I have been commissioned to come up with some merchandise designs for the Southern Finnish Lapphund Society here in the UK. Watch how the process unfolds…
Here is where the magic begins…at my work desk in a converted garage!
It may look messy, but I work more creatively in my chaotic nest!
I begin by observing my own Finnish Lapphund (Lumo)….
…In all her strange and wonderful poses!
Over time…
…the drawings become more stylised and graphic and…
maybe even humorous?
Heading into more stylised drawings
Now I restrict the artwork to a specific format (for example, to wrap around a mug)
I am simplifying the lines to give more impact
So much so that sometimes a pattern emerges
…that could be repeated like a frieze
or for a border on a garment.
Now I’m going back into drawing movement, and getting into the ‘swing’ of things again…
…by actually animating a lapphund trotting! I couldn’t resist listing all the colours that lapphunds come in underneath.
But this final image is the one I like best. I fancy doing it with a white line on a black background (like Keith Haring’s “Dog”)
I chose this striking result as my Christmas card this year.
I was so pleased with this design, I got a cup design out of it as well:
