Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Batcat Colouring Book Free Download

This is a little colouring book I made in 2008. Yes way back in 2008, kids.


Each image is an ink drawing on paper that I scanned, then brought down to my local copy shop and photocopied. I then brought them home and hand assembled them into little zines. They had a glossy postcard cover, I think I still have about 100 covers in storage.

It is a very simple little story of a day with Batcat around his house, hanging out with his little mouse friend. I made it mostly for children, this was before adult colouring came back into fashion!




This one is numbered. I don't know if i always did that. I always signed and drew a little batcat though!

In total there are 10 half page illustrations. I recently got the idea from a friend on instagram that it might be a nice time to have activities or colouring things for kids to work on during the self isolation phase of the pandemic. A great idea! These things already exist and why not! I started a Gumroad account and uploaded them.



So you can get them for FREE on Gumroad. This site also has a feature where you can choose an amount to pay to the artist if you feel like it on items like this, so thank you if you choose to add a small amount.

The pages print out on 5 full sheets of paper. I included the colour cover too, so if choose you can make yourself a little book/zine like I used to do. Its family friendly, safe for all ages. Have fun!



Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Repaint of older paintings

Reworking an older painting in Procreate.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/784074147/art-print-batcat-teaparty-8-x-10-secret 

I decided to try a repaint in Procreate on the iPad. I started with my painting of a Batcat Tea Party that I did some time in 2006. I used to sell prints of this on Etsy. The new version is now available.
The older version. It was ink and acrylic paint on illustration board. I don't even know if I still have the original painting of this in a drawer somewhere...

I used to do a lot of painting, both for selling online and even just as personal work, but a few years ago I had a back injury and spinal surgery that made painting in the same way I used to difficult. I don't really do work in this style anymore.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/784074147/art-print-batcat-teaparty-8-x-10-secret 

I didn't spend much time thinking about reworking it in a serious way, just basically using it as a sketch and drawing over top. I only added one element, the batcat in the tree branches drinking a pop. At times I actually thought, that it was like those adult colouring books. But with about 10 layers in Procreate.


A closer look.

I think it was pretty successful! I do miss the gamble of painting. There is so much you don't control, and the best parts of my paintings were always accidental. I LOVE SPLATTERS! But digital painting has a LOT of marks in its favour! Obviously, UNDO. But also its relaxing, you can do it anywhere, you can stop and start with no prep, you can have multiple versions...CATS don't walk on it and leave footprints! And Procreate keeps stats on your work. This took about 20 hours, and had 24,000+ strokes.

I already have a few other images I think I may try repainting. 








Monday, March 2, 2020

Free Printable Bat Garland Download

I used to sell printables on Etsy that were made from my own digital illustrations. I have since changed my second etsy shop's focus to selling vintage items, so I have a little stockpile of printables just gathering digital dust...Why not just put them out into the world for free?

You can download these bat garlands for free, and print them for your next Halloween party, or maybe just to spooky up your gothic home. Available in four colours. Scroll down to see the download links



Make sure to download the PDF by clicking the link, not just save this little photo to your computer. The PDF is way better quality, you will be prettier and crisper bats!  These will print well on a 8.5 by 11 inch standard size paper.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gQpme5xltkBDGre6lUqVwZ26f65LYeGD/view?usp=sharing 


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v578Stkig_RVVuipaPMoNKaHt9lO3Hcm/view?usp=sharing


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ASIk5RixI3fYWyWKKIdMfMgjh_O0hkVB/view


https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BR3v-CSvwjIBhHuroREn1-LlMmv-guWN/view?usp=sharing

Here are some photos of the garland after I printed it.


I printed on thick, matte photo paper to get these images. You can also print on thinner paper and then glue it to thicker card stock before printing. 

Please only use this for personal use, not commercial applications. Feel free to pin and share this post.

I also uploaded this to my Gumroad account. You can download it there for free, or also consider paying a small fee if you choose.

Buy my product  

Hope you have fun making your very own string of bats!!