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!

Steampunk Stamps

I’ve been playing around with my rubber stamp samples from Queen Kat Designs and made this card…

I used the Clockwork Blackbird stamp and lightly coloured it with pencil and pen.  The ‘suede’ coloured card blank is made from recycled card and I have coloured the edges with a gold ink pad.  This is one of my favourite techniques at the moment – I coloured the edges of the scalloped circle and cream card strip (across the bottom of the card) with the gold ink pad too.

I also used some of the papers from my Steampunk scrapbooking paper set.  The mini spotty buttons and bakers twine are from my Steampunk embellishment pack.

The Clockwork Blackbird stamp comes with the Clockwork Robin – you can buy these stamps and more of my designs from Queen Kat Designs.  The stamps are laser etched and come unmounted – so don’t take up much space!  As you can see from the bird above, the stamps are really detailed.  I'll be making some more samples up with my other stamp designs - so look out for those on the blog soon!

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)

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

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

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 Clockwork Bird - finished!

Clockwork Bird Model No.33 is now complete!

I decided to experiment with a different background to my other clockwork birds and have been looking at Victorian zoological/ botanical illustrations for inspiration. I like the simple 'aged' effect of this background (made using layered textures and digital painting) and the title - which is a combination of typed and hand written text.

My clockwork birds have been some of my most popular pieces - I'm just wondering how to continue the set... What do you think of this new background compared to the first two clockwork birds?

Clockwork Bird Model No.57...

Clockwork Robin...

New Clockwork Bird - work in progress

Here's a special preview of a new clockwork bird illustration I'm currently working on...



Can you tell what sort of bird it's supposed to be?

I have plans for a whole series of clockwork birds. When I drew my first clockwork bird I picked a number at random for it's model number - I don't know why I chose 57 but now if I want to fill in all the other numbers I still need another 54 birds!! I'll have to be more careful at picking numbers at random from now on! :)

Christmas Magnets

My fabric covered magnets featuring transfer prints of my paintings have been popular recently - here is the newest set to be listed on Etsy. It is a set of three featuring prints from my 'Clockwork Bird Model no.57' and 'Clockwork Robin' illustrations.

Each hand covered fabric magnet measures approx. 1.2 inches - 3cm (the magnet on the back measures 0.6 inches - 1.5cm). The magnets are quite strong and will hold several pieces of paper.

Butterflies and Buttons Treasury feature

I've just seen that my set of 2 Hexley badges has been featured in a treasury on Etsy. The theme of the treasury is 'Butterflies and Badges' and was put together by juliafinucane. You can see the treasury on Etsy here (until Wednesday).

Clockwork Robin...

I have a new Hexley illustration for Christmas! :D It's a Clockwork Robin - what else would you expect to see on a Hexley Christmas painting?!

I was really pleased with how this turned out - it's now my new favourite Hexley piece :) I enjoyed doing the border too - all the holly and cogs took quite a while to do but it was worth it. It reminded me of a few years ago when I spent hours drawing a William Morris style border - time consuming but actually quite fun! I'll have to do some more things like this again soon.

When Edwin Cracknell was asked to make a clockwork animal for Christmas his first thought was a robin. His clockwork birds were held in such high regard that the Clockwork Robin soon became a much sought after item in Hexley.This illustration was drawn in dip pen and ink then painted in watercolours. A print of this illustration will soon be available in my Etsy shop.

Edwin Cracknell's Clockwork Animals

Amongst the inventions of Hexley are Edwin Cracknell's clockwork animals. He spends his time tinkering away in his shop in Hexley town's Port Street. Clockwork birds are his speciality and if it wasn't for the occasional whirr of the cogs you could almost imagine they were alive!I have some lovely prints of this clockwork bird available in my Etsy shop, he is also featured on some button badges and magnets along with other images from Hexley.
Keep an eye out for more of Edwin's clockwork animals appearing soon - I am currently working on a clockwork robin for Christmas! :)