Wednesday, 27 March 2024

Easter Sale of Printable Craft Supplies

Image shows a hand-drawn wreath of bright flowers, advertising an Easter sale 28th-31st March 2024.
 Tap or click here to browse the sale


Hello there

Hope life is treating you well.

I'll keep this brief, as I know you're busy.

Drumroll...


So. whatever you've been eyeing up, grab it while it's on sale.

Thank you for being here, and I'll see you again in a couple of weeks.

Monday, 18 March 2024

New Illustration: Spring Has Sprung

Image is a digital line and wash watercolour of a daffofil in exuberat and splashy spring watercolours. "Spring has Sprung", is hand-lettered in white on its dark green leaves
"Spring Has Sprung," by Clare Walker
Click, right-click or tap to download
Hello there

Hope life is treating you well right now. And, either late for last week, or early for this one, but just in time for spring's arrival this week, is a fun little daffodil for whom spring has most definitely sprung on its leaves. (Digital line and wash watercolour in Rebelle 7 and Krita 5).

(And yes, I know it isn't spring everywhere, and if that's the case for you, please look here instead ;-) ).

Feel like spreading some springtime joy?

If you'd like to use this illustration in your own personal blog or on social media, you're most welcome to do so (download instructions are under the main image, above). If you us eit, please keep the watermark on it. Any further links or credit back to Clare Walker, BoundingSquirrel.com is always lovely, but never required.

If you fancy spreading some springtime joy a little further with this cheery daffodil, will just share that am finding it particularly cute on postcards and  pins/badges  in my Redbubble shop.

Image is a photo of a pin badge bearing the same daffodil design described in the last image.
"Spring has Sprung" Pin badge,
available on Redbubble.



Image is a photo of the "Spring has Sprung daffodil design on a postcard.
"Spring Has Sprung" Postcard
by Clare Walker, on Redbubble.


And with that, I'll leave you to your week. 

Have a good one-more soon.

Thursday, 7 March 2024

You Might Enjoy This Course Too...


Image shows a digital watercolour of a bright pink tulip in full bloom, with watercolour spashes around the edge and a sage-green background.
Tulip Bloom, Digital Watercolour

Hello there

I wasn't going to post this week, as am spending a ton of time on a course.

But then it turned out that the course is sooooo great, am feeling the need to recommend it to you, as well. 

 There aren't any affiliate links in this post or anything, am just enthusiastic about it, and want to spread the word. This is partly to let anyone who knows me in on a fantastic, uplifting resource, and partly as my "thank you" to the team for their amazing free course.

What's it all about?

Art2Life is a five-day...I almost don't want to call it just a course, but an online experience like no other...

Which yes, is about the fundamentals that make art stronger. Stuff you've probably heard before...But never, I promise, like this...

I'll admit that this in itself was the reason I signed up. Having taught myself a lot from watching videos by all the talented people on YouTube (and their books, courses, and other encouragements). I have, nonetheless,  always felt a bit lacking in structure.

And you do get that with Art2Life. But it's all presented in the most wonderful series of videos that helps each student to bring themselves back to life at the same time. Like an NLP or personal development course, but with a solid arty purpose as well. Plus it's fun. Masses of fun. And friendly.

And, yes, free. Of course there are paid, and more specialised courses if you want them. But there's no special pressure to join them, or so it seems so far...(I only encountered this myself a few days ago, and have already learnt so much that I'll be wanting time to assimilate it before even considering anything more).


The benefits so far

The two new digital watercolours in this week's post weren't even meant to be paintings, and sprang just from exercises on the course so afar (ie, before I've even finished all the videos).

 It's not really for me to say whether they're better than anything I've done recently/ever. But they sure felt easier and more fun to create :-).

Image shows a digital watercolour painting of a splashy cove on a summer day, with crystal waters, waves, sand, and grey/green cliffs, against puffy cllouds.
At the Cove (Digital Watercolour)




The only "catch"...

The only catch, as far as I can see right now, is that the free course will be taken down (I believe on 13th March 2024) until next year.

So, if you're curious (and honestly, am feeling that anyone who enjoys taking photographs, or indeed, just looking at art, might also enjoy it).

If you're reading this after that date, as I type, the Art2 Life YouTube channel looks like a mine of informative fun, as well.

If anything else occurs to me that you might need to know, I'll update this page accordingly.

Otherwise, thanks as ever for reading down this far.

More soon.