Art Inspiration: Rifle Paper Co.

 So after about 4 days of on-and-off room cleaning, it's looking at about 25% done. You may think, "oh gosh Laura, that's it?" but for me, this is already a mini victory and one step closer to conquering the clutter! I stand by my word that I won't post any more DIY projects until I'm done cleaning, but I am allowed to post some ART right? haha.

While browsing nonchalantly on Pinterest - a highly-dangerous pastime for soon-to-be brides - I came across Rifle Paper Co. and totally fell in love with Anna Bond's cute yet elegant stationery. She creates all kinds of paper products for different occasions, and if you're a bride looking for some gorgeous invites, she can even do custom illustrations!

Now I'm pretty set on designing my own invites, but I'm not opposed to taking inspiration from others. I decided to try my hand at one of Anna's coaster designs since I had just found my tablet pen after a YEAR (room cleaning comes in handy after all!). 

Even though her designs are carefully hand-painted and I just drew mine with a tablet pen on Adobe Photoshop, I think it turned out pretty nicely! After my drawing was done, I used the texturizer tool (filter >> texture >> texturizer) and selected the canvas option to create that textured paper look. As a finishing touch, I added a part of one of my favourite verses about LOVE from the Bible (to read the full passage, see 1 Corinthians 13:4-8). 

I'm so happy to have found my tablet pen!! Now I can start drawing more on the computer! :) 

Just as a side note: I'm not trying to copy Rifle Paper Co.'s designs - it was more of an art exercise for me to see if I could replicate their hand-painted style using online tools. This was just for personal practice and that's why all the creativity credit goes back to Anna Bond! :) Even though I love how my version turned out, I wouldn't ever print it out to give to people because it's not my own design. 

I'm still learning so much about art. So... JOIN ME in celebrating the amazing work of other artists, and follow me as I develop my own style and journey along the road of artistic self-discovery! (Now if you said that last line in a deep, manly movie-trailer voice, it would sound so much more epic).