Illustration by Nell McKellar » Blog

Creatures in Couture

nell — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:30:38 +0000

I’ve started a new arty project, called Creatures in Couture.

It showcases two of my greatest loves: art and fashion. I have started this blog as a kind of drawing exercise- depicting couture in a stylised and fantastical way.

Anyone who knows my art will know I have a fascination for mythology and the fairy world. I hope to somehow meld that with couture, for fashion illustration with a twist. After all, fashion is all about make believe and fantasy, so the idea is not so far fetched.

I am hoping to expand my imagination and self-discipline as an artist by setting myself a project that will hopefully over time develop into a more cohesive style. I hope that working on Creatures in Couture will give me more ideas as an artist/illustrator, free me up and get me out of this artistic rut I have found myself in!

Please take a look! http://creaturesincouture.blogspot.com/

Vali Myers- My Ultimate Muse

nell — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 05:19:36 +0000

Late Australian artist Vali Myers is my ultimate muse. Artist, dancer, muse, wild lady and protector of animals. If I can be just a little bit as awesome as she was, I will be very happy indeed.

Below is a drawing I created, based on an old photo of her and her beloved pet fox, Foxy. Freehand drawing done in graphite with colour and texture done in Photoshop.

You can read more about her life and works on her official website: http://www.valimyers.com/

Siamese

nell — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 05:42:03 +0000

New piece: “Siamese.”
What started out as a sketch last night became a psychedelic piece today.

Lady Gaga

nell — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 04:22:25 +0000

A Saucer Full of Secrets

nell — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:48:22 +0000

A Saucer Full of Secrets

Inspired by the epic song of the same name by Pink Floyd.
Graphite and Watercolour.

Tuesday Sketch

nell — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 10:39:14 +0000

Sunday Sketch- Ruby

nell — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 05:58:32 +0000

A sketch of my fox terrier Ruby. Some colour added in Photoshop.

I feel I captured her sweet nature.

New Painting- Monarch

nell — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 11:32:16 +0000

Here’s my latest painting, “Monarch.” Watercolour and acrylic.

I wanted to do something a little different- in terms of my technique. This painting is comprised of layer upon layer of thin washes of acrylic and a little watercolour. Layer upon layer as in I don’t know how many layers, I lost count a long time ago.

The end result is a little different than my original idea but all in all I am pretty happy with it!

I don’t know why but I still feel like it’s not finished!!!

Today’s Inspiration: Plexus Magazine

nell — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 04:17:29 +0000

Plexus was a French magazine that began in the 60s. I think the cover art are some great examples of psychedelic art. Here are a few of my favourites:

The Strange Tale of Richard “Mad” Dadd

nell — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 01:23:58 +0000

A sketch of Dadd by myself

I have a deep love and appreciation for the Victorian fairy painters. The body of work from that brief period of time has inspired much of my work.

One of the most enigmatic and well known artists from that time is Richard Dadd. His life is as well known as his work- as he was a suspected schizophrenic and he also murdered his father. This had him committed to a psychiatric hospital. It was here that he produced his best known works. A head steward of the hospital commissioned Dadd to produce a fairy painting- which would take nine years to complete.

This painting was “The Fairy Feller’s Master Stroke,” a painting of staggering and minute detail- verging on 3D.

Each of the characters have a name and back story, all of which is detailed in an accompanying surreal poem Dadd wrote which you can read here if you have the patience!

A couple of months and I really start to feel a bit bonkers over a painting- but nine years?! He also believed the painting to be unfinished!