Whilst I was working on my winter collection for the little art shop I had a request from a young girl in the United States for a tiny fox with glasses to be included somewhere in one of my illustrations. She wears glasses herself and thought it would be nice to have a character to find that was in glasses too.
The more I thought about a bespectacled fox character, the more he came to life, until I had a very clear image of a woodland librarian in my mind and could not wait to start creating him.
In the various public libraries I have worked in over the years, winter usually involves trying to keep warm with a lot of hot drinks and extra layers of clothing. In some of the older buildings and mobile libraries I used to keep a coat, hat and gloves on – and sometimes even mittens! My fox character would definitely need to have his own cold weather clothes.
Although I always do my initial sketches in my art journal, I am getting more and more used to working on an iPad with an Apple Pencil now. My initial sketch is scanned in as the first layer and then I draw over the top in an electronic version of my Derwent pencil. The undo button proves incredibly useful when I have lots of children around my desk and also allows me to try out different colour schemes.
At first the character still seemed to want a final something to bring him to life. I was much happier once the fox and toy rabbit were aged, as if by years of hugs, with the addition of little curls and wisps of fur.
I often change the background colour if I am trying to find spots I have missed. As I was using an autumn palette a pink tone showed up a handful of missing leaves and little star patterns.
Here he is – complete. Mister Meadowson, Librarian-at-Large.
My husband then used my illustration to create a mug, blanket and other lovely items to sell. I hope, very soon, to create the design on Mister Meadowson’s own tea cup so that we can add a real life version of his mug to the Tiny Potager Shop too.
This is the soft grey blanket that my little friend in the States is getting as her Christmas present from her parents. I could not be more delighted that they love the design.
You can watch the creation of Mister Meadowson from the initial sketch the the finished product below.
Visit my Little Art Shop: www.tinypotager.shop
Commission Enquiries: tinypotager@hotmail.com
I’ve linked below to where you can buy the items mentioned in my post from Amazon. If you click on the picture and buy the item I will get a small commission to help support my art.
Derwent 34215 Graphic Soft Graphite Drawing Pencils, Set of 12, Professional Quality, Black
Tiny Potager 
Oh, my gosh! As someone who is writing a Great Library fantasy series, I am utterly enchanted by a fox librarian. I really enjoyed reading how your real-life experience shaped your art.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am so excited to read your book series! 🙂 When my little American friend asked for a fox in glasses, I just knew he had to be a librarian – I have a story in my head to write about him, but I need to draw his friends first 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, yes! And many thanks!
LikeLike
Ah, Foxy little fellow, eh? I love him already.
LikeLike
Thank you! I am so glad you like him! 🙂
LikeLike
He’s as adorable as you are a wonderful artist.
janet
LikeLike
Awwr thank you so much Janet! xxx
LikeLike
He’s delightful (and thanks for the link to your YouTube channel – I will enjoy watching how you create all your lovely characters and artwork).
LikeLike
Thank you! I’ll hopefully be getting some more videos online very soon! My next commission is to draw 12 flower designs for bird boxes, which I’m very much looking forward to 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So that’s how you do it. Wonderful to see
LikeLike
Thank you! Really glad you enjoyed the video 🙂 It’s funny for me as I can spot all of my “there … no … maybe there … or there” moments as I add and delete things 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
You have an incredible talent. Well done!
LikeLike
Oh thank you very much! I think this must be my quickest commission to date because I could just “see” the little character I wanted to draw in my imagination from the start 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great request to get.
LikeLike
So much fun to draw a tiny librarian fox 🙂 and I especially love creating special commissions for people too.
LikeLike
I love that he wears his glasses under his ears … because, of course he does. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh very well spotted! In my imagination he has found those glasses somewhere, maybe dropped in the woodland by someone, and they don’t quite fit a fox! You have such an eye for tiny details!
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
This is fantastic! And I really like the soft warm gray background!
LikeLike
Thank you very much! The soft warm grey was a request from the mum of the little girl – I think to match her room. So pleased with how it looked when the background was added 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing character!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Tierney! 🤍🤍🤍
LikeLike
Thank you! I’m a little bit in love with this little fox. I’m hoping to get a the mug version of the design to have my tea in for when I’m reading 😀
LikeLike
Beautiful.
LikeLike
Thank you so much x
LikeLike
Little one came with an innocent interesting request and you created such a cute Mr.fox. I am keen to know the kiddo’s reaction…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Dee – thank you so much 🌟 The mum tells me that she is completely made up x I’m delighted to have been able to create a Christmas gift for her 🤍
LikeLiked by 1 person
You really gifted her your best visualized gift. You might get lots of request for this adorable librarian😘
LikeLiked by 1 person
🥰❤️ x
LikeLiked by 1 person