Hawaiian Orchid

I've added photography as another form of art.  I took this picture a few years ago in Maui, Hawaii.  This picture captures the bright colors of the orchid with the water in the background.  You can also get inspired to draw artwork from the photos that you have taken.  Try taking pictures of objects with textures.  You can practice drawing these textures on either plain or textured paper.

Copyright 2011

Let's Make Confetti

You can create your own confetti for a party, celebration, or an event.  Use a three hole puncher to punch out circles.  Try using different types of colored paper, cardstock, construction paper, etc.  You can also find hole punchers with different shapes, like hearts, leaves, flowers, & more at your local craft shop.  Try creating confetti with a variety of hole punchers for a festive themed party!

Favorite Color

My favorite color's lime green. This color's refreshing, energizing, & bright. Mixing lime green, yellow, & orange gives a citrus combination.  Mixing lime green & shades of light blue gives a tropical water color.  Try mixing your favorite color with other colors to create your own unique combinations.

Night Butterfly

I've always loved butterflies.  Just watching them dance in the air is so uplifting.  I drew this butterfly as it takes off into the night under the moon.  I used metallic colored pencils & added simple designs to the wings.

Copyright 2011

Price: $20

Fall Colors

It's fall 2011.  Fall's a perfect time to capture the beautiful colors changing on the leaves.  Take some photos, gather a few leaves, take your sketchbook outside, and get inspired!  Create art by using fall colors: deep red, gold, dark green, orange, yellow, brown, etc.  These warm colors combined will bring warmth to your home or office on a winter's day.

Blending Chalk

If you use chalk for your artwork, here are a few items that you can use to blend the colors:

Q-tips. cottonballs, soft sponge, tissue or a soft cloth.  You can create a mixture of colors by blending with these items.  This works well when drawing with colored chalk on black cardstock.

Balloon

I like to use shading in my artwork.  Here's a simple design where I combined red, orange, & yellow. You can draw this balloon by first drawing a circle.  Then draw a small triangle at the bottom of the circle.  Add a string by drawing a wavy line.  The balloon will appear to float by drawng a wavy line.

Copyright 2011

 

Tracing with Cookie Cutters

You can use cookie cutters as a drawing tool for tracing.   Pick up your favorite shaped cookie cutter at a local supermarket.  Place the cookie cutter on a cardstock or paper. Trace around the shape of the cookie cutter.  Once you have the shape, fill in the details.  You can make a variety of crafts using this idea. Try magnets, bookmarks, holiday ornaments, & more!

Drawing: The Other Half

An easy way to begin learning how to draw is by looking at the symmetry of a picture. I've drawn half of this picture. You can print this then draw the other half. Look at the symmetry then draw the other side. If you're interested in more of these lessons, let me know. I'll add more to the blog in the future.

Facebook

Thanks to everyone who have visited my blog. I hope the blogs have inspired you in your creative journey. Visit my Facebook page: Evening Light Designs. Hit "Like" so you can get future updates. If you're interested in learning how to draw simple objects or create cool artwork, email me. I'd be happy to share ideas!

Drawing Subject: A Leaf

I recommend using a leaf as a simple subject to draw. Pick any leaf from a tree, flower, or a bush. Study its structure & color. Start by sketching the outline of the leaf. Next draw the veins. Add the leaf stem. Finally, add color. Try selecting leaves during the fall season. These leaves have a variation of color that will allow you to try blending colors. Watercolors & chalk are excellent for blending.

Cheese Anyone?

Here's another cartoon that I created. I like to use animals as subjects for cartoons. I sometimes add punch lines but most of the time the drawing speaks for itself. I used black ink to draw this mouse. I've created multi panel cartoons but I generally just create the single panel. Try to draw your own cartoon. Keep the drawing simple so the focus remains on the character.

Copyright 2011

The Color Yellow

I describe yellow as bright & cheerful. Here are a few objects that have different shades of yellow: school bus, lemon, rubber ducky, bumblebee & banana. Try sketching these objects then coloring them with a variety of yellow tones.

Double Line Effect

Instead of drawing single lines, try drawing double lines. Start with your favoritie drawing tool (markers, crayons, etc...). Choose two different colors. Hold both colored drawing tools in your hand. Write your name with both colors. You've just created an art with double lines. It takes practice. So, keep practicing. Try shapes. Experiment with 3 colors to create a cool art.

Purple Grapes

I created these grapes for a drawing lesson. Start by drawing circles in a bunch. Then draw coils for the vine. Use teardrops for the leaves. Color the circles purple with small circular strokes. This technique will give the grapes depth. Draw a wine glass & wine bottle to complement the grapes.

Art of Giving

We had an unfortunate event that took place here last week. Tornados damaged many cities in Alabama. Houses were destroyed. Many people lost their lives. My family was fortunate that we didn't suffer any damages. There has been a lot of contributions to help families rebuild. I call this the Art of Giving. There are many charities that are taking donations right now for food, supplies, etc... If you can donate or even offer prayers, these families will be grateful. The Art of Giving is a blessing for those in need.

Folding Cards

Have you ever wanted to create your own greeting card? Here's how you can create one. Take a paper or cardstock. Fold the paper in half either lengthwise or horizontal. Fold the paper in half again. Now you have your card. Try using colored paper or cardstock to design cards for different occasions.

Your Art

How would you like to see your art on my blog? Email me your art: shama@eveninglightdesigns.com. I'll pick an art to feature on my blog. What inspired you to create your art? I'd like to share your inspiration with others.

Dream Card

Spring 2o11 has arrived. Colorful flowers begin to bloom. I designed this card with an array of spring colors. I used calligraphy to design the theme DREAM. Calligraphy requires simple strokes to create each letter. It takes some practice. However, you can also create your own form of calligraphy by adding your own elements.

Copyright 2011

Price: $5

Shades of Blue

There are many tones of blue that can be used for your artwork. Add white to dark blue to create a light blue tone. Here are a few other combinations.

Ocean Blue
Sky Blue
Slate Blue

Chicken n Egg

Here's a sequence cartoon that I created with black ink & colored pencils. I began with an oval shape then added lines to create the cracks. You can create a similar cartoon for a flip book. Draw each picture on a separate page in the book. Flip the pages to see the chicken hatch.

Copyright 2011

Tea Dye

I would like to share with you a cool way to paint the background on a canvas. Boil some tea. Remove the tea packet & pour the tea water in a cup. Dip a paintbrush in the tea water. Paint the entire canvas. Let the canvas dry. This will give the canvas an antique look. You can also apply the tea water with a sponge. Try different types of tea for a variety of colors.

Dog Bone

I drew this art using black ink. You can create a simple art like this by drawing dashed lines. Draw the outline of an object with dashed lines first. Fill in with color to complete the picture.

Copyright 2011

Art of an Orange Circle

Draw a circle. Color the circle orange. Think of creative ways to transform this orange circle into an object. Here are a few ideas: sun, basketball, fruit, balloon...

Your Creative Inspiration for 2011

Happy New Year 2011! I wish all of you a year full of new creative inspirations. What inspires you? Music, art, donating to a charity, building a new home, listening to the ocean waves crash against the sand, .... Take a moment to find that one creative inspiration for 2011. Let today be the day you set forth for your new journey. Remember to celebrate each goal that you achieve. Best wishes to all of you for a successful 2011!