Lovely new Pocket Mountains jackets

If you're familiar with my work you will know that I illustrate the jackets for a series of walking guides published by the wonderful folk at Pocket Mountains. I've been working with them for quite a few years now and they're always great fun to draw and look fabulous on my bookcase (they have their own entire shelf now as I've done so many!). The Run Edinburgh book is from a different series by the same publisher and is something entirely new...

It's been a bit quiet on here...

...because I was doing this instead of drawing! Normal service will now resume.

Frank Fox's latest incarnation

Yesterday I decided to try and combine my sketchbook drawings with my character experiments on-screen. I'm also trying out bringing back some line-work, although this is all digital. So far I'm liking it.

Oh, and I'm experimenting with alternatives to my dots-for-eyes approach...

Today's Doodle

I'm tempted to do some baking this evening, it's just been that kind of a day...

McLaggan Smith Mugs

Last week I received some gorgeous sample mugs in the post from the lovely folks at McLaggan Smith. I've designed a little range for them and you can check the rest out on my website here or buy one for yourself here!

Singing Squirrel

Before I head off for the weekend, here's a squirrel singing Karaoke. He's a character from the book I'm currently writing/illustrating.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Here's a little something I drew earlier this week (he's available to license, just drop me an email if you're interested). I hope everyone has a fabulous bank holiday weekend. I also hope the sun keeps on shining up here in Edinburgh, because we need the vitamin D!

The (in)Famous Frank Fox

I've finally, almost, got the words all sorted on my first story, I'm just taking a few out and shuffling the others around a bit. It's been taking up a lot of time, I really do think words are much harder than drawing pictures - but I'm much more used to picking up a pencil for the purpose of doodling rather than writing! I've started sketching out my supporting cast and giving them personality traits and quirks in my mind (they don't really have huge parts in the story, but I like my characters to be well fleshed-out!).

Usborne Circus Book

The sticker book that I illustrated for Usborne is up on Amazon. I drew the artwork for it earlier this year and it'll be published in September!

Where I'd rather be today...

I might play with this one a little more if I get the time, but I'd much rather be sitting on a beach today than suffering this grey weather!

Coming Soon - New Pocket Mountains Jackets

Those of you familiar with my work will know about my illustrations for the lovely folk at Pocket Mountains. They produce pocket-sized walking guides that make great souvenirs, and also contain a wide range of walks for all abilities. I've even done a few of them myself! Here's a sneak preview of some soon-to-be-released designs that you can also see on their Facebook page here. 

Totes Amazeballs!

Wow, this weather is really starting to get me down. The good news is, being stuck in the studio with no desire to go outside is good for creativity/production levels! The design above is available to license (email any enquiries), although I may print a couple on bags if I have the time.

Animal A-Z

I'm working on a new mail-out and wanted to share this adorable antelope with you.

One of 'those' days...

I've illustrated this before, but I fancied taking a second crack at it with a pure lettering design. It's one of my Dad's common phrases...

Frank Fox Finds Some News

I'm working on commissioned projects today, but I took some time at lunch to start work on my re-draft of Frank. I thought I'd share this page with you as it's my favourite so far.

Today's doodles

I'm playing around with some new brushes today. The fox is Frank, who has his own story...

Puzzles in the Post!

I had some lovely post this weekend as samples of the puzzles I illustrated for Storlann earlier this year arrived. I've added photos to my website here if you have time to check them out.

A Cat in a Hat

New projects in my portfolio

I've just updated my website with two new projects, a logo design for ToucanBOX and a set of very cute puzzle designs for Storlann. 

New Pocket Mountains jackets

The postie delivered a lovely package this morning, some new jackets from publisher Pocket Mountains. Here's Loch Ness, Mull and the new German edition of Skye! Can anyone spot Nessie?

Under the Sea

I had some time to myself yesterday and decided to do one of my doodles. This one turned out pretty cute, I may even have to get it printed and send it out...

Tea Party

Today I'm trying to cut down the colours in the prints I did for Eteaket, as they're going to be put on mugs by the lovely people at McLaggan Smith. I've just finished altering this one and I actually like it more than the original. It just goes to show, sometimes less really is more!

An Audience

Crowd-scenes are one of those things that sometimes slowly drive me crazy. You have to be in the right mood to draw all of those faces and keep enough variation in colour and features. I've just managed to fill an entire circus arena, so here's a snapshot to celebrate!

Twit Twoo!

Here's a little something I sketched up earlier in the week. For those of you off to Bologna next week - I hope it all goes well! 

Busy, busy, busy!

I seem to be forever apologising for not having posted here as frequently as I normally do, so I won't apologise again. I'm working hard on a commission that's heading for Bologna next week - so time is of the essence! Here's a sneaky peek of one of my favourite characters so far...

George & the Dragon

Here's a little sketch I'm hoping to get the time to colour up at some point...

Miaow!

Today's little doodle.

Yeehah!

Here's a sneak preview of something I'm working on for a client...

Something a little different...

Excuse the quality of the photo, it's from my phone as my camera seems to have gone astray. Last week I went along to a ceramics workshop with my lovely fellow illustrator Holly Surplice, and this is the end result! I thought I'd be a bit stuck without my beloved Mac to draw on, but found a technique that I really enjoy. I really recommend having a go, it's always lovely to find another way to use your drawing skills!

ToucanBox

I've not been on here much recently as I'm working on a very labour-intensive project at the mo. I'll share it with you once I've made the deadline! Until then, here's a lovely logo I was commissioned to create a few weeks ago by Authentic Style. You can see it in place here.

A Little Bit of Lettering

I drew this a few weeks back and just stumbled across it in my files. It's a first attempt using a new brush in Photoshop to create some nice hand lettered type. It has more texture than my normal brush and I'm quite excited by the result!

An Ornithological Valentine

A Happy Valentine's Day for tomorrow folks. I hope you all get what you've been wanting, and from the person you've been wanting it from!

VG Jewellery

I'm possibly over-excited about this, but someone recently sent me a little kit for making my own jewellery and I made this little necklace today during my coffee break. I was going to give it to someone, but I love it so much I'm going to keep it for myself and order some more blanks to fill! 

Digital Pencil Roughs

I've always had a slight aversion to showing my actual 'rough' sketches to clients, but after admiring Holly Surplice's digital roughs I was determined to add this skill to my list. I've also had quite a few requests recently from clients asking if I can provide this service, and now I can! After a bit of experimentation I found a brush that works for me and I'm actually really excited by my sketches on-screen.

Booksniffer

The fabulous Booksniffer has included my bookshelves in her lovely selection of illustrator's bookshelves. She also has an excellent blog here with some great picture book reviews. Essential reading!

Updated Website

I've updated my website at http://www.vickigausden.co.uk. Take a wee peek if you have a spare second, I've expanded my portfolio to include more examples of projects and finished work.

The Year of the Dragon

I've just drawn this little guy for the entry page to my website and I thought I'd share him with you.

Hippo New Year!

New Year's resolutions anyone?! I'm back in my studio and officially holding a pen in my hand. Hello 2012.

Feeling Festive?

Here's a little Christmas spirit for you!

Today's Doodle

A Surprised Bunny

Here's one of yesterday's drawings. I've not got much done today, I blame the crazy weather...

Stuck in my Head

Sometimes I get a song trapped in my brain for an entire day, and occasionally for an entire week if I'm really unlucky. Today I have a saying stuck on repeat in my mind. I thought I'd exorcise the demon by putting it down on paper. Let's see if it works...

Latin Bears

This popped into my head last night and I scribbled myself a little note to draw it up today if I had the time. I'm particularly fond of the polar bear. Might be a character here!

As happy as a pig with a cocktail...

I've been a bit quiet recently as I crack on with a couple of projects that I can't mention here at the mo (mostly as they're still in progress!). I'm also working on developing my characters, this little guy is Perry the Pig...