A Christmas Story
I was so happy to be asked by the lovely people at Dubray to illustrate their 2020 Christmas campaign. As you may know, I illustrated the 2019 campaign, so it was a pleasure to be back working on a new campaign during this very different year. I received the brief in late Summer, and I immediately put on my Christmas thinking cap, even though I was working in 20 degree sunshine (yes, we do sometimes have nice weather in Ireland!)
This is the initial sketch I drew of the three main scenes and how they would look together as one full scene. I always like to view these kinds of projects as a theatre stage. The composition has to work both as individual scenes, and one group scene, and so, I split it into three ‘rooms.’ This year the theme was an outdoor wonderland idea - quite apt for the year that’s in it - and I depicted the children outside in the fresh Winter air, creating their own festive wonderland.
Here are the three scenes as one final performance. The ivy archways welcome the viewer into the children’s world, and help to emphasise the narrative of the scene. My favourite thing to draw in this project was the kind and friendly moon. She gazes protectively over the children as they lose themselves in play, and their imagination.
The Dubray Grafton Street store. I was so disappointed not to be able to travel into town to see the windows and browse through all the beautiful books inside. But I’m avoiding going places as much as possible this year, so a big thank you to Natalie at Dubray for sending me these photos!
The Dubray Bray store windows (above and below) are brimming full of books and Christmas cheer.
You can see each scene in more detail over in my portfolio here. I’m signing off now for this year, and hoping to enjoy this Christmas as much as I can, while staying safe and home. I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Here’s to a more hopeful and healthy 2021! Nollaig Shona daoibh go léir ~ Rachel x