EST 2017
Many artists are inspired by dreams. In a dream, things can seem both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. Artists can show this by distorting familiar objects – for instance, they might shrink or enlarge them. Spanish artist Salvador Dali often did this. Some of his paintings feature melting clocks or animals with extra-long legs.
Try it yourself. Pick an object and distort it however you like. Take a look at these Dali examples to help inspire you
Collect some scrap paper and tear it into small pieces. Using a glue stick, arrange and glue the pieces into a flower shape. Use markers to add details. Combining different materials to make art like this is called “collage.”
I have always loved making collages as far back as I can remember. It’s the recycling of something old and giving it new life I think that I like so much. Creating a flower collage seems so appropriate for this spring season we are in. Having the opportunity to plant and and see new flowers and life spring up all around us. What kind of scrap paper will you use? Newspaper, junk mail, receipts, colored construction paper? Find some beautiful collage inspiration here.
Is it possible to draw a perfect circle? Practice here.
There are a lot of post about how to draw a perfect circle or if one is even capable or drawing a perfect circle or why it’s not exactly your fault your can’t. Regardless, we are going to come up with our own perspective today and see for ourselves if it is possible to draw a perfect circle. Everyone has got a different technique and approach. Let’s see what we come up with and post a pic of your circles in our comments. If you have a little one joining us for our art today, you can use the printable below for a large circle to help guide them.
What did you have for lunch today? Draw it.
Well if you’re like me, you are probably working on your art book before lunch and haven’t had much to eat yet besides coffee. So, I am going to focus on something I just really enjoy eating. I can even taste a bit of it now as I think about the colors and try to picture it in my mind. A nice fresh bowl of strawberry shortcake! It’s got me in the mood for summer already. What are you going to eat today? Enjoy some of these cool food sketches for inspiration.
Using colored pencils, pick four colors to create a pattern or picture in the grid provided.
Grid paper is a great way to start a work of patterns or symmetry. Use one of the grid paper printables below to create an authentic piece of pixel art. Be creative! If you would like more inspiration or ideas on how to create characters or pattern work using grid paper , check out some of the images below.
Close your eyes. What do you see? Draw the colors and shapes.
Shapes, colors, images..so many things we see behind closed eyes and today we get to explore those. Put some fun music on or sit in silence, close your eyes, and take a few long deep breaths. What do you see? Is it dark or is it light? Do you see any shapes? Perhaps images containing a lot of colors and shapes. Grab some colorful utensils and let your mind explore as your shapes and colors begin to find their place on your paper and your lines take shape. Here is some inspiration for you.
Start this art journal by drawing a portrait of yourself.
A self portrait is a great way to start off our year of art together! How you choose to draw yourself is completely up to you. Realistic, anime, cubism, wherever your imagination takes you. Remember there is no right or wrong way to draw yourself. Use your medium of choice on this one, whether that’s a pencil or paint or you choose to mixed them, just have fun. See some of the various ways others have drawn themselves.
If you are a younger person or would just like some guidance, click on link below for a printable outline to help you get started.
I am really excited to launch our Year of Art together! This last year has been a struggle for most as we navigate ourselves through a new way of life. It has been the great outdoors and being creative that have helped my artistic soul manage to survive this crazy time. In fact, studies have shown that expressing oneself through art can help with both depression and anxiety. And doing so has been linked to improved memory, reasoning, and resilience in healthy older people. If that is not enough reason to join in on our year of art, I don’t know what is!
We will be following along with a book by Susan Schwake called My Year Of Art. No worries, you don’t need the book to follow along, but you are welcome to buy your own sketch pad or art book to keep all your creative work in. I will also be providing pintables to go along with certain activities that need a little something extra. Some days will call for little supplies, but the majority of them you will find lying around the house. These art activities are for the young and old, so grab your kids to join in the fun too!
Some will take you seconds, while others might take you much longer. Your answers are unique to you and that is what being an artist is all about – showing the world your own view.
Susan Schwake
AND REMEMBER:
Grab an Anomaly Lifestyle Art and Tattoo logo tee or a one of a kind handmade design.
