Elusive Isabel Art & Design

Illustrator ★ Introvert ★ Coffee Addict Born in MNL | Based in HK

[elusiveisabel]

Sinking into my annual obsession with Crowley and Aziraphale, except this year I’m also doodling and not just unrepentantly devouring AO3 until 3 AM on a workday…

[elusiveisabel]

In a tropical mood! Dreaming of beaches, boat parties, and flying back home to the Philippines. 🌴👙 (But the reality is no one can travel anywhere, being on a boat is a social distancing nightmare, and the current weather in Hong Kong is so unbearably hot and humid that wearing a mask feels like you’re constantly steaming half your face.)

[elusiveisabel]

Okay, I had a lot of fun with this one! Just wanted to get out some cutesy pink witch vibes after falling into a rabbit hole of pastel goth outfits on Pinterest. 😂

[elusiveisabel]

I was scrolling through my feed and came across a DTIYS by @aureliengalvan, and while I promised myself I’d actually finish a bunch of my random WIPs before doing another one of these... I could not resist! I just love her style and colour palettes, so here’s my take on her super inspiring art. 🌱

[elusiveisabel]

This has been a public service announcement. 💩

Last year, I took some super basic calligraphy classes — obviously, I’m no expert (and let’s be real, I haven’t exactly been great at putting in the practice time), but I’ve been wanting to do a piece like this for ages! If there’s anything that gets me going, it’s flowers and swear words.

For the record, I don’t think there’s any phrase I’ve repeated internally as often as I have this one. I know I shouldn’t be so hard on myself, and I truly try not to be, but I also know I can be a lazy bum who’s easily distracted and has an acute inability to get anything done. So this message goes out to me and to everyone else out there who needs a delicate nudge in the right direction. 😬😂

✨ Prints and other stuff available in my Etsy shop! ✨

[elusiveisabel]

Last one of the set! There’s been a lot of back and forth over how effective masks really are. It’s a debate I’ve personally found curious, because in Hong Kong it’s standard to wear masks when ill just out of courtesy. Now that it’s actively being encouraged in many places, though, please consider wearing a mask when you go out to help protect yourself and the people around you! 😷

[elusiveisabel]

Aaand here’s another drawing that started out with me getting starry-eyed over some shoes. I swear it’s not an addiction. 👉🏽👈🏽

[elusiveisabel]

I miss having a pair of Doc Martens. I haven’t owned any since my mildly pretentious yet endearingly angsty goth punk days of yore. ☠️ I think past me would be scandalised to see I’ve swapped out all black for pastels and pinks. Ah, how times have changed! 🌷

[elusiveisabel]

Currently playing the “whatever you touch can kill you” anxiety game. 😬 I try not to freak myself out too much, but Hong Kong is a dense city that relies on public transportation to function, so there’s a pretty huge chance you’re gonna touch something that 472635 other people have also gotten their mitts on. 🙌🏽 Plus, I’m a chronic face-toucher. H E L P.

[elusiveisabel]

It’s been a while since I last did a DTIYS challenge! Here’s one based on the wonderful work of @madie_arts. I love diving into these whenever I‘m experimenting with my own style. It’s kind of liberating? Like you get to draw something neat, but the framework’s been laid out so you can let your mind wander a bit and enjoy the process. ✏️

[elusiveisabel]

Hong Kong has, unfortunately, seen a recent uptick in new COVID-19 cases. While the current containment measures being implemented here aren’t as stringent as elsewhere, it doesn’t mean that people have stopped being vigilant about their safety or the safety of others. If there’s anything I’m grateful for during these tough times, it’s this community effort and the shared understanding that our actions affect not only ourselves but everyone around us. Let’s all play our part in keeping our neighbours and loved ones healthy! 🏡💛

[elusiveisabel]

All this down time has had me thinking about the kind of illustration I love doing. Mostly I’ve discovered that (surprise, surpise) my attention span is not cut out for things that take massive amounts of time. 😬 Rendering in detail is hell for me, and my favourite part of the creative process is the beginning — when you have something in your head, and you slap down shapes and colours trying to get that idea down.

This is a little experiment that springs out of that. I’m simplifying my colour palettes and cutting out all the stuff I don’t think I need. Really digging how it turned out, so yeah, you’ll be seeing way more of this style! ✨

[elusiveisabel]

A crash course in looking fab when your nose is itchy AF and half your face is soaked in sweat. Anyone else wishing they could wear a little lipstick? 💋 (Kidding aside, stay safe, everyone! And as the old saying goes, wash yer damn hands! 💦)

[elusiveisabel]

Just having a little fun!

[elusiveisabel]

Testing out some new brushes! 🤩
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4w0pppjxv2/?igshid=z6dz3ve8rc5v

[elusiveisabel]

It’s not that I don’t like you, my social battery is just dead. Also I’m binge watching shit on Netflix. 💖 https://www.instagram.com/p/BtMvlO2nlu4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1052m5im37da5

[elusiveisabel]

Mildly addicted to #drawthisinyourstyle challenges. It’s such a fun way to get some drawing in after work, when I’m too brain dead to think on my own. 😵 This one’s a take on @saoirselouscribbles!