2018 Topic 4: Whimsy (Intro and Challenge Links}

 2018 Topic 4: Whimsy

Amanda Southern

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

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. 

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. 

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.  

Micki Wilde

Take a look at the work of Karen O'Brien, her details and textures are so wonderful. 

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. 

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. 

Ganna Dovgan

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

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

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?

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!