Thursday, March 3, 2011

belle & boo

One of my professors told me recently that my fashion illustrations look like they could be illustrations in a children's book, and it was probably the highest compliment she could have given me.  And I realized that one illustrator who has influenced me more than any other is Mandy Sutcliffe, of Belle & Boo.  My admiration of her adorable characters started when I came across a card at Borders with with this little darling on it.

How could I possibly resist?  I went to the website listed on the back of the card, and I've been enamored ever since.  Here are a few more of my favorite Belle & Boo illustrations.




Aren't they wonderful?  I think the most marked effect that these illustrations have had is to increase my confidence with outlining.  I didn't start outlining my fashion design figures until last semester, because I like my illustrations to look very soft and I was afraid an outline would lend itself to a more severe look.  But now I'm squarely in the outlining camp, and, looking at the illustrations from Belle & Boo, it's clear that an outline doesn't have to be harsh at all.


There are two things that make me feel like a child on Christmas, and those two things are home wares and stationery.  And Belle & Boo offers both.  Oh my goodness...I'm absolutely in love with this sleepy-sweet mug and adorable, adorable gift tags and pillow with Boo the bunny on them.




Belle & Boo also offers children's clothing, wall decals, notebooks, cards, pins, and even a book.  And yes, it is all this adorable.


...I'm not too old for a Boo wall sticker, right?  Right?


Thank you so much to Mandy, Kate, Tracy, Helena, and Suzie at Belle & Boo for letting me post these images!


You can check out the Belle & Boo blog, too!


love, Julie


 


 


 

3 comments:

  1. Yay!!!! What I really want to see are your wonderful illustrations :) AND if you write a children's book, or illustrate one, I'm sure it will be my future offsprings favie :)

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  2. Aww! You're so sweet. ♥ I can't wait for you to have a child, I want to dress them! Basically, just imagine me putting on a squeaky, screechy voice and saying, "When are you going to have a baaaay-beeeeee?!" xo

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  3. [...] 1900s.  I’ve loved his work ever since I first saw it, in an art book of my dad’s, and like the work of Belle & Boo, I think it’s pretty clearly influenced my illustration [...]

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