post this Tuberose Illustration. It was the very first 'flower of the month' illo I did for House & Garden back in March 2009. It was deemed a little too stylistic and so began my journey of painting flowers in a more realistic manner. I do like it though. Although drawn with a brown liner it still has a softness and delicateness to it. I just finished drawing some hellibore for the July 2010 issue and I think it's one of my best yet, can't wait for you to see it. Hope everything is inspiring you in your part of the world, Allison xx

And just as a side note, please remember to slow down to 50 when driving down residential streets. We have to look out not just for people but the animals that cross our roads too. RIP lovely Milo xx

I think 2010 will be known in blog land as the year of collections. Lisa Congdon's being the most well known and I always love anything Camilla puts together.
Sadly I'm not a collector. The bowerbird gene totally skipped my biology. Although I did start a sticker collection back in 1982 that lasted all of 2 months.
So I've been watching these collections with envy, wondering if there was such a collection I could start that I would find:

• interesting and expansive enough to hold my attention and perhaps become a hobby
• be inexpensive (I'm on a tight budget)
• be something I not only found beautiful but that could also inspire other interests of mine (drawing and illustration)

A few weeks ago quite by accident I came across this video on YouTube about the techniques used in the herbarium of the British National History Museum to mount plant specimens. Around the same time, I noticed a story mentioning herbariums in Textile View magazine. Then much to my amazement, I discovered that my dad has been collecting plant specimens for the past few years as part of his environmental studies at uni and has quite an impressive assortment. My interest was well and truly captured.

Over a few days, I slowly perused over a hundred mounted plants and took photos of some amazing specimens that my dad has collected (see all images above and below), all the while finding samples on-line of specimen sheets that dated back hundreds of years. With their old parchment, stamps and often beautiful hand written script, I looked on in awe. Captivated by these delicate pieces that once bloomed in some long ago time and some far away land. And that was it. I was hooked.

So this marks the start of my second ever collection. I think recognising the family and genus types of the plants I collect will be the hardest part for me in this process. I'm no garden guru. Though I have plenty of people around me to ask if I get a little a stuck. I'm going to pretend I'm an explorer and botanist collecting rare species unique to this little corner of the earth. And who knows, I might just stumble across my own Wollemi Pine story! So let me know if you have a herbarium collection or would like to start one with me. Perhaps we could compare field notes or have monthly specimen treasure hunts around the globe. Though honestly I can't wait to start drawing some of these beautiful samples ...

Images: All images above © Allison Langton 2010

Like many others, I use my camera for inspiration. I think it's important for creative people to search for inspiration outside of their field else everything tends to look alike. And thanks to my very generous brother Stephen, who upgraded and gave me his old Canon DSLR, I now have a new (to me) tool to help me do just that. It's the first DSLR I have ever owned so I'm on a steep learning curve. I read the manual but think I might just learn in the field :) I've been using the auto setting, but give me time because I'd really like to be doing it all manually one day.
These shots were taken early one morning down Hosier, ACDC and Strachan laneways in the city, when the light was absolutely exquisite...





Images: © Allison Langton 2010

Image: Illustration for Australian House & Garden magazine May 2010 © Allison Langton

Image:Illustration for Australian House & Garden magazine May 2010, © Allison Langton

I love pasta and bread with lashings of everything ... and scones and pastries with thick malted milkshakes ... and the creamiest of creamy full-fat yoghurt ... and Maggie Beer's burnt fig jam and caramel ice-cream ... unfortunately I could go on. Perhaps that's why I'm a bit tubby around the waistline these days ; ) I wish I showed a similar love for the treadmill that stares disapprovingly at me from the corner ...

But enough of the distractions and on to the good stuff, the above Illustrations are for an article in next months House and Garden magazine by health writer Paula Goodyer. But being a sneaky peek and that I shouldn't be showing these for another week and a half I will say no more, except ... May House and Garden magazine, on sale 29th March ...