Monday, December 21, 2009

Ex Libris for To Boldly Fold

New things have been a-brewing.

I mentioned in my last post that it was about time for a new sketchbook, and I went with something different this time around! It's a gorgeous, handbound, leather softcover sketchbook made by a good friend of mine, Melissa Chao (To Boldly Fold), who sells her books on Etsy. Let me tell you, it is a dream to draw and paint in. You'll be seeing some new things from that sketchbook in the near future.

So! Melissa recently asked me to create some creature & nature themed illustrations to use as 3x4" bookplates in a limited run of her books, and of course I agreed! Nature, creatures, beautiful sketchbooks, need I say more? I came up with some sketches, Mel chose her favorite 5, and I took those 5 to final.

Have a look!

Ex Libris - Fox

Ex Libris - Bat

Ex Libris - Owls

Ex Libris - Buck

Ex Libris - Tree

And for fun, I've put together all the images from sketch to finish! Click the image below to view larger:

Ex Libris - All Together Now

From sketch to finish, the whole project took about 2 weeks. It was tremendously fun! Maybe in the future I'll do a few more paintings based on some of the sketches that weren't used.

Anyway, if you'd like to support a talented independent crafter and buy a handmade book from Mel Chao, visit her Etsy shop! And of course, I'll keep you posted on when those bookplates will become available!

7 comments:

  1. Yay Nancy! The bookplates should be available in the next couple weeks. I'll be posting as soon as I get some more paper and get a photo shoot done. Wahoo! Thanks again for your beautiful work!

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  2. WHHHHHHAAAAAT

    These are so good.

    So good.

    Lady.

    Bees.

    Things.

    -Jack

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  3. Thumbs way up Mizz Muller, these are fantastic.

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  4. THE BAT! It is my favorite. I didn't even really like bats, but your skills have endeared this one to me. Fabulous job on all of them, and an exciting collaboration by 2 talented people!

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  5. I really love the owls. They're so pretty... =3 All of your works are pretty, though. HEHEHEHE. ^-^

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  6. Thanks chaps! I need to draw animals more often, I think, I was pretty out of practice before these.

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  7. Oooohhhh nancy these are just fantastic!!! My absolute favourite is the last one with the owls, really delightful colours in that one.
    But I think I enjoyed seeing all the little sketches in that very last image - wow!! so much time and work went into it!!!

    I love your style, so sweet :-)

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