Hi, I'm Clarrie and I set up The Little Illustratery as a way to share some fun with illustration, adopting a motto of 'connecting through creativity'.
It is my hope that I might find some like-minded internet wayfarers and artistic wanderers browsing past my pages and posts.
What is an illustratery 'bake'?
An 'illustratery bake' is the process of creating a whimsical world through illustration, delight and creative playfulness. Most of all it is F-U-N!
With each project I seek a charming, cosy, happy and joyful vibe, brightening each day and living the creative way.
Delights & inspirations
My style has brewed over a long period, there are many artists and styles that have inspired me.
These include the Arts and Crafts movement, illustrators of the ‘Golden Age' such as Edmund Dulac and John Bauer, Japanese woodblock prints in the shin-hanga style of Hasui Kawase (whose style inspired Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli), Scandinavian folk art, the cute pastel style of Japanese kawaii, and vintage art instruction books.
My personal style encompasses a love of colour, form and decorative elements.
Colour favourites
Top combination: olive green and dusky rose
Drawn to: making colour charts and swatches on a regular basis! I love them, as a kid I always picked up paint charts in the DIY stores taking them home to dream up schemes for my bedroom.
Paintbox faves: opera rose, cobalt turquoise light, oxide of chromium, indigo
Most loved art materials & tech
Winsor & Newton Designers Gouache
Winsor & Newton watercolours
Coliro mica-based metallic paints
Faber Castell Polychromos pencils
Caran D'Ache Prismalo watercolour pencils
These are my 'go-tos', Winsor & Newton are always reliable I find.
I discovered Coliro just a few years ago, IMO you can't beat them for quality of metallic paint. They are thick, sumptuous and best of all glimmer as you paint. Just spreading the colour about is a most enjoyable occupation!
Polychromos pencils are great for adding texture in mixed media designs, whilst the Prismalos are water soluble with a very firm core ideal for details and outlining.
Software and tech I use includes Adobe Photoshop, Affinity Designer and a Wacom Intuos drawing tablet.
Other hobbies and likes
I'm very much a homebody. I like making my home cosy, vegetarian cooking, drinking tea, reading, all things stationery, looking after my houseplants, needlecrafts, daydreaming, woodland wanders and coastal breezes.
Community & keeping in touch
I'm active on Instagram where I chat with fellow artists and participate in art challenges. It would be great to see you there.
If you follow @thelittleillustratery and list me as a favourite you should get to see my posts when they go live.