As if I was gunna do just one....

I'm one of those people who easily gets excited by new ideas. I won't just take a theme and make one new design...no... no...no.....

Seeing as how I'm taking the time to open up Photoshop and do one new design...I may as well do a few.
Seeing as how I'm printing new designs ready for brooches, I can't waste the expensive paper by doing just one.....so I best print a few.
Seeing as how I'm getting ready to set one....... you catch my drift!

I have become accustomed to spending my time wisely. So when I do make the time to do something new and exciting I'll make it count.
My aim is to make sure there is a beginning, middle and end to my new adventure.
The ending isn't always what I expected, but sometimes that's half the fun.

This time though, I did have an idea in my head for the 'turning Japanese theme' for this months design challenge and this time, I'm happy to say it turned out just how I wanted.

A lot of what I do when it comes to illustration or graphic design is basic outlines.
I used to think this wasn't enough and that I needed to add color, depth and textural layers to create masterpieces. But really this is what I enjoy visually. Bold images, Strong colors and basic, familiar shapes.
I thought to myself, what are a few familiar images we see around us today in the world of design. I came up with:

1: The owl....though his reign may be coming to an end soon. Foxes are the new owl I read!
2: The Chandelier, so ornate and grand.
3: The cameo. A ladies silhouette.

Of course there are many more, but these are three I decided to use as my subjects to turn Japanese.

Firstly the owl, celebrated here, common in some parts, but maybe not in Japan.

So I googled 'Japanese bird' and came up with the crane.
After sussing out basic shapes and forms I drew my version of the crane for brooch number one.

I couldn't decide on red or blue, so I did both.

Secondly the chandelier. Visions of grandeur dripping in crystals, a popular form of lighting in homes of great esteem.

My take on a more traditional form of lighting in Japan would be paper lanterns. This is what I came up with.

Again, I couldn't decide red or blue, so I did both.

Lastly, the cameo. Side profile images of a lass traditionally carved in to mother of pearl, agate or shell.

Cameo ring by: lunarrastar.

For my interpretation, I decided to draw a basic silhouette of a geisha, dressed up with high hair and chopsticks in a bun. For the background, I created a bold bamboo wallpaper.


All in all, I really enjoyed thinking outside the box and creating something totally new.

As I did mention before...it's wasteful not to fill a page with new designs ready for the printer, so having this challenge put forth allowed me to create a Japanese inspired range as well as work on a few other newbies ready for my next market on Feb 6th, Northside Makers....

As if i was gunna do just one!

Back later tonight to draw the new theme for Feb.....