Tuesday 2 December 2014

The start of Advent 2014

This week I have been mainly getting over a rather nasty bout of the flu. Chickpea did ask me what a good flu was. 

I've also managed to do an entire 7 days of the #illo_advent challenge over on Twitter. Here's a round up so far from my sketchbook.

Day 1: Wheee!

Day 2: watch where you're going with that!

Day 3: Star of wonder, star of light!

Day 4: Party Season

Day 5: Spending time with a friend.

Day 6: Love snow

Day 7:While shepherds washed their socks...
I cannot help but want to sing the wrong words to this carol every time I hear it!

I shall leave you with that in your head...

While shepherds washed their socks by night,
All seated round the tub,
The angel of the Lord came down ,
And gave them all a scrub!

Thanks for stopping by!

Teri

Wednesday 19 November 2014

Books and Crocodiles

Another busy week! My postcards and Christmas cards are selling which I'm pleased with.

I've been busy with my sketchbook the last week. Here's a few things that you might find in there: 

I managed a couple of sketches for @Daily__Doodle 

My Pet Crocodile:
This piece is turning into a larger, full colour illustration. Thanks for all the likes and comments on Facebook and Twitter.

My Pet Octopus:
The hazards of owning a pet octopus!

A couple of character sketches from the pet crocodile piece:



I've also been sketching some elements for a book I'm working on:

For those who asked - see I really was drawing broccoli! 


Then there's these little monsters. They seem to keep cropping up in my sketchbook a lot. I will have to think of something to do with them!


Thanks for stopping by and looking at my blog. 

You can find me on Twitter: @TeriSmyth and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tsillustrator

Also if you do want to have a look at my shop here's the link: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PlayfulStories

Have a great week! 

Teri

Monday 17 November 2014

Season's Greetings

I've been quite busy and I'm in the middle of updating my portfolio. 

In my last post I mentioned I had a bad wrist through drawing too much; things have got a lot better. No more pain and all thanks to the NHS! I know this is mentioned a lot, but not by me. We really should cherish the NHS and make sure we do not lose it.

In other news I've finally opened an online shop and it even has some goodies to buy! 

Here's the link:
https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/PlayfulStories

I've been busy getting things ready for this. There are Christmas cards for sale:


And also postcards of spring, summer, autumn and winter, which are available individually or as a complete set of 4:


Spring:

Summer:

Autumn:

Winter:

If you fancy having a look I've also set up a Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/tsillustrator

Thanks for spending time looking at my blog.

Come back soon!

Teri

Tuesday 4 November 2014

Slow down!

I've not written a blog post for a few weeks. There is a good reason for this! I've had to slow down a bit because I've injured my wrist. Luckily some tablets and an injection later it is getting better. Phew!

I've also been working on a large piece of work and so there are only a few sketches I can currently show you.

From my sketchbook:

I think I've mentioned on here before that Chickpea can whistle and she's does. A lot! 

For @Daily__Doodle (Twitter) there was a Labyrinth theme and I managed to sneak in time to draw Hoggle from memory. 

Also for @Daily__Doodle a quick catch up for the Pumpkin Boy, Vampire Cat and Zombie Mouse topics. 

Of course we had half term and Halloween. We always make bats for the back door. I make a template and Chickpea can now go crazy and do her own. I like to do a theme and this year chose some of Chickpea's favourite films. There's Totoro (My Neighbour Totoro), Elsa (Frozen), a Minion (Despicable Me), SpongeBob (erm... SpongeBob) and No Face (Spirited Away).

This is a little character that I think I'm going to do some more work on.

A cat. Not much to say on this!

Chickpea got a new party dress and was so happy! We had a family party to go to and a new dress was definitely needed!

We also went to a Halloween fireworks display which was great fun. Oooh, ahhh etc.

I may have watched Downton Abbey. Oh that Lady Mary! 


I do enjoy sketching while watching TV. I find it quite a good exercise for getting things down on paper quickly. It makes me look harder and work quicker. 

Finally this is the big piece I'm working on. This is a work in progress shot.
I hope to show more soon.

I'll just mention now that if any schools want to book me up for workshops for next year, please do go and look at the events page on my website 
www.terismyth.com 

Thanks for spending time looking at my blog. 

Teri

Thursday 16 October 2014

Which Witch?

My sketchbook and drawing board are very busy! Lots of ideas which are now becoming a reality. I'm hoping to start selling some artwork soon too. So keep an eye out for updates!


There has been a lot of rain!

I have been thinking about Spring and Summer

Also Halloween is nearly upon us - this means half term for Chickpea (and lots of films). Wednesday Addams

Uncle Fester struggles with ECO lightbulbs

@Daily__Doodle on Twitter had a lovely theme week of The Wizard of Oz. Many thanks to everyone who favourited and retweeted my pictures. It's always nice to be appreciated!

Tinman

Cowardly Lion with a rather scary Dorothy - can't imagine where that idea came from! Have you ever tried to get a 4 year old ready for school in the morning?

There was a lot of love on Facebook and Twitter for my Wicked Witch of the West. This is how she was and I was about to post her and then decided to add colour...

I prefer this one!

Also winter is coming but then it feels like summer again. 

This weather is most confusing!

Thanks for taking the time to read down to this bit! 

I'll update again soon.

Teri

Friday 3 October 2014

Red Riding Hood and More

This week has been mostly about painting but I've managed some Daily Doodles and also a quick poem for National Poetry Day.

Harry Potter for @Daily__Doodle:

A Ballerina Bear also for @Daily__Doodle

A poem (it spells out POEM) for National Poetry Day

A piece for a private client. Little Red Rising Hood with a friendly wolf. 

Stippling the path worked really well

I used a very fine paintbrush to draw the detail on the picnic basket 

There was a request for bluebells, butterflies and a ladybird

Here's a snap from my phone's camera of the final piece


Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. 

Teri