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.

The People of Hexley - Kate Alston

I've finally finished the second illustration in my 'People of Hexley' series! Kate Alston, like Elizabeth Bridges, has been drawn in dip pen and ink then painted with watercolours.

Born in Hexley, Kate Alston has lived in the area her whole life. Following in her father's foosteps, she works at the Transportation Centre - one of Hexley's six main outer settlements. The balloon carriages are her speciality but with a natural talent for all things mechanical she can work on any of the town's modes of transport and have them fixed in no time!

This illustration of Kate Alston, along with my other Hexley illustrations, is available to buy as a print in my Etsy shop.

Elizabeth Bridges

The first in my new series of Hexley people is complete! Inspired by Victorian and other old photos this will be a series of illustrations drawn in dip pen and ink and painted in watercolours.

Elizabeth Bridges first visited Hexley in June 1895. During her two week stay she toured the area making plenty of notes and sketches which were complied into a book on her return home. In the following months Elizabeth travelled to Hexley on numerous occasions and having become so fond of the place and people there she became a permanent Hexley resident in 1896. With her minature notebook and pencil always close to hand she could often be seen sketching or taking notes on one of the latest discoveries or inventions.

This illustration of Elizabeth Bridges is available to buy as a print in my Etsy shop.