How-to-Draw: Contour Tree

This project idea was found on artprojectsforkids.com

I am posting this for use in the art camps that I am teaching this summer. 

Parents, please take a look at some of the projects your kids will be or have been doing in camp! They may even want to use these templates to teach you or their siblings what they have learned.

How-to-Draw: Contour Tree 

Materials

• Bristol or Drawing paper
• Pencil
• Marker/Sharpie/Pen
• Colored pencils/Markers

Step 1: Begin by drawing an outline of a tree. It should stretch at least half of the height of the paper and be wide enough that it looks very prominent. Include roots on the bottom. Draw two more vertical lines that visually divide the tree into three vertical sections. Next draw horizontal lines in each section. They are going to curve up in the middle of each section and connect, making it look like one curvy line stretches across the whole tree, which adds dimension. 

Step 2: Next draw a horizontal wavy line that crosses behind the tree. This is the horizon. Continue drawing horizontal wavy lines throughout the rest of the sky. 

Step 3: Do the same thing on the ground, but this time draw your lines closer together. 

Step 4: Using a black marker, outline the main lines to highlight each separate element of your drawing.

Step 5: Add color! Use different shades to make it interesting. For example, instead of just drawing green grass, fill in the area between each line with a different shade of green. Do use only shades of one color however. If you put blue, orange, and pink in the sky for example, and brown, yellow, and purple on the tree, the different sections of your picture will begin to blend. 

How-to-Draw: Lighthouse

This project idea was found on artprojectsforkids.com

I am posting this for use in the art camps that I am teaching this summer. 

Parents, please take a look at some of the projects your kids will be or have been doing in camp! They may even want to use these templates to teach you or their siblings what they have learned.

How-to-Draw: Lighthouse 

Materials: 

• Bristol or Drawing paper
• Pencil
• Ruler
• Markers/Colored pencils 

Step 1: Using a ruler, divide your paper into four equal sections. This will make it easier to tell where to draw each element of the picture. Then, draw the top of the light house in the center of the top of your paper. It is essentially a small oval on top of a triangle with a curved bottom.  

Step 2: Draw two straight lines extending from the bottom corners of the triangle and connect them at the bottom with a curved line. Draw a grid inside this new shape. 

Step 3: For this new shape, think about drawing the top of a can. Like before, draw two lines extending below the top and connect with a curved line. In this shape, the base is narrower than the top. Then draw vertical lines on the side. 

Step 4: Starting at the bottom corners of the can shape, draw two lines extending diagonally toward the bottom corners of the paper. Connect them with a curved line at the bottom. 

Step 5: Add a background! What is near your lighthouse? There is probably some water! Are there boats in the water? People on the land? A plane in the air? Flowers growing? Is there a pattern on your lighthouse? Is the sun shining or is it raining? Is it day or night? Add as much detail as you can! The more detail you add, the better you communicate your message and ideas to the viewer. Once you've finished drawing, you may decide to add color. 

How-to-Draw: Three Circle Lion

This project idea was found on artprojectsforkids.com

I am posting this for use in the art camps that I am teaching this summer. 

Parents, please take a look at some of the projects your kids will be or have been doing in camp! They may even want to use these templates to teach you or their siblings what they have learned. 

How-to-Draw: Three Circle Lion

Materials:

• Bristol paper (I use this because I like the heavier weight, you may substitute any other paper you like)
• Pencil
• Eraser
• Pen/Marker
• Circular object to trace
• Markers/crayons/colored pencils 

Step 1: Using a circular item (can, cup, etc.) draw two overlapping circles in roughly the center of your paper. Remember to use a pencil for everything at first incase you need to erase and fix any of your lines. Also, it is smart to press lightly at first because light lines are easier to erase. 

Step 2: Draw a third circle of the same size below the others that overlaps with them. 

Step 3: Add eyes in the two original circles, as shown below. You can vary their position if you want. Once you like your placement and shape, you can press harder with the pencil so they stand out. You could also trace over them with a pen or marker. Find the spot that includes a portion of all three circles and color it in with a marker or pen. This is the lion's nose. Finally, add two teeth in the third circle, attached to the upper two circles. The teeth can be big or small, depending on whether you want your lion to look friendly or scary! 

Step 4: Using your pencil first, and then tracing over with marker, add three whiskers on either side of the nose. If three looks like too many or too few to you, the number can be adjusted. Draw two round ears on the top "corners" of the lion's head. 

Step 5: Next, add the lion's mane. I suggest starting at the top and then going down either side. Try to make it stretch close to either edge of the paper. 

Step 6: The final step is to add color! There is no right or wrong way to do this! Is your lion realistic, with yellow and orange coloring? Or is he polka dotted? Striped? Pink? Green? Use your creativity to make him look any way you want! 

What other animals could you draw using the three circle approach? 

A Few Sketches

Here are a few sketches done on the previously discussed amazing gray paper--

As you will notice, the coloring of the photos is all messed up. Sorry about that- the lighting just was not working in my favor. The bottom picture that shows some of my color charting/testing, is accurate however. 

Enjoy! 

-Emily 

Paper Love

On Thursday mornings I babysit three of the sweetest children. The family homeschools, so I have the opportunity to help them with their school work and it really is a joy. When they are done with their school work we play games on the trampoline and I think I have just as much fun as them. When I was younger, I always wanted a trampoline but it was always "too dangerous" or "we didn't have a good spot in the back yard." So in some strange way it fulfills my childhood wish.

This past Thursday, upon finishing watching the kids, I met my mom for lunch at Chipotle (delish!) and then took a thorough and leisurely trip to Michaels. It has been months since I have gone in a craft store and just walked through all the isles, so it was wonderful.

I had a couple specific things to buy for the art class I teach, but other than that I just wandered around throwing my favorite goodies into the cart. And boy did I find the goodies. When I use my Prismacolor pencils, I prefer a toned paper. Generally, I end up using a pastel paper, but recently I have been wishing for something with less of a tooth. After seeing some gorgeous sketches done by a friend on smooth, gray paper I have really been wanting some. And lucky for me- Michaels had just the thing! And buy 1 get 1 free!

I obviously scooped up both colors- tan and grey. I have yet to use the tan, but I have done a few sketches on the gray paper and I adore it. The colors pop oh so bright and everything goes on so smooth. The paper came in two size pads, and I bought the smaller (5" x 7") but I will definitely be purchasing the larger as well- I think it was 9" x 12". 

-Emily

Presenting: The Beginnings of (Insert Project Title Here)

Several weeks ago I had this concept for a new painting. I could see it in my mind, but I couldn't quite put it into words. I have been working with Garnet Goldman on this project since that initial idea. We put into words the idea I had and made a little action plan. So far I have a 24" x 24" partially primed canvas and lots of little squares waiting for mini pictures. 

So here's the idea: 

This is a twist on a self portrait. It is not really of myself, but will clearly express my views, interests and lessons I am learning. I am dividing my canvas into 144 2"x2" squares. Each square represents something whether it be an interest of mine or a Bible verse. Several of the squares I designed this week came straight from Psalm 119. Although, that is not clear unless you know it and have the verses in front of you. But that's basically the point. Other squares represent concepts related to the World vs. Christ. For example, the moon represents darkness (world) the square below it, once completed, represents light (Christ). The big swirl represents chaos (world). The vertical lines descending to the people represent glory (Christ). You get the idea, right? 

Here's a close up of a few squares...

Once all 144 squares are planned, I will painstakingly paint each one onto the canvas. An clear, iridescent outline of my face will go on top (confirming that this is a sort of self portrait). I am super excited to see the face, because on top of the paint will be tons of little bitty glass balls. 

As I make progress, I will also make posts about it. So be on the lookout! As of now I have 24 squares down and 120 to go. I am praying for revelation and concepts for each of the remaining squares! 

Also, as you can see, this project is yet to have a name. As I work I am trusting some clever, inspired name will come along. 

-Emily 

Market Peach

Recently, I've kind of had a thing for candles. They look pretty and smell good. Two very positive things in my book. And fire is preeetty captivating- is it not? 

When i walked into Bath&Body Works Today I was pretty thrilled to see their new mason jar candles among the new Spring products. They make five scents- strawberry, lemon mint leaf, strawberry, pineapple mango and market peach. After much deliberation over the pineapple mango and market peach, I chose the latter. However, I'm sure I'll be going back soon enough for the pineapple mango. The candles look fantastic, and did I mention they are only $12.50? 

-Emily