Ali J Art & Illustration

Cut out character behind the scenes

When I read up on other artists blogs and websites, I absolutely love to see their work in progress shots.  So I thought I'd go into more detail about my cutout girl who I absolutely adore.  My dogs even think she is real and bark at her.  :)

She started quite simply as this -



then I traced her by hand onto this -



I then went and painted the basic outline, and trimmed it so it wasn't so awkward to work with -



then I went and retrimmed the edges to fit exactly against the edges.  repainted the edges & detailed the hair -



put in colour -



and like magic she's finished!!  The next shot I'm particularly fond of because it looks as though she's been 'computer' placed on top of the image rather then actually standing there.

Windows On William Window Display

I know it seems like I've been doing lots and lots of markets, but I've been doing a whole lot of other things too.  Last  night is a perfect example.  It was the opening night for Windows On William for my collaborative window display for Made On The Left in the window of Fi & Co.

I was so nervous.  I noticed a lot of fellow illustrators/artists/designers from blogland out and about also but was too chicken to say hi and introduce myself!

Anyway, here are some photos of our window.





I'm so proud of my grass.  :)

 

Here is my life sized girl!!

Sketchel Series 2 Launched

Thanks to the great team at Jeremyville, series 2 of Sketchel has been released!

The concept behind Sketchel was to provide one off original artworks presented in a bag.  No-one will ever have the same artwork as you.  The artworks are created on canvas panels and are protected behind a layer of PVC.  Over 230 international artists have participated in series 1 & series 2.

This is my contribution -



Click here to see it in more detail & to purchase.  Don't forget that this is a one off, never to be repeated design.  No prints, nothing!  :)  I can't wait to participate again in the future - this was so much fun!



sketchel specifications
-------------------------
Black heavy duty vinyl
clear 1mm pvc vinyl on front flap creating a pocket for the screenprinted canvas panels to insert into.
bag approx 38 cm wide, 34 cm high, 8 cm deep
extendable strap with buckle and metal eyelets.
Lined with black vinyl
nylon webbing all around, and on flap to conceal edge of canvas panel.
2 side pockets for mobile phone.
Front flap secured with metal magnetic clasps.
side silver buckle to hang keys from etc.
metal rivets (4 per side)
double stitching to make it very durable and sturdy.

sketchel was designed and produded by Jeremyville and Megan Mair, and is their own original design and concept.

Made On The Left November Market

With only six weeks to go, the Made On The Left november market is keeping me awake at night.   I'm so excited about it, and as one of the co-founders I'm also flat out with the behind the scenes preparations!

We've just released our poster design which I worked on collaboratively with Jacquie Ramsden from RamsdenDesigns.



Jacquie came up with the concept of the girls on the swings to tie in with our current theme "Spring Into Spring".  I worked for many many hours on my girl trying to get her angle right on the swing.  I even researched it by going down for a few trial runs at the local school playground! 

I love working with Jacquie, it is such a challenge mixing our techniques together to create a final work.  I'm an illustrator that works in 'real life' with pen/paint & paper whilst Jacquie illustrates on the computer.  The end result always blows me away!

Here is a more detailed shot of the original drawing -


Doesn't she look like she is having a blast?

Be sure to mark the date down in your diary and come on down!  I'll have a stall there, and I can't wait for it.  I think I'm developing an addiction to having stalls at markets & craft fairs!

Oh, and another exciting announcement.  I will be participating in Windows On William for the Artrage Festival & The Northbridge Festival.  I'm doing this as part of the Made On The Left team and this means a group of us will be working on a window installation in a store in Northbridge.  The event runs from the 29th of October until the 23rd of November.  My contribution?  A life sized original artwork of my girl character from the Made On The Left posters.  I haven't quite decided what she'll be doing yet or what pose she'll be in but I'll have to decide soon as she needs to be started next week!

The theme is "Spring Into Spring" and if you have any suggestions, I'm all ears.  :)  Afterall the window installation is a community minded affair!

Button Bouquets

 A while ago a Perth designer, Lillybuds, contacted me about collaborating with her.  At first I couldn't visualise the collaboration as she works with paper and buttons to create the most amazing bouquets.  However, Liza has created the most amazing arrangement using my girls within the arrangement - isn't this just stunning?  Visit her website at http://www.lillybuds.com/ to view her entire range.

Made On The Left Poster

Poster design collaboration with Jacquie just finished for the upcoming Made On The Left Market.  When we first discussed the design concept, I couldn't get the thought of knitting out of my mind.  I really love the final result!

Planet Lime and Ali J join forces!

I love to collaborate with other designers.  On this occasion I've collaborated with the wonderful Miss Minnie, designer of Planet Lime.  Using my illustrations and her techniques we've produced these amazing resin pendants:

1. Feathers
2. Night
3. Looking

Each resin pendant is individually cast in a custom hand made mold then buffed and resealed by hand.  Planet Lime creates the most amazing pendants and my girls are very pleased to be a part of the amazing range!

Want to custom order one of my illustrations in the pendants?  Go ahead - most of the images are available in this format.  :)  We started off with four designs, and as you can see we are already down to three.  The one I own is "Into The Night" and I wear her absolutely everywhere.

Available now in my etsy store.