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.

Victoriana

Lately I've been working in my Hexley sketchbook - making notes on the town and working up to some new paintings. (I'll be posting some updates on Hexley here soon very soon.)

While researching I stumbled across an amazing website packed with everything from Victorian/ Edwardian fashion to Victorian house plans! If, like me, you have a love for all things Victorian go and take a look - you won't be disappointed!

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.

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! :)

An introduction to Hexley...

I began working on Hexley for my final project at uni over 18 months ago, it is a place I have fallen in love with and continue to work on.

My initial idea was to create a journal style book based around someone's visit to a fictional town. The result of this was the creation of Hexley - a centre for science and learning, set in the late Victorian era, Hexley is a town from a past that never was.

The town was founded by a group of scientists and inventors led by Sir Daniel Webb. His obsession with mathematics, and particular geometry, is evident in many aspects of the town.

During my creation of Hexley I was influenced by a variety of things, including steampunk, images of Victorian/ Edwardian Britain and works by H.G. Wells. I have also been inspired by researching my family tree and looking through old family photos. I imagine my Hexley alterego, Elizabeth Bridges, to look like my great grandmother in this photo of her c. 1912.

I will be posting more on Hexley soon, until then you can take a look at my Hexley work on my website, http://haz-elf.deviantart.com/and buy prints in my Etsy shop.