Drawing Fun for the Holidays

 

You are cordially invited to come to Creative Pencils and join The Holiday Designs workshop.  It is a set of 3 colored pencil projects.  We will draw a set of candy canes with a ribbon, a candle, with evergreen, and a vintage stocking.  In each of these designs I will teach you strong shading skills creating depth and beauty in your drawings.  

In the candle project I will demonstrate using the Zest-It blending solution to create the layered look of the colors.  (If you do not have Zest-It, you can blend the candle just like the other 2 projects.)

Once you have learned how to draw these designs you can mix them to create new designs that are uniquely yours.  

You can use these designs to decorate cards, gift tags, ornaments, packages and much more.

 Its fun and even a beginner can accomplish these projects.  Get out your pencils and let's get started.  

You can purchase this workshop on the home page of Creative Pencils

Wind and Honey Creations

And This Is Why I Draw! or Harold! Where Can I Get One of Those Purple Crayons!?

There was a time in my young adult life when I thought if I set my mind to something that I could do it.  I decided when my children were very small that I was going to learn to sew.  My first project was to sew Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls for my kids!  And my second was to sew a patchwork quilt.  Ha!  How utterly naive I was.  That about ended my career as a seamstress.  I am reminded of this fact because I tried to sew a little something for a gift to a friend last week.  It was an extremely simple project - one that a child with just a tad of experience should have been able to do.  Well, mine did look like it was done by a child, but not one with experience.

And writing.  Well, let me just say that my college English professor had trouble hiding his smirk when I once mentioned that I might do some writing in my career.  I do have creative thoughts that do sometimes involve words.  But my ability to put them together in a grammatically correct fashion is challenged.  If you've been here on my blog very many times, you've probably already noticed that.




And so I draw.  I find that as I attempt to sew or write or even to do elaborate cooking, that the thought, if only I could just draw this, comes to mind often.  I remember the book from my childhood Harold and the Purple Crayon and I wonder where I could get myself one of those purple crayons. In this book, Harold had a magic purple crayon and everything he drew with it became real.  Just think, all the items I'd like to sew but can't, could be drawn.  Now, I'd probably want them to be a different color than purple.  But if I could find one of those magical crayons, I bet I could learn to love purple.  And then all those thoughts I have that I long to put into words, could just be drawn.


This dancing swan is an example of pages and pages of unwritten words poured into one drawing.  Hmmmm.  Maybe I should have drawn her in purple.

I did give the sewing project that I completed to my friend.  Well, I mailed it to her and it should arrive today.  I sent it with all its imperfections and 'do overs'.  I sent it because perfection should not exist between true friends.  I sent it because it was made with much love and prayers for her.  And I sent it because in spite of all its warts, it was still made well enough to serve its intended purpose.

But next time I feel a need to stitch something, I'll be looking for my purple crayons!


Wind and Honey Creations

Teaching Children to be Creative

One of the many hats that I wear is that of art teacher. I teach children as young as 5 and adults as high as they want to go. Studies have shown that studying art and experiencing creativity helps children to excel in every area of their lives. Over the years I've found that many parents think they can't do art with their children. They say, "Well I'm just not very creative." or "Why, I can't even draw a straight line." Well, I've got news for you. Drawing a straight line has nothing to do with it. Its more about freedom and fun than anything else. And kids are the easiest because they already feel creative freedom and already know how to have fun. You're just along for the ride!

Let's talk first about some barriers parents put up that stifle their kids creatively. A common complaint from my students is that their parents won't let them do anything messy. One can rarely be creative without being messy. So get a couple of vinyl table cloths. Throw one on the kitchen table and one on the floor and loosen up. Or better yet, when the weather allows, work outside. Come on parents, loosen up. Those kids are washable.

Another complication that parents often put on their children artistically is to expect the results to look like something straight out of a gift shop. They are kids. Their focus isn't that of an adult. Their fine motor skills aren't that of an adult. And their perspective isn't the same as an adult. So, let them be kids. Let them be artists. And see what wonderful creations they come up with.

WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T FIX THEIR WORK. It won't be perfect. Thats ok. What you want to communicate to them is that it is fun to make art and what they make is delightful. Don't critique every line they draw or every color they choose. It is ok to make a few small corrections if they are said with a positive attitude and prefaced with a positive comment.. Something like this, "I love the bright colors you are choosing. Perhaps this line should be a bit shorter."

Display their work. You, as their parents, are the single most important factor influencing their sense of creativity for years to come. Of course, there is the classic home gallery, the refrigerator. Also they will love turning their rooms into their own personal art gallery. Let your kids use their art as gifts for grandparents, teachers, or even friends. Just think how affirming it is to them to believe that their artistic work is valuable enough to be a gift. Take a few of your favorite pieces and frame them. Yes, even hang them in your livingroom.

In the next week I will talk with you more about how to help your kids grow up to be creative people. Also I will give you some tutorials for inexpensive projects you can do with them.

I've included some examples done by some of my students ages 6, 11, and 12 respectively.