Yulia Demina
To tell the truth, my education and current job do not relate to creativity at all. I am an auditor in one of the largest international companies. Me and my friends like to travel very much. And it’s a tradition to bring small presents (for example, magnets) or send postcards from different countries all over the world.
It’s really great to receive a piece of somebody’s travel in a postbox! I came to an idea that to draw postcards myself, instead of buying them in touristic gift shops, will be more memorable and valuable for me, my friends and relatives, because they will reflect my own emotions and impressions from a particular place.
Aquarell, Aquarellpapier, Papier, Watercolour, Paper,
I chose watercolor as an ideal tool for drawing and sketching during the traveling due to its compactness and ease of use. To make a postcard yourself you can cut a watercolor paper of needed size, to rule back of card for address and etc. But often we don’t have enough time and it’s easier to use ready-made solutions.
My choice of buying Hahnemühle watercolour postcards was guided by the beauty of its tin box. As many girls I pay attention to the materials used, cause want to get an esthetic pleasure during the process. Secondly I started to enjoy the quality of paper and I think that it is one of the most pleasurable types of paper to work with in mini-format. How do I draw my postcards? Mostly from nature. I’m walking and looking for an interesting sight to be caught and fixed on paper. Then after finding a convenient place (as it’s really important for me) I begin to do a careful pencil drawing and after all – add watercolor. The paper of these postcards is spongy enough, so it allows me to put more than one watercolor layer. Thus, I can reach sufficient intensity of colors I need.
My technique is painstaking and slow. On average I spent about two hours for one postcard. So, if I don’t find convenient place to draw from nature, I can take pictures of the favorite places and views during the day and draw them in a hotel or restaurant, where I will feel comfortable. I try to draw the same day when the pictures were taken, while I am inspired and have fresh impression. By now I’ve sent hand-made postcards from Majorca, Rome, Florence, Canarias, Barcelona, Madeira and Lisboa. During my last trip to the West coast of USA (New York, Washington, Boston, Philadelphia) in April, 2014 
I could make pretty postcards, which became a lovely present for my friends. So, I was really happy with the result. Addressees told me they received the postcards in excellent condition. Thus, I easily send originals, without worries about its safety.
Read more information about Yulia Demina and her work of art on her Blog (Russian) or on facebook.
These are absolutely beautiful!
May I ask… the black outlines, is that watercolour or archival marker?