Eyedeas

 Some ideas with eyes.

Cowboy

 Wild Wests Cowboy, Gunslinger, Sheriff, call him and use him as you will.

Karate Kid

 

Getting a Head

 Just a few practise heads.

Useful website; begin drawing characters

 I came across a website which I wanted to bookmark and share. Great for beginning to draw characters.

TheDrawingWebsite

Soldier flat png character

 For use in your projects.

Super heroes - Batman

 

Batman fanart with seperate body parts enabling this character to be used in your animation projects.

Super heroes - Spiderman

 

Spiderman fanart, with body parts enabling this character to be used in your animation projects.

Playing with the symmetry in Affinity Designer - Mandala

 

FrankenMallow

 Created as part of a Udemy course - Affinity Designer: The Complete Guide to Affinity Designer

Flat PNG Jigsaw piece

 

Free to use. Right-click image to download on PC. It would be nice if you leave a comment as to where you have used it, but this is not essential

Flat PNG Character 0007 British Policeman designed in Affinity Designer. Free to use.

 Feel free to use this PNG British policeman character in your projects, but please leave a comment if you do.

Flat PNG Character 0005 Footballer designed in Affinity Designer. Free to use.

   Feel free to use this PNG footballer character in your projects, but please leave a comment if you do.

Flat PNG Character 0001 designed in Affinity Designer. Free to use.

 I last used Affinity Designer quite a while ago, so I need to remember how to use it again. This is just a little practice character. Feel free to use him in your projects, but please leave a message if you do. I would love to see him in use.

How to Draw Perfectly Spaced Objects | Introduction to Perspective Drawing

Doodling: Unleash Your Inner Artist

 After many weeks of drawing and animating inactivity, I am trying to spend at least a few minutes per day just doodling.

Doodling is more than just mindless scribbling; it's a creative outlet with surprising benefits. This simple act of drawing without conscious effort can boost your mood, improve focus, and even enhance problem-solving skills.

Benefits of Doodling:

Stress Relief: Doodling helps reduce anxiety and tension by engaging your mind in a calming activity.

Increased Focus: Contrary to popular belief, doodling while listening to a lecture or meeting can improve concentration.

Creativity Boost: Allow your imagination to run wild! Doodling can spark new ideas and inspire innovative thinking.

Mindfulness: It's a form of meditation, grounding you in the present moment and promoting relaxation.

So, grab a pen and paper and start doodling! Let your mind wander and discover the joy of this underrated art form.

Drawing as Meditation: Finding Peace and Focus Through Art

 In our fast-paced world, finding moments of calm and focus can feel like a luxury. We juggle work deadlines, social commitments, and the constant buzz of technology. But what if there was a readily available antidote to stress, a practice that could enhance your creativity and bring a sense of inner peace? Enter the world of drawing as meditation.

More Than Just Making Marks:

Drawing as meditation isn't about creating a masterpiece. It's about using the act of drawing itself as a tool for mindfulness. Focusing on the present moment, the feel of the pencil on paper, the subtle variations in pressure and line – these elements become an anchor, pulling your attention away from the daily mental chatter.

Benefits Beyond Relaxation:

The benefits of drawing as meditation are numerous. Here are a few reasons to pick up a pencil and explore this practice:

• Reduced Stress and Anxiety: The repetitive motions of drawing and the focus on the present moment can induce a state of relaxation, lowering stress hormones and promoting feelings of calm.
• Enhanced Focus and Concentration: Drawing meditation requires you to be fully present, training your mind to stay focused on the task at hand and reducing the tendency to multitask or jump from thought to thought.
• Increased Creativity: By quieting the analytical mind, drawing meditation can unlock your creative potential. Letting go of inhibitions and focusing on the process allows for free-flowing expression.
• Improved Observational Skills: As you focus on drawing the lines, shapes, and textures of your subject, you become a more mindful observer of the world around you.

Getting Started with Drawing Meditation:

The beauty of drawing meditation lies in its simplicity. Here's how to get started:

1. Find a Quiet Space: Create a dedicated space free from distractions. Turn off your phone and let others know you'll be unavailable for a short period.
2. Gather Your Supplies: All you need is a drawing surface (paper or sketchbook) and your preferred drawing tools – pencils, pens, charcoal, anything that sparks your creativity.
3. Set an Intention (Optional): You can approach this practice with a specific intention, such as focusing on gratitude or letting go of worries.
4. Begin Drawing: Start with simple exercises. Draw slow, deliberate lines, focusing on the sensation of the movement. Explore shapes, patterns, or even abstract concepts.
5. Observe Your Thoughts: Don't judge any thoughts that arise during your practice. Simply acknowledge them and gently bring your attention back to the drawing.
6. End Your Session: Take a few deep breaths and gently stretch your body. Reflect on how you feel and observe any shifts in your mood or mental state.

Drawing as Meditation: A Journey, Not a Destination:

Like any meditation practice, drawing meditation takes time and dedication. Don't get discouraged if your mind wanders initially. The key is to be gentle with yourself and return your focus to the present moment. With consistent practice, you'll find that drawing meditation becomes a powerful tool for relaxation, focus, and creative exploration. So, unleash your inner artist, embrace the process, and discover the peace and tranquility that lies within the simple act of drawing.

Capturing the Essence of Nature: Tips for Drawing Landscapes and Wildlife

 Nature's beauty has captivated artists for centuries, and for good reason. From the majestic sweep of a mountain range to the delicate details of a butterfly's wing, the natural world offers endless inspiration for aspiring artists. But how do you translate that breathtaking vista or fleeting wildlife encounter onto paper? Fear not, nature enthusiasts and budding artists! Here are some tips to help you capture the essence of landscapes and wildlife in your drawings:

Landscapes: Layering the Grandeur

• Start with a Strong Composition: Before diving into details, consider your overall composition. Where will the horizon line be? How will you draw the viewer's eye into the scene? Sketch simple shapes to block out mountains, trees, and other major elements.
• Mastering Perspective: Understanding basic perspective techniques like one-point and two-point perspective will help you create landscapes that feel realistic and grounded. Pay attention to how objects shrink or grow larger as they recede into the distance.
• Layering Creates Depth: Use layers of light and shadow to create depth within your landscape. Foreground elements can be darker and more detailed, while background elements fade into lighter tones.
• Textural Harmony: Nature is full of textures! Rough bark on trees, smooth water surfaces, and the wispy texture of clouds all contribute to a visually engaging landscape. Use different sketching techniques, like hatching and cross-hatching, to capture these textures.

Wildlife: Capturing the Spirit

• Anatomy Matters (Even for a Cartoon Birdie): Having a basic understanding of animal anatomy will help you draw creatures that are both believable and expressive. This doesn't mean hyper-realism, but a grasp of bone structure and muscle placement goes a long way.
• Observe and Sketch!: Visit zoos, aquariums, or simply observe wildlife in your backyard. Pay attention to how animals move, their posture, and the unique details that make each species distinct. Carry a sketchbook and capture quick poses and gestures.
• Expressing Movement and Emotion: Don't just draw the physical form; capture the essence of the animal. Is it a majestic lion stalking its prey, or a playful squirrel scampering up a tree? Use dynamic lines and body posture to convey movement and emotion.
• Beyond Outlines: While outlines are important, explore shading and value techniques to create a sense of volume and depth in your animal drawings. This will make your creatures appear more lifelike.

Practice Makes Perfect (and More Fun!)

Remember, the key to becoming a skilled nature artist is practice. The more you draw, the more comfortable you'll become with capturing the nuances of landscapes and wildlife. Don't be afraid to experiment and have fun! Here are some bonus tips:

• Reference Photos are Your Friend: Use nature photographs as reference points, especially when studying details of specific animals or landscapes.
• Embrace the Imperfections: Nature isn't perfect, and neither should your drawings be. Embrace the organic flow and slight imperfections that come with hand-drawn art.
• Find Inspiration Everywhere: Keep your eyes peeled for interesting natural scenes and creatures during your daily walks or outings. You never know when inspiration might strike!

So, grab your sketchbook, pencils, and head outdoors! With these tips and a little dedication, you'll be well on your way to capturing the breathtaking beauty of the natural world in your drawings.

From Passion Project to Profit: How Teachable Can Help You Share Your Expertise

 Have you ever dreamt of turning your knowledge and skills into a thriving online business? Perhaps you're a baking whiz, a guitar maestro, or a coding guru brimming with valuable information to share. If you've ever considered teaching others but felt overwhelmed by the logistics, then Teachable might just be the answer you've been looking for.

Your All-in-One Platform for Online Education:

Teachable isn't just another website builder; it's a comprehensive platform designed to empower anyone to create and sell online courses. With Teachable, you can transform your expertise into a polished online course, complete with video lectures, downloadable resources, and interactive quizzes.

But what makes Teachable stand out?

• Effortless Course Creation: Teachable boasts a user-friendly interface that makes building your course a breeze. Upload your videos, organize your content, and customize the look and feel of your course – all without needing any coding knowledge.
• Seamless Student Management: Teachable handles student enrollment, tracks their progress, and facilitates communication. You can easily answer student questions, provide feedback, and foster a supportive learning environment.
• Multiple Revenue Streams: Teachable offers flexible pricing options, allowing you to sell your course for a one-time fee, offer subscription plans, or even bundle multiple courses together. You can also provide free preview content to entice potential students.
• Marketing and Sales Tools: Teachable equips you with built-in marketing tools to promote your course. Generate coupons, create email campaigns, and leverage social media integrations to reach your target audience.
• A Supportive Community: Teachable isn't just a platform - it's a community. Connect with other course creators, share best practices, and learn from each other's experiences.

Beyond the Basics:

While Teachable excels at empowering educators, it offers additional features to help you build a sustainable business. You can integrate email marketing services, sell merchandise alongside your courses, and even offer payment plans to make your courses accessible to a wider audience.

Ready to Share Your Passion and Expertise?

If you have valuable knowledge to share and the desire to build a thriving online business, Teachable provides the tools and support you need to succeed. Sign up for a free trial today, explore the platform's features, and transform your passion project into a profitable online course! Remember, with Teachable, you can turn your expertise into a powerful tool to educate, empower, and potentially create a new income stream.

50 Drawing Practice Ideas: From Beginner to Advanced

 Here are 50 ideas to fire up your creativity and hone your drawing skills, no matter your experience level:

Basic Skills and Techniques:

1. Lines and Curves: Practice drawing straight lines, curved lines, and combinations to improve control.
2. Shapes: Focus on drawing basic shapes (circles, squares, triangles) perfectly and with different shading techniques.
3. Still Life: Set up a simple arrangement of objects (fruit, mug, book) and practice drawing them realistically.
4. Negative Space: Draw the shapes around an object instead of the object itself.
5. Blind Contour Drawing: Look only at your subject, not your paper, and draw what you feel.
6. Perspective: Practice drawing simple boxes and cubes at different angles to understand perspective.
7. Texture Exploration: Choose different textures (wood, fabric, brick) and practice drawing them realistically.
8. Lighting and Shadow: Set up a still life with a light source and practice capturing highlights and shadows.
9. Value Scales: Create a grayscale chart to understand light and dark values.
10. Gesture Drawing: Capture quick, loose sketches of people or animals in motion.

Drawing What You See:

11. Draw Your Hand: It's always readily available and allows for practicing proportions and foreshortening.
12. Self-Portrait: Challenge yourself to capture your own likeness.
13. Draw From a Photo: Choose a photo with good composition and lighting to practice realistic drawing.
14. Urban Sketching: Head outside and draw buildings, streetscapes, or people.
15. Animal Sketching: Visit a zoo or pet store and draw animals from observation.
16. Draw From Life: Find a friend or family member and practice drawing them in different poses.

Exploring Different Styles:

17. Caricature: Exaggerate features to create a humorous portrait.
18. Cartooning: Study cartoon styles and try drawing your own characters.
19. Manga/Anime: Explore the unique style of Japanese comics and animation.
20. Comic Strip Challenge: Create a short comic strip telling a story.
21. Zentangle: Draw intricate, repetitive patterns for relaxation and focus.
22. Abstract Art: Let loose and create an abstract artwork based on emotions or music.

Drawing Prompts and Inspiration:

23. Draw a character based on a song you love.
24. Illustrate a scene from your favorite book.
25. Imagine a creature from a different planet.
26. Draw a superhero with a unique power.
27. Create a fantasy landscape with a hidden city.
28. Draw an object and give it a human face.

Challenge Yourself:

29. Draw with your non-dominant hand.
30. Limit yourself to a specific color palette.
31. Try a blind contour drawing while listening to music.
32. Draw an object only using circles and squares.
33. Create a self-portrait using pointillism (dots).
34. Draw a scene from a dream you remember.
35. Use unconventional materials for drawing (charcoal, coffee, etc.).

Practice Makes Progress:

36. Daily Doodles: Spend a few minutes each day doodling freely.
37. Fill a Sketchbook: Set a goal to fill a sketchbook with drawings.
38. Themed Drawing Challenges: Participate in online drawing challenges with specific themes.
39. Copy the Masters: Choose an artist you admire and try replicating their work.
40. Life Drawing Sessions: Attend life drawing sessions to practice figure drawing.

Taking it Further:

41. Character Design: Create characters with detailed personalities and backstories.
42. Storyboarding: Develop a storyboard sequence for a story or animation.
43. Concept Art: Design environments, props, and costumes for a fictional world.
44. Perspective Drawing: Learn advanced perspective techniques for complex environments.
45. Anatomy for Artists: Understand human and animal anatomy for more realistic drawings.

Engage with the Community:

46. Share your art online: Get feedback and connect with other artists.
47. Join online art communities: Learn from others and participate in discussions.
48. Take online drawing courses: Learn new skills and techniques from professional artists.
49. Attend art workshops and events: Get inspired and network with other artists.
50. Keep a sketchbook journal: Document your artistic journey and track your progress.