Bahamas Water

Earlier this month, I took a trip to the Bahamas.  The water was absolutely beautiful.  I captured this photo on one of the islands.  You can use this photo as your inspiration to paint an ocean.  Use a mixture of blue and aqua colors.  Add the sky with a light blue tone.

Green Tree Ornament

Just a few days left till Christmas.  I thought I'd share how to make a simple holiday ornament.  Take a sheet of green construction paper. Cut out a few medium size triangles.  Hole punch the top of one of the triangles.  Decorate the ornament anyway you like. Tie a string through the hole. Place your handmade tree shaped ornament on your Christmas tree.

Leaf Placemats

How about creating leaf placemats for your holiday dining?  Take construction paper with colors of red, orange, yellow, and green. Cut each one out in a shape of a different leaf.  Then write the name of your guest on each placemat.  Place the mats on your table for a festive holiday dining.

Red Ladybug

I enjoy watching ladybugs walk on leaves & flowers during the summer.  I especially like the deep red color against the green leaf background. It's a nice color contrast.  Ladybugs are simple & fun to draw as well.  Here's one I drew using lines, circles, and an oval.  

Pumpkin Face

It's October & pumpkin carving season.  You can draw your own pumpkin facial expressions. Take a sheet of orange construction paper & a black marker.  Draw the eyes, nose, & mouth with the black marker.  Practice drawing a variety of faces. Then pick the best face to use to carve out your Halloween pumpkin.

Rainbow Colors

I love watching rainbows form after a storm.  Use the colors of the rainbow for your next project.  Here's a fun idea. Find glitter for each color of the rainbow.  Draw the arcs of the rainbow with white glue on cardstock.  Sprinkle the glitter color on each arc of the rainbow. Let the glue dry thoroughly. Then shake the excess glitter off the cardstock.  Hang your design by the window then watch your sparkly rainbow shine.

Drawing With a Line

What can you draw with a line?  I turned the line that I drew into a bunny.  What's the first thing that comes to your mind when you see the line? Draw the object then create more drawings starting from a line.

Sticker Art

You can easily design your own stickers to use for your craft projects.  Purchase white paper that has a sticker backing. Draw your favorite designs.  Trim around the design then use the sticker to decorate your project.  Use wavy edged scissors to cut a border around the design.  You can also rubber stamp designs on the paper to create unique stickers.

Yarn Art

Craft stores sell a variety of yarn colors.  I like the multicolored ones that have different shades.  Take a cardstock.  Draw a pattern with white glue on the cardstock.  Take a string of yarn then place it on the pattern.  Let the art dry throughly.  You can make your own greeting cards with this technique.

Inspiration Art: Parrot

I had the opportunity recently to teach drawing lessons at a local botanical gardens.  I asked each student to draw the first thing that came to their mind.  One of the students drew their pet parrot as their inspiration.  I posted the art above that she drew.  What's your inspiration? Email me your inspired art: shama@eveninglightdesigns.com.  I'll select a drawing to post on a future post.

Inspirational Word

What's one word that inspires you? Believe, Laugh, Faith, Love, Life... Write your inspirational word on the center of a paper.  Draw an artwork that reflects the word in the background.  Hang the artwork so that you can be inspired everyday.

Sticks and Stones

Would you like to bring the nature indoors? Here's a fun project you can do.  Gather a few sticks that have fallen from a tree.  Find a few small stones.  Place the stones in a vase.  Arrange the sticks in the vase.  Place your natural creation as a centerpiece on a table.

White Flower

I like to use black paper to draw on.  I drew this flower using white ink.  A good way to practice drawing shapes is by drawing a continuous pattern.  I used this pattern on the leaves and petals.  Gold and silver inks are also great to use on black paper.  Try these colors on your next drawing.

Calligraphy

I often use calligraphy when signing greeting cards.  You can purchase calligraphy markers with a variety of colors.  I found that markers are easier to use compared to the traditional ink.  It takes practice but eventually you will develop your own style.  I also like to draw with calligraphy markers. You can create some cool designs just by using different strokes & angles. Try basic shapes first then move on to intricate designs.

Night Stars

Would you like to create a night sky to hang indoors?  Take black construction paper & white chalk.  Draw small circles scattered on the construction paper with the white chalk.  Take a tissue then dab a few of the circles to give the stars a hazy appearance.  Try adding blue chalk for creating blue color stars.

Garden Flower

I took a picture of this flower that bloomed in our garden this spring.  I was able to capture the fine details of this flower close up.  Flowers are a great subject for drawing. This summer take a photo of your favorite flower then draw the details.  Add the leaves, stems, and the colors.

Collecting Seashells

I love to collect seashells when I'm at the beach. I even like to gather broken shells that have smooth edges.  I like looking for unique shapes, colors, & textures.  Seashells also make a great subject for drawing.  The next time you're at the beach, find some cool shells, coral, stones, & other ocean treasures.  Try drawing these items.

Random Sketch

Close your eyes.  Think of an object.  Now sketch the object that you thought of.  It doesn't have to be perfect.  Try sketching several variations of the object.  Add color by sketching with colored pencils.

Green Clover

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I found a four leaf clover from my hand drawn collection. If you have a clover patch in your yard, find your lucky clover.  Draw the clover that you found. Have fun finding your four leaf clover.

Copyright 2012

Gift Wrap with Scrapbook Paper

You can use 12x12 scrapbook paper to wrap small gifts.  There are a variety of colors & patterns to choose from. Check your local craft shop for a selection.  Add a gift tag using leftover scrapbook paper. Punch a hole  on the corner of the gift tag. Thread a satin ribbon through the hole then tie the ribbon around the gift.

Valentine Creativity

Valentine's is almost around the corner.  Here are some ideas to create for your special valentine:

-Handmade card: Use pink, red, or white cardstock
-Place heart shape confetti on a table that spells out Love
-Arrange chocolates on a dish in the form of a heart
-Write a poem
-Cut out hearts from any magazine. Arrange then glue on cardstock to create a collage.

I'd like to hear how you celebrated. Send me an email. I'll post my favorite on a future blog post.

Mexican Chips

I took this picture during a vacation to Mexico.  What caught my eye? It was the colors.  The colors were so vibrant.  Look for colorful displays during your next travel for capturing photos.


Copyright 2012

Colored Sand

You can create colored sand very easily.  Take a small bottle. Fill the bottle 3/4 with sand. Add a couple drops of any food color.  Close the bottle tight.  Shake the bottle until the color throughly mixes with the sand.  Add more food color if needed for darker colored sand. 

Art Signature

Happy 2012! When you create your artwork this year, remember to sign & date the work.  You will treasure your work years from now.  Plus if you decide to give your work to others, they will appreciate the work was personally signed.  So, go ahead and write, carve, or stamp your name!