In the style of… Evaline Ness

January 6, 2014March 22, 2014 | Anna Cull

The convention – ink and watercolour, 205 x 255 mm, 2013

I’ve only recently discovered Evaline Ness (although the illustrations in Sam, Bangs and Moonshine do seem curiously familiar). Her work is delightful and quirky across a wide range of styles and mediums. I particularly like the bold lines and restricted use of colour in the illustrations below. The reference photo is yet another one taken using my nothing-special cellphone ― which explains the appalling quality ― but it’s still good enough for sketching purposes. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again (and I’m quoting photographer Chase Jarvis here), the best camera is the one you have with you. I’m starting to think it may be time to invest in a better phone… or a smaller camera.

Evaline Ness

American artist Evaline Ness (1911–1986) has several claims to fame. As well as being an extremely versatile illustrator and author of children’s books, she was also a fashion model, a fashion illustrator and was, at one time, married to FBI investigator Elliot Ness. It sounds like a movie just waiting to happen.

In the style of… appears occasionally instead of my regular Shoot it, Sketch it posts. Using my own photographs as a starting point, I’m drawing inspiration from some of the world’s greatest illustrators. It’s not about slavishly copying someone else’s art; it’s an experiment in seeing things differently.

Shoot it, Sketch it revisited: Black bird

December 23, 2013April 20, 2016 | Anna Cull

Anna Cull Black bird haiku

This week’s Shoot it, Sketch it revisited is a little different. Rather than painting Black bird on a grey day again (which I was just about to do), I’ve used it as the inspiration for a haiku (prompted by blogger Digital Granny who thought the image would make a nice background for a poem). It’s my first ever haiku. It’s such a fascinating art form — I’ve been meaning to write one for ages. Thanks, DG.

Unexpected outcomes, part four

December 18, 2013February 8, 2014 | Anna Cull

Am I the only one who finds it impossible to predict what people are going to like?
I certainly didn’t think anyone would like Black bird on a grey day. I was wrong.

The sketch is based on a photograph. I thought I would create a pattern out of the branches (something much less organic than what you see here)… but my idea didn’t make it onto the page. Instead, the sketch took off in a different direction (as they sometimes do) and when I stood back and looked at it, I didn’t think it was good enough to put on the blog. The only reason I decided to post it was because my very encouraging husband liked it a lot.

And the reaction to it… the reaction was a gift. It received lots of likes and lots of positive feedback. Family, friends, complete strangers ― everyone seemed to like it! I did not see that coming.

That was back in November 2012. Since then, and largely because of that one little black bird, all my paintings and drawings get posted on this blog whether I’m happy with them or not. Dunedin, my most recent painting, also took off in an unexpected direction (and I wasn’t sure I liked the end result) and it’s another one that has been surprisingly well received. So I’m still no closer to figuring out what other people are going to like… and I’m okay with that. More than okay. It’s one of the things I really enjoy about blogging — it’s all part of the big art experiment that is my life.

Thanks for reading. And thanks for letting me know what you like (even when I don’t understand why).

P.S. I quite like the black bird now but I’m still undecided about Dunedin…

Up, up and away…

December 11, 2013March 23, 2014 | Anna Cull

Anna Cull Up, up and away

…with 800 followers (including Facebook)! Thank you : )

If you’re interested in my art journey, my Facebook page Anna Cull ~ Art occasionally has news, WIP (work in progress) updates and photographs that aren’t posted here.

Happy anniversary, Doctor Who!

November 23, 2013March 22, 2014 | Anna Cull

Stamp design, artwork – mixed media – student project, 2011

Doctor Who theme music

Doctor Who (1963-1989): The BBC originally promoted the classic series as an educational programme for children. It follows the adventures of a time-travelling alien known as the Doctor. The stamp depicts the opening titles, the Doctor’s TARDIS (a spaceship which looks like a British police box but has the ability to travel through space and time), and the first appearance of the alien race known as the Daleks (the episode aired 21/12/1963). Doctor Who went into production again in 2005 and has become the longest-running science fiction TV show in history.

The stamp design, poster and text are from one of my favourite student projects. Each stamp depicts an iconic science fiction TV series from the 1960s. I’ve been posting the stamps to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who. Happy anniversary, Doctor!

Science Fiction stamp poster (594 x 420 mm) Stars and planets (background collage) courtesy of the Internet Student project, 2011 — Science Fiction stamp poster – student project, 2011

Thunderbirds

November 15, 2013November 14, 2013 | Anna Cull

Five… four… three… two… one… Thunderbirds are go!!! (Click here to listen to the theme music.)

Thunderbirds (1965-1966): A marionette puppet series (dubbed ‘supermarionation’ by the show’s creator, Gerry Anderson) set in the then-future of the 21st Century. It follows the adventures of the secret organisation International Rescue. The stamp is inspired by the countdown in the opening title sequence.

The stamp design, poster and text are from one of my favourite student projects. Each stamp depicts an iconic science fiction TV series from the 1960s. For a recap on the project, click here.