A Free Spring Illustration to Enjoy and/or Download

Click, tap or right-click here
to download this image

Hello there, and I hope, as ever that life is treating you well.

Today's offering is an illustration of spring to download and use as you wish (my angel policy about such things is here).

The original size of this illustration was about a third of an A4 or US letter-sized page. So, after upload, it may be even a bit smaller than that. What I'm saying, therefore, is that whilst this should make a good graphic to share online, its printed size will probably only be useful for smaller cards or projects.

Having said that, it's yours to use in line with the angel policy and with my blessing, especially given that:

a) I really appreciate your still being here after and during all the site upheaval,

b) Most of us could do with a treat at the moment, and

c) It's Spriiiiiingggg. (Or at least, odd days are showing big signs of it her after a couple of months of seemingly continuous gloomy weather). 

And yes,  I know, only in the Northern Hemisphere. But (again referencing that couple of months of seemingly continuous leaden sky) please allow me this indulgence if you live south of the Equator. You are of course, completely welcome to use or download this anytime, such as September ;-) if you wish.

(And I really am *that* person who actually goes round the house shouting, "Spriiiinngggg!", (quite loudly) at times such as these).

Finally

Thanks again for bearing with me as the site changes. If you're reading this from the site and would like to sign up for the new newsletter notifications in your in-box, please visit this page and fill in the form, confirming by email afterwards.

Otherwise, have a good week, and thank you yet again, for being here.

More soon.

Update on 13th March 2026-The blog is on an unexpected hiatus this week. Nothing serious, just lots of stuff going on that was unforeseeable and needed attention. I'll be back soon-hopefully next week.

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Just in time for Halloween...

Free Halloween Images

Hello there

In haste, but just in time for this Friday (if you're reading this near to my typing it, anyway), here's a selection of my Halloween images for this year, all on one sheet. I did promise the crafters reading this that there would be more soon for you, and with apologies for the delay, here it is.

They are all classic "black on deep orange watercolour," Halloween motifs  (cat, haunted house, bats,  etc), with a gentle twist. All the black images have been stencilled, to give a slightly grainy "old-fashioned printing," effect for extra spookiness.

And they're all ready to download, print and use.

To use them, you have a couple of options:

1. If you tap or right-click on the image above, you're welcome to download and use this one for free (credit always appreciated, but never required).

As ever though, I can't vouch that they'll come out the A4 size they went in (Google does a really strange re-sizing thing  that I can't always control), or

2) They are also available to buy and download now at a very-definitely-fully-printable-A4 size at Craftsuprint.Com.

Wishing you a fun week, with as much or as little spookiness as works for you.

More soon.

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A Poppy Thank You, And Changes Afoot...

"Thank You" Poppy Planter Sketch

Hello there

Hope all is well, safe and happy with you. It is here-but have been so busy, that this thank you (originally created as thanks for some lovely birthday gifts)  has been just about the only new design I can share with you.

But it is also meant as a thanks to you, both for being here, and in advance, for your patience.

Basically, the time has come to move to a better platform for newsletters (so that you don't have to be bothered by any pesky adverts for who-knows-what, for one thing. Many apologies if you've already been affected by this. Please know that change is coming).

However, to get this right, it's going  to take some research, adjustments, and thought. So please bear with me whilst I work this one out.

In the meantime, thanks again for being here. Please feel free to share the image above too, if you find it useful, and have people you'd like to thank (especially online, as I've sized it more for that here...). Note, am hoping that the new solution will make such sharing waaay easier :-).

Take care, and more soon-including some summery tales...

P.S. Update on 13th September 2025: A variation of this image (minus the text) is now available as a print and on all sorts of goodies here.

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New Line and Wash Illustration: Bird of Paradise Flower

Bird of Paradise Flower Illustration
(You can  download and share this, but please keep
 the attribution on the image. Many thanks!)

Hello there, and I hope any holidays you've had/are still having have been exactly how you needed them to be.

Ours were not at all as we'd planned, as not long after I'd scheduled the previous post, we learnt that my father-in-law, Mike had died. He was a good soul, whose quiet, calm presence, dry sense of humour and endless patience will be much missed.

But...

But having said that, he was also, until his last years at least, a good and enthusiastic photographer and card designer himself. So Mike, with huge thanks to all your support of my artistic (and other!) efforts, and appreciation of the details that make a difference...this image is dedicated to you, with lots of love.

And yes, it's a bright image, because even though Mike himself was on the quieter side, he never missed a chance to appreciate (and often photograph) colour in nature. Some of my best memories of him involve going round various gardens, and us  noticing, talking about and photographing plants, including the exotic ones at Kew Gardens.

This flower also feels like a symbol of hope for the future, which is what I'm sure he'd want us all to have.

 Please bear with me over the next few weeks, as blog postings may have different timings and frequency until the end of January.

And if you're new to the blog-welcome-and I promise that 99% of my posts are much more uplifting than this one.

On that note, let's all make it a Happy New Year, no matter what.

More soon.

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New Illustration: Spring Has Sprung

"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.

"Spring has Sprung" Pin badge,
available on Redbubble.

"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.

___________________________

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A September Grapes Freebie Illustration

Click, tap or double-click here to download
and use this September graphic if you wish.

And just like that, the holidays are over. Hope you had a good one. We did, and I'll share if you'd like. But somehow, you think you leave everything organised, and yet there's still so much mysterious *stuff* to sort out on returning :-).

Which is a roundabout way of saying that all the plans I had to have all my ducks in a row by now are *laughably* behind, but am still too "holiday-relaxed" to be too stressed about it.

A free September illustration/graphic for you

In the meantime, if you have any use for a new, free "September" graphic like the watercolour grapes above, then please feel free to download and use said grapes. (They are harvested in Europe at this time of year-can't vouch for elsewhere, but hope this helps in some way...And yes, I know we're into September already...).

And as ever, credit is very much appreciated, but not required, and terms of use are here.

And with that said, I'll go back to trying to get at least some of those ducks in a row for next week instead.

Thanks so much for being here, and have a lovely weekend when it comes.

More soon.

___________________________

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Free October Pumpkin Illustration, And Some News...

Click, tap or right-click here to download this illustration

Hello there

Yes, it's early in the week again, but thought you would appreciate having chance to see (and download, if you'd like), the free illustration for October.

About this image: The end of a series

The original image was a sketch in Inktense paint pans and pen, (finished with gold gel pen dots) which I then scanned into the computer, and boosted a little in Photoshop, so that it got back to its pre-scanning brightness.

More importantly though, image is a landmark in that it's also the end of a series. Over the last year or so, I have created at least one free illustration for each of the months (sometimes more than one) and also for other events,  most recently, the Equinox.

With this October drawing, this "seasonal," set of illustrations feels complete, at least for now. The free seasonal illustrations will all stay here as long as the blog does. I have no plans to move them, and you're absolutely welcome to use them (as set out in my angel policy) for as long as I can foresee when writing this.

What's next?

Moving forward, am feeling a real pull to take this blog back to its roots. I used to post simply whenever there was something I really wanted to share with you (which often meant that I posted more than I do now, rather than less). I really want to go back to posting in this way, rather than on a schedule, that can end up feeling a bit forced for all of us.

I also used to post art (like the pic below) related to my participating in online challenges, and I may do that again too.

"Yay!" One of my "Art Every Day Month"
images from November 2019

Honestly, it isn't all worked out yet...I just know I need to go back to the simplicity and joy of sharing work I enjoyed, along with the story of how it came be, and where it has ended up (be that a commercial design, or someone else simply enjoying it in their hands, or showing of what they've made based upon my design).

One of my first pieces of digital art,
from exactly 10 years ago-along with its story, here.

Honestly, there may also be more "how to", posts, because if I can learn to do this, really *anyone* who feels they really want to, can do it too, and I'd love more people to be able to experience the kind of joy that the last 10 years or so of art have brought me, for themselves.

There are also likely to be more (fun!) experiments as I love to share and try new things, and it keeps the energy high. Am thinking of things like this quiz, for instance...

Click here for the quiz...

What will the blog be like now?

Blogs at their best always feel to me like a cosy place in which stories like this can be shared, much more easily  than they can on other social media. (Which, I have to be honest, am using less and less. Please sign up here so that you always get to hear about my blog posts, if you currently follow me mostly on other social media).

So it feels as if  what's coming is that this can be a space of joy for all of us, rather than posting-or-reading-just-because-it's-Friday.

Will there still be freebies?

One thing you can be pretty confident about is that there will still be freebies. I've offered them whenever I can for the entire ten-years-plus of this blog, and I can't see that changing.

Most of all though...

Thank you *so much* for being here, for reading down this far, and for sticking around. It means a lot.

Watch out for new beginnings...soon...

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Equinox Spinning Globe Animated Gif

Click here to get this image without the watermark

Hello there, and hope all's well with you today.

Yes, I know it's extremely early in the week for me to be in touch. 

But it's September 20th already, so thought you might like this image to use in your projects or posts.

Researching the matter a bit more, it turns out that the Equinox this month seems to be taking place later than usual...Reports vary, and some even put the actual moment of Equilux (equal day and night around the globe) as late as Sept. 23rd, or even 25th. Can  you tell I'm not an astronomer :-) ?

Anyway...

What if you don't want to use it signed/watermarked?

If  you'd like to use it without the "BoundingSquirrel" signature, please consider  get it here. I've specifically designed it so that it's relevant for any Equinox, and as I type this, you can click here to grab it for an experimental pay-what-you-want price (including free).

That's all for now, but thanks so much for dropping by, and more soon.

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A Splooting Squirrel "Take It Easy" Gif...

 Download this squirrel gif here if you wish

Hello there.

What a week. Don't know about you, but I'm left baffled and wondering about so many things this week.

Without boring you with any of them, it also meant that when this squirrelly figure and his or her most important message demanded to be drawn, I was more than willing.

For one thing, when would I not draw a squirrel? (This is "BoundingSquirrel.Com after all. And there's not easier way to cheer up-IMHO (!)-than by drawing a squirrel).

For another, am just feeling a tad exhausted (we also received sad news about a friend's death on a personal and *not* global level this week) and really needed the reminder to take things easy. 

There's a lot "in the air" right now for all of us, whether you're feeling it personally or not. So maybe am not the only one.

But I still haven't answered your most important question, have I? Which is probably...

What the heck is "splooting", anyway?

Splooting (don't you just love the word, without more?) it turns out, is the name for that posture that squirrels (and other furry mammals) do when they lead to lose maximum heat on a hot day, and so lie flat and stretched out with their bellies against the coldest surface they can find.

By doing this, they lose heat from the maximum surface area they can in the shortest time, apparently. (And in the most comfortable, and most exertion-free way too, am guessing).

It seems that the original name for this was "heat-dumping,". But there's no contest between the two, is there? "Splooting," just describes the posture so well, and almost viscerally.

Sooo...

So that's the week in a nutshell, folks (sorry, couldn't resist the pun). Please *do* take this as you permission slip (if you need one) to take things easy as well.

And feel free to download and share the gif with anyone else you think might like or appreciate it.

Take care, and more soon.
___________________________

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Free September Illustration/ Clip Art Graphic To Download

Hello there.

I know this is a little early for the week, but wanted you to have it promptly, so that you can actually use it in September projects, newsletters and whatever else. 

Free "September" Illustration by Clare Walker
Right click, click or tap here to download.

As with all my freebies, it's my own illustration (in Krita 5 digital watercolour in this case) and you're free to download and use this in any way you like as long as you don't sell it as is or claim it as your own (copyright stays with me). Right-click on the image and save (or tap and save, depending on your device) to download it.

Have fun with this-more soon.

___________________________

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Free July Clip Art Illustration, and New Strawberry Card Sheets

Free "July Strawberry," Illustration. Right-click
and save here to download.

Hello there

Hoping you're well and thriving today. And as you can see above, it's time again for a "month illustration" freebie (in this case, the warmth and strawberries of July). Southern hemisphere people, I hear you, and know it isn't summer everywhere. I'm British, and it often isn't summer in July here either :-) . But seriously, if you have a different perception of months and their symbols, please let me know what they are, and I'll see if I can illustrate them for you.

Anyway, how about grabbing this freebie graphic?

So if you'd like to use the "July Strawberry," graphic above  in a project, video or newsletter, go ahead and right-click and save (or click, or tap, depending upon your device) the image above. Links back and credit are always appreciated, but never required.

And if you'd like to let me know how you use it, please do, 'cos 1) I'm curious, and 2) I might be able to feature *your* project in a future blog post.

Even more strawberry-ishness

Featuring is also what I'm doing with Marion Kimberley-Scott's lovely make of the new "Strawberry Mouse" printable card sheets (20% launch discount off in my shop for the next few days).

Strawberry Mouse Card,
made by Mario-Kimberley-Scott from a design by
Clare Walker at Craftsuprint

And on that cute and fragrant note, will leave you for this week. Thanks for dropping by, and have a great weekend.

More soon.

___________________________

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A Floral Art Card For Mother's Day and Beyond...

Hello there

Hope all is well with you, and that you're able to enjoy the spring/autumn/other season wherever you are in the world as you read this.

Watering Can With Purple Flowers, by Clare Walker,
Click here to buy as a downloadable card sheet.

This week's art features a piece of summer that will resonate with flower-loving gardeners everywhere, and I'm hoping that, in its various forms, it'll be useful to you whether you're celebrating Mother's Day, a birthday, or any other happy occasion you think this card would suit.

I need to shoutout to people in the USA and Australia (and maybe other countries?)  here. Am ashamed to say this is the first year that I've remembered that Mother's Day is on a different day for you than the UK (ie this coming Sunday), but I promise it won't be the last.

If you are one of those celebrating this weekend, or need a lovely birthday card quickly, there's still time to make a great card from the printable sheet here (pop the designs on some cardstock or thick paper and you'll have your card).

Or if you're looking to brighten someone's day with an ecard, you're welcome to download and share the smaller,  optimised-and-ecard version of the card below.

Tap, right-click or click to download

Either way, enjoy these flowers, and your weekend or week (depending on when you're reading this).

PS. Update on May 10th: This design is now also available as a shaped card to print out and make. Many thanks to Marion Kimberley-Scott for allowing me to use her photograph of the design when made up, and for her skills in the making of it:

Photo and make by Marion-Kimberberley Scott, from a
design sheet by Clare Walker.

More soon.

___________________________

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*Two* Free May Watercolour Illustrations

Hello there.

Hope you've had a great week. It's that time again, for  an "illustration of the month" freebie.

 Today  I have not one but two free "May" watercolour illustrations for you to use in your posts and projects if you'd like. (With huge thanks to Marion Kimberley-Scott, whose wonderful garden pics and permission to use them as reference, inspired this project).

Free May wreath illustration
Click, right-click or tap
(depending upon your device) to download and use

The first (above) is a more traditional clematis wreath with the word May inside, and the second (see below) spells out May in clematis branches. I couldn't decide which I liked best, so am offering you both of them.

To download either or both of them, just tap, right-click or click (depending upon your device) on the image you'd like, and download it to use, (in any way that works under my angel policy...Which allows for pretty much anything, except selling files as they are, or claiming copyright, which stays with me). Credit is always appreciated, but never required.

Free May-in- Clematis illustration
Click, right-click or tap
(depending upon your device) to download and use

In any event, hope these graphics help and are useful to you.

And if you'd like more pink floral goodness like this, a set of clematis graphics is now up in my Craftsuprint shop.

Update on May 3rd. The very talented Marion Kimberley-Scott has also given me permission to post a couple of pictures she's taken of this design when made up into a full-sized card. With huge thanks to her, here they are. Obviously, they are her pictures and not for download, but you can click through to see more of her marvellous card makes here.

Click or tap here to see more of Marion's skills at work, on this design, and others. As a card designer, I really don't know what I would do without her craft and photography skills. Thank you so much Marion :-).

Hope this helps.

More soon.



___________________________

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Free Illustration Download: March Daffodils

 

Click, tap or right-click depending  on your
device to download this free illustration

Can you believe that tomorrow it's March already? So, definitely time for your free March illustration download. The daffodils really are coming into full bloom here now, so this slice of bright and breezy days in the park is as real  and fresh-from-nature as it gets.

As ever, you're welcome to use this jpg illustration freebie however you like within the pretty broad limits of the BoundingSquirrel angel policy.

Have fun with this, and if you're enjoying it, please feel free to leave a comment and link below to show off how you're using it (if you'd like, there's no obligation).

That's it for today, but hope you're well, and take care.

More soon.

P.S. Update on March 25th. If you like this design, you may also like the Easter daffodil ecard here.

Freebie Friday: Come on Over...

 Hello (again!)

Two posts in one day...eek. It's just that I've been sharing this graphic in social media land. And, well, it seemed really unfair not to offer it here as a freebie to you, as one of the people who's probably already subscribed.

So, if you'd like it, please click, right-click or tap and download and use it as you wish. And please do check out all the news on the blog here, including the new feature of leaving a comment.

Now, I promise that's it from me for the weekend-have a good one.

More soon.

Free Panda Birthday Animated Gif Ecard and Bamboo Background Sheet

 

Right-click, tap or click here, depending upon your device, to download this
Please share it as you wish as long as the watermark remains. Many thanks!

Hello there, from windswept London this morning, and I hope life is treating you well.

As you'll see, today's freebie for you is a cute animated gif panda. Please feel free to share this wherever you wish, and to help everyone you know have the happiest of birthdays in his company.

Plus...

If you're more of a fan of making birthday cards, this panda is also available for you to download and print over in my shop at craftsuprint.com.

Plus, as a thank you to everyone reading this for sticking with me and subscribing (I really appreciate it) I can also offer you the bamboo background that's also for sale in the shop as a freebie, if you tap, click or right-click the image below and save it to your device.

Free Bamboo background sheet

Some essential cuteness...

Finally, I thought you might like to see the video that inspired me to start on this panda design. The video is by  

Xie Weijia  on YouTube, and you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/8CmeDu7K7f4.

If you're in need of essential cuteness (and who isn't, really :-) ), then this may be just the pick-me-up for you.

Enjoy, and more soon.

Cute Chocolates Illustration Download and More...

Tap, right-click or click here to download and use this image

Hello there, and hope you're doing well and thriving.

And an extra- special welcome if you're one of the many new people who've found out about BoundingSquirrel recently-I really appreciate your having taken the time to subscribe, and to read this.

In what's becoming a bit of a tradition, this fine Friday brings another free illustration for you to use in your projects, in the shape of the cute choccies featured above. Most ways you might want to use it as an individual,  crafter or small-business person are fine (take a peek at the my angel policy for details). 

Yes, they're obviously great for anything with an upcoming Valentine's or romantic theme. But what self-respecting chocolate-love wouldn't enjoy this illustration year round?

A Matching "Chocolates" Background...

This background is available to buy
as a download at Craftsuprint.Com.
Click or tap here for details.

If the illustration has got your creative juices flowing, then you might also like the matching printable background that's for sale in my Craftsuprint shop. (Update on Feb 7th: You can now order this on fabric too, at Zazzle).

Plus...

There's also a matching physical sticker with all sorts of uses (cards, presents, adding to a letter or card to cheer someone up, personalising your laptop, using it in your chocolate emporium (!)...the list goes on...)

This sticker is available to buy on Redbubble
Click or tap here for details...

Finally...

Finally, as am writing this in the run-up to Valentine's Day, if that happens to be the event that's brought you here, then my previous posts about this free teddy and hearts background, and Valentine Ecard, might also be useful.

Hope all this helps you in some day-brightening way in any event.

Have a lovely weekend, and more soon.

A February Snowdrops Illustration Download...

 Hello there, and hope that you are thriving. It's almost the end of the month, so time to unveil the new February illustration...

Tap, click or right-click to download and save this 
"February Snowdrops," illustration.

Update on Jan 31st: After some howls of protest at my gentle attempt to sell this, I've decided that this, like previous monthly illustrations, should also be a freebie. (And yes, where a purchase has been made already, I've refunded it, though with many thanks).

Instead,  this illustration now makes beautiful greeting card, sticker, postcard,  and journal, over at Redbubble.

February Snowdrops art greeting card by Clare Walker 
at Redbubble.

Have a lovely weekend, and more soon.

_____________________________________

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Free December Holly Clip Art Illustration

Just click, right-click or tap on the image to download and save this December clip art.

Hello there. Hope you're doing wonderfully well. And unaccountably, just like that, it's December, and time for some new (and free) clip art to celebrate the month. 

As ever, you can download without signing up to anything, and you can use it in any of the (many, many) ways allowed under my angel policy. (Links back are always appreciated, but never required).

It's just a short post today, because I've got lots of new and exciting things to share in upcoming posts. 

Just thought I should get this to you ASAP, so that you can use it in your December projects if you wish.

Thank you ever so much for being here, and more soon.

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New Lighthouse Painting: "Shine..."

Hello there. Hope you've had a great week. 

This week's illustration has a touch of nostalgia for me...

See this design on stickers, prints and more at Redbubble...

 When I was a teenager, we lived by the sea. And on clear nights, you could see  the lighthouse at Portland (Dorset),  a good 30 miles away, but beaming steadily through the darkness. There was always something very solid and comforting about that, even on land, and in times that were so much more certain.

All these thoughts of lighthouses got me to thinking about how it still feels important that each of still remembers to *shine*  brightly whenever  and as much we feel able.

And so the design was born. It's a hand drawn "traditional", line and wash watercolour/watercolour, but finished off digitally. So a true hybrid, really.

 Hope it sparks something for you too (and there are more details about it here, if it "floats your boat," as it were. (No puns were intended when I began that sentence, but hey, who could resist by the end? :-) )

Have a lovely weekend, in any event.

More soon.