Hey Reader!
❄️ December is here and I’m still catching my breath from November. It was one of those months where I felt like I blinked and suddenly my iPad was full of half-finished layers, colour swatches, and a growing pile of holiday sketches. Between brush experiments, colour trials, and diving into more detailed scenes, my creative brain has been on a full sprint, the fun kind where you feel yourself levelling up without even realising it. (At least I hope that's what is happening!)
I hope you’ve had a little creative spark lately too, whatever shape that takes for you. And since this is the December edition, consider this your official warm and heartfelt happy holidays. If you celebrate Christmas, I hope it’s a bright and gentle one. If you celebrate something else, I hope it’s filled with whatever joy you need most.
Also, if your inbox is still recovering from the Black Friday email avalanche, thank you for opening this one. I know it was a wild week for everyone’s notifications. So if you’re settling in with this month’s recap, pour yourself something warm and cosy and come hang out for a few minutes. ☕️
November was busy. I had two holiday art calls land in my inbox, plus my monthly Art Hustle Insider brief, so my evenings turned into a rotation of After Eight hot chocolate, playlists, and Procreate layers. Because everything leaned festive, I was hopping between greeting cards, puzzle-friendly layouts, and smaller motifs for a mini set. It kept things lively and pushed me into both tiny hand-lettered details and full scenes with a lot going on.
A lot of my November energy also went into experimenting. I’ve been testing brushes, trying out new ways to build texture, and pushing myself to be more deliberate about colour. I went down a few rabbit holes, especially when working on more detailed pieces. Some needed two or three attempts before they clicked, but even the messier paths felt useful.
A Little Newsletter Update
Studio Sessions is turning five years old next month. 🫨 Five years! I’m honestly amazed by that. Writing these monthly notes has become its own creative ritual, a chance to pause, reflect, and share what happens behind the curtain. 💛
But as my client work and licensing projects grow, I’ve noticed that monthly newsletter deadlines sometimes cut into the deeper creative time I need. I want space to explore ideas, build stronger collections, and experiment more without feeling like I’m racing the calendar. And I also want these newsletters to feel richer and more intentional.
So starting in 2026, Studio Sessions will shift from monthly to quarterly.
This change means I’ll have more room to create the kind of art that takes time and thought. It also means that when a Studio Sessions email arrives, it’ll come with fuller stories, bigger behind-the-scenes updates, and more art to share. Less of the quick monthly snapshots and more of the good, meaningful stuff. I’m really excited for this next chapter and I hope it feels like a positive shift for both of us. 🌿
Here’s what made its way off my iPad this month.
Peace on Earth
A sweet angel in two colourways. One deep and serene, one soft and glowing. It was fun seeing how changing the palette completely shifted the mood.
Baking Spirits Bright
This one is pure holiday energy. Cookie trays, sprinkles, and that familiar December kitchen chaos. There’s a chance this one might end up as both a greeting card and a puzzle one day. 🤞
Festive Housefronts
This mini set was created for my Art Hustle Insider brief. It’s a tiny lineup of European-style homes with warm holiday touches, sketched loosely and kept minimal so the ribbons and wreaths pop. They feel like little postcards from a merry winter walk.
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Let's work together!
Are you looking to collaborate on a project or maybe you're interested in licensing my artwork? I'd love to hear from you!
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A tiny reflection that stuck with me this month.
When I work on detailed seasonal art, I sometimes forget how much trial and error sits behind anything that looks effortless. One day, the colours refuse to get along, the next day everything settles into harmony. November reminded me that experimentation is never wasted time. It’s quietly shaping your voice even when it feels like you’re fumbling.
Because I want to get more confident with colour and push myself beyond my usual go-to combinations, I picked up a few colouring books this month. It has been such a refreshing change. No sketching. No planning. No worrying about composition. Just pure colour play. I even grabbed some digital colouring books to use directly in Procreate. It feels like low-pressure training for my colour brain, and I’m hoping it speeds up the process of finding palettes that really click and maybe spark ideas for future pieces.
The Importance of Seasonal Collections in Art Licensing
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Disclaimer: I’m not affiliated with any of the above resources. I'm sharing them because I found them interesting and thought you might as well!
Question of the Month |
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What is one tiny tradition or ritual that makes your December feel special?
Hit reply, I'd love to hear from you!
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Thanks for hanging out with me this month and for being here through all the experiments, shifts, and tiny wins of this creative year. I’m hoping December brings you a few slow moments, something warm to sip on, and maybe a spark of inspiration when you least expect it. ☕️ Happy holidays!
Until next time, stay inspired and keep creating!
