Conceptual Illustration | Frances Marcellin

JOURNAL

The last 12 months have been a total whirlwind as I've been immersing myself in making as many illustrations with the maximum progress as is humanly possible. Pivoting careers is not an easy task I can tell you! Especially with four, how shall we describe them, 'lively' (and lovely) children to bring up in the process.

It was my goal to launch my online journal in Q4 2025 and I have reached my objective - hooray! (Today is 7th November 2025.) I'm so happy that you're here with me. I also have plans to start a newsletter, which I may well do via Substack...we'll see, so if you fancy that please sign up here.

In the meantime, THANK YOU for being here, for reading what I've written and please do leave a comment as I would love to connect with you and hear what you think.

I hope to speak to you soon. Fran xx

Editorial concept illustration for the New Scientist, a mock up via Inkygoodness editorial illustration course, of people dancing round a maypole with DNA as the ribbons

Editorial Illustration Case Study: Conceptual Artwork for New Scientist Magazine

As part of Inkygoodness' Editorial Illustrator's Playbook course I responded to a mock brief for New Scientist where I produced a conceptual editorial illustration focused around longevity and how science, mindset and habits intertwine.

Frances Marcellin

1 day ago3 min read

Another drawing from outrage.😭😨

If you see this then thanks for having a look. 💜

#Trump #Netanyahu #usa #fascisminamerica #gazaunderattack #gaza #illustratorsofinstagram #illustratorforhire #politicalcartoon #politicalillustration #politicalart #fascism #humanrights #politicalcorruption #trumppuppet #trumpnetanyahu

Finally posting @inktober’s ‘firefly’ prompt. I loved working on this little guy and going down a firefly rabbit hole.

Swipe for a five-second process vid.

Here are a eight things that I learned:

Fireflies are mostly carnivorous.
They only live long enough to mate, but larvae live up to 2 years.
They love tropical regions.
Two chemicals, luciferase and luciferin, exist in their tails.
They leak bitter blood - poisonous to some animals - when attacked.
There are approximately 2,000 species of firefly.
They use their light to communicate and find a mate.
Each has a unique flashing pattern.

Which one surprised you the most? I had no idea they each had their own light flashing pattern….

Thanks so much for popping in.

#inktober #inktober2025 #inktober2025firefly #penandink #firefly #fireflyart #fireflyartists #penandinkdrawing #penandinkartwork #penandinkillustration #insectart #insectartwork #illustratorforhire #illustratorfrance #illustratorofinstagram #illustratorart

Hello everyone! I’m really behind on @lnktober, but this is ‘blunder’ which was supposed to be day 16. Oops.

This poor bunny spent all the time picking his carrots and putting them in the kids’ wheelbarrow only to discover he couldn’t move it, the poor thing. Hugs to him! 🤗🐰

Hoping to be able to do ‘Arctic’ tomorrow, but I have old friends coming to stay with their kids, so if it doesn’t get done on the way to the airport to pick them up, it may not happen.

🥕Thanks for having a look. To see more of my artwork visit francesmarcellin.com - and check out some of my favourite scenes amd images from the awesome No Kings protests across the US, in my Stories. 💜

#inktober #inktoberblunder #inktober2025blunder #penandinkart #penandinkdrawing #inktober2025 #penandinkdrawings #penandinkillustration #penandinkartwork #penandinkcommunity #penandinkartist #kidlitillustration #kidlitillustrator #kidlitillustrators #illustrator #illustrationoninstagram #illustrationforkids

I haven’t been able to keep up daily with @lnktober due to work and kids, but I managed to draw today’s, which was based on the prompt “ragged”. Recently I was watched Ray Fiennes in The Return, playing Odysseus. (I think the film had a lot of potential but it missed it’s chance for greatness.) Anyway, Ray Fiennes was “ragged” (and ripped! It has to be said) and there were some moments where he really commanded the scene, so he’s my inspiration! Thanks Ray!!

If you swipe there is a 30-second vid of me sketching it too.

Have you seen the film? Hope you like my drawing and thanks for popping in. 💜

#inktober2025 #inktober2025ragged #inktoberart #inktoberprompts #inktober52 #rayfiennes #actorart #illustration #illustrator #illustratorforhire #illustratorofinstagram #artlicense #artlicensing #portrait #penandink #penandinkart #hollywoodart #hollywoodartist #odysseus #thereturn #thereturnmovie

“Heavy” is today’s Inktober prompt and because I love donkeys and drawing them, we have one with a heavy load to carry. Poor thing, I hope he reaches his destination soon.

I tell you what is really heavy though, and that is thinking there may actually be a ceasefire in Gaza, watching Palastinians celebrating with such relief, and then seeing a little boy with half his head blown off on my phone when I go to check social media tonight. I winced so loud my husband asked me if I was ok. I’ve never seen this endless depth of depravity and cruelty and terrorism in my entire life. Just this non-stop senseless slaughter of children and families for what? How can, at this point, it be argued that they are anything but terrorists. Every time I see an image like this it affects me mentally, I constantly see them in my head they don’t go anywhere, you can’t just unsee it, and if they are affecting me so much, when I’m so far away, how much is this affecting those having to live there, or worse, be ravaged physically by Isxx.l’s murderous brutality. I don’t even have the words or the ability to really describe how this makes me feel. Even if that poor child survives what trauma and physical damage will he have to endure for his entire life. I’ll never ever forgive and forget what they have done to these people.

I ran out of donation money, but I’ve made a bird calendar for 2026 featuring 12 hand-drawn birds and 5 euros from every sale goes to help families in Gaza, so if you know someone who’d like a bird calendar for Christmas, maybe think about this one and support someone in need in the process. The shop link is in my bio or on my website: francesmarcellin.com - thanks in advance to anyone who buys one. Also, if you buy before 10 October, three customers can win a free latte mug (illustrated with the bird image from the front of the calendar, the collared trogon) - I’ll do a lucky dip to pick the winners at random.

Thanks for stopping by.

@inktober #inktober2025 #inktoberheavy #inktober52 #inktoberchallenge #inktober2025heavy #donkey #penandinnk #donkeyillustration #donkeyillustrations

Today’s @inktober prompt is ‘reckless’. Having seen Stephen Miller’s bizzaro interview on @CNN earlier where he just froze completely when he realised he was saying something he shouldn’t, I thought it was a perfect fit. I mean, it was reckless for him and the regime, but very eye opening and frankly terrifying for most other people who believe in democracy. I’ve posted a couple of Stories today that explain what plenary authority is and why he was dropping a clanger about their evil, secret, dictator plans, so have a look there if you want to know more. Don’t rely on CNN because they cut that bit out.

There’s also a quick vid showing the process too in the next slide as I was drawing in Procreate.

I know it’s not a perfect portrait, but you try getting those beady eyes right!

Thanks for stopping by and taking a look, I appreciate it.

And please go over to #inktoberRECKLESS or #inktober2025 to peruse some of the most amazing art you’ll see all year, honestly the bar is so high in this challenge.

#inktober #inktoberreckless #inktober2025reckless #inktober2025 #inktoberchallenge #inktober52 #stephenmilller #cnn

This is my submission for @inktober’s Day 5: Deer - and, yes, I’m late because after a weekend where I became the mum of a teenager for the first time (although it’s felt like I’ve been the mum of a teenager for a very long time) and coming down with an ear infection/flu since my swim training on Wednesday it’s difficult for anything else other than gold old work, but, late or not, here I come with deer. I’m just trying to do as many as I can.

If you have time check out #inktober2025 a lot of the work on there is breathtaking - and I know I’m nowhere near this level, but I love drawing in pen and ink and really that’s all that matters - I’m just happy to be part of this year’s Inktober group. The world is heavy and difficult and drawing is highly therapeutic, so if you needed a sign to pick up a pencil and even just do a little doodle today let this be it. Xx

Thanks for stopping by.

#inktober2025 #inktoberchallenge #inktober2025deer #inktober52

“Weave” is today’s prompt for @inktober and I did a few drawings around the Tharu women in Lumbini, Nepal, who weave grasses into baskets. There are various uses from grain storage to carrying goods. Their creations are also a sign of resilience because despite climate change and its impact on grass growth, they continue to weave, introducing the skill to younger generations, bringing hope to the community and a sustaining connection to the land.

Source: UNESCO

If you paused your scrolling to look at my drawing - thank you.

#inktober2025 #inktober #nepal #tharu #inktober2025weave

This time last year I promised myself that I’d do the next @inktober illustration challenge and my goodness how quickly those 12 months have passed because it is here.

I’m heavy from all the news and in the middle of several writing and illustration projects, and it feels frivolous to try and fit in a drawing challenge admist all this and so much turmoil and suffering, but I really want to spend time on my pen and ink work and keep the internal promise I made.

I don’t know if i will be able to draw all the prompts, but at least I’ll start as I mean to go on.

The first prompt is “mustache” and for this I’ve gone for Charlie Chaplin’s, specifically during his monologue in The Last Dictator - his first film in dialogue - with some of his lines included on the page. If you swipe you can watch a quick process vide from sketch to final piece - continue to see screenshots of the whole monologue, accessed via charliechaplin.com.

As the g-n-cide continues in Gaza, the US descends deeper into fascism and the brave souls on the Flotilla, putting themselves at risk and taking a stand because the governments won’t, are getting unlawfully stopped in international waters, as I type, Chaplin’s monologue feels just as relevant as it was in 1940. It’s all so horrifying.

In the words of Mr C, “Let us fight to free the world - to do away with national barriers - to do away with hate and intolerance. Let us fight for a world of reason, a world where science and progress will lead to all men’s [and, this does need updating, women’s and LGBTQUIA+’s] happiness.” Check out the full speech, it’s actually pretty amazing (and just swap “radio” and “aeroplanes” for “AI” and “internet” and it makes even more sense today.

Thanks for stopping by.

#inktober #inktober2025 #inktober52 #penandink #charliechaplin #flotilla #freepalesti̇ne #freepalestine🇵🇸 #thelastdictator #film #charliechaplin🎥 #charliechaplin🎩 #charliechaplinquote #illustratorforhire #illustrator #illustration #inktober2025mustache #inktoberday1

⭐️New Cartoon⭐️ “How are you doing?” - a question that is not easy to answer for some people…like me!

While constantly struggling to wrangle through what’s happening in the world with daily life and its impact on my mental health, I’ve been working through several courses including the wonderful @inkygoodness’ self-paced 28-day Comic Illustration Challenge.

I’ve watched a few great masterclasses so far, including one from the brilliant @heyheysu who provided a 4-panel comic set brief. It was actually supposed to focus on what is inspiring us, but as my thoughts are so consumed lately by the atrocities in the world, I decided to direct the theme towards this as it felt like sharing would lighten the load and maybe it would reach some people who are feeling the same.

This is my first ever four-panel comic and I’d love to hear what you think. At the end I’ve included a process video showing the sketch to final artwork process in a few seconds for the second Gaza-focused panel.

Thanks for stopping by!!

#inky28daychallenge #comicstrip #comic #inkygoodnesscollective #cartoonillustration #cartoonart #mentalhealth #mentalhealthart #mentalhealthawareness #gaza #epseinfiles #trump #globalpolitics #epstein #survivorssupportingsurvivors #genocideingaza #genocide #gazaunderattack #smalltalksucks #howareyou #howareyoudoing #neurodivergent #neurodivergentcommunity #neurodivergentlife #neurodivergentart #neurodivergentfriendly

This is my Whale Shark for @forplanetocean’s September prompt which I’m dedicating to the flotilla sailing to Gaza. #freedomflotilla

🦈For this piece I was imagining it hanging in a child’s bedroom, all cosy above a patterned duvet from the same collection…which is in the making! 😍 I truly do have the pattern bug.🪸

Thanks to the lovely @forplanetocean for another wonderful challenge! 🌊

🌊❤️I’m hoping the seas are kind to the flotilla sailing to Gaza, bringing food and medical supplies during the i sr el- i government-made famine and Ge— n0c ide which has killed - and is killing still, in front of our eyes - thousands of babies, children and adults. I hope they will break the siege and create a humanitarian corridor, of which no other goverments or forces would step up to provide so these courageous individuals have to risk their own safely and lives. Shame on all of them. Thank you to each and every hero on board for their compassion and bravery. 💔

#forplanetocean #forplanetocean2025 #artchallenges #artprompts #ocean #oceanart #oceanliteracy #freepalestine🇵🇸 #freepalestine #gazaunderattack #gazaunderfire #freedomflotilla

“National Guard ‘litter-ally’ Cleans Up The Streets of DC”

My latest cartoon - available for licensing @cartoonstockltd

Which brings me to my happy announcement that I’m now one of Cartoon Stock’s cartoonists - as a new cartoonist I’m very excited about this - so if you’d like to license any, please let me know or visit the link in my bio. Thank you. 😊

#trump #nationalguard #cartoon #politicalcartoon #trumpcartoon #satiricalcartoons #usacartoon #trumpjoke #politicalcartoons

Kicking this week off with an exciting new mini collection. Working on this practice brief for @illustrateit_agency was so much fun, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The theme was Galentines, all about celebrating female friendships with heart and humour.

I have several female friends who I’m lucky enough to be really close to, we lift each other up through rough patches and savour the good times, we’re like family actually, so I could really put my heart into this brief.

The target market was stationery and paper goods, such as greetings cards, notecard sets, gift bags and wrapping paper…all that lovely stuff!

This week I’m hoping (I say ‘hoping’ because my four kids are home on holiday still all week & I have a feature article to write for a magazine) to work on another warm up brief ahead of Illustrate It’s Talent Tap workshop starting on Monday - when all the kids are back to school and I get to focus again. (Hooray!) I can’t wait for this workshop, I’m thrilled to be part of it, to connect with the team and fellow participants.

If you stopped by to look at my Galentines collection, thanks very much for your time, I appreciate you.

If you’re interested in licensing my work, please get in touch as I can send you my collections brochure, which is brimming with 10+ collections, including floral, Christmas and kids designs and mockups. 💜

#illustrateitgalentines #patterndesign #stationerymarket #papergoods #papergoodsandgifts #surfacepatterndesign #greetingscards #greetingscarddesign #greetingscardsforsale #greetingscardsofinstagram #greetingscarddesigner #galentines #galentinesparty #galentinesgifts

🚨 GLOBAL STRIKE FOR GAZA 🚨

Israel is moving to ethnically cleanse Gaza City while starving 2 million people to death. We cannot sit on our phones and watch this happen.

We are listening to @wizard_bisan1 - Bisan’s - call, it is time to escalate on a global level. When governments refuse to listen, we, as a global collective, must strike where it hurts them most: their economies.

We are calling for a global economic strike to shake economies around the world.

Starting today, Thursday 21st August, and continuing every Thursday thereafter, we call on groups, organisations and unions everywhere to join the strike for Gaza.

We demand that: the seige is lifted, sanctions, a complete two-way trade embargo and a halt to all weapons’ shipments to Israel. @emmanuelmacron @keirstarmer

#gaza #gazaunderattack #gazagenocide #gazapalestine #freepalesti̇ne #freepalestine

Mockup day for the salamander prompt in #thepatternchallengebymel2025 - I thought I’d see how it looked on a shirt given what my son had said, and actually I’m feeling quite pleased with the outcome!! 😍

#thepatternchallengebymel2025 #patterndesigner #womensapparel #mensapparel #patterndesign #patterncreation #womensfashion #womeninspiringwomen #womensupportingwomen #womeninspiringwomen #midlifejourney #midlifemom #midlifereinvention #midlifereinvented #midlifecreative #midlifecreative #womenfashion #womenfashionstyle❣️ #womenfashionwear #womenfashionwear

Salamanders are nocturnal, so I wanted a dark, secretive-looking pattern for this prompt. We’re at the seaside at the moment and my 12 yr old son told me he’d love a shirt with this pattern on, couldn’t believe it as he’s very particular about what he wears, so I’m chuffed to bits. 🙌🙌

🦎Which one is your fave? 😍

Thanks for stopping by today. 💜

#thepatternchallengebymel2025 #salamanderpattern #salamander #salamandersofinstagram #salamanders #patterndesign #patterndesigner

Mock up day in #thepatternchallengebymel2025 - it is my daughter’s 9th birthday today and she says she would’ve loved this gift bag which was such a sweet thing to say, it made my day. 🥰😊

Spending my days angry at all that is happening in the world, while also trying to be a jolly mum for my daughter’s birthday, not sure I’m managing any of it very well. My thoughts are with everyone in difficult circumstances today. Take care of yourselves. 💜

#thepatternchallengebymel2025 #patterndesign #pattern #patternoftheday #giftwrapdesign #giftbagdesign #birthdaypartyfun #birthdaycollection #birthdaydesign #birthdaydesigns🎁🎂 #birthdaypattern #cutepattern #cutepatterns #artlicensing #artlicense

🏴‍☠️It’s mock up day for #thepatternchallengebymel2025 and the ‘pirate’ prompt.

It brought me much joy creating these pirates, perhaps espcially the little girl holding a pirate bunny. 🥰

I’d created this pattern with the goal of it becoming gift wrap and this is the mock up trying it out. Having not drawn pirate-themed motifs before I think this prompt was a good way to venture into the unknown - always one of the most valuable creative takeaways from such challenges.

If you’re pausing your scrolling to look at my post, thank you, I appreciate it.

To review my new collections brochure, which is brimming with nature-inspired patterns, then please visit francesmarcellin.com and email me. I’ll send it right out to you.

Thanks again for popping in.💜

#thepatternchallengebymel2025 #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterndesigners #patterndesignersofinstagram #surfacepatterndesign #surfacepatterncommunity #surfacedesigns #kidpattern

With “worm” being the prompt for today’s #thepatternchallengebymel2025 I, of course, had to go for sea worms. Marine life endlessly fascinates me and I loved playing with different types of worm for this project. It was also really interesting to see how curious, awkward creatures can make such interesting patterns.

I included the ice cream cone worm, bloodworm, spaghetti worm, syllid, scale worm, bamboo worm and the fire worm.

🪱 Scroll through to see the initial sketches and illustrations for each motif.🪱

I played around with a few different ideas but I’m posting: 1) Green diamond pattern, 2) Dark half-drop pattern and 3) Simple purple spaghetti worm pattern.

Well aware that I’m only getting a handful of views to my feed, but if you do happen to see this post, thanks in advance for looking and if you’ve time let me know which one you prefer. 🙏

Thanks so much. 🪱 💜 To see some beautiful pattern design head over to host @melanie.johnsson and check out the challenge # as there is some amazing work going on there.

#thepatternchallengebymel2025 #patterndesign #illustration #oceanlover #seaworm #seaworms #oceanlife #marinecreatures #marinecreature #marineworm #illustratrice #illustratricebritannique #illustratricefrance #surfacepattern #surfacepatterndesign #surfacepatterncommunity #patterndesigner #patterndesign

🐠POV: You’re about to find the perfect bedding set for your ocean-loving friend! 😍

I wish I could buy this bedding and share a link with you on where you could get it too! For now it’s still a dream, but maybe one day…

🪸These patterns are part of my Wild Shores collection, which is included in my Collections Brochure - to receive a copy please email me (link in bio).

🐬Mock up for the prompt “Reef” for #thepatternchallengebymel2025

#pattern #patternoftheday #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterndesigners #surfacepatterndesign #surfacepatterncommunity #surfacepatternprint #oceanpattern #oceanlovers #dolphins #clownfish

Reef is today’s prompt in #thepatternchallengebymel2025 and so I’m posting a pattern I made earlier this year, which is part of my Wild Shores collection.

This is one of my favourite patterns, because I love creatures living wild, nature untouched, and the vibrancy and life this pattern brings to a room. 😍🪸🐬

🪸My collections brochure, featuring 12 pattern collections and mockups is now available, if you would like to view it or license a pattern/collection from me, please get in touch via my website - link in bio. Thank you. 🪸

#artlicensing #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patternmaking #patternmaker #patternlove #dolphinart #fishart #fishartwork

I’m actually loving this crazy pattern as a lunchbox or school bag - and it got the seal of approval from my kids so that can’t be bad!! 🙌🥰

Mock up day for #thepatternchallengebymel2025 👽

Earthling is the prompt for Day 9+10 of The Pattern Challenge 2025. The word ‘Earthling’ is very curious, it isn’t one we would really use to describe each other, and so I wondered who would use it…which led me to imagining that I was a little alien drawing pictures of what I thought ‘Earthlings’ might look like.

I did a few drawings in my sketchbook and then pulled them into Procreate to create them digitally and make the pattern.

Working with black and neon was brilliant and while it’s a first for me to make a pattern like this, somehow I don’t think it will be the last. I had so much fun making this one. 😆👽👾🛸

Thanks for stopping by!! If you love patterns head over to #thepatternchallengebymel2025 as there are some real corkers over there.

#patterndesign #surfacedesigner #surfacepatterndesigner #surfacepatterncommunity #surfacepatterns #surfacepatternprint #earthlings

It’s mockup day for the #thepatternchallengebymel2025 hosted by @melanie.johnsson

🚀🌠

#mockupdesign #thepatternchallengebymel2025 #patterndesign #patterndesigner #artlicensing #artlicense #childrenspattern #kidspattern #kidspatterndesign

🚀Can you guess the prompt from day 7+8 of The Pattern Challenge Summer 2025? Well, it’s Orbit and as I’d enjoyed (the very amazing, and, by the looks of it, extremely busy) Peggy Dean’s (@thepigeonletters) session on Derpy Space Animals with my girls (who loved this workshop too) from her Summer Creative Retreat @summercreativeretreat I thought I’d make these little creatures as cute as I could.

🪐I’m in the process of putting a new catalogue together of pattern designs to send to art licensing companies, so I thought I’d try out three different patterns for this prompt with a mini collection in mind.

☄️If you are an art licensing entity and would like me to send you this catalogue then please DM or email me to let me know as it’s not available online.

👽Any faves here? Always love to know what you think.

💖Thanks, as always, for popping in, I appreciate it. Sometimes my posts are only getting a few views, so any kind of interaction and feedback makes my day!

#thepatternchallengebymel2025 @melanie.johnsson #patterndesigner #patternforkids #kidspattern #kidspatterns #artlicensing #artlicensingagency #artlicensingportfolio #artlicensingcollection #artlicensingagent

It is mock up time! I had fun playing around with different options, but finally decided on a journal, coffee cup and gift wrap - it’s also a wrap for the snack challenge! (Haha.)

Snack is the prompt for Day 5 + 6 of #thepatternchallengebymel2025 hosted by @melanie.johnsson

I was inspired by our gelato experience at Lake Como a couple of years ago for this prompt (at the time I wrote about it for The Telegraph) and I’ve included some pictures here too to show some of the beautiful things we did - and ate 😋 - there. 🍦🍨

We did a roadtrip from France to Austria and then on the way home we spent a few days in Italy. Staying on Lake Como at @villaserbellonibellagio was extraordinary and we talk about this incredible hotel very often with the kids as we were lucky enough to stay in the Winston Churchill suite where the actual desk that he used to write at was still in the room. Naturally I had to have a (cheesy) photo taken sitting at it, haha.

I created a few different versions of this gelato-inspired pattern - and this was the first time I’d limited my colour palette like this and realised that I’d like to work like that again. That is the beauty of these challenges, it’s an inspiring space to try new ideas and they really help you to grow as an artist in a lovely community of people. So cool.

If you got this far thanks for stopping by.

#thepatternchallengebymel2025 #villaserbellonibellagio #villaserbelloni #gelato #gelatoitaly #gelatoitaliano #illustrator #illustratrice #patterndesign #patterndesigner #surfacedesign #surfacedesigner #surfacedesignersofinstagram #icecreampattern

Mock ups of the shell pattern - my daughter told me that she loves the pattern on this bag, which made me feel very happy! 😍

#thepatternchallengebymel2025 #patterndesign #patterndesigner #patterndesigners #mockup #mockupdesign #illustrator #illustration #illustratorsoninstagram

Shell is the prompt for day 3-4 of The Pattern Challenge Summer ‘25 hosted by @melanie.johnsson - go and check out her work, it is so lovely, and visit #thepatternchallengebymel2025 to see an abundance of pattern design talent and new patterns you haven’t seen before. It is like a pattern party - so cool.

I had fun playing around with colour palettes, motifs and backgrounds and finally ended up creating a mini collection, which was so much fun!

Any shell-related art work I do is always inspired by holidays with my four kids, who are ages 4-12, so we’ve spent years looking for shells every time we visit a beach, stuffing our pockets and buckets full - then they don’t ever let us throw them away so they live in the cupboard and join the rest of the accumulated stuff, like birds’ feathers and stones, haha.

These patterns are all done in @procreate - I tend to (not always though) create the motifs separately and then pull them in. This also helps to deal with the layers issue, as Procreate doesn’t always have enough, espsecially when you’re working on large canvasses. Not that this one is particularly big, if you’re interested to know, I was working on on a canvas sized 3000x3000 pixels at 300dpi.

This time last year, I didn’t know how to make patterns, how much fun it was or how much joy it could bring. But I’m quite addicted now actually and super glad this pattern challenge is falling over the holidays as hoping I can participate in most of them.

Do you have a favourite pattern here or a favourite mock up? I’d love to know what works for you and what doesn’t - please give feedback if you can, it really helps me improve as I’m such a newbie.

Thanks so much for stopping by to look at my work, I appreciate you!

#thepatternchallengebymel2025 #surfacepatterndesign #surfacepatterndesigner #surfacepatterncommunity #surfacepattern #surfacepatternlife #surfacepatternlove #surfacepatternlove

I decided to do another ‘Leo’ pattern with a totally different colour palette.

I had fun trying the design out on a few mockups too - I think I like it as gift wrap the best.

I know, two Leo patterns in one day is a bit much 🤣. If you want to see some stunning new patterns visit the hashtag below, there’s some really beautiful work going on over there. Thank you so much for stopping by!! 💜

#thepatternchallengebymel2025 #lionpattern #surfacedesign #surfacedesigner #illustrator #lionillustration #procreatepattern #surfacedesigns #giftwrapdesign #wrappingpaperdesign #wrappingpaper #giftwaredesign #kidspartydesign

So excited to take part in @melanie.johnsson’s pattern challenge, this is my first entry. Melanie’s work is sooo beautiful and I’m looking forward to seeing her designs as the month unfolds! 💖

I really hope I get time to do them all, probably not with a house full of kids this month but I’ll do what I can!

The first prompt is Leo, I went for the lion interpretation with baby or young kids’ wallpaper, blankets and onsies in mind. I had a fabulous time experimenting with different types of patterns, especially with stripes, and then mocked up a few to see how they look irl!

I would love feedback!! If you have a pattern preference or fave mock up please do let me know. 🙏🙏

All patterns are seamless, created in 3000x3000 squares at 300dpi in @procreate. I also included the illustrations of each lion design.

Check out the hashtag below to see everyone’s entries today. So much incredible talent already here and it is only day one!! ⚡️🔥

#thepatternchallengebymel2025 #surfacedesigner #surfacedesign #kidspatterns #kidspatterndesign

Sailing to bring food and medicine to starving babies, children and adults trapped in a horrific hellscape, and to break Isra-el’s illegal siege of Gaza, this illustration depicts the brave crew on board the Handala.

Last night these courageous people were illegally abducted in international waters - around 40 miles from the coast of Gaza - by the Isr-aeli forces. They are all different religions - Christian, Muslims, Jewish, atheist - and their livelihoods include journalist, MP, UN staff, teacher, union founder, human rights attorney, actor, nurse, economist, engineer, documentary filmmaker, shop owner, and they are from all over the world.

The crew planned to start a global hunger strike for Gaza as soon as they were intercepted. We must keep demanding the delivery of unhindered aid and call for the immediate release of all crew members.

Please share this image to keep the Handala and her crew in the hearts and minds of all those who want to stop the gen0-c!de in Gaza.

Note that their names have been taken from the press release on the Freedom Flotilla website: https://freedomflotilla.org/2025-handala-participants/

Original illustration size is A3, but this version has been sized for Instagram at 1080 x 1350 pixels (hence the white “frame” which is not part of the original illustration).

#handala #alleyesindeck #artistsforgaza #countdowntoceasefire #gazaunderattack #gazagenocide #gazapalestine #gazastarving #freepalestine❤️💚⚫️⚪️✌️ #freepalesti̇ne #freepalestine🇵🇸❤️🤲😭 #freepalestine🇵🇸🕊️ #warcrimes #handala #freedomflotilla #freedomflotillacoalition #gazaaid

Stop the gen0c!de. 😭💔

It feels so hopeless against these disgusting evil and depraved people, keep sharing, donating and boycotting where you can.

#gaza #gazaunderattack #warcrimes #gazagenocide #gazapalestine

This is the “half-drop” sister pattern from yesterday’s post using a darker colour palette. I’m actually really pleased with how it turned out and have included a few mockups here to see how it works in different settings.

Just for fun: wallpaper, bedding or dress, which one is your preference? Swipe to see and please let me know in the poll if you have time - thank you soo much!! 😍🌸

The Tarn department in France is little known, but it is one of the most beautiful areas in France. You can swipe to see the flower inspiration behind this pattern from my walks. Of course I am biased because I was fortunate enough to be able to choose to live here, but our department is brimming with natural beauty from magical forests to magnificent mountains. 🌳⛰️

🌻To see more work please visit francesmarcellin.com, thank you! 🌻

#Tarn #France #patterndesign #illustration #illustrator #illustratrice #illustratricefreelance #surfacedesign #surfacedesigner #illustrator #wallpaperdesign #wallpaperdesigner #beddingdesign #beddingdesigner #patterndesignersclub #seamlesspattern #seamlesspatterndesigner #seamlesspatterndesign

I’m pretty shocked at Stephen Colbert @stephenathome announcing his future exit from @colbertlateshow @cbstv amidst Paramount’s merger with Skydance & its $16m settlement with Trump. Like many I think it could indicate something more sinister - could it affect @jonstewartdaily or @jimmykimmel, and so on? - after all we’re seeing in the US, it’s difficult to conclude otherwise at this point in time.

#colbert #trump #freespeech #colbert #stephencolbertshow #stephencolbert #democracy #nokings #nokingsinamerica @wsj @wsjmag #uspolitics #globalpolitics

I’m really enjoying the gag cartoon course from @natefakes (highly recommended if you’re interested in giving one-panel cartoons a go) and this is the latest one.

It shows grandpa getting out of his rocking chair and one of kids shouting, “Look at grandad!” The other replies, “He’s off his rocker.”

When someone is “off their rocker” they are deemed to be crazy or a bit mad. Apparently this expression originated in the 1800s when someone falling off their rocking chair could indicate that the person was unbalanced or mentally unstable. My cartoon takes the expression literally for a laugh - and goes back to its roots at the same time.

Thanks soo much for stopping by, I appreciate it you looking at my work - please share or save it if you know anyone who would appreciate the joke!

I have been having some fun playing with patterns and trying to improve my @Procreate pattern making skills. This is a little mini collection called Pink Summer - all of them are seamless repeating patterns and such a joy to create. Any that you particularly like here? ❤️🌸

We celebrated the fête nationale yesterday, aka Bastille Day it marks the anniversary of the fall of the Bastille, where many political prisoners were held, on 14 July 1789.

Earlier, and admist so much political instablity, the 7,000-strong military parade really felt as though it was designed in reflection to this volatile climate, demonstrating global coordination and military strength…even though it’s an annual event it felt bolstered this year. And there were thousands in the crowds - quite a few more than at someone else’s recent miliary parade. You couldn’t help but feel impressed by the detail and coordination, even if there was one poor marine who cut his ear with the tip of his sword while marching in perfect rhythm that otherwise missed by a whisper.

After spending a sunny afternoon with friends for their birthday, we returned home to the fireworks on France 2, the combination of music, culture and light show was nothing less than spectacular and I thought it was hands down the most beautiful display I’d seen at the Eiffel Tower. The Concert de Paris finished with a masterful performance by cellist Gautier Capuçon who is featured in the sketch.

It combined 1,000 drones with an ambitiously choreographed firework display and I sketched while it played out, with my other hand on my little boy.

He’d stayed up to watch the fireworks in a local town from our balcony (where our eldest daughter was watching them for real with her friend) and was excited to stay up for the fireworks at the Eiffel Tower, but then fell asleep halfway through, finally exhausted by too much wonder.

I’m posting the sketch as a reminder to this beautiful day. While I was watching I felt guilty at our privilege to enjoy it while so many suffer, it feels so unfair and I wish I could change the world. I went to bed feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for what we have and anger for those that suffer unjustly and meaninglessly.

Thanks for stopping by.

I’ve been drawing more scenes from the protests on 12 July during which British police arrested scores of supporters of a pro-Palestinian protest group that was recently banned under anti-terrorism legislation for protesting against the continuing genocide in Gaza.

These two are drawn by hand in @procreate mainly in pen and watercolour. Lots of brave people here when supporting the group could now come with a 14-year sentence.

According to The Guardian 42 arrests were made in London yesterday - excerpt below:

“More than 70 people have been arrested across the UK in several demonstrations where references to Palestine Action were allegedly made, a week after the group was banned as a terrorist organisation.

Protesters gathered for the second week in a row in central London after police reiterated that showing support for the group was a criminal offence, resulting in the Metropolitan police making 42 arrests.

On Saturday, shortly after 1pm, two small groups of protesters demonstrated in Parliament Square, sitting at the steps of the statues of both Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. The action was organised by the campaign group Defend Our Juries, which said more demonstrations were due to take place elsewhere in London and in Manchester, Cardiff and Derry.

In London, Met officers formed a cordon around those demonstrating, who wrote messages appearing to support Palestine Action with black markers on pieces of cardboard, and silently held the signs aloft.

The protesters were then led away from the statues by officers into waiting police vans parked around the square.

Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, announced plans to ban Palestine Action late last month, days after activists from the group allegedly broke into RAF Brize Norton and defaced two military aircraft with spray paint.

MPs voted in favour of proscribing the group on 2 July. The House of Lords backed the move without a vote the following day.

UN experts, civil liberties groups, cultural figures and hundreds of lawyers have condemned the ban as draconian and said it sets a dangerous precedent by conflating protest with terrorism.

The ban means Palestine Action has become the first direct action protest group to be banned under the Terrorism Act, placing it in the same category as Islamic State, al-Qaida and the far-right group National Action.“

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/12/arrests-for-second-week-running-at-london-event-that-references-palestine-action

This is the second of five illustrations I’ve done to illustrate The Ugly Duckling by Hans Christian Andersen. In this carousel, I have also included three thumbnail sketches, mood board, character dev sketches and colour palette details. Everything was hand drawn in @procreate and the page layout/text was done in Procreate too.

The mood board shows paintings, art,
costume and architecture typical of the time when HCA was growing up, and what may have been his influences. For inspiration, I also included his childhood home and location, the Danish island of Fyn or Funen, which is on my bucket list to visit.

HCA was born in Denmark on 2 April 1805. As I was using the original text for this project (part of my p/t illustration degree with the @opencollegearts) I wanted to make sure my illustrations were referencing the landscapes, architecture and clothing of the era.

Making it visually accurate was very important, so finding out which ducks and swans are found in Denmark also formed part of my research. The mother duck is from the Shelduck species, which is found in Denmark, and as the book described white swans, I decided to illustrate the Mute Swan which is commonly found in Denmark too.

I hope you enjoy looking through these images and research. I loved working on this project and the extensive practical experience behind creating these images made me feel as though I’d like to work on a kids picture book, it was such a beautiful process. 🥰😍

#uglyducking #fairytale #hanschristianandersen #illustration #picturebookillustration #denmark🇩🇰 #kidlitillustration #kidlitillustrator #kidlitillustrations #picturebookillustrator #picturebookillustration #procreate #procreateart

🤹While juggling four “I’m bored” kiddos and work I’ve been trying to keep up with the drawing practice - and the training plan and the cleaning, and the endless food making… [never ending ramble…]. Anyhow, this is another creation from my ongoing gag cartoon course and actually isn’t something I would have thought of, but I overheard my dad say, “dead centre of town” to someone and my brain pinged, so I typed it hastily in my notes and then decided to see how it worked in a one-panel piece. It just shows how you always need to keep your eyes and ears open for inspiration.

🎨I’m pretty happy with it and starting to quite like the pen and watercolour style as well. Ah well there are a few more of these to come so I hope you’re not bored of them yet, there will be more! 🤣🤣☺️

#gagcartoons #onepanelcomic #onepanelcomics #newillustrator #directions #funeral #deadcentreoftown #deadcentre

Yesterday’s sketchbook session led me to forest animals and watercolours. 🐿️We have a red squirrel living in the tree by our balcony, and it just makes my day to see him scurry up and snuffle around in his little home. 🥰🥰

I need names for this little guy and the fox in the second slide. 🥰

#painting forest animals forestanimals draw animals drawingforestanimals drawingsquirrels squirrelart drawingfoxes foxart illustration illustrator

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Editorial Illustration Case Study: Conceptual Artwork for New Scientist Magazine

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