11 Comments
May 9, 2023Liked by Ella Beech

Really thought-provoking post, thank you! Martin Salisbury's question to you rang a huge bell for me. Someone recently asked why I want to work in colour when black and white has always been my thing. I realised that I thought colour was 'better' and that you were supposed to work in colour for book illustration. But now I've decided it's time for a hard pivot (probably at the speed of an oil tanker turning, but anyway....) to try to figure out a way to work in colour, but working the way I do in black and white.

It's so brilliant to see your illustrations next to the observational drawings, to see the links between them.

Expand full comment
Jan 5Liked by Ella Beech

Another wonderful post Ella :). I missed it when tragedy struck our family around this time, but I'm slowly trying to find my way back to creating again. If for nothing else than to hopefully help heal & stay sane. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you bring back your course sometime this year!

Expand full comment

So interesting and inspiring Els. I think often about what happens to old work, and sketches - whether kept in digital or paper files, how that work informs everything we do. I feel like I’m often REdiscovering things (techniques, ways of drawing) and wonder if that’s bad management, or a necessary part of the art journey. I love seeing your sketchbooks and picture book work together, and the leaps that you have made! Xx

Expand full comment

I remember this post and it's as inspiring for me to read today as it was then.🥰 It's so easy to keep looking forward and make the next one then the next one (especially for me at the moment because I'm doing the daily mermay challenge!) It's such good advice to pause and look back to see what's actually happening. Thanks so much for the reminder Ella!x

Expand full comment

Ella, your sketchbooks are truly gorgeous!!! 😍 This was a lovely post to read, and I know what it's like to sideline your creative dreams for a job that ends up being a bit too rewarding/distracting - I opened a bookshop because I wanted to be a writer! Now I'm finding my way back to prioritising my own work. You've worked with some fab people too on your MA journey by the sounds of things. X

Expand full comment