The Face Behind the Flyer #0324
One of my favourite elements that we introduced last year, has to be the designer flyers!! Working with members of The Little Makers Market family, to create unique marketing to shout about the events. This benefits us with beautiful marketing but also, helps us celebrate the incredible talent within our community.
It’s such an honour every month to work with such talented individuals to create new marketing materials to share digitally & locally! Being able to see their processes unfold, and learning more about them as people, as well as creative, is truly inspiring.
We are so excited to introduce you to Alison, our first “face behind the flyer” of 2024! Alison’s undeniable ability to create lifelike commissions and prints with colouring pencils (and a boatload of patience). Her designs celebrate animals and nature, showcasing some of her finest pieces, with this playful collie design you can’t help but smile!
Read more about Alison and her creative process below
What was your inspiration behind the design?
After creating some miniature commissions, I wanted to create a collection of original artworks that showcased all the wonderful personalities and incredible things that our dogs can do. Naturally, as I have a collie at home, I had to start there!
Approximately how long did it take you?
The Border collie miniatures were spread out over quite a few months in between commissions. One drawing would take me a day or two, but being busy meant I didn't always have the chance to sit down and do them.
What’s your usual source of inspiration?
With commissions, my reference is chosen by the client and therefore often that classic 'head and shoulders' portrait. However, since beginning my Collie Collection I've gotten hooked on the dymanic, full-body shots and have taken this across into my other work too!
How long have you been making?
I started creating portrature in January 2020, shortly after I left my interior design role. I hadn't drawn for myself in a long time and wanted to create a portrait of a family dog - just to see if I still could! It came out much better than expected and the family member posted it online while I was at work. I came home to three commissions, and the rest is history!
How did you do it?
I work in colour pencil, so that's the medium for these little guys! After gathering so many reference photos from Border Collie owners, I chose 16 high quality images that showed off different poses and work that Collies do.
Describe your work?
Though it can sometimes be described as 'not very artistic', I thoroughly enjoy realism and in the creation of animal portraits it can be incredibly rewarding, particularly when creating portrature of pets that have passed on. I've tried many mediums but prefer using colour pencil as it's a very patient and challenging way to create work.
What’s your goal for 2024?
I thoroughly enjoyed creating my Collie Collection, so up next are German Shepherds and Labradors! I'm hoping to make my way through quite a lot of breeds this year so if you have a dog and want to check out what the collections are all about please send me your photos (I'd love to include them!)
If you enjoyed reading about Alison and her work, why not check out her shop here or via Instagram at @alisonc_illustration