Combining Illustration and Oil Painting

It's an interesting back and forth process to switch between illustration and oil painting.They're very different stylistically but they each influence the other. Over the many years of illustration I've explored different ways of getting an idea or story across depending on the requirement for each particular assignment, that builds a bit of a mental storehouse to draw upon for subsequent paintings.

The idea of combining my illustration and oil painting has been lurking in the corners of my mind for a few years but it was a vague idea of exploring themes, patterns, and favourite subject matter in the naive style of my illustration in oils. I made a few stabs at it but it wasn't quite what I wanted, the vision was hovering but just not clear.

One day while doing my early morning writing I could see my vague idea become clearer. I was writing about my recent studies and the things that I was learning from them like painting colour more intuitively and much looser and freer brushwork when suddenly I could see how I could use these expressive ways of painting to combine my illustration style with the oils in a way that would be pure painting pleasure.

What to paint? I kept it simple, choosing motifs that I love like pattern, birds, cats, flowers, and still life. I began exploring different techniques and with each painting things began to fall into place. Where are they going? I'm not sure. I only know that it's the pleasure and exploration that's important for now and the joy of seeing how they change over the years. I would never have done this had it not been for all those years of illustration and then the oil painting, it's all the experimenting and the doing that brought me to these new paintings and it reminds me of the great importance of exploration in art.


Bird with Tulip & Vase, 20 x 16, Oil on Canvas
© Cindy Revell


Thoughts, 20 x 16, Oil on Canvas
© Cindy Revell


Spring Songs, 20 x 16, Oil on Canvas
© Cindy Revell


Russet Spring Songs, 20 x 16, Oil on Canvas
© Cindy Revell
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Oil Painting to Watercolor - Illustration

Thank You
6 x4, Watercolor with Pen & Ink

It's been an experimental few months and I'm not done exploring yet. Recently my agent Deborah Wolfe of Illustration OnLine suggested we give our clients another illustration style to choose from, something loose and free, like watercolors which used to be my medium of choice. It was a great idea and I'm loving the spontaneity of these.


Flowers For Mom
4x4, Watercolor with Pen & Ink

This illustration is one in a series that depicts a small story in only 6 steps with no text to describe the story. The pen I'm using to do the inking is my Aunt's which she used when she was just a young woman. It's in my studio now and I'll treasure it forever.


Smart Car Journey
7x6, Watercolor with Pen & Ink

Smart cars are a pretty nifty mode of getting around but they do have their limits.

Am I done exploring? I don't think so. A commission for another trunk has come in and this one has a Cuban theme. The research phase is underway and inspiration is starting to flow. Still lifes in oil, whimsical watercolors and acrylics, and functional art, it's going to be a fun and very creative summer.

Influences & Experiences

Twitter Trunk
30 x 18
Acrylic on Pine
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As artists we are inspired by the places we've been, museums we've visited, markets, music, landscapes, people who are important to us, and other artists. Like my friends Lara and Matthias of Lime Design who love whimsy, pattern and colour but in such a sophisticated way.

They've travelled and seen a lot and like all artists are inspired by those visual experiences. A few years ago I did a trunk for their first child and later a tall armoire featuring medieval animals. The idea was in part, inspired by their recent travels. See the armoire in the June 2007 post. Most recently I painted 'Twitter Trunk' for the newest addition to their family. More projects are in the works and all are based on the things and places we've seen.

Art is seeing life's experiences in paint.

Medieval Armoire

acrylic on pine
7.5' x 3.75' x 2'
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This May is special for me as it was 19 years ago that I began illustrating and 5 years ago I started oil painting. My style and methods of illustration have evolved constantly since then and the addition of oil painting has further effected the way I illustrate. In turn, illustration and my design background have been big influences on my oil painting which has truly become a force in my life.

My most recent project was commissioned by some extremely imaginative friends that I have worked with for over ten years. This seven and a half foot armoire features animals dressed in medieval clothing.