A Touch of Magical Snow
Winter is here, but drawing snowy scenes makes me even colder
Everywhere in the UK seems to have had some snow. WAIT! What I actually should have said was everywhere in the UK seems to have had some snow except us on the south coast, which is sticking resolutely to the rain-drenched script.
I’m bored of rain now. When the sun finally peeks out from behind the clouds, it really does feel like a lightbulb moment, but without the groundbreaking idea that comes with it.
Any way, enough rain talk.
I’ve been drawing snowy scenes of late, which makes my gloveless hands feel ever colder. It’s joyful though. Ever since being little and watching that creepy yet gaudy Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe cartoon every Christmas I’ve loved magical snow. (Let’s be honest, I’ve probably also been affected by The Wind In the Willows, The Box of Delights, and I’ve definitely picked up a desire for some of the icy thrill of Moominland Midwinter, which is full of the best illustrations ever committed to print, not to mention highly influential skiing animals.)
Now, let’s be clear, magical snow is different to the sludgy reality of normal modern snow.
Magical snow is the type that comes overnight, leaves the land sparkling and silent, where the air is rich with ethereal magic and, when twilight comes makes the world feel a little bit dangerous.
Hopefully this new Hotel Flamingo book I’m working on contains just a tiny sprinkling of that. I can’t wait to share it all with you, but I have attached a rough scribble at the beginning of this post. I love drawing snow animals.
MY KICKSTARTER HAS REACHED A STRETCH TARGET!
Update time, and THIS IS EXCITING! Overnight we reached a stretch goal in funding on my The Little Shop of Magic Kickstarter campaign. This means that everyone who has pledged or who will pledge now also gets an A5 sheet of stickers, featuring characters from Hotel Flamingo and Big Sky Mountain.
The campaign has just a few days left to run now, so if you want to get involved time really is running out! There are still some exclusive Hotel Flamingo signed prints to be had, and there’s still the opportunity to get your name inside the book. There’s also a small new stretch target which gets everyone an invite to a live-streamed book event with me! If that’s something you’d like to be a part of, what are you waiting for!?!
I can’t believe the campaign is almost over – what a joy this past month has been, and totally inspiring! Thank you to everyone who’s got involved, having direct contact with your readers like this makes everything worthwhile.