About Drawing / Sketching

Draw a Skating Penguin

2009-12-24T18:32:47Z

Here's a cute wintery cartoon to draw - an ice-skating penguin by regular guest artist Shawn Encarnacion. Just the thing to keep a little Club Penguin fan busy for a while. I'd like to wish a Merry Christmas to those celebrating the holiday, and I hope everyone keeps safe during these seasons of bushfire, storm and snow.

Draw an Ice-Skating Penguin

Draw a Skating Penguin originally appeared on About.com Drawing / Sketching on Thursday, December 24th, 2009 at 18:32:47.

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Sketching Indoors

2009-12-21T04:06:47Z

Stuck indoors? Whether you're having a snow day or sweltering in mid-summer, you can still sketch!

If you are into drawing figures, try drawing hands. They are difficult and poorly drawn hands can ruin a drawing, so lots of practice is worthwhile. Check out this tutorial on How to Draw Hands, and try some gestural drawing.

Still life drawing can be really interesting - we often use it as a way to develop skills, but objects can also convey meaning and facilitate expression. Try one of these still life drawing ideas.

Sketching Indoors originally appeared on About.com Drawing / Sketching on Monday, December 21st, 2009 at 04:06:47.

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Make it Merry Week 7

2009-12-18T23:08:20Z

Victorian Snow Day
Put together a mixed media portrait using crafting scraps and this tutorial from Margot Potter.

Cookies in a Jar
Fun article with recipes and gift tags for making cookies in a jar.

Christmas Crackers
Make your own Christmas crackers this year (don't forget to add your favorite terrible joke for an authentic touch)!

Striped Stocking
A stocking knit in tow colors on large needles is a quick and easy way to hold gifts for the holiday. Use traditional Christmas colors or make one with stripes of the colors of your favorite sports team.

Crocheted Wire Necklace
If you can string stone nuggets onto wire, and if you can crochet a simple chain stitch, then you can make this pretty necklace.� Visit Beading Arts for the instructions!

Stained Glass Votives
Here's a great easy project that's perfect for kids and fun for adults! We spend lots of time making great votive candles, why not dress them up even more with hand made votive holders?

Skating Penguin Cartoon
Add a cute penguin to your holiday cards with this step-by-step drawing tutorial from Helen South.

Lampwork Snowman Earrings
Use a few wire techniques to turn two lampwork snowmen beads into some holiday jewelry. These literally take minutes to make.

Greeting Card Album
Recycle a greeting card and create a holiday album using materials you already have around the house.

Cut Paper Trees
These three dimensional stand up cut paper trees can be used for table decorations or winter scenes. They're cut just like snowflakes from regular paper.

Christmas Tree Seed Bead Earrings
If you're in a pinch for some holiday cheer upon your ears, then these simple seed bead earrings are just the holiday miracle you've been looking for. With just a little wire and a handful of beads, these can be made in just minutes.

Gingerbread Ornaments
When you don't have the fragrance of a real Christmas tree, fake scents just don't do it. Make a batch of these ornaments every few years and hang them from your tree, the scent will last for two or three years!

Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more. �

Make it Merry Week 7 originally appeared on About.com Drawing / Sketching on Friday, December 18th, 2009 at 23:08:20.

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A Brief Drawing Blog Roundup

2009-12-13T06:17:37Z

Jacci at About Desktop Publishing just blogged about computer drawing with a look back at her recent coverage of digital drawing topics, while Animation guru Adrien-Luc has some tips on Smoothing and Straightening wiggly lines in your Flash drawings.

I smiled at the funky Ninja Mice concept art blogged by J L Meyer. Dave Cutler shares some figure drawings with a focus on strong, clean contour in his blog Gruntor's Grotto

Collaborative blogs are a great way to get involved in social art interaction without the hassle of third-party sites. There's quite a few around, some of which seem to be a loose gathering of friends, while others invite wider participation. Check out The Daily Sketch Group and Illustration Friday.

If you have an active sketch blog or group and would like to feature in blog roundups, leave a link and I'll check it out.

A Brief Drawing Blog Roundup originally appeared on About.com Drawing / Sketching on Sunday, December 13th, 2009 at 06:17:37.

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Anatomy Drawing: The Head and Neck

2009-12-11T22:46:02Z

Improve your portraiture and figure drawing by studying anatomy. Awareness of the skeletal and muscular anatomy under the skin can help you more accurately observe and draw the surface anatomy. This article on drawing the anatomy of the head and neck has examples of studies exploring the skull and musculature.

I haven't included a guide to the names of muscles: you can easily find these online in Gray's Anatomy. It is useful to be able to name the muscles, but don't let it put you off - don't bother with labels unless you want to. The main thing is to understand how muscles fit together under the skin.

Image: � Sharon McKeeman, licensed to About.com

Anatomy Drawing: The Head and Neck originally appeared on About.com Drawing / Sketching on Friday, December 11th, 2009 at 22:46:02.

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Review: A Foundation Course in Drawing

2009-12-10T07:52:13Z

As the title implies, 'A Foundation Course in Drawing ' by Peter Stanyer and Terry Rosenberg is quite an academic book aimed at first-year university students, so while I don't really recommend this book for beginners, its a worthwhile and substantial volume, which will also interest others who wish to broaden their drawing technique.

The project-based approach used in the book means that the focus is always on hands-on drawing to put the theory into practice. Read the review to find out more.

Review: A Foundation Course in Drawing originally appeared on About.com Drawing / Sketching on Thursday, December 10th, 2009 at 07:52:13.

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Landscape Drawing in Winter

2009-12-09T05:48:09Z

Winter is a surprisingly good time for landscape drawing, especially when the sky is clear or only partially cloudy. The low angle of the sun can create interesting contrasts, while bare trees make dramatic subjects. Why not rug up warmly, and spend some time drawing in the garden? Or if you really can't face the chilly weather, find a cozy spot by the window - your own or a favorite cafe. As for me, it's summer in Australia, so I'll be on my verandah with a cool drink!

More on Landscape Drawing:
Drawing Clouds Step by Step
Sketching Trees
Sketching with Pen and Ink
Landscape Drawing Ideas
Tips on Drawing Winter Scenes
Winter Snow Scene References

Landscape Drawing in Winter originally appeared on About.com Drawing / Sketching on Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 at 05:48:09.

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Make it Merry 5

2009-12-05T06:00:26Z

It's the first week of December, so it's time you got cracking on those holiday crafts. Here are some winter treasures to get started with.

Winterscape Needlepoint Ornaments
Create a needlepoint ornament with these Winterscape printable patterns. Cheryl Fall has your pattern and how-to.

Antique Christmas Scraps
Use these great looking antique Santa illustrations to use on all your paper projects-- scrapbooks, cards, ornaments and newsletters!

Knit Tinsel
If you can make an I-cord, you can use a fancy eyelash yarn to make knit tinsel in no time for your hearth or holiday tree. Sarah E. White shows you how.

Shrink Plastic Necklace
Use shrink plastic to create unique charms to make necklaces and other items of jewelry. These are quick to make and are perfect for last minute gifts!

Sweater Holiday Lighting
Make a light-up Christmas tree using an old sweater and a little know-how form the Sweater Surgery blog.

Printable Paper Sleigh
A Printable Sleigh to fill with goodies.� This sleigh fits dolls house scale dolls, but it also stands nicely behind most commercial reindeer figures to make a table decoration.� You can print it in the colors shown, or use the template to construct your own sleigh in the color you want.

Peace Cross Stitch
One message during the holidays that everyone can agree with is 'Peace'. Create this simple cross stitch with the free pattern and instructions from Connie G. Barwick.

Draw a Santa
Decorate cards, tags and more when you learn how to sketch the perfect Santa from Helen South.

Glittery Wood and Wire Snowman Earrings
These super easy snowmen earrings are a whimsical design that even the beginning jewelry maker can create.

Ribbon Wreath Craft
Find out how you can create a unique wreath using pieces of ribbon. By looking at this finished project, you will never believe how easy it is!

Holiday Pear Quilt
Create a pear quilt as a holiday gift or just to spruce up the place. Cyndi Lavin at the Mixed Media Blog has your tips and instructions.

Cuttlebugged Christmas Cards
These quick Christmas cards were made using my Sissix Big Shot, ProvoCraft Christmas Tree embossing folder, Versamark inks and embellishments. Get the instructions at the Firenze Cards blog.

Christmas Card Art Worksheet
Make a watercolor Christmas Card out of a cathedral rose window without all that pesky drawing. Just print this outline from Marion Boddy-Evans on a sheet of watercolor paper using waterproof ink.

Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more.

You can also join Drawing/Sketching readers in the Holiday Artwork Show and Tell.

Make it Merry 5 originally appeared on About.com Drawing / Sketching on Saturday, December 5th, 2009 at 06:00:26.

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Sketching Cats

2009-12-01T06:20:03Z

Because highly finished artwork is often so impressive, we sometimes feel that everything we do has to be a major undertaking. But think how many of our favorite Old Master drawings - from Leonardo to Picasso - are quick sketches. One of my favorite drawings is a Brett Whiteley ink sketch that he did in just a few moments on-camera. Cats aren't the easiest of subjects, but they can be a delight. Here's some tips on How to Sketch Cats.

Sketching Cats originally appeared on About.com Drawing / Sketching on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 at 06:20:03.

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More Make it Merry!

2009-11-27T01:26:01Z

Happy Thanksgiving to those celebrating the holiday. Here's another edition of Make it Merry, where talented artists and crafters share their holiday how-to's.

Snowman Ornament
Sherri Osborn will show you how to create a cute snowman face using a clear, glass ornament. It's a great project for the whole family.
Recycled Pine Cone Gnome
Collect some fallen pine cones and create this pine cone gnome at the Recycled Crafts blog.
CopprClay Pendants
Try your hand with pendant making this year with a little help from some winter foliage. The Beading Arts blog will show you how.
How to Make Paper
Make handmade paper for the scrapbooker in your life, or create tags and cards for every present on your list. Marion Boddy-Evans shows us how.
Little Town of Bethlehem Cross Stitch
For a traditional Christmas, a simple cross stitch pattern from Connie G. Barwick.
Mitten Earrings
Tammy Powley shows us how to make these cute mitten earrings using lampwork beads.
Christmas Stocking
Worked with bulky yarn on big needles, even beginner knitters can have this two-color sock finished and ready to embellish in no time.
Advent Garland
Count down to the holidays with this pyramid box garland. Use the free template to make the boxes and decorate them with your favorite festive stamps.
Miniature Gift Boxes
Have a tiny gift to give? Check out these free printable miniature gift boxes for small gifts or advent calendars from Lesley Shepherd.
Manga Holiday Card
Give your Christmas greetings a contemporary flavour with this greeting card from guest artist Shinaebi at About Drawing/Sketching.
Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more.

More Make it Merry! originally appeared on About.com Drawing / Sketching on Friday, November 27th, 2009 at 01:26:01.

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