‘Savannah’ is my largest illustrative work, inspired by travels to Kenya.
It began as a pencil sketch, which took three months to draw.
Converting this large scale piece to a digital format to be coloured was a challenge. When scanned, pencil can be pretty shiny and reflect a lot of light, so scans would often look over exposed and grainy.
Thankfully London photographer Dennis Pedersen photographed the original drawing for me, and adjusted the file electronically, producing a sharp, clear image for me to then work with.
After colouring ‘Savannah’ digitally in Photoshop (which took another month!), I had it mounted onto a foam board from which to add the individual, hand-cut pop-up birds and butterflies.
It was then framed, and sold in September to a collector in the UK.
I’ve since taken elements from this original piece and reproduced them in my homeware range llka Illustrations. You’ll find various animals from ‘Savannah’ on cushions, teatowels, oven gloves and aprons!
I loved the entire long-winded process of this piece from conception in Kenya to completion, and I’m delighted with the finished result.
The ‘Savannah’ giclée fine art print is now available on quality 310gsm Hahnemühle German etching paper. Along with my various Savannah homewares it is lovingly shipped worldwide from New Zealand.
