Paper Cuts for Crossrail Exhibiton

In preparation for the "Tunnel Visions" Crossrail exhibition, I have been working on my 'piece' 

this involved taking a trip down to the front of the tunnel, as it was being built, photographs, sketches, a lot of research, and then setting out this:

I drew it first, and then cut out the shapes. I've been working with a few layers, to get some tonal variation and layering... I wanted to capture the size, precision and movement of the engineers and the machine as they built a section of the Tunnel.

My illustration portfolio:  http://obrotheridge.co.uk

Painted Blind - Logo Design

"Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind"

I was asked to design a logo for a new personal introductions agency "Painted Blind". We chose this simple design, reflecting the nature of the agency - all dates are 'blind dates' and potential partners are paired personally and thoughtfully.

My illustration portfolio:  http://obrotheridge.co.uk

Introducing: "Tunnel Visions" at Great Western Studios

I'm very pleased to announce that our Crossrail exhibition "Tunnel Visions" will be launching NEXT WEEK!

We've watched as the Royal Oak site next door excavated the Western tunnels, conveyor belts constantly removing the clay from 30 metres below London. I was lucky enough to be taken down to the tunnel face and experience the humidity, smell, noise and excitement of the engineers and machines working to build a section of the tunnel.

My piece will be based on this experience, and will sit alongside the work of 5 other brilliant artists, who have created their interpretation of the process, symbolism or their vision of this extraordinary undertaking.

Tunnel Visions runs from Mon 15 - Fri 19 Sept.
Private view: Tuesday 16 September 6pm-9pm

My illustration portfolio:  http://obrotheridge.co.uk

Great Western Studios Link

Holiday Snapshot Sketches

Summer holiday in Rhodes, Greece 

Brought a great book, which I planned to finish, and then read another.

I did neither - instead I drew a lot:

Breakfast view

Pornstar Martini, Negroni. Waiting, drawing.

Rhodes Clocktower

Early morning,  sea like a lake, one lady flapping her hands against the water.

Captain's crest

Boat ride queue

Birthday Boy

Lindos Bay after a big dinner

Whitstable (Back in England!)

My illustration portfolio:  http://obrotheridge.co.uk

Sketches: where IDEAS are born!

Revealing very first sketches (and the notes I made with them!) for the Big Draw poster commission - the first idea can be a winner, or can develop totally unexpectedly! 

1. Flamingo Drawing

Either people drawing flamingos, or the other way around!

2. Cupid

3. Drawing the World

People using art materials to create the world around them, world becoming more realistic in places, maybe a squirrel climbs through…

4. Pencils Don't Grow on Trees

5. Kids drawing

People drawing on the floor on lots of coloured paper, I could make a kind of pattern out of people and art materials. 

6. Pencil sharpener

6. Pencil sharpening

Ants either climbing or drawing on a roll of pencil sharpening that has been dropped outside – possibly grass shoots around. Coloured pencil flakes on ground. Could be quite graphic or earthy.

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However crudely done, I wanted to show how important sketching out ideas is when developing how you think about something! And that I love the 'first ideas' part !

Thank you - and thank you Big Draw!

My illustration portfolio:  http://obrotheridge.co.uk

My illustration portfolio:  http://obrotheridge.co.uk

The Big Draw & It's Our World

For this year's festival of creativity, The Big Draw are joining forces with It's Our World and Faber Castell. They have just launched their promotional set of posters, banners and certificates - illustrated by moi. 

I used Faber Castell's beautiful watercolour pencils, and had a little inspiration (above) from the Paul Klee exhibition at the Tate Modern earlier this year.

The Big Draw runs throughout October every year, with 280,000 people expected to take part in over 1000 events across 21 countries this year!

Look on the site for events, and if you can host one, download my posters!

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Lovely Klee colour blocks inspired the top poster

My illustration portfolio:  http://obrotheridge.co.uk

Crossrail ART

I spend my days at Great Western Studios, which is full of creative people.

We overlook the Royal Oak Crossrail site and this has inspired a group project about Crossrail.

Along with illustrators, artists and photographers, I will exhibit in May this year.

I was incredibly lucky to be taken into the tunnel with Ivor, the Head of Tunnels, to see 'Ada' the boring machine as she dug her way, 27 metres underground, from Royal Oak to Farringdon.

The experience inside the tunnel was unforgettable, I got some great photographs and will be working on material for the exhibition in the next few months. 


As a thank you, I drew a portrait of Ivor, and gave it to him on the day of the completion of the tunnel (yesterday).

My illustration portfolio:  http://obrotheridge.co.uk

Christmas Crafting

New flat, real xmas tree, hand made decorations.

A tree full of tropical birds inspired by wonderful illustrator Mark Herald's bird cards.
Cardboard star, which I then painted red, with gold glitter.

My illustration portfolio:  http://obrotheridge.co.uk

Dressing the Queen

My Pappa just sent me an email with this picture, saying "a pic of the coat Nana made for Charles's investiture as Prince of Wales." I thought that was cool. Clever Nana.

My illustration portfolio:  http://obrotheridge.co.uk

Christmas Wreath Making !

Went foraging with my wicker bike basket and gardening gloves.

Bought ribbon.

Sat on the floor, surrounded by pine needles and berries. And chocolate.

My illustration portfolio:  http://obrotheridge.co.uk

The Big Draw's Christmas Card 2012

The Big Draw's Christmas Card 2012 - OBrotheridge Illustration

Caption inside reads:
"Sharpen your pencils for a creative New Year"

My illustration portfolio: http://obrotheridge.co.uk

Art Auction - Science Museum!

I have a new job - Running Silent Auctions at charity fundraiser's. Last night I had dinner under a giant old aeroplane and hung (out with) Dali, Chagall, Picasso and the gang.

Last night was in aid of Hedge Funds Care, my Gallery is the Broad Gallery.

My illustration portfolio: http://obrotheridge.co.uk

Nativity

I was asked to create a company Christmas card... but with some added characters - I included bosses and employees in their childhood nativity roles. So along with your standard Mary and Joseph, we have "Martin, A Rock, Age 7" and "Chris, a Chestnut Man, Age 6"...

Christmas Card - OB Illustration

For the 'traditional' look, I went out and bought a lovely dip pen and ink.

The finished illustration will now be foil pressed onto the cards - Can't wait to see!

Development Sketch Illustration OB Illustration

Development Sketch OB Illustration

My illustration portfolio: http://obrotheridge.co.uk

Dark Christmas Tales

Dark Christmas Tales by James Dwyer - Illustration by Olivia Brotheridge

I knew from the title that I HAD to illustrate this book !

I wanted to give 3D illustration another go for this project -(click to see last year's) 

Reference photo, sketched over with tablet and start of model making

After agreeing the sketches with my client, I started with fairy lights, cameras, paper cutting, drawing, scanning, blue tacking and talcum powder snow... 

As well as the book cover, I was asked to produce two small grayscale illustrations for two other stories inside. The papercut style pulls it all together. 

Revolution - Illustrated by Olivia Brotheridge

A Dog is for Life - Illustrated by Olivia Brotheridge

A few bits that didn't make 'the cut' - but I like:

My illustration portfolio: http://obrotheridge.co.uk