• A French Farewell: Saying Goodbye to the “Springtime in Paris” Illustrations

    The Parisian Stationery Set will bid adieu to the TPK catalog on July 16! This post has two goals: to tell you about the stationery set so you can determine if you’ll benefit from owning it, and to ask you what you want to learn how to draw! You can expect to see TPK illustration…

    "Springtime in Paris" Printable Stationery | The Postman's Knock

    As I mentioned in Monday’s newsletter, there are some changes afoot at TPK. I’m working hard to curate the TPK catalog before we implement a new website design later this month! Too much of a selection can be overwhelming, so I’m paring down and laser focusing on what TPK makes best: educational tools. You can expect most TPK eBooks, courses, and worksheets to stay! Most illustrations, however, are on their way out, including the “Springtime in Paris” Printable Stationery. I’ll be retiring them from the catalog on Tuesday, July 16th … two days after Bastille Day!

    About the “Springtime in Paris” Printable Stationery

    I’ve loved Paris since I studied Art History there in 2008. Paris has a special spark to it that keeps me returning every couple of years! It’s the little things that get me: the large windows that invite air in with the twist of a handle and creaky wooden floors in Baron Haussmann apartments. The way that café patrons people watch, chairs facing the street, as they indulge in delicious treats. And, of course, I can’t get enough of Parisian pastries!

    "Springtime in Paris" Printable Stationery | The Postman's Knock

    In 2015, I used a Nikko G nib and sumi ink to create a series of illustrations that remind me of warm weather in Paris. I then used those illustrations to create a printable stationery bundle for other Francophiles! The stationery set includes four 5″x7″ cards, each depicting different Parisian imagery.

    "Springtime in Paris" Printable Stationery | The Postman's Knock
    Tip: you can print these cards off on Velvet Fine Art Paper for an extra professional feel!

    My favorite part of the stationery set is the toile pattern, which comes in blue and in black. I love using it as an envelope liner!

    "Springtime in Paris" Printable Stationery | The Postman's Knock
    The toile pattern incorporates all of the Parisian illustrations!

    Also Retiring July 16th: Individual Illustrations

    I particularly love the Rosy Arc de Triomphe and the Afternoon Shopping illustrations, so you can also find those in the TPK catalog separate from the stationery set. The difference between the individual illustrations and the stationery set is that the illustrations come in several different sizes, so they can be used for a variety of projects. You can cut them out and use them as art for your home, or utilize tiny illustrations for decoupage!

    Let's Go to Paris Greeting Card Tutorial | The Postman's Knock
    I used a tiny Rosy Arc de Triomphe here to “seal” an envelope!

    Why I’m Retiring the Parisian Illustrations

    As I mentioned, this website has a focus on educational tools. I think that many TPK visitors would appreciate an eBook that teaches them how to illustrate. Readymade printable illustrations are nice, but they won’t teach you much! I’m keeping that in mind from now on when I make illustrations. I want to take you along for the ride and show you exactly how to do what I’m doing, rather than offer you the result!

    Springtime in Paris Illustration | The Postman's Knock
    My goal for the future is to show you how to draw!

    I love the idea behind the Parisian illustrations, but they’ve been around for four years, and I think it’s time to say goodbye. So, they’re leaving the TPK catalog at 9:00 PM on Tuesday, July 16th! Just to recap, this is exactly what’s going to be retired:

    Request for Feedback

    If I’m being honest with myself about my schedule and obligations, I won’t be able to make illustration eBooks until next year. But, when I do get to them, I want to know: what do you want to learn how to draw? I want to offer tutorials that appeal to a variety of learners, and I value any feedback you have! Please let me know in the comments section below this blog post!

    Top 10 TPK Watercolor Tutorials | The Postman's Knock | The Postman's Knock
    What are your ideas for illustration subjects? I’d love to know so I can make eBooks that will teach *and motivate* you to illustrate! Some tutorials will be offered in pen and ink, and others in watercolor.

    Also Leaving the Catalog: The Classic Amy Style Calligraphy Worksheet Set

    This Friday, July 5th, the Classic Amy Style Calligraphy Worksheet will also disappear from the TPK catalog. Why? It was always intended to be a limited edition, fun little product! Be sure to grab it if you’re interested in learning a curly, upbeat calligraphy style.

    Classic Amy Style Calligraphy: A Limited Edition Worksheet
    This worksheet is available in three versions: dip pen calligraphy, brush pen calligraphy, and Procreate (iPad) calligraphy.

    July at TPK is Joyful … I Promise!

    I know that lately I’ve been announcing a lot of changes at TPK, including several product retirements. That might seem like a bummer, but I promise that any and all product retirements are simply paving the way for improvement. This month, we’ll be launching a new website design, starting to sell calligraphy kits, hosting Instagram Live sessions, and continuing to provide you with the inspiring content that you’re used to seeing here on the TPK blog!

    Lindsey Bugbee of The Postman's Knock

    If you have any questions about the Parisian illustration retirements and/or feedback about illustration tutorial subjects, I’d love to hear from you! Blog post topic requests are also *always* welcome. Hearing from you inspires me and helps me to create better blog posts and products!

    Thanks very, very much for reading TPK, and enjoy the rest of your week!

    Warmly,

    Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock