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!