Inspiration for using Inky Doodles stamps – Create and Craft tv show!

The first two sets of Steampunk stamps have now been added to my shop!  They will be officially launched on Saturday on the Create and Craft show (see the bottom of this post for details), when Sarah from Inky Doodles will be sharing some ideas on using the stamps.  I’m so excited about the show – can’t believe my designs will be on the tv!!

I have been playing with the stamps and made a few samples which will be on the show too.  Here’s a little about the things I made in the photo above…

Gift Box (made with stamps from both the Clockwork Bird and Transport sets) – I stamped clock hands and cogs all over the plain box and coloured the hands with watercolours.  I then used soft artist pastels to colour the box all over (smudging the colour with cotton wool).  The pocket watch is from the Transport set and was attached to the box with baker’s twine and a mini brad.

Chaffinch Birthday Card – the background to this card was made with one of the corner stamps from the Bird stamp set and a cog stamp.  This card was also embellished with ribbon and 3 little gems.

Kingfisher Tag – I coloured the Kingfisher stamp with watercolours on this tag.  The background is stamped with key and cog stamps and I used one of my favourite techniques – wiping a gold ink pad around the edge of the tag – to give a distressed effect.  Finally it was finished off with some little gems.

Sarah has designed some complimentary background stamps and stencils to go with the designs I did for her.  I used her A6 Checkered Background stamp and A6 Circle Gear Background stamp along with my Hexley Transport set to make this card.  Everything on this card was stamped onto white card then coloured with artist soft pastels.  I love adding colours with the pastels and think it adds so much depth and texture compared to stamping on plain coloured paper.  I’m so glad that I finally found a use for my pastels – they have been sitting in the bottom of a drawer for years, waiting for me to think of something to do with them!

This set of stamps (Time Flies) was also designed by Sarah – I like how the Steampunk theme can be given a bit of a girly twist with the clockwork butterfly and dragonfly.  Again I coloured this card with the soft pastels and added some pink and purple gems for a bit of sparkle.  You can’t see it from this photo, but the card blank I used has a slight shimmer which still shows through the stamped background and pastels.

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The Clockwork Birds and Hexley Transport sets of stamps can be seen in my shop here.

Sarah’s other stamps and stencils are available from the Inky Doodles website.  She also posts other ideas on how to use the stamps on her facebook page.

Don’t forget to watch the Create and Craft Show on Saturday!  It’s on Sky channel 671, Freeview 36 or Freesat 813 at 11am 25th January

First Exciting Announcement for 2014 – Steampunk Stamps

I mentioned before that I had some exciting things planned for this year, and if you are one of my followers on facebook you will already have heard a little about my latest project… Over the last few months I have been working with Sarah, who runs Inky Doodles, designing some Hexley themed stamp sets and the first 2 sets have just been released!

Each set is A5 and contains lots of stamps which can be used in so many different ways.  This is one of the things I really like about the Inky Doodles stamps, they are designed to be versatile so that you can make the most of any set you buy.
The stamps are made with high quality photopolymer which is transparent - making it easy to place the image where you want it and give the best possible impression.

Hexley Transport stamp set

This set features 2 modes of Hexley transport – a Steam Carriage and Balloon Carriage along with lots of other extras.  In this sample card I made you can see how the smaller stamps can be used together to create a repeat background pattern…

Hexley Clockwork Bird stamp set

This set features 3 of my clockwork bird illustrations – a robin, chaffinch and kingfisher, along with cogs, clock hands and other little designs.  I used the Robin stamp twice on this card – on watercolour paper and on shrink plastic to make a little charm (you could make jewellery or keyrings like this too)…

I've really enjoyed coming up with more designs around my Hexley concept – I’m working on some other sets which will be out very soon!  These two sets of stamps are now available to buy from Inky Doodles – www.inkydoodles.co.uk and I will be stocking them in my shop soon too.

If you would like some more inspiration on how to use these stamps I will be posting some other ideas I have been working on, or you can look at cards Sarah has made on the Inky Doodles site.  I’m looking forward to seeing how other people use them too – it’s amazing how different people can come up with completely different ways to use the same stamps!

3 New Hexley Postcards!

The sets of Clockwork Bird postcards have been so popular that I was getting low on some of the birds.  Since I needed to restock I thought it was a good time to get some new designs made into postcards too – so I now have 3 new postcards; the Clockwork Kingfisher, Clockwork Chaffinch and DORA (Deep Ocean Research Aid).

I updated my illustration of DORA for these cards – it now has a new background to match my Clockwork Birds and the border has been removed which makes it easier to print in different formats.

The new designs should be in my Etsy and Folksy shops very soon!

Test piece - I would love your feedback!

I recently sold out of some of my clockwork bird prints and thought that before stocking up again I would try out something slightly different.  I've had good feedback and people seem to like my bird illustrations but I was wondering if people would prefer to buy prints of the birds without text on - what do you think?  Photographed above is a 5x7 inch print of my Nuthatch without text on, and below is the illustration as it is available now, with text.

If I started selling the prints without the text I would also include a little certificate...

On the certificate would be the model number and name of the bird along with a short piece about Edwin Cracknell and the print, I would hand sign each certificate too.  I quite like the idea of the certificate and sending a little piece of the Hexley story with each print - especially if the prints are given as gifts and the recipient hasn't seen my work before.

If you have any feedback please let me know!

Clockwork Kingfisher - from sketchbook to finished illustration

If you saw the picture on my facebook page yesterday you might have already guessed that I was working on a Kingfisher as my next clockwork bird.  I thought I would share some photos to show you my working process from sketchbook to finished illustration.  I did try to make a slideshow but it wasn't uploading properly so here are some still photos instead...

All my illustrations start life in my sketchbook.  I use reference photos to get an idea of the birds shape and test out some colours.  I've developed a sort of formula for turning real birds into clockwork form but things like the colour patterns, wing, body and beak shape makes each bird unique. 

Once I have a rough idea of the design I start working on watercolour paper.  I use 140lb, extra smooth hot pressed paper - it's great for detailed pen work and watercolours.

When I am happy with the bird in pencil I can start drawing in pen.  I use a dip pen and brown ink - it's waterproof so won't be smudged when the colour is added and I like the quality of line the dip pen produces.

When the ink is completely dry it's time to start adding some colour...

I use tubes of watercolour - but I like to squeeze them onto my palette and leave them to dry, making my own set of watercolour pans.  Does that sound like an odd way of using watercolours?

The colour is built up slowly with layers of paint...

Normally I leave the painting to dry overnight before scanning it - watercolours become lighter as they dry and obviously I don't want wet paint on the scanner!  I made sure that I didn't paint the blues too pale as scanners sometimes have trouble picking up very light shades of blue.

Here's the scanned version of the Kingfisher... 

Now it's time to work on the illustration digitally in Photoplus.  I add a background using various scanned textures and clean up the scanned bird, removing the white paper from the scan.  I will use the finished illustration for different sized prints, the largest will be 8x10 so that's the size I work with now.  It's better to reduce the size of the orginal later rather than to try and enlarge it which might reduce the quality of the image.

Almost finished now - I add the text 'Edwin Cracknell's Clockwork Birds' which appears on all the clockwork bird illustrations.  I also write the title of this piece (Model No.13 Alcedo atthis ~ Kingfisher) in dip pen and ink, scan it and add to the illustration.

And here is the finished Clockwork Kingfisher! :)



Clockwork Chaffinch

'One of Edwin Cracknell's favourite finches is the colourful male Chaffinch.  It's distinctive markings and powerful song make this little mechanical bird an attractive addition to any collection!'

I like drawing birds with bold markings so thought the male chaffinch would be a good choice for my next clockwork bird illustration.  He's been on my 'to do list' for a while, so it's good to have him finished :)

After such a long gap since my last bird I'm on a roll now and am already half way through my next one!   I'm just waiting for the paint to dry before I can scan it.  Hopefully it should be finished in a day or two (if you want to see a sneak peek I posted a picture on my facebook page: www.facebook.com/HazelFisherCreations )

Postcards back in stock

I was getting quite low on my Clockwork Bird postcards but they are now back in stock! :)
I've also had some new postcards printed with my Francis Jenning illustration, these are available to buy from my Etsy art shop ....

I had some new bookmarks printed too.  The image side came out really well :)  Unfortuanately I sent off for the wrong text to be printed on the backs :( I was so annoyed at myself for doing that!  It seems such a waste not to use them though as there is nothing wrong with the fronts at all - so I will be selling them as 'seconds' at a lower price than normal.

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Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a chance to win some of my printables to use in your craft projects - the giveaway runs until next Monday (7th)

New! Steampunk Cardmaking Kit

This cardmaking kit is the latest addition to my selection of Steampunk craft supplies.  It contains card blanks, envelopes, backing papers, motifs and border strips to make at least 5 unique cards.

The cards in this set are made from 100% post industrial waste fibres, they are acid, lignin and chlorine free and come with brown Kraft envelopes.  I have included 5 different coloured cards (sandstone, suede, tuscan brown, ash and dark grey) to coordinate with the backing papers and motifs.

8 sheets of A5 backing paper are included in the kit - from spots to cogs, keys and clock hands.  Combined with the border strips and motifs they would be great for making men's Birthday cards, gift tags and more!

If you would like to make your own unique Steampunk cards this kit is now available to buy from my Etsy shop: www.hfcSupplies.etsy.com

Bookmarks

New in store - bookmarks!  I've just had these bookmarks printed - they're on the same lovely thick, glossy card as my postcards and have a simple ribbon to finish them off.

Most of the bookmarks feature my Hexley prints at the moment - 8 different clockwork birds, Elizabeth Bridges, Kate Alston, DORA and Hexley Diving Station.  There are also a couple of cute animal ones.

I will be listing them as pairs of bookmarks in my shop... www.HazelFisherCreations.etsy.com

Clockwork American Robin

As Edwin Cracknell's fame for clockwork creations spread he soon began to receive commissions from further afield.  This American Robin was a request from an American friend...

Prints of this clockwork bird are available in my shop along with other clockwork birds... www.HazelFisherCreations.etsy.com

Clockwork Barn Owl

Edwin Cracknell's first noctural mechanical bird is the Barn Owl.  With it's recognisable mask like face it is a beautiful clockwork specimen with an accurate, though somewhat startling, shrill cry.

Deciding how to create each bird in clockwork form is a challenge - the tricky part on this barn owl was working out how his legs should work!  I'm pleased with how he turned out though :)
Prints of the Clockwork Barn Owl are now available in my shop www.HazelFisherCreations.etsy.com

Edwin Cracknell's Clockwork Goldfinch

Edwin Cracknell's Clockwork Goldfinch is not only popular for its pretty appearance but also for its beautiful song.

This goldfinch is my latest clockwork bird illustration.  Prints are available in my shop... www.hazelfishercreations.etsy.com

Steampunk rubber stamps

I recently licensed my Hexley art to be made into rubber stamps and the first designs are now available to buy from Queen Kat Designs! :)

Three sets of steampunk stamps are available at the moment - two contain clockwork birds and one has D.O.R.A. the fish submarine.

The stamps are laser etched rubber and come unmounted.

Clockwork Black-Headed Gull

Edwin Cracknell's recent trip to Hytheby proved a good source of inspiration for his latest mechanical creation.  Among the masts and rigging of the fishing boats tied to the quay lives the noisy Black-headed gull which has now been made into clockwork form...

This illustration (Clockwork Bird No.26) was actually inspired by my visit to Blakeney.  I think the shape of their beaks makes them look like they are smiling - did you know their scientific name means 'laughing gull'? The things you find out on Wikipedia!

You can buy prints of this illustration from my shop... www.hazelfishercreations.etsy.com

Francis Jennings

Francis Jennings is a man who likes to work with his hands as much as his mind and loves nothing better than to be exploring beneath the waves.  He is well respected as the leader of Hexley's Oceanography Centre and has contributed to scientific advances through his research of the sea.  As part of his research he has also developed a number of vessels including the whale submarine, D.O.R.A. and the 'Jennings Diving Bell'.

For a while I've had rough ideas for new Hexley illustrations floating around in my head but I've been finding it difficult to come up with a working image.  Finally I settled on this one of Francis Jennings.  It took a few days for me to draw in pencil and paint in watercolours, then it was finished digitally with some scanned textures.

Available in my Etsy shop to buy as a print very soon! :) www.hazelfishercreations.etsy.com

Postcards are now in stock!

I have been taking new photos of my postcards to list in my Etsy shop, I think they look nice hung up on a line with my pegs decorated with scrapbooking paper :) 

Clockwork Bird Sculpture

I made this clockwork bird sculpture a while ago but have only just photographed it. Based on my clockwork blackbird (Model No.57) illustration this little bird is made from Fimo, wire, a cog and bead eye. After baking I then varnished it and painted some parts with gold paint. Finally I mounted the bird in a 4.5 inch square frame with a wallpaper background.

He was fun to make and satisfied my craving to 'make something' with Fimo anyway! :)

Clockwork Nuthatch

Edwin Cracknell's latest mechanical creation is a Nuthatch; a small but noisy bird good at climbing up and down trees!

I decided to illustrate a more colourful bird after the black and white Long-tailed tit, so picked the Nuthatch. It's No.32 in the clockwork bird series (another random number filling in the numbers up to 57!)

This bird will soon be available in my Etsy shop as a 5x7" print.

New Cards

I've been neglecting my blog a bit recently so I thought that it was time I tried to catch up... here are some new cards I've had printed:

I always get a bit nervous sending work away to be printed because I'm never quite sure exactly how they will turn out but I was really pleased with these Hexley cards...

Handmade cards with papers, ribbons etc are great fun to make but they always take me so long to do, so I've been working on some new ideas for cards which are printed but could have hand finished elements too. The 'Wedding', 'Christmas' and 'Birthday' cards below were made by hand cutting letters from coloured card which I then decorated with pen and paint. The rest of the design was drawn in pen and painted in watercolours and finally I scanned the whole design and added a background digitally.

The ladybird card is a little different with the printed part of the card originally made from a combination of collage and watercolours. I've then added a ribbon, punched paper flower and brad to the finished card.

Hexley Transportation Centre - Vehicular Compendium

The Hexley transportation illustrations have had a make-over (and a couple of new additions too)! I liked the way the background turned out for my newest Clockwork Bird illustration, so added a similar 'aged' background to the transporation illustrations as well as a new title; 'Hexley Transportation Centre - Vehicular Compendium'.

Here are the updated versions of the Solo Dirigible Balloon, Land Strider and Steam Omni Carriage No.9...

And these are the new additions...

Steam Carriage No.3 - perfect for getting about town this carriage seats two people and has a storage compartment in the bonnet!

Balloon Carriage No.5 - this two seater carriage is ideal for exploring the countryside as with the larger tyres and balloon it can easily traverse most terrain!

It's great fun imagining vehicles for Hexley and to draw them too - I hope you like them!

These illustrations will all be appearing as 5x7 prints in my Etsy shop very soon. I also plan to make them available as 8x10 prints and greeting cards.