Week 52 - Festive colours from a Xmas tree

Emerald, Signal Red , Sunshine & Mid-Brown

It’s only two days until Christmas and no matter how or if you celebrate this time of year, I wish you and your families peace and happiness.

It’s Week 52 of 2024, but there’s still one more #coloricombo to come next Monday.

The theme for December is Treat, and for so many of us a Christmas tree is an annual treat at this special period. I love this charming illustration of a child next to a Christmas tree that looks like it’s exploding with decorations. The illustrator is Fiep Westendorp (1916–2004). I adore the work of this Dutch artist, well well known for her whimsical and charming creations that have become deeply ingrained in the culture of the country.

Westendorp was born Sophia Maria Westendorp in Zaltbommel in the Netherlands but later adopted the nickname ‘Fiep’. She studied at the Academy of Fine Arts and Applied Arts in Rotterdam and took up freelance illustration after graduation.

She found her niche collaborating with writers and worked extensively with Annie M.G. Schmidt. Theirs was a legendary partnership that resulted in iconic works such as Jip and Janneke, Pluk van de Petteflet aside from numerous other books, advertisements and posters.

The Jip and Janneke series of stories about two young children has become ubiquitous in Dutch households, with Westendorp's black and white illustrations perfectly complementing Schmidt's text.

Westendorp's illustrations are instantly recognisable for their clean lines, expressive characters, and subtle humour. She received numerous awards throughout her life, including the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award for her illustrations. In 2016 the Netherlands celebrated her centennial with exhibitions and commemorative events. Her illustrations remain popular not only in books but also on merchandise like calendars, mugs, and stationery. The Fiep Westendorp Foundation, established after her death, continues to promote her work and supports projects related to children's education and art.

You can read more about Westendorp on a dedicated website here and on Instagram here.

“Kerstboom”, Watercolour, gouache and ink (?), Fiep Westendorp, Date unknown (Image source)

Colour Combination

The colours for this weeks prompt are Emerald, Signal Red , Sunshine & Mid-Brown. Use the #coloricombo colours along with any neutral light and dark colour to create an artwork in any medium and style. 

The last theme for 2024 is “Treats”. You can use this as topic and create in any way as you wish, using the week’s colours in any medium and style.

I love to see what you do with the coloricombo colours. If you'd like to share your work, please tag #coloricombo and #estemacleod on social media. You're also welcome to post in the private Facebook group Creative Prompts.

Christmas Gifts for Creatives

Just in time for Christmas, there’s now an option to “Send as a Gift” when you purchases any of the mini courses listed below.

This let’s you specify who you want to gift the course to, add a personal message and even choose the day that they receive the gift, perfect for a last minute Christmas present.

Creative Circle has a festive twist, Paper Vases is brand new and all seven make great gifts, available at a 25% discount until the end of December. All courses have one year’s access from registration. Use code XMAS25 at checkout.

Choose from:

• Paper Vases

• Let’s Paint Cats

• Creative Circle

• Fabulous Fish

• Four Seasons

• Sunset Trees

• Imaginary Butterflies

Paid Coloricombo subscribers (thank you!) get an enormous 40% discount, please see Week 50’s post for your exclusive code.