Free Download: Floral Gift Tags

Happy Friday! Here are some cute notecards in navy and rose gold for you to print and use to your heart's content. They're ready to cut and can even be used as a little note card. 

Here are a few ways I like to use gift tags:
• Put on top of a gift box (obviously)
• Write a quick thank you and slip into a bag when I'm returning something to a friend
• Stick onto a sweet treat that I'm giving to a special friend
• Put a love note in my husband's backpack when he goes on a guys trip
• If my kids were old enough I'd add notes in their school lunches

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Free Download: Tulip Art Print

Another Friday, another download. This week I have an art print for you in two colorways: blues and oranges. Tulips are my mom's favorite flower so I have a soft spot in my heart for them and think this simple version is something she will enjoy...and I hope you do too!

I recommend printing on 8.5x11-inch card stock and then trimming to fit into an 8x10-inch frame or a 5x7 frame...whatever is best for your space. Enter your email address below and download your PDFs. Easy peasy.

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What I'm Learning: Drawing Pens

When you follow artists on Instagram or YouTube, or take online workshops from creatives, you'll see there are a few brands of pens recommended over and over again. I regularly hear about Microns, Uni, and Faber-Castell.

While every artist has their preference, I've been using the Micron Pens because it's what I have on hand—and so far I haven't had a reason to try another brand. They come in a variety of sizes, feel comfortable in my hand and make smooth lines. Maybe as they start drying out I will give another brand a try, just to compare.

I have the following sizes which came together in one pack: 005, 01, 02, 03, 05, 08, 1, and Brush.

The recommendation Lisa Congdon gives in her line art class on Creativebug is to start with a larger tip for more control as you're learning: size 08 or 05. Each size can each be used for different things: 01 for small details, 08 for filling in areas that need to be fully black, etc. but lately I've been gravitating towards the thinner tips when I sit down to draw. There's a daintiness and simplicity the thinner tips give that I like...at least for now :)

For comparison purposes, here is a similar drawing using six different pen tip sizes (005 is smallest, 08 is thickest):

LINKS
Micron Pens
Line Drawing with Lisa Congdon on Creativebug

Watercolor Practice: Florals

I would love to be able to paint florals. Pretty, detailed florals. But my beginning watercolor classes just don't teach florals...I still have lots to learn. But since I'm a little impatient, I made an attempt to paint flowers without any tutorial...and here is the result.

They're not that beautiful, but they do resemble flowers so I'm happy about that, for now :) 

Brush: size 8 (I think! Forgot to make a note of it)
Watercolors: Winsor & Newton Cotman Pan Set

Free Download: October Tech Calendar

The year is officially flying by, right? In honor of October, this week's download is a fun black cat and pumpkin duo. The download includes four files: calendars that will work for a desktop, laptop, iPad or iPhone. Happy Friday!

Ideas for Using Your Artwork with a Transparent Background

Last week I showed you how to bring your artwork into Photoshop and give it a transparent background. This week I want to give you a few ideas for using your artwork in Illustrator once you've removed the background.

You can:

1  •  Make a Note Card
2  •  Layer Your Art Over a Photo
3  •  Add a Block of Color Behind Your Artwork
4  •  Make a Repeating Pattern

Have fun!

Watercolor Practice: Leaves

This week I started the second part of Yao Cheng's Beginning Watercolor class on Creativebug. The first session was all about making leaves and here is my first attempt. I've said this before: I really like Yao's teaching style. She is gifted but has a nice way of explaining what she's thinking at a basic level so I feel like it's actually possible to create what she is painting. And yes, mine are a mess compared to hers but at least I have a general sense of how to make the leaves she demonstrates and now it's up to me to continue practicing. 

This wreath version above is my favorite attempt.

Links
Beginning Watercolor by Yao Cheng on Creativebug