Kitchen sketches & illustrations

During the past few weeks I've been working on some sketches and illustrations, based on
things in the kitchen - pots and pans, utensils, food items and condiments etc. The majority
of the sketches have been created using an ink dip pen - I don't very often use a dip pen to
do my artwork, so it's been a fun excercise to practise with this medium and experiment
with drawing in a slightly different way.

As a left-handed person I've had to get special left-handed nibs to use, and I don't think I'm
holding the pen 'correctly', but I like the effect nontheless and I've gradually started to find
my way with how to acheive the quality of line I'm after. I've predominantly used a Speedball
C-3 nib for the outlines, and a much thinner C-6 nib for any fine detailed areas.

   

Several of the illustrations have been created quite loosly with ink and a paintbrush, or I've used a wash of ink to add in a few subtle shadow details.  I've found the ink dip pen forces me to be quite simple with linear markings, but I like how the contrast between thick and thin lines is enough to create a sense of detail, perspective and shadow in a very minimal way.         

Japanese mugs

Cute patterned Japanese mugs from Gleaners Inc 

Last week I blogged about the super-cute shop Gleaners Inc.  As usual, I couldn't visit a shop selling second-hand kitchenalia without making a small purchase!  I came away with these very gorgeous Japanese mugs with the most amazing pattern details. 

I love that the mugs are in three colours and the patterns are all different - with a mix of geometric and floral motifs.  I already have a small collection of these style of Japanese mugs - but I'd never before come across any quite so intricate or patterned!

The above mugs are ones I already had and which have featured in some of my illustrations and sketches, so the new patterned ones will be a great addition to my growing collection. 

 

 Some sketches featuring my Japanese mugs

Second hand ceramics

 

Anyone who's familiar with me and my blog knows I can't resist snapping up second-hand ceramics and kitchen goodies!  I found these little beauties last week on a trip to the other side of the city where I went op-shop exploring for a few hours.  The stainless steel teapot (top) I've decided to use as a plant pot as its a perfect size. 

The Wade (England) vintage ceramic salad bowl and serving spoons I thought were particularly cute too!        

 

I also bought a mixed selection of little teacups and glasses, with the glasses being perfect for serving strawberries, blueberries and ice-cream.  Yum!! 



Latest second-hand finds

Busy, busy week this week!  I've been pretty flat out with some freelance design work, but I did manage to find time to pop into the fabulous Lost & Found market in Smith Street yesturday.  Always very dangerous - as I always manage to find things to buy! 

I bought this retro tomato ketchup sauce bottle in the shape of a tomato - genious!  I've actually wanted one for ages as it really reminds me of visiting old-fashioned cafes in England as a child!  Tomato ketchup, Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce and HP sauce - ahh the best of Bristish!!  

I also picked up this rather stunning long-length vintage green leather coat!  Green is my favourite colour and this leather coat is a beautiful dark British racing green colour.  Its in superb condition - the brand is Merivale which was apparantly the first specialty fashion boutique in Melbourne.  This quote about Merivale is from The Powerhouse site - which I found via Circa Vintage Clothing;

Established by John and Merivale Hemmes, the landmark House of Merivale and clothing designed by Merivale revolutionised the Australian fashion scene. John and Merivale Hemmes were mavericks in Australian fashion. Modelled on London’s famous concept boutiques and catering to 18-25 year olds, the House of Merivale was the first specialty fashion boutique in Australia.

The House of Merivale was not just a shop; it was a phenomenon that significantly influenced a generation of young Australian’s attitude to shopping and the fashion experience. The House of Merivale was the place to go to for the latest trends in music, fashion and make-up and was the first store in Australia to sell the mini. The popularity of the boutique was such that teenagers would be lined up outside the door.

Kitchen things

A few months ago we headed along to the closing down sale at the Mornington Antiques Centre.  I was kind of sad the day I discovered it was the day it was closing down - typical!

We picked up this cute little sideboard - I actually think it may have originally been designed or used for a record player and housing records (yep remember those vinyl round things we used to listen to music on!!) because of the tall thin compartments on the right hand side, that don't seem to be suitable for storing anything apart from wine!!

We decided anyway to use it in our kitchen, as its perfect for storing sideplates, teatowels and some of my teapots and kettles - such as this little retro beauty complete with whistling spout!

I also bought this orange patterend enamel dish - which matches the coffee pot I already had.  Perfect!   

And how about this gorgeous metal tin with fabulous illustrations all the way around.  I've no idea of the age or origins of the tin - but I just loved the very cute kitchen themed patterns and colours and for a whole $4 I thought it was a bargain!

If you're interested in all things 'kitchen' you must head over to Liz Jones' (of Betty Jo Designs) new blog You Will Always Find Me......  She has started a blog all about 'kitchen goodness' and like me she has a fondess for all things vintage, retro, colourful and quirky in the kitchen! 

 

It's going to be a fabulous blog and features some images of Liz's own amazing kitchen (see above).  You can submit your own kitchen pics too - which I will be doing very soon!  The blog has gone straight to my bookmarks poolroom (if you know what I mean!) 

More kitchen illustrations & sketches

I've been messing around with sketching some more of my collection of cups, teapots and kettles!

I've been exploring using different media to acheive different effects, and also incorporating some collage elements into the sketches.  I've been working 'blind' by just applying paint direct to paper - without putting down any pencil outlines first!  It can be a bit scary at first - but I love the freedom of working so direct and letting the paintbrush dictate the finished outcome.

I've also been inspired by seeing the work of Kat Chadwick on The Design Files recently - and bought myself an ink dipping pen to experiment with!!  Ooh - I love new media to experiement with, and this has been lots of fun!

New kitchen!

It's been a little quiet here as we've been going through some major kitchen renovations for the past few weeks.... we had to remove all the old kitchen units and get everything out of the kitchen ready for the new floor that had to be laid before we could even start installing the kitchen, so it's been a bit of an epic transformation. 

For several weeks we had no oven and no kitchen - so we were cooking on a single burner camping stove and washing up in the bathroom sink! If that wasn't bad enough our old water boiler then decided to pack up - so we had no water for a few days and no hot water for a week! Seriously bad timing!! Lots of boiling water on the camping stove to wash and make endless cups of tea to get us through.

So, this is the original kitchen - seen here from a few years ago prior to the re-stumping and chaos that followed!.....

.....then everything removed from the kitchen and the new floor and tiles being laid......

..... then here we are constructing the new kitchen units under the watchful presence of Jolly!

And finally the finished result!!  We're so pleased with what we've acheived and with the exception of the floor and the tiling we did it all ourselves!  The mess and hassle has been well worth it - and it's great to finally have a spacious and organised kitchen at last.

The only trouble is this means no more excuses and it's time to get cooking!......

Kitchen details

A few weeks ago I posted about my trip to the fabulous Mill Markets at Dayelsford (see post here). Whilst I was there I spotted this old shelf unit - and I just knew it would be prefect in my kitchen!

It was actually sold as a hanging shelf and was originally the other way up - however I removed the hooks and turned it around the other way so it now sits on top of my kitchen bench!  I love having patterned things on display rather than hidden behind cupboard doors, so this is perfect to display some of my favourite kitchen items as well as being very functional. 

I also found a use for the glass jug I bought at the market too - it's a perfect vessel for housing wooden spoons!

Christmas coffee pot delights!

I received this fantastic coffee pot for Christmas from my lovely partner Mr DB - who knows me and my style all too well!! He picked it up at a local vintage and second-hand market - and I just love it! It goes perfectly with my little red enamel milk pan and it makes a lovely pot of coffee :-)

We don't know anything about it though - if it is an original retro coffee pot, or the manufacturer / country of origin..... it certainly doesn't look hand-painted, and definitely looks like it was manufactured with the red top and cute floral pattern.

If anyone does know anything about it I'd love to know - I wondered if the fab retro fanatics over at H is for Home might know?.....

London Kitchens

As you can probably tell by now I do love anything to do with tableware, kitchenalia and vintage / retro styles. So, I just had to buy this fabulous book called 'London Kitchens' which is jam-packed full of the above! It is a Japanese published book - and they have a great selection of other must-have titles.

The book is, of course, full of images of contemporary designers, photographers, illustrators, lecturers and artists kitchens - most of which also have a penchant for vintage and retro style elements making the book an absolute visual treat!

It's a great reference book and it's never too far from reach. It's my dream to create my own range of tableware designs - and the book is a great reminder of how creative kitchenware can be!

You can buy this book and other titles here:

.......(have I left it too late to ask santa for some other titles from this collection?....perhaps London Vintage or London Gardens......) :-)