In this post I want to show you a little of the processes behind my watercolour designs. There are many digital downloads available from illustrators that many stationery designers use to create their stationery, and of course this is a great way to make invitations, but I always want to emphasise to my clients that all of my illustrations are hand painted.
This is the process of designing invitations that I enjoy the most, and it is also the part that is the most time consuming! A detailed illustrations such as the dhalias below can easliy take 3 hours from start to finish, also taking into account the time it takes the paint to dry!
Everything is initally painted in watercolour, to a high level of detail, then it gets scanned into my computer where it is neated and cleaned up in Photoshop.
I tend to paint a lot of the florals separately so I can play around with layouts and I can use previously painted artwork in new designs as well.
If you're interested in what tools I use: I use Windsor & Newton professional paints, Daler Rowney Prestige paper in rough and cold pressed, and I use a variety of brushes mostly Pro Arte Prolene watercolour brushes.
So if you have a bespoke design, you are paying to have each of the elements you chose to incorporate in your design, whether it be florals, a venue illustration or something a bit different, painted from scratch and arranged to make sure the design is completely tailored do you.
And even if you don't choose to go for a bespoke all of my customisable collections start their life out being hand painted watercolours too.
It's not only florals that I love to illustrate! I'm more than happy to incorporate pets like this goregous labrador Sorrell, or personal details such as the robin, which was incorporated into the invitations to symbolise a parent who was no longer with us.
It's these details that really make me love what I do, and the options for personalisation are endless,
So if you're in the market for some high quality, hand painted invitations which have the personal touch and can be made bespoke for you - please get in touch and I would love to create something special for you.