Hand illustrated bespoke poetry prints can make your wedding unique
Of all the poetry writing and illustration services I offer, the Peony service stands out as being truly unique. For this service, my words are brought to life by the skills of artist Maggie Cameron and transformed into a stunning hand illustrated print. Everyone is looking for a way to make their celebrations unique and memorable and these prints absolutely fit the bill. I think it’s because of this that they’re fast becoming one of the most popular options I offer -they’re a welcome antidote to our homogenised world.
Transforming a bespoke wedding reading into an illustrated print
Creation of these prints begins with the words, and I follow the same method I use for all my bespoke work. I begin with getting some basic facts and ideas from you and use these to craft a first draft of your poem for you to take a look at and give me feedback. I’ll work on the structure and rhythm of the poem and once we’re both thrilled with the results, work can start on the illustration. For the hand illustrated prints I call on the expertise of talented artist Maggie Cameron. Maggie has exhibited locally, and we’ve worked together on several pieces, most recently our exhibition “Birds” which you can read a little more about here. Maggie has superb skill, and a delicate style which works beautifully with the poems I write.
Maggie takes her inspiration directly from the poem to create an illustration that captures key elements of your story. She can also weave in any preferences you have for colours (perhaps to match your interiors, of the colours you’ve used for your wedding) or any aspects of your story that you’d like to have special emphasis. Here’s what Maggie has to say about her process.
“Spending some time with the completed poem is key to me. Ideas and visual imagery sparked by Kathryn’s words will then begin settle and it’s at this point that I will start to sketch and ‘think on paper’. I see the poem as a journey and feel that the illustration should also create a sense of movement to mirror this. I aim to create key ‘focal points’ or miniature illustrations which are then connected in different ways to create a sense of visual movement. Once I’m happy with the compositional elements in my sketches I then begin to map out the final illustration, detailing in fine line pens and finally adding colourful touches with gouache paint. I hope that the illustrations provide not only a decorative aesthetic but also serve to complement or enhance the interpretation of Kathryn’s words.”
Maggie Cameron and I have worked together on several projects, most recently our exhibition The starling’s call which you can read a little more about here. Maggie has superb skill, and a delicate style which works beautifully with the poems I write.
How are hand illustrated bespoke wedding poems printed?
The poems are printed on high quality paper at maximum dpi (dots per inch) so the words are crisp and clear. Maggie illustrates directly onto the printed poem and works with the shape and form to create a print that looks as fabulous as the poem sounds.
Every single poem I create for people is special, but I’m always extra thrilled when I see these prints. The illustration can bring your love story to life in such a beautiful way. It’s wonderful to know these illustrations will be a really special memento of the one of the biggest days in people’s lives, and gorgeous to see Maggie’s work complete your bespoke wedding reading in such a unique way.
Until next time
Kathryn
xx