I loved silkscreen printing this new collection of Butterfly Prints!

After cutting out the first colour layer in Illustrator, I printed out all of the templates and laid out them for printing on the mesh screen. 

The templates are coated in sunflower oil to make them transparent and needs to dry before use.

After coating my screen with emulsion, the templates are placed onto screen and exposed in the darkroom. The screen emulsion is then washed out and the designs will appear. I love this part!

Mixing the water based acrylic ink with Galleria screen printing medium. The medium prevents the ink from drying to quickly and blocking the screen. Getting the perfect colour palette can be tricky, as I mix the colours myself and test them on paper before pulling the ink through the screen.

Here goes the Saffron Yellow layer. The ink sometimes appear much brighter before it hits the paper. That's why I always test!

First layer drying on the rack. The colour looks great!

Printing the detailed butterfly design in black ink.

Checking that the paper with the first yellow layer is placed perfectly under the mylar sheet for the butterfly layer.

Freshly printed Butterfly in Saffron Yellow.

Butterflies all lined up.

Testing colour palettes with the Sage Green layer.

Getting the positioning of the screen just right.

Butterfly in Sage Green ready to go on the drying rack.

Love having them all lined up like this. The joys of printmaking!

The perfect shade of Powder Pink.

More colour testing. Happy with the results!

A perfectly sweet butterfly ready to be printed by hand.

Slate Teal layer done. Now to print the black butterfly.

I love the detail on this butterfly. They are all different from each other.

All done and ready to dry. Think this Slate Teal colour might be my favourite.

Here is the completed collection. You can add a black or white frame (UK orders only) or buy them in a Print Bundle and get a FREE print. Hope you like it?

"Butterfly" in Saffron Yellow >>

"Butterfly" in Slate Teal >>

"Butterfly" in Powder Pink >>

"Butterfly" in Sage Green >>

COLOURFUL ILLUSTRATIONS: LU WEST

INTERVIEWED BY Michaela Stehr

We chat to South African-born, London-based artist Luzelle van der Westhuizen about what inspires Lu West, her successful collection of fine art prints.

How did you get into illustration?

I’ve always been an artist, but I think in the last year or so it’s just finally clicked for me: “I am an artist!” After completing a course in printmaking in London, I’ve found the medium that best expresses my simple, graphic and colourful work. I love interior design and when creating my fine art prints, I always think of how it can complete a space in a beautiful home.

What inspires your work?

Pop art, mid-century illustration and Scandinavian design inspire me. I spend a lot of time looking at beautiful interior blogs to see current trending colours and styles. Living in London, it is such a privilege to have access to the most amazing museums and art galleries in the world, such as the V&A and the Tate Modern. I definitely make use of both for inspiration!

How would you describe your style?

Most of my illustrated work features animals and nature in simple forms and patterns, and fruit and flowers inspired by pop art or nautical themes. I love using bold and bright colours to create whimsical illustrations to make you smile. For my latest print collection, I’m playing around with a lot of simple floral shapes from the sixties.

Who are some of your favourite illustrators?

I seem to gravitate toward the graphic illustrators of the past century. Charley Harper’s ability to capture the essence of animals and nature with just a few simplified graphic lines and shapes is such an inspiration. Alexander Girard’s visual symbols and patterns were extraordinary and his body of work is timeless. Contemporary illustrators that I admire are Lisa Congdon, Heather Moore from Skinny laMinx, Sanna Annukka and Garance Doré.

Do you have a favourite piece of your own?

My favourite piece is “Bigger Boat,” the very first print design that I created. It has been my bestselling design since I started creating prints. I think there is just something very simple and aesthetically pleasing about that little sailboat bobbing in a big blue ocean. That is my goal, to keep creating art with a strong emotional response.

Do you have any exciting plans for the future?

I’m getting involved in more freelance illustration projects, like an upcoming collaboration with a greeting card company in the UK. I love working on my blog, creating mood boards and trend collections. I’m always looking for more beautiful interior stores and galleries to stock my fine art prints, so if you’re interested, please get in touch!

Where can people get their hands on your work?

You can buy my limited edition fine art prints online at lu-west.com. Prints are shipped worldwide and framed options are available for UK delivery.

You can also view this interview at VISI Magazine's BLOG

I had such fun drawing all the coffee maker pots by hand and creating a visually pleasing pattern. 

The graphic quality of the repeats, combined with the rich colour is a joy to silkscreen print.

I only print a couple of prints per edition, so each print run is completely unique.

You can browse my Coffee Print Collection HERE

WOODLAND DREAMS

Image via Urlaubs Architektur

ROOM WITH A VIEW

Image via Klikk

GET THE FIRE GOING 

Image via Homedit

GRAPHIC WALLS

Wallpaper from Roddy and Ginger 

GET THE LOOK:

A CALM SWEDISH APARTMENT

Image via My Scandinavian Home

THE HOME OF ARTIST ANNE BUNDGAARD

Image via Bolig Magazine

ON A LEDGE: EASY TO CHANGE AS YOUR COLLECTION GROWS

Image via Apartment Therapy

GRAPHIC + WHIMSICAL

Image via Trendenser

PAINTERLY WALL ACCENTS

Image via Coco & Kelley

GET IT FRAMED!

At Lu West, we offer a BESPOKE FRAMING SERVICE for our unique Art Prints...

FOLLOW OUR "GALLERY" PINBOARD >>

Follow Lu West's board G A L L E R Y on Pinterest.

UPDATE: We have a WINNER! Congrats Jane Orford from Liverpool.

Keep an eye on my blog & sign up to my NEWSLETTER for more info on upcoming Print Giveaways.

Win one limited edition ANIMAL silkscreen print of your choice. Choose from: Bumblebees, Deer, Mouse, Polar Bear, Cat, Whale, Sea Turtle, Swallow or Sheep. All prints are signed and dated by Lu West. 

Details on how to enter below. Good luck!! ENDS 11 OCTOBER 2016.

View more ANIMAL PRINTS HERE 

INSPIRATION:

Love the pink armchair and footstool in this sunny Californian bungalow // Inside Out

A light filled space to read in Islington, London // Design Milk

Display your beautiful magazines on library racks // The Design Chaser

Eclectic reading corner with vintage pieces // Pinterest

Neutral living room with gold stool, modern lamp and lounge chair // Home Adore 

HOW TO STYLE:

Stick to graphic black and white with colour pops for a dreamy reading nook.

Wood floors, concrete and stainless steel appliances add texture and a modern touch.

Concrete Countertop DIY via A Beautiful Mess

Image via Casa Vogue

Image via Pinterest

Image via Our Vintage Home Love

Image via Looks Like White

"Mouse" Limited Edition Silkscreen Print by Lu West

The combination of the jewel like purple and blue tones of Amethyst Orchid and Biscay Bay really compliments the illustrative design of the clouds and the little bird flying high above.

I love following colour trends and these two luxurious colours have featured quite a bit in Fashion and Interiors in the last year at Pantone. 

COLOUR SWATCHES:

IN MY STUDIO:

Mixing acrylic ink and screen printing medium for paper and testing the colours to print with.

Ready to pull this fabulous rich colour through the mesh screen stencil and onto crisp white paper.

THE FINISHED PRODUCT:

"Swallow" in amethyst orchid and biscay bay

Let your imagination go wild!

1. MONOCHROME 

Graphic Black and White // The Design Chaser

2. DUSTY SHADES

Muted tones of blush and turquoise // Oliver Furniture

3. COACHELLA KID

Festival Cool with Neon and Pattern // The Glitter Guide

4. DESERT DREAMS

Decorative Cactus Wallpaper // Hello Friday

5. ANIMAL KINGDOM

Plywood Cut Out Mural // Vintage Revivals

6. THIS LITTLE PIGGY...

Mid Century Colour Pallette and Design Elements // Homelife

7. THE WOLF PACK

Sunny Space // Paul & Paula

8. COLOURFUL DREAMS

Pop of Pink with this custom watercolour artwork // Anewall

9. ABC

Graphic Alphabet with a simple palette // Grey Likes Baby

10. THE SECRET GARDEN

Magical Playroom Space with abstract  Flower Mural // Petite Vintage Interiors

NOW FILL YOUR WALLS:

SHOP Lu West's Fine Art Print Collection - FREE Worldwide Shipping

I have been lucky enough to have travelled to some amazing places and I've always wanted to created a series inspired by my travels (some of them still just on the "list"!)

I really wanted to capture the essence of these two dream destinations with bright colours and simple shapes, staying true to my illustration style. Hopefully I will be able to add more designs to this exclusive collection as time goes on. These beach scenes also compliments my Nautical Print Series.  

STEP INSIDE MY PRINTMAKING STUDIO:

Firstly, I created the tiny little buildings and shapes that I want to use in my sketchbook. I love using a Japanese Art & Graphic pen to draw everything by hand.

Black and white templates of separate layers created by printing the designs on white paper. Sunflower oil is used to make it transparent. The black areas are where the ink will be pulled through after exposure.

After exposing two screens with designs, the emulsion is washed out of the black areas on the mesh. Below, you can see the designs coming through the emulsion.

Volcanic Grey Ink mixed for the first layer of the pebbled beach of Positano. The ink will go through the yellow, exposed mesh part of the screen.

Red ink for the umbrellas are mixed with screenprint medium and pulled through the screen onto a transparency sheet on the printing table.

This is used to get the perfect alignment of where the next layer should be printed on the paper. The transparency sheet is lifted up, the screen lowered back onto the paper and the red ink is pulled through with a squeegee.

There you go! Freshly printed umbrellas. Now it is hung up to dry again before the next layer gets printed.

Now I'm mixing the beautiful pink terracotta colour of the Positano houses. I want it to be perfect, so I test it quite a bit on the Snowdon White printmaking paper. 

The third layer of Positano is printed in the distinctive colours of the Italian countryside.

All done!

Signed, dated and numbered for the galleries. Only 35 copies made!

Next up, it is Santorini! Again, I try to get the colours just right to depict the blue-domed houses of the Greek Island. 

The soft shapes of the waves are printed in Wedgewood Blue.

I just love this vibrant Santorini Blue colour. Ready to pull the second layer of buildings.

All done and ready to dry.

Signed, edition and numbered for the Art Gallery.

Happy, bright colours in my print studio

THE FINISHED PRODUCTS:

Positano - limited edition of 35 prints

Santorini - Limited Edition of 45 Prints

Ready for the Stylish Home!

Sea Green Inspiration...

The original inspiration: our beautiful oceans - image via Tumblr

Moka Express Coffeemaker Print in Sea Green - Limited Edition of 45

Sea Green combines brilliantly with touches of copper and marble in this kitchen

Atmospheric Sea Green walls in a stunning Malmö home via My Scandinavian Home

An inspirational colour palette with Sea Green with interesting textures via Pinterest

With these key pieces will guarantee smiles every day. Bring on the sunshine! 

1 // YELLOW CHAIR

This look is the easiest to create. Just take any unloved chair or charity shop find and paint away.

2 // YELLOW FRIDGE

Smeg makes the best looking fridges ever...

3 // YELLOW FRENCH DOORS

Sunny Aparment via ELLE Norway

4 // YELLOW STAIRCASE

Photography via Stylist Hanne Fuglbjerg

5 // YELLOW CABINET

View the rest of this quirky and collected home via Decor8

6 // YELLOW BATH TOWELS

An inexpensive way to add bright colour pops in a monochrome space via Better Homes & Gardens

7 // YELLOW FIREPLACE

Serious colour envy via The Makerista

8 // YELLOW RADIATOR

Painted in Babouche // Farrow & Ball

9 // YELLOW SIDE TABLE

This classic Scandinavian shape from Muuto makes the perfect accent for a living room 

10 // YELLOW KITCHEN WORKTOP 

Seriously beautiful suite in Capri with yellow accents. Take a tour of the space via Archilovers  

1 // GOLD MEDAL

Win first prize with this glamorous and warm combination of gold and jewel like green hues.

Perfectly illustrated in actress Cameron Diaz's Gold and Forest Green kitchen designed by Kelly Wearstler.

How to Style: Gold and Forest Green Kitchen >>

GET THE LOOK:

Win an A3 size limited edition silkscreen print of your choice worth £55!

Details on how to enter below. Ends 21 December. GOOD LUCK!!

View all the A3 size prints HERE

WIN your favourite Fine Art Print by Lu West

I just love the organic, yet structured shapes and it reminds me of diving in some of my favourite beautiful places like Hawaii and Zanzibar. I really wanted to capture that jewel-like colour with the hand drawn corals of my Sea Turtle print. 

Explore the exotic red jewel tones of coral reef in decor and fashion...

Valentino Couture 1965 // Gian Paolo Barbieri

Coral Canopy Bed // Pinterest

Collection inspired by Girl with a Pearl Earring // Valentino Couture Fall 2013

Japanese Coral Scientific Illustration, 1914 // Pinterest

(Guilt-Free) Artificial Coral Jewellery // La Fille Du Consul 

Large Nimue Ear Cuff // Katie by Katie Gallagher

Coral Reef in Nature // Pinterest

Sea Turtle Print in Aurora Red // Lu West

I think this is one of my favourite colour combos of all time! Get ready for the beach...

1 // Who wouldn't want to spend a sunny day in this spot? Ralph Lauren Home

2 // Amazing what a bright fresh lick of Santorini Blue paint can do for a single piece of furniture.

Whole room transformed!

3 // The perfect spot to soak the day away @_halcyonhouse

4 // A Santorini Blue Kitchen

5 // Beautiful Handmade Ceramics by Robert Gordon Australia

6 // Mediterranean Bliss at this gorgeous minimalist summer home located in Greece

7 // A stained-glass window inspired by Matisse cutouts in this Eclectic Apartment in Rome.

Would be perfect for a stylish beach abode.

8 // Watermark Dip Tiles by Deborah Osburn for Clé Tile

9 // Sunny Side Up Please! Ready for a seaside brekkie outside

10 // Create a Beachy Blue and White look with a limited edition Whale Print in Santorini Blue

Image // Atlantic Pacific

HOW TO STYLE:

I love the retro vibe of Yellow Ochre

OCHRE yellow:

happiness, optimism, confidence, friendliness, creativity

A Yellow Ochre cabinet with neutral decorative elements

Tiles by Fired Earth

Half a yellow ochre wall in a bedroom

The golden hue of this exterior wall is kind of amazing - via The Style Files

Bazaar Dhurrie Rug in Ochre from West Elm

Rustic Ochre Linen Tablecloth via Pinterest

"Maya Sun" Print in Yellow Ochre by Lu West - Limited edition of 50

FOLLOW MY "COLOURFUL HOME" Pinboard

1 / CONCRETE WALL

Auhaus Architecture & Interiors

2 / DOTTY

Planchonella House by Jesse Bennett Architect

3 / MIRROR REFLECTION

A very clever poster to start your day with. Love the industrial style lighting! 

4 / PASTEL LUXE

Pink Tiles with copper shower details and wooden decking. I like!

5 / VINTAGE + MODERN

Modern subway tiling, a beautiful large mirror and marble top updates this vintage vanity.

6 / IKEA HACK

Upgrade with an IKEA sideboard with fronts, leather pulls and copper legs with Superfront. Those clever Swedes!

7 / FLAMINGO MURAL

An old watercolour on tiles of a flamingo by an 18th century French ornithologist makes this bathroom super unique.

8 / B & W

Matt Black hardware with a minimal colour palette. Heaven.

9 / ECLECTIC MIX

I love the old painting, blue and yellow floor tiles, Saarinen stool and 18th century French Vanity. What a combo! 

10 / THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Because sometimes you just need some fresh air. An idyllic Swedish cottage with outdoor shower.

FOLLOW ON PINTEREST: 

A Dream Destination for sure! In a perfect world, this would go in my suitcase to the Amalfi Coast...

LET'S GO!

// Pinterest

IN MY SUITCASE

PACKING ESSENTIALS:

POSITANO PRINT

Positano is the jewel of Italy's Amalfi Coast. Set against a dramatic, vertical panorama of soft pink Mediterranean houses and the silvery grey of its pebble beaches dotted with stripy umbrellas.

SHOP PRINT >>

A very modern combination of soft, candy colours. Lilac and Aquamarine are having a bit of a moment in interiors and fashion

Lilac and Aquamarine Chairs with Ombre Tablecloth // Eslamoda 

Pastels in the City // Atlantic-Pacific

Lilac look with aquamarine wall storage // Bloomingville

Aquamarine Wall // Bedroom look by Country Road

GET THE LOOK:

Enjoy the Sunny Summer days by styling your outside space (big or small) with inside furniture. Just make sure it's easy to move inside when the weather plays up again!

ADD THESE TO THE MIX:

1. BANANA LEAF PILLOWS

Lush & Tropical // One Kings Lane

2. RATTAN FURNITURE

Easy, Breezy chairs by Bloomingville in this amazing Mykonos Hotel // The Style Files

3. PALLET DAYBED

Stack reclaimed pallets and add soft furnishings

4. KNITTED FOOTSTOOL

Make your own with this Tutorial

5. GRAPHIC RUG

Ikea's Stockholm Rug suits any space

6. FAVOURITE BOOKS

I love Garance Doré's Love x Style x Life 

7. LEAFY POT PLANTS

These can easily live inside the rest of the year. Get inspired HERE

8. SERVEWARE

I like this bright and happy Bärbar Tray 

9. IT"S FIVE O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE

Kiwi Mojito Recipe // Check out my Kiwifruit Print

10. PANAMA HAT

Need to keep the wrinkles away in style 

Perfect for your first brew of coffee in the morning!

COOL CONDITIONS

A bright red Smeg Fridge never fails to make me smile

STRIKING CHAIR

One simple red chair changes the whole room

A SPACE TO EAT (AND COOK)

Vintage Style Letters adds a fun element

BUT FIRST COFFEE

Moka Express Coffee Pot Print in Firetruck Red

LOFTY IDEA

Unusual breakfast corner in this Duplex Penthouse

A BUNCH OF LIGHTS

This amazing Light Fixture is the main focus against a concrete table

SIGH (Puts away Credit Card...)

1. SORRENTO, ITALY

The Colour Schemes and Decor = Inspiration Overload // La Minervetta

2. SANTORINI, GREECE

That pool! Everything you would expect from this Greek Island // Grace Santorini

3. POSITANO, ITALY

 Scores very high in the Romance Department // Le Sirenuse

4. MALLORCA, SPAIN

Island Living in Style // Hotel Cort

5. ASTYPALAIA, GREECE

Home of the gods // Pylaia Boutique Hotel and Spa

GET THE LOOK WITH THESE FINE ART PRINTS:

Positano Print // The Jewel of the Amalfi Coast

Santorini Print // White washed houses set against dramatic cliffs and the big blue sea

Sea Turtle Print // Graphic Red Coral Reef Pattern 

Bigger Boat Print // Aqua Hued Waters of the Mediterranean

Whale Print // The Colours of Santorini

MODERN DINNER

// French By Design

The Florist Chair 

// Knauff and Brown

HIT THE DECK

// Cannelle et Vanille

LONDON GLAMOUR

The Gallery at Sketch

HAPPY WORKPLACE

//  The House That Lars Built

FOLLOW LU WEST ON PINTEREST 

Get inspired by this vibrant and unexpected colour combination!

FINE LINES

Warehouse Conversion by Doherty Design Studio 

CHIC BEDROOM

Dark panelling, pops of orange and geometric textiles // House to Home

KOOL AID KITCHEN

Luscious Black and Orange kitchen // Jones Ingerstedt

RECREATE THE LOOK:

CUTTING-EDGE SPACE

Old and New in this contemporary apartment in Bordeaux, France.

COLOUR MATCH

Pantone Colour of the Year 2015 (emerald) with Colour of the Year 2016 (rose quartz). Image via Pinterest

FEATURE WALL

Brightly painted wall with an eclectic mix of artwork.Geometric shapes of the art unites the look.

LIGHT MY FIRE

Mustard Yellow and Sand Grey makes an interesting combination in this cosy space via Uncovet

Follow Lu West's board COLOURFUL HOME on Pinterest.

ART CAFÉ

The breakfast room of Hôtel du Ministère in Paris. Seriously chic (hotel bucketlist!)

PRIMARY COLOURS

Interiors Styling by Studiopepe

STRIPES + BLOCKS

via Design Milk

IKEA HACK

This ode to Mondrian was created by IKEA by painting their Micke computer workstation in bold blocks of primary colour.

DE STIJL

Plates by Darkroom London

GET THE LOOK:

The Bialetti stove top coffee machine was invented in 1918, when Alfonso Bialetti returned to his native Italy from France, where he had worked in the aluminium industry, to start a small workshop manufacturing metal household goods.

Its sleek geometric look has made it a design classic and this is where I took inspiration for my limited edition Moka Express Coffee Pot silkscreen prints. The beautiful angles of this design icon inspired the pattern. I love playing around with different colours in my print studio!

The Moka has become a symbol of Italy and the way Italians enjoy their coffee. Nine out of ten Italian homes have one! There is definitely a pleasure to be taken from the process of using a Moka Express. Turning on the stove and waiting for that characteristic gurgling noise and fresh aromatic coffee smell. 

Mmm, just smell that fresh brew...

Sea Green and Steel Grey Moka Express Prints for a modern and minimalist home 

Morning Rituals in the Kitchen

Pulling bright firetruck red ink through the screen and onto paper in my studio.

Moka Express prints are framed in top quality box style frames made in the UK. Available in white or black. Just add to your order! 

This brewing method is perfect for Italian inspired deserts like affogato!

Detail of a signed limited edition Moka Express Print in Sea Green

Detail of the beautiful angles of a Moka Express Coffee Pot in brushed metal

Moka Express Coffee Pot Prints are available in Slate Grey, Neon Pink, Sea Green, Firetruck Red and more. Buy HERE

Find more Coffee Images at my Coffee Pinboard: