July schedule
Zoom links, book announcements and a sneak peek at my latest project.
Hello! And happy July!
It’s been a busy one for me. As well as working on my new book - which at the moment I can’t say anything about, except that I am super excited about it, and I can’t wait to tell you more about it! - I have also had two non-book projects I’ve been working on. I am going to write separate posts about both, but they were both really positive and inspiring projects, and I feel really lucky to be getting jobs like these. It was one of my wishes to combine book work with other illustration jobs. In my head, I wasn’t quite sure what they would be, but I was open to anything, and then these two jobs popped up for me.
As I say, I’m going to chat about them in a separate post, but here is a sneak peek of the artwork for one of them It is a dream project with the WWT Wetlands trust. I created illustrations to go on 15 boards in each of the WWT sites around the UK. They are all designed to look like postcards sent by a Pelican postie character I created
OK, I am going to leave it at that, because I have a deadline today, but I am excited to be back with you this month, and I can’t wait to catch up with you all. As well as these scheduled online meet-ups, I will do some behind the scenes paid posts, as I know a few of you were keen to see more of those as a paid subscriber.
Ok, onto the schedule…
Picture Book Club
One of my favourite things on the MA was when we looked at Picture Books together and analysed them, so I am thrilled to run this on my Substack. I announce the book at the beginning of the month and then we have a live Zoom together and chat all about it! It is available as a replay afterwards for those who can't make it.
Thursday 18th July, 8-9pm. Zoom.
This month I have chosen Hot Dog, by Doug Salati. It comes highly recommended by loads of friends and colleagues, and won the Caldecotte this year. Here is the blurb from Penguin Random House: NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE 2023 CALDECOTT MEDAL • This glowing and playful picture book features an overheated—and overwhelmed—pup who finds his calm with some sea, sand, and fresh air. Destined to become a classic!
You only have to look at some of the inside illustrations to get pretty excited about this one, and it’s perfect for summer (although, come on UK summer, what are you doing??)
As ever, do pick it up from friends of Gather Filter Make Shelf Editions run by the fab
or Storytellers Inc. run by the brillArt Club
Weds 10th May, 12.30 - 1.30 pm GMT. Zoom
These are free, playful and fun art sessions. Each month I choose a theme or material I want to play around with that month and you can either join in, or go off-piste, and do your own thing. I might spend a session playing with wet textures, playing around with how things bleed, mix together, blend. Other times I might grab a handful of random materials and play around with those together. All previous Art Play Dates are available as replays, and each new session adds to the back catalogue to watch and play along with.
This month I thought we could have a good old-fashioned mark-making session. I always enjoy playing around with marks and textures, so think dry-brush, stippling, scratching, wet-on-wet. Just bring some of your favourite materials (or your least favourite - that could be fun!) and as ever, I’ll bring along a few images for inspiration, and we’ll have a fun hour playing around with texture!
NEW! Co-Working Club
Join me while I work in my studio.
Designed to provide a bit of company and accountability for anyone working from home. Use it to catch up on chores or to keep you going for that extra hour when you’re losing motivation or simply for some company hile you work from home. I will put on a few hours over the month, and may pop some spontaneous ones in, so keep an eye of the chat function for that. Let’s keep it easy to remember by sticking to Tuesdays.
Tuesday 9th July - 10-11am
Tuesday 16th July - 5-6pm
Tuesday 23rd July - 12.30-1.30pm
Tuesday 30th July - 5-6pm
See you soon for a (hopefully) sunnier July!
Ella xx
Zoom links below for paid subscribers.
If you enjoy my Substack and want to show your support, I would love it if you would consider becoming a paid subscriber. I really appreciate every single paid subscriber (and if you are already subscribed, thank you, from the bottom of my heart). All subs help me to continue making illustrated books, and creating posts here on Substack. And as well as supporting me, you get benefits too. What?! Yes, you heard me! You get access to my big catalogue of paid posts, and access to my monthly Zoom sessions, Art Club and Picture Book Club. And if you can’t attend live, all sessions are recorded and posted afterwards.