29/01/2014

Sarah Jessica Parker


It's an exciting time of year for fashion, with the Grammys, Oscars and Couture week (to name a few) there are always beautiful designs that are being shown. I adored Couture week, my favourites being Elie Saab (every year) and Dolce and Gabbana Alta Moda. I was also SO excited to find out Sarah Jessica Parker is releasing her own shoe collection, HOW COULD SHE NOT?! I adore the simplicity of the designs, and with the 90's raging back into fashion, rumours of a new Sex and the City movie, she couldn't have chosen a better time. 
 I've always loved "SJP's" Style, as a petite lady she really dresses well, and isn't afraid to try the trends that us smaller girls would be encouraged to shy away from, Her heels are a little smaller than what i'd comfortably wear, although they are super lovely and i'd love to try them. Although at $195 I think they're a little out of my price range.  :(


I had to draw one of the photos that have been taken for her collection, I've always hated Red and Pink together, but the more I see of it the more I love it, So, i'm converted now, and I shall pay no attention to my colour wheel ;) Also, does anyone else remember Carrie loving the Mary Jane's in the Vogue shoe closet? She's designed some so similar to those, lush. Below is a little Gif i've made showing the process of my illustration! 



24/01/2014

Life

Today I had a little time to go out and enjoy some fresh air, I've been working really hard on Illustrations and making phone cases I needed a little break. It wasn't the most beautiful of days, cloudy, muggy and really rainy, I usually hate days like this, but with my camera I did end the day not hating the weather as much.

 The clouds did make it nicely moody, and had a comforting dullness, I live in a town which isn't over-run by offices or industrial estates, There are a lot of areas which are great to take photos. Ipsley Marshes are a few minutes from where I live, so my sister and I walked over to take some photos. After literally getting stuck in the mud, losing my boots and getting soaking wet I managed to get some photos I was really happy with. The swamps were great to photograph, I'm so inspired by the work of Emily Blincoe, who captures such beautiful images, so i kept her images in mind when taking my own. I'm playing around with colours and trying to emulate a film mood with boosted colours with turquoises and oranges. I'm excited to have something that I can do in my own time that's this fun.


We also spotted some Travelers (unsure what to call them without offending someone, so just know it's all meant respectfully) I really love their presence, The ponies are always milling around, the Carriages have beautiful colours, they seem to bring a really happy atmosphere, No-one seemed to be in, So I only got to take a few pictures, but i'd love to be nosey and meet them. 
 Off to edit some more pictures and get some new commissions done, I've got some big drawings to show off soon, so check back soon if you're sick of photographs and want illustrations ;) 
Natalie 

16/01/2014

Update on life



Wooo! Hi All,  So excited to show some new pictures, I've been playing with my camera and just adored the depth of field, I wanted to experiment with a new backdrop to compliment my phone cases, Although it's quite glittery I really wanted it to be fresh and bright and show off the vivid colours.
 I've changed the process a bit in printing meaning that the cases are a lot sturdier and the colours are so much brighter. It's been a brilliant learning process which i've enjoyed so much. I did expect it to be a complete nightmare. I'm excited to start stocking my cases in new shops too, and i'm also doing lots of new craft fairs this year, so look out for that. By the way, My sister kindly accepted my request to be the hand model (such an honour, ha!) but look at those nails, who else would I ask?




Once i'd taken my product photos I wanted to see how the backdrop would look with different subjects,  As i'm a freelance illustrator I spend a lot of time alone, making my cat the only available model! But she's gorgeous isn't she! ( I drew her for my cat phone case) I also took a Self Portrait.

 As always, thanks for reading,
 Natalie x


12/01/2014

New Phone Cases!

I'm super excited to show off my new phone cases, i've been wanting to do these for ages now, after having some bad experiences with other suppliers, (late delivery, dodgy colours and worse quality) It gave me the nudge to actually do this myself, and why not? I love making things, I can test out one offs and really get a feel for the market. I'm really lucky to have the chance to do this so i'm going to try and make it work the best I can :)
 Below is one on my best sellers, I put it online and got so much support from everyone about this case, created by marbling I added my favourite pastel tones to create this. It was tricky to get right on the phone cases, but i'm really pleased with the result :) I'd love to see photos of your phone if you purchase this!
 Did i mention it's only £10 from here

I've also been playing with other images, The other two shown below are from my marble collection too,  The first is the pink and gold, a great feminine case, with lovely contrast and bold colouring, the middle is the Pastel Case from above, and Lastly is the Teal case, a real sensitive and subtle case with gold flecks and light washy colours. 





Above are my newest additions! my hand-drawn illustrations freshly printed on white cases!

 I'd love to know what you think about my cases, I'm going to continue experimenting with all of them, making new ones and seeing what sells, so keep up to date as there's loads to come on shop.natalielines.co.uk 



10/01/2014

Company Magazine Illustrations Part 2



Le Flick! The second Illustration commission for Company's Paris Issue!
I'm so excited to show you these lovely eye makeup catwalk looks, all taken from the biggest shows on Paris Fashion week. My favourite is the Alexis Mabille, it's just so elegant and a style that really suits anyone, not to mention it's created the trend which we're seeing on everyone lately.




They're all different eyes, I created them all black and white at first but along side the colourful chanel look, it appeared realyl stange, so some colour was needed to balance it all out,  I kept the hues of the eye colour quite similar as i wanted the black pencil marks to really be the focus, i rarely draw with such dark heavy strokes, but I wanted the eyes to be in the same focus as the make-up and not look like an afterthought, Anyway, I hope you get to read this issue and see it in the flesh for your-self

 Natalie xx


Company Magazine Paris Issue Part 1

Bonjour! I was so excited when i heard Company magazine were planning a Paris issue for their February Magazine, and I HAD to get involved, i was absolutely thrilled when I was asked to create an illustration of a perfume bottle with a french scene involved. I added lots of bokeh lights and made it very dreamy with the use of pastel colours, pinks and creams. It was a joy to make, lots of hard work and refinements but I hope everyone is pleased with the outcome!
A little close-up of the french bicycle I drew. I added hints of gold glitter to pop against the muted hues.

And how it looks in the magazine! I was really pleased it turned out so well and I love the graphic design along side it! The paris issue came at such an amazing time, I was already wanting to go to Paris, I want to sit and draw all the little cafes and go shopping. Hey, a Cliche is a cliche for a reason, right?



est-ce que vous aimez?


And how it looks in the magazine! I was really pleased it turned out so well and I love the graphic design along side it! The paris issue came at such an amazing time, I was already wanting to go to Paris, I want to sit and draw all the little cafes and go shopping. Hey, a Cliche is a cliche for a reason, right?  ;)

I'm deinfietly going to plan a trip now, and with all the company tips in the magazine I can't wait!
 Anyway, thoughts on the illustration would be greatly appreciated.

Natalie x




03/01/2014

2013 in pictures

From Left to Right

1. Jan - We had the most beautiful snowfall, I took my camera out immediately to take some photos, I still think they're my best, they didn't need much editing, the natural light was just stunning. I still like flicking through these, hoping that 2014 will bring beautiful sights too.

2. Feb - We still had some snow, so my Sister and I decided to make some cake-pops, they were brilliant, we bought a little oven with circular moulds so they turned out really well, we then popped them in the snow and I took some photos.

3. March. As I recall it was still a little snowy, it was my mums Birthday but she had to cancel due to the weather being really rubbish, A few weeks later we managed to have the party and made lots of little cake pops for everyone to nibble on.

4. April - I really decided to start taking the blogging seriously, looking back on the post my design work has come a long way, I really have listened and learnt and I like looking back to see the change, I'm always aiming to improve.

5. May - My first Company magazine Beauty Commission, Until this point i'd been working on lots of illustrations with company for their music section, I was really glad to be given the opportunity of drawing some make-up and expanding my portfolio, It was great experience which has improved my skills.

6. June - One of my favourite months, It was so hot, and  everywhere was blooming, I spent a lot of time in Tenbury Wells for my Boyfriend who was producing an Album, I would then spend some time with a friend playing with the chicks and making Elderberry Cordial and lots of other lovely things.

7. July - My 23rd Birthday,  I was in Stratford a lot this month, my boyfriend and I watched the River Festival, again the weather was great ( I honestly think it was one of the best summers) The festival is great, there are lots of lovely canal boats and market stalls, in the evening there's a fireworks display too, so it's really worth going to.

8.  August - I went to Portugal, my first Holiday in 4 years, I last went to Greece, which was beautiful, especially Lindos ( a sickening everlasting boat ride away from where we stayed)
Portugal is beautiful, the sun was hot, the food was amazing and the company was even better. I really loved this Holiday, it went so fast, but I'm glad we got to do so much, visiting the reservoirs, going on a Jeep Safari and seeing new things.
Later in the Month I took my boyfriend to Ragley Hall to the Battle proms, it's highly recommended, and I hope we've started a tradition.

9. September - My first phone cases were printed! I was so excited, my images printed really well and they sold better than i'd imagined, you just wait for this year, So many more designs and so many beautiful things to put them on.

10. October - My first experience in a pop-up shop, I was pretty nervous as i'd never done anything like that, although It was one of my goals so i decided to jump at the opportunity, i'm so glad i now have the experience in doing this, I now understand the market more, what sells, what doesn't :(

11. November - It was pretty quiet for me, I really enjoyed not doing much and just appreciating Autumn, the shop kept me ticking over so I kept my head down with that.

12. December - Christmas! It started off pretty rubbish, but a visit to the German Market and hanging out with good friends quickly changed that, For the first time ever we booked to go out for Christmas lunch, It was lovely and my Mum and Grandma really loved not having to cook. I got a new 50mm lens so i'm excited to start 2014 with it.

Thanks for reading if you got this far, it's been really nice to look back on my year and remember what i've done.

02/01/2014

The White Room

I decorated my room, and it's all fresh and white.



So I finally had some time to decorate my room. I never really have the chance to update it all at once, i've been pinning away for months now with inspiration and little accessories, so i had a good idea in my head of how I wanted it to turn out!
I just have a little printer to buy which will probably go where the flowers are and then I think i'm done. Some thinks it's a little spacious and empty but I really like how clean, bright and fresh it is, and i'm excited to work here.

The flowers are fake! from Wilkinsons, i'm really impressed with them, they're lilies, daises and other little flowers and leaves, they look great from a distance and they don't look too plastic. My lovely vase is my great Grand-fathers which is from the 1920's so I'm really glad i've found a nice place for it to go, even if it does hold fake flowers.

The top shelf is empty right now but i've got three tiny cacti to put at the top, they're currently potted in red, yellow and lime plastic pots, but i'd like to replace them with ceramic white ones.

Thankyou for looking, and I hope you like it :D