Drawing Local
Do you have a local business that you really love? Put your illustration talents and creative spirit to work to support your favorite shop, gallery, cafe, restaurant, boutique!
Are you ready to share your love and help a local business?
Overview
Why do you draw? For some, drawing is a livelihood. For others, it's a hobby. And for many, it's both! It’s not just about what we draw or how we draw but WHY we draw. Our illustrations and drawings can actually make a difference in the world—that’s what this creative exercise is all about.
Surely, you have a favorite local business? Think of a one-of-a-kind place that isn’t part of a big chain—a place that makes you feel good, a place that makes your community stronger.
Use your magical powers of illustration to support that local businesses!
1) Visit
Make a list of your favorite local businesses. At the top of your list should be those shops that would break your heart if they permanently closed!
Plan a visit to look at the shop with a fresh set of eyes and this project in mind
Maybe chat with the shopkeepers and owner
Jot down a few notes about the place you’ve chosen. What do you like about it? What’s the vibe? Calming? Colorful? Fragrant? Cozy? Nourishing? Inspiring?
Take note of the both the indoor space and the exterior. Maybe snap a few pics.
Take a business card and have an image of their logo, which you might use in your illustration.
2) Concept
How do you want to portray this special place? Here are a few ideas to consider:
Create a portrait of the shopkeeper/proprietor surrounded by things found in the shop
Illustrate the interior or exterior space
Illustrate a selection of items from the shop
Include the business' logo in your illustration
3) Illustrate
Make a batch of sketches based on your ideas. Here are a few ideas to consider:
Use a square art board, so it's easy to share on Instagram ;-)
Create a color palette that jives with the business
Take a couple ideas to finish
Ask friends or family to pick a favorite
Once you have a formula, consider creating a similar illustration for another local favorite!
4) Share
This is the fun part!
Share your illustration on Instagram and tag the business you’ve illustrated
In the comments, write a little bit about why local spot is a personal favorite
Don’t stop at just one illustration. Share more love for more local businesses!
See Salli's favorite local spot
House at Hudson. This is just one of the many local spots that Salli loves to frequent and it's walking distance from her house! Salli talked with the owner (Amy) about this project which eventually led to so much more. They are going to sell some of Salli's work and host a "Meet the Artist" event. How fun is that?
Salli wanted her illustration to showcase the variety of items in this amazing little shop. One day she bought two chairs, a pair of socks, and some gifts for friends.
See Nate's favorite spots
Several years ago, when Nate was living in Massachusetts, he created illustrations of two favorite independent businesses.
After Nate posted this image—featuring the restaurant Coppa in Boston's South End—on his Instagram feed, the restaurant's manager asked to reproduce it on the postcard guests receive with their bill. In lieu of payment, Nate was given a free meal—bonus! And the best part, he is still getting work from art directors in Boston who saved that postcard—double bonus!
A similar story regarding this illustration of The Roost in Northampton: an art director from University of the Pacific saw this image and asked Nate to create an cover illustration for their alumni magazine (look familiar?!). Then, years later, that same art director commissioned Nate to create this 2-sided map poster, which he wrapped up last year.
You never know where these things will lead!
➜ Thank you for purchasing this creative exercise!
If you post an image on Instagram of your favorite local business, please let us know by tagging @illustratorscircle with the hashtag #illustratorscircle. And, don’t forget to also tag the business, tag the owner, tag the local economic development organization, tag the producers of any product you feature, and—why not—tag the mayor!
