Fiona Meakin Designs - Draw With Fi

All ready to be posted off to Brooklyn Art Library! Done! Yay! With three days to go, I have finished and my little book is in the post, winging its way to the library for Sketchbook Project 2012 .

I'm getting very close to finishing my sketchbook now, well, I have finished inside...I just have the outside to decorate - which isn't actually a necessity - I am just being a perfectionist and won't feel like it is complete until I have done it!! This project has been really good for me, in terms of discipline. It is challenging to work to a time limit, but without one work would float on and on and on.....(!) My sister Jenny knows this only too well as we are collaborating on a children's book which I am illustrating. It is far too easy to keep pushing the deadline to another date (sorry Jen!). It's nearly ready though so keep your eyes peeled. We are both extremely excited about its arrival! It's like expecting a baby! Above are the 'underneath' images from my sketchbook. I am fascinated by these 'accidents' because in some ways they can be even more interesting than the original illustrations, and for that reason I have m...

I thought it might interest you to show one of the processes that I go through when creating ideas and getting inspired. I have always used sketch books or note pads (note pads, were especially useful when I was acting) to capture any imagery and thoughts that will inform my new project. One approach is to collage found material from magazines, postcards, wrappers etc. Often I get a feel for the colours I will focus on, or a recurring image may crop up and I will rework it until I have a final illustration. I have used this process on my recent holiday down in Cornwall. I miss the South West when I am not there( I lived in Torquay for a few years after university when I was touring Devon and Cornwall with a theatre company). St Ives and the surrounding area was amazing and so inspiring. The Tate's summer exhibtion was really refreshing and I was absorbed, especially by Naum Gabo's sculpture. Here are some images to hopefully inspire you too! I've thrown...