Sunday 4 March 2018

2018 Topic 4: Whimsy (Intro and Challenge Links}

 2018 Topic 4: Whimsy



Hi everyone, Darcy here, bringing you another great topic. This time we are launching ourselves into the world of whimsy, and what a delightful place it is too. 

Before we start, let's see who won the Topic 3: Watercolours...

The winner is: Christine from Crafty Endeavours


Email Darcy to claim your prize. Darcydotneedles@gmail.com

So just what is whimsy? according to the dictionary it is quaint, fanciful or humorous, it can also be unusual, unpredictable, playful or odd. It has also been described as strange and without explanation, nonsense, silliness but most importantly it is optimism! It is full of hope, happiness and innocence. 

Mary Derkach
So, let's get whimsical!

Whimsy is not new, here we have the work of Paul Klee from 1928, it is said he had a wanted to make 'secret visions visible' , he did this by concentrating on line, shape and colour and injecting fantasy. 


Paul Klee. Cat and Bird. 1928
Paul Klee
You can see how this influence was carried forward, here is a piece from 1967. 


Sara Catena
Fast forward again to 2015, see the same strong lines, shapes and colours. 


Image result for whimsy cat juliette crane
Juliette Crane
Of course it isn't all about cats! Let's look at some whimsy people. 

There are many artists that are known for their whimsy people, Willowing, Suzi Blu, Andrea Gomoll to name but a few. 

Here is a beginners video from Ady Almanza, if you check out her youtube channel you will find all sorts of helpful videos. 


and another from Marta Lapkowska.

Here we have a journal page from Kate Crane, she has her own distinct style of whimsy people too. 


The Kathryn Wheel: Holiday Doodles
Kate Crane
Another artist you should explore is Micki Wilde, her whimsies are a little more soulful and sometimes sad, but this makes them even more endearing.  


painting by Micki Wilde. She did everything I love, the symbols, the colors, this face... oh and have you spotted the fox ?
Micki Wilde
Take a look at the work of Karen O'Brien, her details and textures are so wonderful. 


15x30" on wood by Karen O'Brien
Karen O'Brien 

There are so many whimsical stamps available for you to have hours of fun colouring in. Some are human, some not so much... like our own range of Zinski stamps. These are delightful, adorable and a 'must have' in any whimsy collection. 


Ann Chuang
The JOFY collection is dull of whimsy elements, flowers, leaves, people, robits...something for everyone. 

Jo Firth Young
This piece is a double whimsy, not only is the hand painted face a whimsy girl, she also has a whimsy hairdo, made completely from Jofy flowers. 


Darcy
With her bright, fun style we also have stamps from Tracy Scott, some are deliberately flowers, others are abstract shapes that can be made into flowers, but they all have that sense of fun and frivolity that is whimsy. 

Tracy Scott
Colour is one of the important parts of whimsy, take this gorgeous owl from Tamara Laporte, zingy colours that can barely be contained on the page. 


Love, seems to be the only way. This quirky bird agrees! :)
Willowing Arts
Another important aspect is shape, though there is very little colour in this piece we have the fantastic use of shape and line, just look at those cute bobbles. 


sheep image
Ganna Dovgan
This cute pup really tickled me, have a read of the description under the image. 


Hound of the Blankyvilles with caption by RichSkipworth
Rich Skipworth
Animals are often used in whimsy because we see them as cute and innocent, though they tend to be the fluffier species. Sometimes you will see other animals that are not so fluffy, but making them whimsical gives them a more friendly feel. 


Annie Peaker...
Annie Peaker
A spider wouldn't generally be called cute, but here it is made whimsical and that changes everything. What can you think of that would normally make you afraid? how could you make it more friendly?


Image result for whimsy spider art
Lucia Stewart

How do you feel about whimsy parking lines, would this help people park in the right place? it would certainly make me smile. 

Peter Gibson
Birds are always a good bet for whimsy, their shape can be simplified without losing identity, and all sorts of colours work well. 


Fiona S.

Mousies are equally common in the world of whimsy, a perfect example is this little mouse, Evangeline. 


Vanessa Caban 
So are you ready to take a leap into whimsy, go bold, go bright, go silly, whatever you do have lots of fun. 

Don't forget to follow Darcy and Leandra's Pinterest boards if this topic pushes your buttons, you will see plenty more examples to whet your appetite there! I am really looking forward to seeing what you create over the next 2 weeks!

~ Darcy



We always hope that you  learn something interesting from our blog

Our creative team love to read your comments so much, so please take time to let them know you've been inspired!  

You must complete step 1 AND 2 to be entered into the draw. 

To join our challenge:
1. Leave a comment on the Topic Introduction Post and go in the draw to win a PaperArtsy Apron. 
2. Make something arty relevant to the topic, and link your creation from any social URL (eg. Instagram, Pinterest, Blog Post etc) sharing your original make to this challenge page.







The current topic link Topic 4: Whimsy will close 17:00 (London Time) Sunday March 18th 2018, and the winner will be announced 2 hours later at 19:00.



All links go in the draw to win a PaperArtsy creative apron. Please make sure we can contact you as a prize winner - it helps if you share your contact info from the platform you opt to use.

Good Luck! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

16 comments:

Helen said...

wow, what fabulous creatures you've found! think this will be a very popular fortnight! and well done Chris!

Kirsten said...

Congrats to Christine! Great new challenge topic.

Craftyfield said...

Wow wait until my OH spots me strutting my stuff in my professional apron... Will I craft better I wonder?
Another great post from Darcy and a great theme too!

Cathy said...

Great topic, lots of lovely eye candy for inspiration thankyou! Cathy x

Unknown said...

Can't wait to make a start on this challenge. The inspiration is so much fun,I especially like the one with the hound and his blanket as it reminds me of my Spanish greyhound! He walks around with his blanket on him lol. Xx

Etsuko said...

What a fabulous topic Darcy!! and delightful samples. xx

Glennis F said...

Congratulations to the lucky winner. This one looks like a fun challenge

Monika Gulyas said...

Great challenge theme and inspirational post!!! Huge congrats to Christine!!!

Cocofolies said...

All samples are SO FABULOUS!!!!!! Loving whimsy art.
Thank you Darcy for this great post.
And big congrats to my friend Christine! Thrilled for her :) xx

kksb said...

Awesome challenge topic.

Miriam said...

Awesome topic..... I hope I join in and move out of the comfort zone!

Hazel Agnew said...

Not my best topic, but loads of ideas here thanks Darcy. Love the parking lines! Xx

Julia said...

The parking lines are fabulous as is that weird cat at the start of this post. I think this is a great topic and the inspiration is great fun. Thanks Darcy.

Maye M.L said...

Absolutely wonderful topic. The inspiration posts got my creative juices flowing after a long hiatus. Although all Paper Artsy stamps are amazing, I particularly Love the Cat's Meow stamp series. Cheers

Kezzy said...

Wow fantastic challenge and so many gorgeous links. Happy Art :-)

Ana Lu said...

Sou apaixonada pelo gato branco...enfim tudo está divinamente lindo....