Online art lessons Archives - SandyBreckenridge.com

Anyone Can Create Art: Doodles, Scribbles, Lines and Color

February 8, 2023 By Sandy Breckenridge Leave a Comment

“I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.” —Lao Tzu

All it Takes is Desire

In my free online Graphic Design Basic Element Series, in lesson four you learn how simple lines can be applied in various directions with colorful opaque colors. This combination offers some of the first elements for creating a design.

This finished painting in the video and the slice above offer an example of a very useful and quick exercise. Anyone with desire can experience creating art! Start by taking a landscape photo, overlay vellum, tissue paper, or marker paper over the image, and use it as a guide.

Or, you can create the painting in a digital art program. Personally I love creating art on my iPad using the Procreate art app.

Choose Simplicity

Make creative choices on simplifying the photo as you choose various elements in the composition. Doodles, squiggles, alternating colors, and varied line thickness are all game, along with opaque planes where needed.

The idea is to create without overthinking, move quickly, and have fun.

An effective and valuable art exercise is giving yourself one hour from start to finish. Then, you can always go back and add more detail later.

Revisit Later

After finishing the painting, wait a day or two. Latter I came back and added additional touches.

First, I felt the painting needed a few small highlights.

Next I wanted to add a couple other points of interest.

So, I added a sticker image of a cat I had drawn previously in the top window.

The scruffy cat definitely appeared like something had his attention. So, I added three of my Robin bird stickers.

These 3 additions finished the composition and created more interest and a visual pathway to lead the eye through the image.

If you want to learn, please check out this free online art design course to build your artistic skills by using the fundamental elements where all art begins.

This finished painting I titled: Main Street Magenta, and it’s quite a good example of how anyone can create art from a landscape in their photos.

Click to Watch

Thanks for watching! And do think about subscribing so you can see all my artistic videos as they are published! 💗 #createeveryday

Main Street Magenta Sample Shopping

The bright colors and playful painting style work beautifully printed on a number of products. The image above shows some of my favorites items.

Click, to check out all > 64 products featuring Main Street Magenta

Click to check out the table of contents page for all my > Art & Design Tutorials

7 Entities: The Foundation for Continuous Pattern Designs

January 23, 2023 By Sandy Breckenridge Leave a Comment

“Art is the imposing of a pattern on experience, and our aesthetic enjoyment is recognition of the pattern.” —Alfred North Whitehead, Mathematician and Philosopher

After Division Principles of the Circle, the fourteenth and last tutorial of the Graphic Design Basic Element Series covers 7 Entities: Continuous Vertical Patterns.

7 Entities Make Up All Art Patterns

A pattern is a continuous design that has at least two repeating elements.

The foundation of all patterns, consists of 7 basic entities comprising a continuous graphic design. Sometimes a designer might combine more than one of the entities in a patterned framework.

The 7 Entities are:

Triangular design
Square or block design
Circular design
Horizontal design
Curved design
Diagonal design
Horizontal design

Examples: Continuous Vertical Patterned Designs.

The two following images offer seven examples of vertical continuous patterns in graphic design. Each illustrates the use of one of the foundational entities. Some are pretty simple others are more complex.

Everything you have learned in previous tutorials in the Basic Graphic Design Series applies to pattern creation.

As you develop best design practice skills explore a design until you have created several pattern options. Practice the concept of variations of a theme. The best pattern offers a sense of harmony and eye appeal relating to the project idea.

Refresher of Previous Lessons

To stimulate your memory, here is a list of all the Graphic Design Basic Elements shared in the first thirteen tutorials of this series.

Most Common Types of Patterned Designs

It’s easy to capture inspiration for pattern design from nature. The featured image in this tutorial provides a superb example of how a floral plant can mimic the golden spiral and triangular shapes in its frosty patterned leaves.

A design that is a pattern can fall into a range of categories and cover the complete composition of a work of art. In addition, they are helpful design layout elements that tie a theme together.

Most Common Patterned Art Categories

Art, ultimately, is without limits. Imagine the 7 entities that are foundational in pattern creation applied to the boundless artworks that have existed since humans began making marks!

Yet, patterns appear to fall into about fourteen distinct categories. Of course, some will fall into more than one category. I wonder how many more you can add to the list?

The following image includes the most commonly searched categories.

From top to bottom, and left to right:

Abstract
Geometric
Tribal-Ethnic
Retro
Garden or Floral
Seasons, such as summer
Typography
Fruity
Animal
Collage
Nature
Painted
Block/Shapes

Uses for Patterned Artwork

The function of a pattern in design can be the device that pulls the entire intended concept into a unified theme. For example, this design feature can effectively support color branding and add interest and balance, or an artist can incorporate a logo design.

A pattern may act as a background element adding texture, color, and shape to support other subjects in the theme.

They can also increase eye appeal by highlighting specific areas a creator wants the viewer to notice. Patterns can move the eye from subject to subject and raise attentive awareness.

Example of a patterned frame adding feminine quality to a watercolor painting

Patterns can reinforce an element that people identify as pleasing and bridge it to other elements in the design. An example is incorporating features representing a summer day like waves or sunshine into a fun graphic pattern to showcase sunglasses or other summertime gear.

A pattern could be an appealing device in a fine art painting detailing the lace in curtains or a tablecloth in a still-life drawing. A painted border in a landscape or different fields in a mandala painting is a choice.

Alfred North Whitehead understood “by imposing a pattern on one’s experience” this most surely could increase a viewer’s “aesthetic enjoyment!” Relating to Whitehead’s quote, one of my favorite hashtags is #createeveryday!

Resource Materials and Support References

Here’s a couple of reference books that you might find inspirational.

Principles of Pattern Design (Collections of Graphic Art in Dover Books) Paperback – July 1, 1990

Pattern Design (Dover Art Instruction) Paperback – June 24, 1999

Art Play

All the artful practice you created in each tutorial can be applied to creating patterns. So go back through your art journal and choose a few items you might embellish with patterned designs.

Refer back to the refresher list above if you need inspiration. For example, create a pattern as a background for an element in a painting, like the sky or a body of water. You may find a border appealing around a painting or drawing or choose one to anchor a banner or a logo.

The idea is to play and have fun experimenting as you develop your skills and unique style.

This is the last art play in this free online art series. Keep expanding your art journal and try and block out times each day to doodle and experiment. I wholeheartedly look forward to seeing you in the following tutorial. I am busy working and have already posted the introduction.

Introduction to 8 Compositional Devices

Search the internet for information on composition in design, and you’ll find most resources only offer a few simple principles to help an artist create balance and visual appeal.

But, I have yet to find a free online tutorial that teaches all composition variations that make up a design. There are 8 Compositional Devices, creating 64 design possibilities when combined. The 64 descriptions of a composition encompass every layout and design possible.

By learning the knowledge in the free composition online art series, you will gain skills that will put you ahead of other designers.

If you’d like to become a pro designer, this knowledge is equivalent to what leading art institutions teach. What’s the catch? I hope you’ll share what you learn with other interested parties.

Step-by-step, the course will take you through the 64 possible compositions for any type of artwork or design.

I’d love to see you there! 💗 🎨

Downloadable Tutorial Graphic

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

To get started on the next tutorial, click > Art & Design Tutorial Table of Contents

Division Principles of the Circle

January 17, 2023 By Sandy Breckenridge Leave a Comment

“A circle is a round straight line with a hole in the middle.” —Mark Twain

After Division Principles of the Triangle, the thirteenth tutorial of the Graphic Design Basic Element Series covers Division Principles of the Circle.

The Circle Reflects Wholeness

The most fundamental shape is the circle. As Mark Twain quoted, it’s easily created by connecting a straight line that is rounded with the center distance equal to the line from all points on that line.

You will find symbols that contain art within a circle throughout history. The movement of the shape gives a sense of unity, integration, and wholeness. They have no beginning and no end. A sense of completion, confidence, and harmony are at their core.

Ancient Symbols

The yin/yang symbol is one of the most basic examples of the division principles of the circle shape.

The age-old image has a curved line dividing the graphic into a positive-negative design with reverse circles at the center of each side.

The Yin Yang symbol meaning represents opposites but interconnected forces.

Circle Division Examples in Timeless Art

Dividing a Rectangular Plane with Circular Shapes

The graphic bird within the golden rectangle, aka golden ratio or mean, provides a simple example of how the bird’s shape follows the circular movement.

The bird graphic is contained within a circle. Its shape follows circular proportions.

The mathematical perfection of the Golden Ratio creates the square, triangle, and rectangle best design division practices in harmonious proportion to one another. In this tutorial, we see it also applies to circles.

Supportive Reference Materials

A perfect way to build your art skill working with the circle shape is through viewing and creating mandala art. Below are a couple of good resources to get you started viewing and learning more about working with circular division principles. An added circle coloring reference book is fun as well as relaxing to experience. It contains a large variety of interesting patterns.

Mandala Practice Drawing Workbook: Mandala practice sheets, ornaments practice pad. Mandala art drawing template sketchbook for drawing mandala on special no bleed circular grid tracing paper.

Mandala Practice Book: 50 pages of blank templates for you to practice the art of designing beautiful mandalas.

Circle Coloring Book: Beautiful coloring pages for adults , amazing designs and patterns for relaxation and having fun.

Art Play

It’s time to schedule a block of time for art play! While this lesson is fresh in your mind, grab your art journal containing your previous exercises and the reference materials on the Golden Ratio. The elements in the composition will flow with a sense of balance and harmony with some visual planning of the layout. Remember:

All basic shapes are divisible, and the space within the body has a natural spatial arrangement that follows the orchestration of its form and furthers with its relationship to the surrounding elements.

Continue reviewing your art and even graphic art layouts in magazines. Notice how the subjects follow division principles as they apply to the square, triangle, and now the circle’s spatial alignments in each design, illustration, or layout. Notice how “it just feels right” when artwork flows to the linear principles.

Another creative exercise is to create art within the boundary of the three basic shapes. The goal is to keep the graphic as close to the shape of a circle, square, or triangle as you are able.

Example of art created within each form.

Examples of subjects designed within the basic shapes of circle, square, and triangle

An idea may be to create a circle mandala, a square tile, and a triangular quilt element to represent something meaningful in your life. The art could represent a time of year, favorite pet, feature in nature, or an image of an emotion that invokes a special memory. Playful practice is how best art practices become instinctual.

Downloadable Tutorial Guide

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Our last tutorial in this series will describe 7 Continuous Vertical Patterned Designs found in design and a downloadable tutorial image.

To follow along, click > Art & Design Tutorial Table of Contents

Division Principles of the Triangle

January 2, 2023 By Sandy Breckenridge Leave a Comment

“The stars are the apexes of what wonderful triangles! What distant and different beings in the various mansions of the universe are contemplating the same one at the same moment!” — Henry David Thoreau

After Division Principles of the Rectangle, the twelfth tutorial of the Graphic Design Basic Element Series covers Division Principles of the Triangle.

Six Different Types

The basic shape of the triangle has three sides.

There are six types of triangles:

Acute: all three angles measure less than 90º.
Obtuse: one angle measures more than 90º.
Right: one angle measures 90º.
Scalene: two sides have the same length
Equilateral: all three sides of equal length
Scalene: all sides are a different length

Basic Relationships

Like all basic shapes, the triangle lends well to the 5 Basic Relationships we previously covered: referral, edge-to-edge and point-to-point, inserts, pop-outs, and overlaps.

Stability, Balance, and Movement

If you want to represent stability, balance, and movement in your design, triangles are the right shape to incorporate into your composition. Triangles can be energetic and dynamic shapes. They can also directionally lead the eye to the point of interest or from point to point.

When a triangle’s base is positioned at the bottom, and the point at the top, this shape carries more masculine qualities. The opposite position often has a more feminine connotation.

Creating with the Triangle Shape

Designers can use triangles as dominant design elements, like in a beautiful quilt using triangular fabric swatches.

The quilt incorporates the triangle shape and triangular division principles for a terrific example of shape and division.

Another example is creating an illustration within the boundaries of this basic shape.

You might like to try this exercise and see what you can create! This little fat-bottomed gnome sits in an Equilateral triangle.

Notice the triangle may be the main element in the structure of a composition, or the points of interest may fall into a triangular shape. Both can be true in the same image.

Triangles in Nature

An illustration can transform from an abstract visual to one representing a realistic perspective by varying the triangle’s size, as depicted in this tutorial’s header image of the different rows of triangular shaped trees or as seen in the intricate snowflakes in the foreground.

Henry David Thoreau gave an awe-struck quote when he compared triangles to stars. The triangular shape is found everywhere in nature, and modern, architectural or man-made structures.

Triangle’s Division Principles

Like the Golden Rectangle, the triangle also offers linear design principles for laying out a composition.

Example of division principles of the triangle

The triangle divisions are also seen at times within the rectangle’s division. Division principle examples can illustrate how intricate a compositional design becomes when building the relationship of the subjects to one another, thus, into a work of art.

Again, view the treed landscape image. Notice how the composition builds on the relationship of triangles.

The tree landscape of the deer in the shining light is a perfect example of both: using triangular shapes and the triangle’s division principles.

Even the foreground snowflakes could map out to an intricate triangular web that is anything but random.

If you want to see a wide range of examples just view the great masters of all time. Spend a little time in a Google search using the term “Renaissance Art Triangle.” You will be glad you did!

Here is an example called A Promenade painted in 1906 by the well known master artist, Pierre-Auguste Renoir.

The triangles build on the relationship between all the elements large and small. For example purposes the main subjects have an overlay to illustrate how the large triangle shape encompasses the main theme of the painting. Also notice now the foot and hand of the women lay one the same line just like the hand of the little girl is on the same line as her foot. If you look closely you will realize many other linear connections.

Helpful Triangle Design Resources

Below are a couple of books that you may enjoy checking out. The Bauhaus Design Theory group has a series of insightful resources. Visual creativity starts as a child takes in their environment while feeling and imagining, then learns to put marks on a paper. Kid’s art reference materials can be really stimulating!

The ABC’s of Triangle, Square, Circle: The Bauhaus and Design Theory

Drawing Shape by Shape: Create Cartoon Characters with Circles, Squares & Triangles

Art Play

Have fun with the Google searches on the use of the triangle and triangle division principles. Cover different styles of art from modern, contemporary, and even renaissance to see examples from the great masters. This exercise will stimulate your imagination.

Also go back and review your creations. Take note to see where you may have followed triangular division principles without even realizing it. Also, notice where triangular shapes are incorporated.

Browse through your photo collections, too. This is an excellent time to create studies of a few of your photo’s compositions. Try drawing a few quick line art pencil sketches while noticing the triangular division principles and then notice how the eye automatically flows from object to object.

Downloadable Tutorial Guide

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Our next tutorial will describe Division Examples of the Circle found in design and a downloadable tutorial image.

To follow along, click > Art & Design Tutorial Table of Contents