Preparing for Valentine's Day!

On top of commissions I wanted to create some signature work that I could use for a longer period of time or come back to in a years time! A little bit like my Stag for Xmas. So I thought about what 'said' Valentine's Day and this is what I came up with. I personally am not crazy for hearts and pink but these things scream 'Valentine' so putting them into these images I felt captured the right idea in my style.  I am very happy with the way they turned out!

Both of these illustrations have been put onto a variety of items on Art Rookie. So if you're looking for a different Valentines Day gift thats not a commission but something a little more personal check them out! I'm super excited about these - I hope you enjoy them as much as me! 

Present for your Sister

Captured in pencil … 

Here is one of my most recent commissions! A friend got in touch with me who I haven't seen since school asking for a drawn picture of her and her twin sister. I thought it was gorgeous and a lovely present for their birthday. 

The best thing about doing this was that the customer knew exactly how she wanted it done and had 2 image ideas straight away, on top of it (the photo I decided to draw) being lovely anyway. My challenge was to capture this in the illustration. The pressure is always on - very time! But I also absolutely love drawing which us why I will always want to do it. 

This drawing was lovely to illustrate and I'm really pleased with the outcome - hopefully you guys are too! Enjoy!

Quick Catch Up

For those who follow me on instagram or have seen my website you'll be up to speed with these anyway but for those of you who haven't here's a quick catch on the commissions I had over xmas that I've shared. Enjoy! x

NEW WEBSITE!

Welcome to my new website and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

I hope that 2016 brings you all everything that you're after and that it's a good year filled with fantastic and inspiring things! Things that make us want to live, because no matter what we're doing or what we go through - living life to its fullest, doing what we love and sharing it with the people we treasure is the very best way we should spend it!

I am so very excited to share my website with you guys! Please check it out, have a look, and a good ol scroll! It's my first real go at putting one together and cannot contain myself - it means I'm another step closer to officially being up and running as a freelance illustrator! In many aspects I'm doing it now but there are many things I feel I need to do first. So! For now, here it is - the next step to pushing for  career that I love so much I could burst! 

katgiannini.com

Many things from 2015 motivated me and inspired me - my boyfriend, my mum, dad and my brother, my push into dance fitness classes and my illustration. I had a brilliant year and all those things helped me get to where I am now. So heres to 2016! I know it'll be great! 

Snippets

So annoyingly at the moment I can't show you guys any of the pieces that I've been busy drawing because they're all Christmas presents - BUT! Stay in touch because January is going to be super exciting! In the mean time I'm going to keep this short and sweet and leave you with loads of little snippets. See what you think! Can you guess whats going on with some of them?

Three Doggies and a Tortashell

I have here some of my very first commissions. My wonderful friends that asked me to draw their pets for them and of course it was a pleasure. This was actually quite a while back now - probably spring time. It's interesting to see how my style has changed with more practice, I'm more comfortable with the materials now and as a result I can work much quicker. Never the less these guys were awesome to draw and paint!

Getting Ready for Christmas

I know we've only just hit November but when it comes to illustration I have to think earlier than that simply because of time. I have about 5 weeks to get things done and during that last week before Christmas I don't want to send any more commissions. We all know what it's like - things get a little manic around Christmas time so I don't want to rush. Sometimes I wonder if the 'C' in Christmas actually stands for Crazy! But I think I'm definitely one of the crazy ones - and I love it. So if you guys have sent me a request and you'd like an illustration done make sure you get your pictures to me by November the 14th! I'm super excited by all your enquiries but I am also running out of time and I don't want to have to say no to anyone. Can't wait to show you guys the finished pieces after Christmas! x

Inspirationers

In between commissions I'd set my self little projects to keep up my drawing practice. I'm all for having a break - I learnt that the hard way from dancing (it's important sometimes to have a rest no matter how much you push to continue!) but sometimes you do loose a little momentum when you stop and then that's just annoying. So I decided to draw some of my favourite bloggers, make up artists, youtubers - I guess these lovely ladies come under all these titles. I'd be surprised if you hadn't heard of them by now - they're all AWESOME - but here they are anyway. I hope you like!

 

Zoella

Helen Anderson

Emma Pickles

Art Rookie

So there's this wonderful website that supports young and upcoming artists … 

and my stuff is now on there! If you want an iPhone case, cushion, bag, print or canvas (and more!) then you can get my images on these items here! Check out artrookie.com and simply look for KatGiannini (one word). From there you can flick through the items and pick which you'd like which are then made especially for you - printed and packaged like a one-off item thats made for you! They have been exceptionally supportive and wonderful so if you don't fancy having a look at mine then have a look at the other artists on there and keep ART ROOKIE in mind. One of the best places for different present ideas! Remember … CHRISTMAS is on it's way!!!

Doggy Portraits

Here is one of my most recent commissions. These two was absolutely stunning to draw and would happily do it all over again (perhaps a different image of them so it's not exactly the same thing but you get what I mean). I've included some work in progress images too so you lovely people get to see what it's like as I go. 

I thoroughly love drawing animals - any kind of animal, although the main interest has been pet pictures but I love all of it. Not many people can say they do what they love and fortunately I fall into the right category here! 

REMEMBER! CHRISTMAS is on it's way! If you would like a one of a kind painting, illustration, drawing - whatever you'd like to call it - please get in touch! I will be busy very soon! I will not let you down (certainly try not to!). I am a perfectionist - I won't stop until I'm happy with it and to be honest, all the pictures I've received are all so wonderful it makes my job easier! Keep scrolling down if you'd like details to get in touch …

Here's what you need to give me a bell …

Email! -------> kathsgiannini@gmail.com

Facebook! -------> Dancing Drawings

Blog! -------> danceanddrawing.blogspot.co.uk

I look forward to hearing from you xxx

Hello Stranger!

Hey hey hey! And I'm back! 

There's loads that I need to get you guys up to speed with! It has been way too long. I have commissions and bloggers and work, work, work! 

I'm going to keep things short and sweet - there's work that needs to be done! But I have to say I'm really chuffed to be back on here and I promise I'm going to do my very best to keep you all up-to-date! How else will you know what's going on??? =P

So first things first … My Moo mini cards and flyers have arrived! Today in fact so I thought it was the perfect return post! I'm super psyched, ready to work and get going. Remember guys, Christmas is round the corner so if you need a present get in touch. Unfortunately drawings can't really be done last minute although I can do them quicker now. 

Moo is a fantastic company for your printing needs. They have their own designs whether it be for business cards, flyers, postcards, stickers (which is what I really, really want to do next!) you can use or you can upload your own which is what I did. They are so original and let's be honest - totally AWESOME! Have a look, I've used them before and will definitely use them again! (Sorry for the hundreds of pictures, I was very excited when opening this parcel!)

Art Rookie

So there's this wonderful website that supports young and upcoming artists … 

and my stuff is now on there! If you want an iPhone case, cushion, bag, print or canvas (and more!) then you can get my images on these items here! Check out artrookie.com and simply look for KatGiannini (one word). From there you can flick through the items and pick which you'd like which are then made especially for you - printed and packaged like a one-off item thats made for you! They have been exceptionally supportive and wonderful so if you don't fancy having a look at mine then have a look at the other artists on there and keep ART ROOKIE in mind. One of the best places for different present ideas!

Displate 2!

Hi there guys! So I've been busy creating some more artwork but this post is about Displate again! If you take a look you'll see you can now purchase my work on these metal, magnetic canvases, that are dead easy to hang and re-arrange as you want - and at brilliant prices! Just type my name, 'Katherine Giannini' into the search bar!

Hopefully it won't be too long before I can produce some more good quality prints too, so keep your eyes open - there's more to come!

In the Frow

I ment to post this ages ago! But here it is now … 

Another of my favourite bloggers, vloggers, stylists (especially as my fashion sense isn't the best - I usually go for comfortable and super casual). Soemtimes I wish I was brave enough to dye my hair purple or pink. You guys probably already know about her but like the lovely Melon Lady, I decided to draw Victoria a portrait. It's helping me keep up my practice, plus I'm enjoying it

IntheFrow

Helen Anderson

As you all know I've been setting myself mini projects, some a week, some only a day and one of which was to draw a portrait of amazing blogger Helen Anderson. I've been following her for a while now and I have to say I always look forward to what she's been up to. She seems such a fun loving person and has been one of the main inspirations for me to push my illustration work. It's encouraging to see someone who's made a career out of doing the things she loves and I don't see why I can't do the same. 

Here's a link to her video blogs and her website. If you don't know about her yet then you really should! She's awesome!

My First Commission

I have been wanting to post this piece for so long, but of course my customer has the right to see this first before everyone else. With Christmas out the way and being well into the new year here it is! This piece was based on her 4 sons, who each picked an animal, which I then represented in a slightly abstract, relaxed scene. I've never created a piece of work like this before so it was a challenge. But having said that, I do enjoy a challenge and I'm pleased that I had the opportunity to work on something like this.