The latest trend ideas for Greetings Cards

Scandinavian artwork to license has made a revival in popularity this year. Its make-up of simplicity and timelessness attracts many art licensing admirers, worldwide.

Image Source artist, Pia Simpson has incorporated her own Scandinavian characteristics of simplicity and colour to her artwork. She has worked on developing two styles with huge success on the elegant and simple Scandinavian style. Pale blues and greens, along with whites and vivid blues, abound in her working style of Print & Pattern.  Pia is an expert at creating beautiful, simple, clean designs, inspired by nature and the northern climate. The artworks are accessible and available to all who register on the www.image-source.co.uk website.

Woodland Christmas is another key theme in the running for Winter 2011. Rich in background colour and reindeer motifs, artist Sue Reeves has released a new range for 2011. We love this design taken from her Christmas portfolio.

The alternative Christmas Tree takes inspiration from crisp whites against dark blue backgrounds, moving away from viridescent greens. Sophisticated use of warm colours with the subtle incorporation of the Christmas scene invites discovery and depth.

Other artists in the Image Source Woodland Christmas portfolio include designs full of natural elements by Emma Freeman, Christopher Osborne, Tony Ryan and Nicola Gregory.

Bright colours and neon text presents a fashionable trend for the styling of card designs this year. The vibrancy of this autumn/winter trend is purposefully controlled and sophisticated so it does not appear overwhelming on card designs.

Elegance is of high consideration for artists who are blending fabulous female figures with the party occasion. Please look at Graphic illustrator, Olivier Blanc and Claire Coxon in the Image Source portfolio for some spectacular fashion designs available to license for greetings cards and much more.

Retro fashion also steps up to the trending market with vintage fashion and photography. Please view Paulo Viveiros portfolio or ask Image Source for further samples. www.image-source.co.uk

‘Festive Fun’ for art licensing agents Image Source

Image Source – Art Licensing currently represent many talented artists who offer inspiring, traditional and contemporary Christmas designs available to license worldwide.

With over 500 festive designs available from Paulo Viveiros’s archive of art, this fully digital showcase of designs brings a strong, contemporary library to Image Source. Paulo’s inspirations lie far and wide with his visual cues coming from the world around him, from urban architecture to the natural world, from fashion to the human form. His palette of colours comes not only from contemporary life, but also from the colours he least expects to see, the blue in human skin and the red in freshly cut grass. His library includes Print & Pattern along with Typography designs plus much more.

Paulo Viveiros - Contemporary Christmas

Christmas artist Molly Graham designs for a number of product categories which include Christmas partyware and tableware. Thanks to the endless possibilities of digital design Molly is able to create variable styles. She writes “I enjoy chopping and changing between traditional, contemporary and vintage styles. Keeping up with trends in stationery, homewares and fashion on the High Street and on-line keeps the work fresh. Image Source are keen to ensure their designers continue to evolve creatively – I am continually encouraged to try new things, briefs are varied and I am kept supplied with an eclectic mix of good quality commercial visual reference by them to refer to should inspiration run dry”.

Molly Graham - Tableware Christmas

Simon Treadwell is a self-taught digital artist who uses the traditional painterly styles with a vivid finish to his work. His portfolio consists of traditional detailed scenes incorporating Father Christmas, Fluffy Snowmen, Puppy Labrador’s and Children.  The clean lines with bold colours are on trend, proving very popular on a variety of products that include greetings cards, prints and calenders.

Simon Treadwell - Traditional Christmas

Please visit www.image-source.co.uk to view our online portfolio of Christmas artists and Illustrators.

Fancy Getting Creative?

Image Source artist, Annabel Spenceley, has worked on creating a range of beautiful drawings perfect for every card making occasion, with an exciting range of designs in this month’s “PaperCraft Inspirations” magazine.

Available in the August publication – are 20 template designs by Annabel, launched by crafting company “Lili of the Valley”. Their chosen designs offered as a free gift include magical fairies, adorable teddy bears, girls in girly dress up and cute bunnies.

Annabel trained in fashion and graphic design which encouraged her to focus on the tiny characteristics of her artwork. She enjoys adding humour to her detailed designs which she says “….can come from a look, a raised eyebrow or a tiny smile.”

For more great artworks, available to license worldwide, please register on the Image Source – Art Licensing website www.image-source.co.uk where you will find a fantastic selection of cute, whimsical art ideal for all craft applications.

Fantasy artist Scarlett Underwood

New artist and illustrator Scarlett Underwood has recently joined the Image Source – Art Licensing portfolio. Her large selection of artworks includes intricate, fine water colour which is mainly figurative.

The beautiful illustrations feature a level of detail that will capture the imagination of children and adults alike.  In addition to the large and evocative images with their flora, fauna, and delicately winged figures you will find a treasure of flowers and animals that fill the page.

For more details please visit www.image-source.co.uk.

Bring out the Bunting

Brighten up your celebrations with the new range of ‘Bunting’ Happy Birthday and New Birth cards from Molly Graham.

Bunting has always been a popular way to add decoration to any celebratory event. The colourful triangular flags are usually made of fabric and we love the way Molly Graham has adorned the greeting cards with beautiful floral textile imagery and pattern.

Image Source artist, Molly says “I enjoy the flexibility of designing directly on screen and I pride myself in working with clients to develop well executed, interesting saleable designs. I was delighted to be taken on by Image Source – Art Licensing and appreciate being able to focus on being creative while they take care of the business side of things. I’m very lucky to do something I love as a job, being able to draw every day is a pleasure – getting paid for it is the cherry on the top!”

If you are interested in Molly Graham’s designs, please speak to Hannah Curtis, Image Source Art Licensing on 01442 834464 or visit www.image-source.co.uk.

 

Classic British Film…available to license – incl. Scrooge

Image Source Art Licensing welcome to their portfolio, a library of Classic British films available to license on all products.

The first film to feature is the 1951 traditional Christmas favourite, Scrooge with images starring renowned actors George Cole and Alistair Simm. Stunning high quality images can be created from the films and will be available to license on all products to the publishing industry.

If you have any questions about Licensing ‘Scrooge’ or any other classic film please email enquiry@image-source.co.uk or contact us through the website www.image-source.co.uk.

PG Live – Greetings Card Exhibition 2011

The annual trade exhibition dedicated to greeting cards – PG Live this year celebrated its 3rd Anniversary. Progressive Greetings Live is a specialist two-day show run by the industry for the industry and provides retailers with the opportunity to see new ranges from over 270 of the leading greeting card publishers and art licensing companies.

The show encompassed exhibitors from the largest established names such as Hallmark, UKG, Noel Tatt and Simon Elvin to a field of new start up publishers. The Springboard@PG Live gallery areas were buzzing with wonderful new designs that were an inspiration to all.

In the licensing section, the line-up attracted strong overseas support for Image Source with visitors from Australia, USA and Holland. Perhaps this has some connection with London in May being more appealing than Birmingham in February.

New banners brought a fresh approach to the Image Source stand. We were encouraged with positive feedback from customers which enabled Image Source to build on their success by selling designs straight from the exhibition walls. We think that Max Publishing did a fantastic job and really concentrated on Licensing this year.

Surtex continues to grow in 2011

With the premier Art Licensing show over for 2011 we look back to what trends were observed at SURTEX and the growth we see year on year at the show which has now hosted its 25th successful year in New York.

Image Source considers SURTEX a pleasure to be exhibiting at because of the groups of various professionals who visit the show along with all the prospective clients. Face-to-face contact is irreplaceable and if you only see clients once a year – the show is priceless. There is a huge benefit to being able to present in person and show our portfolio of images to many manufacturers in the three days.

New artists visit SURTEX too and we look forward to greeting these individuals and finding our their goals, what they know about art licensing and how we can offer our expertise. Many are unaware of how the industry works so we recommend they attend the classes that are hosted during the show. It is a great way for artist wishing to venture into art licensing with the help of agents. They can make lots of good contacts and get their ‘foot in the door’ with art licensing agents alike.

The show this year was full of inspirational trends – not only in artwork but layouts used in the booths at the shows. These ideas must stay in our minds though since no photographs are allowed at the show. Please view this youtube video to get an insight into SURTEX, New York.

There is something at SURTEX for everybody with around 300 exhibitors and 6,000 people visiting the show over the three days. It has been noted that the show continues to grow year on year, which serves as proof of how the economy is gaining strength in this industry. We look forward to see you all again in 2012.

Image Source Team

The London International Card Show – Art Licensing

Brighten up a whole day by visiting Progressive Greetings LIVE (PG LIVE), the only trade show dedicated to greetings cards, calenders, stationery and design. The show is packed full with plenty of great names and amazing new talent.

Image Source – Art Licensing invites you to visit Stand 605 where you can see an array of new talent including a new range of contemporary female designs by designer Claire Coxon. Artist Molly Graham entices us with her new Christmas partyware range exclusively at PG Live and renowned illustrator and designer Paulo Viveiros shows off his retro inspired ranges.

Debut artists to be showcased are Gill Cooper, Jennifer Edden and Anna Platts. Please contact us for an appointment by email: enquiry@image-source.co.uk or telephone: +44 (0)1442 834464.

The changing face of Art Licensing

Innovative technology is something many of us are unable to keep up with. Take a look back in time at a Creative Director who has witnessed many changes because of the internet.

“It was just 20 years ago that artists and art licensing agents (including myself) were hawking around designs to publishers by using colour copies or taking cases full of artworks. I am aware of at least two hernia operations that resulting in transporting such heavy items around.

The introduction of computers and the internet was life-changing and has revolutionised the art licensing industry. Instead of having to send letters, faxes and parcels we are now able to communicate immediately with artists and customers by email and create CD’s for production and for reference. Suddenly, we get a worldwide audience of potential customers in new territories and markets. Certainly, business for Image Source – Art Licensing mushroomed at that point and, almost worldwide market, saving costs on photography, colour copies, packaging and postage.

Every week I receive emails from artists submitting their art for consideration or directing me to their website, and I can respond to them within an instant. Where the internet is going to take us in the future is really exciting but also a little scary. What we can be certain of is that it will be a phenomenal tool for the art licensing industry and those who know how best to use it best – will probably be the most successful”

John Williams – Creative Director

Image Source Art Licensing

http://www.image-source.co.uk