I’m flying in today with a quick post. I’m trying to get ahead of myself slightly as I have my sister visiting next week. Can’t wait for some quality sibling time while she’s here :D
The other day I felt inspired to get out my watercolours and freehand my interpretation of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Do you know the children’s book I’m referring to? I have read that book probably over a hundred times to my children when they were young and when I think of it I’m transported back to those treasured times snuggling up to read and chubby fingers poking through the holes built-in to the book. I’ve linked all supplies at the end of this post. Compensated affiliate links used.
“On Monday he ate through one apple. But he was still hungry.”
I thought I’d turned the video camera on while I was painting this, but well, obviously I didn’t! When I realised my mistake I did do a quick phone video and shared it on my Instagram story. Instagram stories only stay up for 24 hours so that quick video has disappeared now but I am trying to share more behind the scenes clips using the Instagram stories feature – general life, what I’m working on, sneak peeks etc. Instagram is my favorite social media I think, it appeals to my visual nature and is such a happy and positive community. I’m going to try and share my The Daily Marker 30 Day Coloring Challenge updates there over this month. Have you checked out the challenge?
The challenge starts today and runs through to the 30 March. Kathy Racoosin is a total sweetheart and puts such a lot of effort in to running the challenge and encouraging us all to take just 10 minutes a day to colour something. You can check out all the challenge details at Kathy’s blog, The Daily Marker.
I started with a long thin piece of watercolour card and sketched a ground-line, semi-circle for the sun and bunch of connecting ovals for the caterpillar. I used my usual watercolour palette and this brush (great for small areas like the caterpillar) and then tidied up and added some texture with Faber Castell pencils. Whenever I try this more whimsical, illustrative style it reminds me that what can appear on the surface to be quite simple, in reality can be much harder than it looks to get right. My Hungry Caterpillar is far from perfect but I really had fun and so thought I’d share it here anyway. It is having fun part which is the most important part after all.
To finish the card I stamped a sentiment from the Loving Heart set from Simon Says Stamp which seemed just the perfect fit. I mounted the panel on a Desert Storm card base and then accented with a few Simon Says Stamp iridescent sequins.
OK, once I finish getting this post ready to go up, I’m going to see if I can squeeze in 10 minutes colouring. The new Neat & Tangled release which is due out next week just popped through my door and I can’t wait to colour a cute new set from Elena Roussakis :D
SUPPLIES
You can find links to the supplies I’ve used below; click on the picture or wording to get taken directly to the product. Where available I use compensated affiliate links which means if you make a purchase I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. You can read my affiliate and product disclosure here. I truly appreciate your support.
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PIN ME
Summary of the project which gives all the views of the card in one photo :D I’d love if you pinned and called by on Pinterest :D
Debby, this card is darling! That book has a special place in my heart, too. :-)
Love this card!!
I adore this! Brings such great memories back of reading to my niece when she was a little one, and then subsequently my own kids!
This is so adorable Debby, you recreated it beautifully!
I wasn’t familiar with this particular book when my children were young, they loved Dr Seus. However, my two young grandson ARE into this and I have read it numerous times with them and it is fantastic AND fun. And yes, the chubby little fingers poking through the holes….LOL ♥ IT!
Wonderful idea Debby, and beautifully painted! Have a great time with your sister. My sister is coming over to the states in fives weeks, so I understand your excitement :-)
Have fun with your sister. I’m counting down the days!
Oh yes, I’ve read The Hungry Caterpillar many times, to my children, and now I’m lucky enough to be reading it to my grandchildren! You do a very nice job of representing that very fun artistic style! Thanks for sharing, and have a great time with your sis!
Love this adorable card. My grandson loves that book, and even has some plush toys that go along with it–all the fruits/veggies the hungry caterpillar eats. I think the card is awesome.
Ah there’s accessories now too!
Oh how I love this! We used the Very Hungry Caterpillar as our nursery theme, and while the girls are out of that stage and we’ve converted the nursery to a playroom, I haven’t the heart to repaint/redecorate yet. It remains a favorite at our house! Have a great time with your sister!!!
Oh what a fabulous nursery theme! I don’t think I could get rid of it either. In fact I’m wondering how I can include it in a house full of teens LOL!
Adorable!! You are so darn creative. . . loving this card!!
Love it! I also love Eric Carle & his adorable books. I spent many hours reading them to my son, Eric. I picked up a copy of the Print & Pattern Book that you posted about – fabulous & I noticed that Eric Carle was mentioned as a favorite artist by several of the people featured in it. Thanks so much for your never ending inspiration.
I’m really enjoying the print and pattern book Troy. I realise I’ve got stuck in a rut with colour combinations and that book just got me exploring again :D
I’m really enjoying it too. And, I was thrilled to see Helen Dardik’s work in it. I have her Flow color book & one of the Waffle Flower stamp sets she designed. Fun! Happy Weekend & enjoy the visit with your sister.