From Pencil to Product: How Posh Pad Illustrations Come to Life
There’s something sacred about starting with a blank page. Before a camp mug is sipped from, before a bandana gets tied on for a sunrise hike, before a pillow gets tossed onto a cozy cabin couch—there’s a sketch. A pencil. A pause. And then… the magic begins.
At Posh Pad, every nature-inspired piece of art begins by hand. Literally.
✏️ Step One: Pencil Meets Paper
It all starts with a sketch. Not a digital brush or AI bot in sight—just me, a cup of something warm, and my trusty sketchbook. The mountains are my muse, and I often find inspiration while hiking in the Appalachian wilds near my East Tennessee home. Mushrooms spotted on mossy trails, foxes darting through ferny thickets, clusters of wildflowers nodding in the breeze—all of it becomes potential art.
I sketch until the piece feels alive—until it has just the right curve, shadow, or softness. This is the soul of the process, and I never rush it.
🖨️ Step Two: Scan & Digitize
Once the pencil work is complete, I scan the sketch and bring it into my digital studio. Here, I refine the lines, clean up smudges (because real graphite life is messy), and prep the illustration for its color debut.
This step is kind of like pressing a flower between the pages of a book—you’re preserving the beauty but preparing it for the next chapter.
🎨 Step Three: Color with Intention
Next, I digitally paint the illustration, layering in soft earth tones, vibrant botanicals, or cozy vintage palettes depending on the vibe. I think about the feeling I want you to get when you see it—calm, adventurous, nostalgic, grounded—and let that guide the colors.
Sometimes, I reference my own trail photos or color swatches from forest finds. (Yes, I’ve absolutely matched a mushroom cap to a Pantone swatch.)
🌿 Step Four: From Art to Adventure
Once the art is complete, it becomes the heart of our products. It’s printed on mugs, turned into wall art, stitched into pillows, or featured on water bottles, bandanas, and more.
These illustrations aren’t just decoration—they’re meant to bring a little wild into your everyday. They tell stories, hold memories, and help you carry the magic of the mountains wherever you go.
Every Product Starts with a Pencil and a Love of the Trail
When you shop at Posh Pad, you’re not just buying pretty things (although, yeah, they’re super cute). You’re investing in hand-crafted, heart-led artwork that started in the woods and ended up in your hands.
So the next time you wrap up in a throw pillow or sip from a mushroom mug, know this: it all began with a sketch and a mountain-loving soul.