Cuckoo clocks at Bootcamp! :)

As I've promised, an update on Lilla Rogers' bootcamp :) The 1st week has come and gone and we got our 1st mini-cockoo clocks! I was delighted by our 1st mini assignment cos I NEVER ever drew a cuckoo clock before-funny right?! But it's true :) And I decided to give my wacom some time off, at least when sketching/exploring, so I did a lot of pencil/pen/guache thumbs. Anyhoo...the atmosphere is awesome, I love seeing everyone's sketches, drawings, finished works...there's such a variety of styles and techniques. I love it! Everyone is so kind and supportive and just inspirational! This is gonna be an amazing voyage! So here are some of my doodles and details and I decided to turn one of my sketches into a coloured one in the end, cos I wanted to give myself a chance to experiment with different texures/colour palletes. It's all about HAVING FUN as Lilla says, so I did. And in the future I hope I loosen up even more and learn to have even more fun.

xxx Ant

I just enrolled Lilla Rogers' Assignment Bootcamp! :)

So happy and so excited...will all keep you posted with all of my work and progress so stay tuned!

My venture into the world of patterns

For those of you who follow my work over on my FB page you know how I've been trying myself at patterns, a world unknown to me professionaly :D Yep, the last time I worked on patterns was while in Art school as part of our course, and I must say I never really enjoyed myself working on those back then. I was way more into- fashion drawing and similar lectures. I was always amazed when my prof. would say I nailed it, cos I never really 'understood' the purpose of those :D How strange, right?! :)

A month ago I bombarded my fb pal & amazing illustrator Celeste Gagnon Smale if she could try explain these to me (the process of making a set, how to do the overlaping...etc) And she was so awesome that she even did a small tutorial just for me! :D Thank you again C! ;) So I kinda gave myself a sense of direction by enrolling every competition over at Tigerprint...the 1st time I ever submitted any form of pattern was a black & white set for their competition. Needless to say I didn't make their top100 but I felt great just submitting A challenge every single month and stretching of my potential & ability. September's competition was 'shapes as pattern' and I submitted 4 patterns for this one, I really, really enjoyed myself working on these and was very inspired ( to be honest, when I read the brief the 1st time, I thought this one would be the most difficult). I really didn't expect anything this time either, cos I know I'm a novice in this field and I took this on to challenge myself as I said before. So when I went on my fb page in the evening I saw Tigerprint announced their top 100, so I went to check it out (as I always do, so I can see what they're into) and when I saw my pattern there I just couldn't believe it! I thought I was dreaming. :D Lol They must've announced it somewhere in the afternoon, I don't know, and I wouldn't have even checked hadn't it poped on my wall...Lol I am really happy to see my work is paying off and I'm going in the right direction, cos to be on their fave 100 list amongst over 1000 entries, and from my 2nd try at patterns....woweee, it's above my expectations. I'm like a kid, I rejoice over small things :D

So, you'll see plenty more of my pattern work as I venture into this new world.

See you all soon & thank you all so much for your support and kind comments here and on my fb page!

Antoana Oreški ©2013

A long overdue Hello! :)

Well, hello, hello :)

It's been ages since my last post here, I feel almost like a stranger on my own blog :) Lol
So much has happened since my last update...my illustrations for Profil International were all finished in time and delivered to the publisher. I was so happy to know all the editors working on this project were more than happy with my work. Then on the 9th April I finally held my baby girl in my arms-Lora! She was just beautiful and healthy and I fell in love with her immediately :) She's now a fast growing 2m old baby and doing really great, a great sleeper/eater and a very happy smiley baby as you can see :)

As I got home from the hospital with Lora a few days after I managed to go check my emails and all, I found  another job offer from yet another Croatian Publisher. So after my maternity leave there will be plenty of work as I can already see-very exciting!
Meanwhile my eldest finished her 1st kindergarten year and had such an amazing year of making new friends. learning and adapting.So proud of her! And as the summer finally arrived here (as we had the worst weather in Cro as I can remember) we are ready for the beach & the sea and to enjoy these summer hols!

And to sum this post up...my 1st finished piece I managed to draw & paint after giving birth...and I really enjoyed working on it!
Wishing you all a great summer-have fun!!!!!

xoxoxox

Ant

Antoana Oreski ©2013

1st post in 2013 :)

Hello everyone!

I'm so sorry I haven't had the time to do a proper post earlier but most of you who follow my work on FB already know the reasons. I hope you all had a very lovely time with your families & friends for Christmas and New Year and that you all had a good start of the year!

I have had such a busy time for these hols working on 2 illustrations for postcards for American Greetings Interactive and then just as I was finished with those I was contacted by a Croatian Publishing house called Profil International to work with them on a project called Eduitainment, an educational book with multiple tasks for kids age 6-7yrs in Croatian language. After some negotiations I've decided to be a part of the project and the adventure began. However, I was on a rather tight deadline (30days) and had to do 19 full page/colour illustrations, 7 half page/colour illustrations, 2 b/w full page illo's, 1 connect the dots & find the animal illo and 7 full pages of 8 or more 5x5cm vignettas, some in colour & some b/w...

I must say I enjoyed working on this project very much, and the whole team was awesome and full of understanding. But towards the end I was feeling very exhausted and tired working 13hrs a day, cos my belly was expanding at the same time, my little munchkin growing inside-as you already know I'm pregnant and expecting very soon :) But I've managed to finish everything in time and all the team including the head directors were very happy with my work. So pleased that I was instantly offered another project, another educational book but this time it's a mandatory book for school-for 1st graders issued by our government. I had to decline the offer cos I no longer can work since my maternity leave starts this following Tue. but they asked to contact them after my maternity leave cos they'll have many more projects and they would really want me to work with them again :) So that made me very, very happy and pleased :)

Soo...looking back at this 2012 and how it began (working with American Greetings Interactive) and then entering Epicase competition randomly(a friend notified me of the competition) and winning 3rd place amongst thousands of entrants from all over the world only to finish the year by signing with a new client( Profil Publishing house) is more than I could've hoped or dream of! I'm feeling very blessed and thankful and I really hope this 2013 brings us all new projects and clients and above all it brings us joy and excitement about the future, rather than anxiety and worries.

I'm looking forward to being officially published this year and to be a Mom for the 2nd time :) I will try and post here and on my Fb page as often as I can but foremost I'm gonna enjoy being mommy to my 2 gorgeous girls :)


For the end, here's a little preview of one of the illustrations I did for Profil International you haven't seen yet.

xoxoxox
Ant

Antoana Oreški 2013 ©Profil International

Christmas freebies-ready for download :D

I think I'm gonna have to wrap up my posts for this 2012 with these free Christmas tags I wanna share with all of you. I'm sorry I didn't have time to do something more creative as I planned, but it seems this season is always somehow the busiest time of the year for me. And 3 days ago I just got thru a really cool illustrating offer, the one you def. don't turn down...so all great things but I just can't find time then for all the stuff I'd like to do...so I went for something It doesn't take much time to design but will still bless you all in a way, I hope. I hope you won't hold it against me :) And mind you, I do keep forgeting I'm prego so I really should slow down and take care of my little bump :) So...all the exciting news I'll share with you in the New Year- I have to have something to write about next year :) And I'm gonna wish you all Merry Christmas & and an awesome New Year! May your cup overflow!

Kisses 'n hugs from me :*
Ant

Click to DOWNLOAD

Postcards for American Greetings Interactive :D

Season greetings to you all!
Hope you're all enjoying this time of year as much as I am. I love it! I have been busy little elf myself working on 2 images for Postcards for American Greetings Interactive. Plus I was working on Christmas decorations for our home and for my daughter's kindergarten. Just received a personal comission as well, so busy advent for me :D In case I don't post anything here till Christmas & New Year I would like to wish you all a great time for this holidays and countless blessings! Be merry and share the joy with others :D

Love you all!
Antoana




Here are my 2 illustrations for AGI! You're welcome ti leave a comment here or even on their site beneath the Postcard! xxx

Antoana Oreški ©2012 AGI

Antoana Oreški ©2012 AGI