For the past couple of months, interrupted by breaks, I have been working on a big picture!

The image contains musings about a land of love and I’m sure I will want to add things in the future. Perhaps a different LAND OF LOVE image may brew?

With this image I started off doing a big pencil sketch and thought I might hand paint it. However as I tried to dive in with colour I knew that a digital approach was the only way to realize my vision and all the detail I wanted to include.

My plan is to make some printable items from the image. Who doesn't love a big colorful tea towel or maybe a tote bag? The print part I have yet to investigate.

The over riding motivation was, as a wise teacher has said many times, ‘Do the work you want to get’ so here is HEARTLAND.

Recently I completed (well sort of) my second Lilla Rogers, Make Art That Sells Illustrating Children's Books course. I thought the second time around I would be very prepared and stylistically nail all of the five week assignments - Character, Emotions, Poses, Environment and Cover. I'm not sure if it was the detox diet I was on during the course or just letting life get in the way of concentration but unfortunately I did not do the course justice this time around. Each of my assignments were stylistically different which was the exact opposite of what I was hoping for. Since the course finished I have been reworking my assignments. Pictured is an image combining the Emotions and Poses weeks. My take away from the course is that whilst I can draw in many different styles my challenge is to maintain stylistic consistency. Lilla Roger's course are a fantastic way to improve as an illustrator. Whilst you may feel you do not do your best work during the course you will definitely reap the benefits as time goes by. After completing the first Illustrating Children's Books course I was lucky enough to get an illustration contract working on a Children's Learn To Read series for five months. It was such a joy!