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What Summertime Means to Me
Creative Photo Prompt: Create a photo collage of what summer means to you…. Water, beach, strong shadows, the sound you hear in the distance of fun at an amusement park, long sun burnt days and warm nights. I took these photos in Santa Monica, CA when I was there last year. They truly say summer to me. What about you?
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Let’s Go to Hawaii and Paint Tropical Fish
Who doesn’t want to head to the tropics? Come on a virtual trip to Hawaii with me and let’s dive into the water and learn how to draw and watercolor tropical fish in this quick how to video! Be sure to pause the video along the way so you can practice drawing fun fish shapes, and adding splashes of watercolor in your favorite colors!
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Creative Wanderlust Prompt: Palm Springs
It’s time for a little Southern California, mid-century modern, wanderlust adventure this week with our Creative Wanderlust Prompt: Palm Springs! Palm Springs is a desert resort area in California’s Colorado Desert, a 7 million acre area of land that is part of the Sonoran Desert. The landscape is arid and brown like many deserts, yet unique as it is surrounded on three sides by towering mountain ranges: Little San Bernardino Mountains to the north, the Santa Rosa Mountains on the south, and the San Jacinto Mountains to the west. San Jacinto Peak rises 3,302 m or 10,834 ft and is often covered in snow in the winter. Palm Springs is also…
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Creative Wanderlust Adventure: Finding Inspiration in a Recent Read – Crying in H Mart
I just finished Michelle Zauner’s book Crying in H Mart for my bookclub and although the book had a lot of sadness, as the main character processed the grief of losing her mother, I couldn’t help but be highly intrigued by the constant Korean food references that threaded throughout the book. Since H Mart grocery story is prominently featured in the title, I was also inspired to experience it for myself! Although I have tried a few Korean dishes (I do love bibimbap) I must admit, I’m pretty naive to all the dishes and foods I would find. Near me there are actually 3 H Marts relatively close by, so…
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The Only Art on the Go Supply You Need
The simplest art on the go supply you really need is a pen and a small sketchbook! It can be a black pen, ballpoint pen, or even a marker! Why a black pen and not a pencil? I encourage people to start with a pen vs. a pencil so there’s no desire to erase, or “fix” a sketch you are working on. The goal of taking your art on the go for me is not about the final outcome as it is about the overall experience and act of creation! The moments or time spent sitting down and capturing a scene– whether it be a full building, a crowded market,…
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At Home Creative Adventures: Pantry Raid
Our pantries offer us an unlimited number of things to draw, we just need to open them up and see what’s inside. Choose the most colorful item, your favorite food, or one with a playful pattern. Create a collection and hang them in your kitchen once complete! Below is a time lapse video of drawing the maple syrup can. Be sure to read the “More Creative Prompts” on the printable exercise to learn of ways to vary this exercise. And, as always, I’d love to see what you create! Feel free to tag me on @wanderlustdesigner on Instagram or Facebook or email me: betsy@wanderlustdesigner.com with your creations!
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Art School: How to Draw an A Frame Cabin
I love the coziness of an A frame cabin in the woods! I can’t think of a better place to be snowed in than a small A frame with a small living room, kitchen and bath on the bottom floor and a loft bedroom up a ladder. With plenty of food and fire wood, I would enjoy spending hours reading and sketching with a nap somewhere in between! Here’s a simple drawing tutorial to create your own A frame cabin in the winter. Here’s a process video to watch the drawing in action.
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The Benefits of Keeping a Travel Journal and Taking Your Art on the Go
I’ve been keeping a travel journal of some sort for as long as I can remember. Some of my journals are purely a diary, a written account of what I did on the trip. Some are filled with simple doodles and some are even conversations between the people I traveled with. But by far, my most favorite travel journals are the ones with art in them. It may be a tiny postage sized stamp drawing, or a watercolor that fills the entire spread. I’ve made some with colored pencil and others with only a black pen. There are even a few that are collaged with found ephemera. Regardless of how…
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Art on the Go: Countdown to Christmas Free Printable Art Project
I always find that Christmas creeps up on me faster than ever, so this year, I decided to create a fun art project to countdown the days to Christmas and I’d love for you to join along! This countdown is all about playing with art. I’ve created simple holiday icons for each day and it’s our job to decorate each day however we like — watercolor, crayons, color pencil, markers, glitter, collage, paint, doodle — whatever medium, however you’d like! This project is all about being creative and exploring. There’s not need to worry about staying in the lines, just create and have fun. Be sure to share your countdown…
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Art School: Apple Template & Watercolor Wash Tutorial
There are so many delicious varieties of apples in the stores these days, some are crispy, some soft, some sweet, some tart. There’s really an apple for everyone. Apples also make a great prop for practicing watercolor washes as they come in so many colors as well. Washes are one of my favorite techniques to use when painting with watercolor. The inherent properties of the paint make for beautiful bleeds and unexpected results. Below is a free printable tutorial to practice your watercolor washes making apples. I’ve also included an apple template page if you want help getting started. Free Printable Apple Template Once you’ve completed the exercise, be…
