Digital vs. traditional

I've been experimenting with different techniques for my illustrations and decided to create a digital version of my Sleeping Beauty painting, using Adobe Illustrator. They have both turned out so different, I'm not sure which one I prefer! Time wise, the digital one took me a few hours, whereas the painting took several weeks! Also, the "undo" button would be very handy if it could be applied to a painting as well as computers...

Sleeping Beauty in digital - Adobe Illustrator

Sleeping Beauty in acrylic on canvas

The Sketchbook Project

"It's like a concert tour, but with sketchbooks." I love how inspired The Sketchbook Project (www.arthousecoop.com/projects/sketchbookproject) has made me feel. Encouraging anyone around the world to create a themed sketchbook that will enter into a permanent collection at The Brooklyn Art Library, where they will be available for viewing by the public. 

Not sure I will hit that particular deadline, but, in a world of technology and computers, it has reminded me of how much importance my art tutors used to place on keeping a sketchbook on you at all times and building up a picture diary. Something, sadly, that I am very guilty of neglecting! So here goes... back to the drawing board (literally) and a brand new book to fill with my ideas!

So my book has a title... so now what...?

My doodlings

Pirate Pete

It's been a while, but here is the promised boys illustration in my little series for children...

Sleeping Beauty

Another personal project for my 4 year old "client". This has been my obsession for the last few weeks. My brief was Sleeping Beauty, and she must be beautiful, and have long golden hair. Hope the finished creation meets the brief for my discerning client...


Here is the finished painting in acrylic on canvas:

...and here is a (much requested) step by step tutorial about how Sleeping Beauty came to life (or sleep). I remembered to take lots of painting in progress photos this time!

Step 1: A (very) rough sketch in pen on paper

Step 2: Transfer sketch to the canvas in pencil

Step 3: The first splash of colour on a clean white canvas.
Painting in the large areas - starting with the hair... 

...and then the background

Step 4: With most of the large areas of colour roughly in place,
I then start to add some detail to the hair and face.

Step 5: Adding more detail, and wondering, at this stage, if this painting
is ever going to come together the way I can picture it in my mind!
Have to tell myself to have faith.

Step 6: Keep adding the detail and colour depth.
This is where I get obsessive and my 4 year old
keeps asking "is it finished now Mummy?"

Step 7: Many late nights (and a few changes) later...
Put the paint brushes down and move away from the canvas!!!
Finished at last!
Now I've got the bug... what shall I paint next...? 

Fairytales

I have been working on a few personal projects of late. These have been clogging up my brain for several months and it's been so frustrating when there aren't enough hours in the day for them to come to life! So lovely to finally have 2 illustrations in my "fairytale series" which I have been promising to a certain little 4 year old. Next illustration in the series is one for the boys...

Check out my Mookoo Facebook page for a colouring-in version of Little Red Riding Hood!

Mother' Little Helper

Very excited that the Mother's Little Helper website is now up and running! I have enjoyed working on the illustrations and putting together the website so much! Check it out at www.motherslittlehelper.net.au

Meet Fairy Peggy...

A cold Sunday afternoon (for the Sunshine Coast anyway) spent indoors making peg dollies with my little girl. Brought back memories of making these with my mum, a very creative lady who I learn to appreciate more every day! Isn't it funny how we don't really understand what our mums do for us until we become mums ourselves? Anyway, Fairy Peggy and her friend Miss Lacy are now treasured friends of my little girl, made together with love, and therefore so much more valuable than all the expensive bought toys in the world!

Meet Fairy Peggy...

...and her (de-winged) friend, Miss Lacy

Coastal rebranding

A slap on my wrist for neglecting my blog again... been trying to keep my Facebook page up-to-date with new work but my poor little blog has been missing out!

Here are a few of my designs for a recent complete rebranding for a local Physiotherapist...

Logo rebranding for Coastal Physiotherapy

Business cards

Website redesign - visit the new website at www.coastalphysio.com.au

The De-Clutter Project

A couple of recent Mookoo designs for logo and business cards for The De-Clutter Project...

Paper dolls

One of the great things about being a mum is remembering and reliving all the things you used to love to do as a child. Kind of like a second childhood. So, who enjoyed making paper dolls more? My little ones or their mummy? Let's just say that I was still sat at the table sticking bits of paper and sparkly stuff onto my creation long after everyone else had lost interest... and here is my end result. So much fun!

Love, nourish and indulge

I get very involved in all of my projects (I think I may even design and illustrate things in my sleep!) so I am very excited to see the Oz Goddess products taking shape at last. Here is the final poster and packaging designed to promote this new range of natural skincare products. I had a lovely email of appreciation back from my client, Courtney, which is one of the best parts of my job (the best part being the actual design bit, of course!)

The Mookoo girl

A friend recently asked me how I created the illustration of the girl used on my business cards, which is also used as my blog icon, and can also be found gracing my main portfolio page on my website. After I had described my process involving a combination of hand drawn illustration, photography and Photoshop she suggested that it would make an interesting blog, so here goes... this one is for you Donna!

1. The original face was hand drawn in black ink on white
textured paper, then photographed and opened in Photoshop.

2. I photographed a selection of different textures (interesting 

fabrics, painted canvases etc.) and pasted them into the face, 
hair and flower, tweaking the colours where necessary.

3. Details in the face (white behind eyes, pink cheeks and the lips)
were then added using the airbrush tool in Photoshop.

4. Another close up fabric photograph was used 

for the background of my business card.

5. The torn scraps of paper which hold the words Mookoo Design
were crumpled, photographed and then brought into Photoshop
and shadows added manually to give the illusion of depth. 

6. The final wording was overlayed, and the
Mookoo Design business cards were created!

Print and Pattern

One of my favourite, favourite blogs is Print & Pattern by Bowie Style - http://printpattern.blogspot.com. Dedicated to all things gorgeous in the world of surface pattern design, this blog never fails to inspire me and always reminds me why I became a designer myself. 

Even better you can also buy the "book of the blog" which is packed with gorgeous illustrations and fascinating profiles about talented designers from all over the world. Of course, this gorgeous book is now on my special bookshelf nestled between all the beautifully illustrated children's books which have been purchased "for my little girl".

Miss Clara

"With her nimble fingers Miss Clara works the paper to give birth to tiny characters so graceful that one could think without a doubt they are animated by exquisite magic."


I have been mesmerised by this French artist for a while now and thought it was time to share. I first discovered Miss Clara when I purchased a postcard of her work from my local book shop. I then rushed home and googled her to find a website (which fortunately can be translated to English) http://missclara.free.fr and her blog (which unfortunately, can't) http://lescarnetsdemissclara.blogspot.com. Sadly, the only thing that remains from my French lessons at school is Je m'appelle Deborah, Bonjour and Au revoir, but at least I can gaze upon her amazing artworks... who needs words when something is this beautiful?

Oz Goddess

Lovely to see the final chosen logo design for my client, Courtney, who is embarking on a new business venture with her natural skincare range, Oz Goddess. We have been busy working on packaging and posters but in the meantime, here is the chosen logo. And also, I thought you might find it interesting to see some of the concepts that got away! 

The final logo!