It's the last day of the What Emmeline Wore In July project! What? How did July skim by so quickly?
Today, because it's quite special, I've got a yummy double feature of this raindrop print t-shirt aaand this Shore Projects Portland watch that I've been in love with for months.
I wrote a little about People Tree and their ethical niceness in my blog post yesterday and I'm thrilled to have Shore Projects involved with this as well. They base all their ideas around the seaside (all their watches are named after seaside towns - so it's close to my heart) and they're waterproof.
I'm enjoying my last couple of days in Cornwall and making the most of the sunshine and salty air. Me and my family climbed the highest peak in Cornwall yesterday, so I'm giving my legs a bit of a rest as I explore Fowey with friends today.
I'm going to write a big post on everything I've learnt and gained from this project when I'm home next week (as well as a roundup of all the illustrations on one page!). My motivation has been completely fired up and I can't wait to tackle some comic creation this August!
Raindrop Tshirt c/o People Tree
Watch (Portland with pink strap) c/o Shore Projects
Sandals c/o White Stuff sold out but these are similar.
To catch up on any What Emmeline Wore In July illustrations you may have missed you can see every illustration on Pinterest, on my blog, Bloglovin', Google Friend Connect or following Emmeline Illustration on Twitter or Facebook.
I'm visiting my family this week and so I've been reunited with the family-cat Suki! She's a cheeky, furry, adorable wild-thing.
So, we're nearly at the end of the What Emmeline Wore In July project! Only two more days to go, and really it's been a lot easier than I anticipated (no significant burn-out or cramped up hands).
I think it's definitely helped that I've been organised with it and I sketched some base poses on a huge sheet beforehand, saving me a little time and making sure there's enough variety in the illustrations. When it's all finished I might post up a few of the sketches to give you a little insight into my process!
Today I'm wearing:
Top - Dorothy Perkins
Skirt - Half home-made (adapted from a charity shop dress).
Shoes - Topshop
I've been staying with my family this week, and (of course) we all know one of the best things to do when you're re-united with your family is play a ton of boardgames. We played Betrayal At House On The Hill last night and ended up pretty defeated by a rampant ghost. Bonus points for anyone who can work out what game I've featured (roughly) in the illustration above!
Top - Gap
Jeans - Topshop
Scarf - Boohoo
So there's only a few more days left of this challenge, have a browse through all of them and keep up to date with the project by following 'What I Wore' on my blog, Bloglovin', Google Friend Connect or following Emmeline Illustration on Twitter or Facebook.
I love wearing deep, autumnal colours (even if it's supposed to be Summer!) and these yummy maroons, reds and raspberries in this Laura Ashley top are really gorgeous.
Top c/o Laura Ashley - Floral Poppy Print Top
Trousers - Laura Ashley
Today I'm wearing this absolutely gorgeous Penn Tir Seasalt dress...which is pretty apt as I'm heading down to visit my family in Cornwall!
This high-seas pattern was designed in Falmouth (where I spent my uni years) and is featured as one of Seasalt Cornwall's unique prints. Browsing through their website made me yearn for the South-West, so many of their clothes are named after Cornish towns and old haunts.
I'm going to update this post with some extra snaps of me in the dress when I get on the beach later today (it's a bit rainy here in Lancashire). I can't wait for salty-air, seaweed and quality family time, hurray!
Dress c/o Seasalt - Penn Tir in Three Ships Seaspray
I'm posting this a little later than I usually do, as I've been making the most of this summery Saturday by relaxing in my local park.
There are so many beautiful wildflower meadows around at the moment, full of gorgeously-coloured poppies and cornflowers. I sat in the grass by a lake and watched some ducks/seagulls/baby moorhens flit around in the sunshine. Lovely!
Light grey textured jumper - Next
Shorts - also Next (coincidentally!) sold out, similar here.
We got a new Xbox One controller yesterday, so I'm looking forward to a bit of a co-op game binge after work today! I've been playing a lot of games recently, there are just so many amazing ones popping up lately.
I'm looking to write an 'Illustrated Life' post about my favourite game design soon, so keep an eye out!
Top - Topshop (sold out years ago, but these are similar and crochety: here and here.)
Jeans c/o White StuffSouthern Ocean Crop.
Today's outfit is from Boden's latest range, and I love it. It makes me feel all bright and Summery, even when the weather's a bit grizzly.
The cardigan's super snuggly, so much so that I'm tempted to wear it every day (would that be so bad?) and I love the retro-edge to the skirt. My bag was a birthday present that was stealth-bought for me after I'd been admiring it in the National Trust shop! Blankety and beautiful.
Top c/o Boden cropped cashmere cardigan in Coral Reef
Skirt c/o Boden 'Sofia' skirt in Blue
Bag - The National Trust (out of stock but it's made out of these throws!)
Today my whole outfit is from the lovely people at White Stuff. It's perfectly comfy, muted, pretty and cosy for this slightly drizzly (but still cheerful) Tuesday Wednesday*.
I never normally wear gold sandals, but I've kind of fallen in love with these, they feel so mythical! I really love the scarf and top combo as well. I suspect that scarf's going to feature in a lot of my outfits this Summer, there are so many colour options!
In terms of drawing, we're on day 22 and I'm starting to feel it! It's surprising how much of a toll creating every single day can have (*ahem, see my Tuesday/Wednesday mistake earlier, apparently without full weekends I'm losing track of days!). BUT I can definitely feel myself improving, and it's great to have that satisfaction of completing something and taking a step forward each day. I'm still snarling in the face of the challenge - nine days left!
Top c/o White Stuff. Bridgette Jersey Vest in Parma Violet.
Trousers c/o White Stuff. Southern Ocean Crop in Dusk Purple.
Sandals c/o White Stuff. Gold Leather Sandal.
Scarf c/o White Stuff. Patched Stripe Scarf.
Remember you can keep up to date with the project by following 'What I Wore' on my blog, Bloglovin', Google Friend Connect or following Emmeline Illustration on Twitter or Facebook.
Today I really wanted to get away from the computer and just paint. It can be easy to get caught up in the admin and emailing side of business and forget that sometimes you just need to create. I'm currently working on inking some pages for a short comic in preparation for Thought Bubble in November!
Raspberry button-back top - Gap
Jeans - Topshop
Colourblock socks - Dorothy Perkins
Scarf - F&F (sold out, similar here and here)
Keep up to date with the project by following 'What I Wore' on my blog, Bloglovin', Google Friend Connect or following Emmeline Illustration on Twitter or Facebook.
I have to say, these are officially my favourite shoes. Mustard yellow, t-bar, flower cut-outs, comfy enough for a walk-everywhere type like me...just...so good.
Clarks were lovely enough to pop a pair of these Orla Kiely Bibi sandals in the post for my project, and I've been admiring them ever since. I'm a huge fan of Orla Kiely's yummy retro-edged patterns and I love mustard-coloured...anything, so these work beautifully for me.
This rather plump, friendly calico cat I met on a walk earlier seemed to like them too!
Orla Kiely 'Bibi' yellow leather shoes c/o Clarks - these have just sold out, but if you hurry there are other gorgeous Orla shoes in the sale right now! Also so worth checking out the full Clarks range, there's some beauts in the new season.
Lace dress - New Look (this is years old, but these two are similar: look here and here.)
Scarf - A birthday present from my lovely pal Jess (I'll have to ask her where it's from!).
Today I'm exploring The Lake District, hiking (in more appropriate shoes), sleeping in a yurt and hoping for sunshine!
Dress - Gap
Cardigan - Boohoo (similar here)
This has got to be the winteriest-looking July outfit so far, but I'm up in the Lake District and it's furiously windy. Beautiful, blustery and great to have a bit of foresty air to blow the cobwebs away.
Coat - Ripcurl (Alternative jackets here and here)
Jeans - H&M (I like these too!)
Hiking Boots - Mountain Warehouse
Scarf - A charity shop find!
I always feel like a bit of a detective in this coat, I adore it. I fell in love with it after spying it in Ness in Glasgow last year when I went up for my book launch! All I need to do is get a big, floppy yellow hat and I can be a mustard Carmen Dandiego.
Coat - Ness (out of stock, but this is a beautiful blue Ness mac that's quite similar)
Bag - Dorothy Perkins (I found this in a charity shop! See other Dorothy Perkins bags here)
Boots - F&F (again, out of stock (these are my classics!) Similar here)
I was feeling the pastels today and opted for this soft, fluffy mint-green jumper with a floaty floral skirt. My toes have been enjoying the sunshine today too!
Jumper - H&M (sold out, similar items here and here)
Skirt - River Island (sold out, similar items here and here)
Here's every one of my 'What Emmeline Wore In July' illustrations to date! It's been a busy two weeks!
In the blog post for Day 15 I've written about everything I've learnt from this challenge so far (read it here). It's definitely been tricky at times, in particular managing my time whilst working on commissions, not having full weekends off and making sure my outfits are illustratable! I've even dealt with someone (supposedly giving advice..) saying "are you sure you can do that? An illustration every day?" (well, yes!). But as with many of these month-long challenges, it's been a brilliant learning curve for upping my illustration skills.
I've also had great support from some of my favourite brands involved, including Cath Kidston, Moheda, Wolf & Moon and Poppy England (with more to come!).
Keep up to date with the project by following 'What I Wore' on my blog, Bloglovin', Google Friend Connect or following Emmeline Illustration on Twitter or Facebook. 16 more days, cheer me on!
More or less at the half way mark of this project, and I can feel the benefits of such an intense challenge on my illustration process: It takes a lot less time for me to create something I'm proud of, I'm far more comfortable illustrating natural poses without reference, I have a better understanding of illustrating the way clothes fit and hang in a variety of fabrics, improved character continuity, I have a clearer idea of which types of illustration get the best response, I'm more inspired and motivated in general AND, most importantly, I'm having a lot of fun!
It can be hard to stay motivated to create every day, but with monthly challenges like this (and Inktober, Illustrated Advent etc) you have that drive (and self-set obligation) to illustrate even if you're feeling a bit lazy. It's good to head towards a goal!
At some point (maybe a while after this challenge has finished to give me a little bit of a break) I'm going to organise a group 30-day illustration challenge (theme TBA), so if that's something you'd like to take part in let me know and keep an eye out!
Cardigan - Monsoon (out of stock, similar items here and here)
Jeans - Boohoo
Remember you can keep up to date with the project by following 'What I Wore' on my blog, Bloglovin', Google Friend Connect or following Emmeline Illustration on Twitter or Facebook.
