Painting by numbers - tips, methods and tricks for coloring. DIY wall panel: abstract stripes on canvas

Who said that real art is paints and canvases? We are ready to tell you about the direction in artistic creativity, which was and is well mastered by such masters as Vrubel or Brian Duey. They perfectly executed drawings with a simple pencil. And these works excite, delight and bring pleasure. Is it possible to adopt their technique and learn to draw using a similar method? Of course you can! But how and what is needed for this?

First, let's talk about why you should pay attention to this area.
The next important issue we will focus on is the secrets of drawing.
And let’s complete this excursion into the world where black and white images reign with a small but pleasant gift.

Monochrome pencil drawings

Speaking about the greatness and genius of everything simple, one cannot help but recall the ordinary pencil. Which of us is not familiar with it and has not held it in our hands? We have all been fluent in it since childhood. Of course, for beginners, for very tiny children, it seems so easy to pick up a pencil and start “creating” scribbles.

But the child grows up, and he sees that the range of uses for a pencil is huge, and it can be used in different ways. Someone builds cities, bridges and houses for them on paper. Another one plots a route for them to travel around the world on a map. And the third one writes poetry or draws a portrait of his beloved.

So easily and simply the pencil entered our lives and became our assistant and friend. And pictures drawn in pencil are already a whole trend, stylish and having their own unique charm.

Their distinctive feature is that they are absolutely universal. And therefore their possibilities are endless. Drawn in pencil, they are:

Suitable for any age. Both small children find it interesting to look at them, and adults like to use them in their posts on social networks.
There are no limiting criteria for their use. Girls and boys will be interested in displaying such beautiful pictures as a status or giving them to their friend.
You can copy them or you can easily learn how to perform them yourself (copy them).
Different nature of images. These can be cute pictures with cute fluffies, they can be funny and funny, or they can be similar to photographs.

And most importantly, the pencil drawing looks incredibly attractive and convincing. It can decorate not only your profile on a page on social networks, but also your morning and the whole day with pleasant memories.

Options for drawing simple images

The main secret why pencil drawings are cool, original and attract attention is that they look as if they were alive. Everything is drawn so realistically and accurately that it seems that people are about to start talking, or laugh, or cry, and the objects can be taken and used.

Why are they so cool and everything looks so natural? What brings them to life? Take a closer look, through the light strokes it is noticeable that the master thought through not only the accuracy of the lines conveying the image and silhouette, he paid special attention to one tiny nuance, thanks to which the images are not only beautiful, but also almost material. What is this? Light and shadow.

Masterfully working on chiaroscuro, the artist achieves apparent volume. Before us, as they were, are simple black and white pictures for sketching. But when a shadow appeared, for example, from a curl of hair falling on the face, or on the table from a vase, everything suddenly came to life.

Can you do the same? Do you want to learn? Do you want yours to look realistic? Then you have come to us correctly!

Step-by-step master classes

It’s easy to say: “draw,” but how can you really do it if you’ve never studied it and it seems like you have no talent? The team of our site gives all their friends an amazing opportunity to learn how to make pencil drawings step by step. Without teachers, you yourself are able to become an artist and delight yourself and your loved ones with your creativity. How? If you take our tips, you can use them to master sketching and repetition techniques. It's not complicated at all. And the result will please you.

This article is intended for beginners, that is, for those who are about to start learning something new, since any road begins with the first step. Just get started and take your time and try to enjoy the process of learning how to draw! Watercolor painting is both enjoyable and a little challenging. It all depends on your approach. Watercolor is one of the most versatile genres of painting, in which you can paint almost anything: from realistic concrete images to abstraction and impressionism. Beginners are advised not to start with the idea of creating a masterpiece, but with small steps, gradually and slowly.

Before you feel completely comfortable with watercolors, you will have to paint a lot. Don't give up if your first attempts are less successful than you would like. Mastering the watercolor technique requires a lot of effort and time, but it's worth it!

So let's get started!

Steps

Place a sheet of thick paper on the table. Draw something very primitive with a simple pencil. For example, square or circle

Apply a small amount of watercolor of any color to the white surface of the palette.

Wet the brush a little. If the brush absorbs too much water, remove it with a cloth or shake it lightly.

Drip a little water from the brush onto the paint previously applied to the palette. One or two drops is enough, no more.

Dip the brush into the paint and water that has formed on the palette and pick up a small amount of paint. Next, paint over the geometric shape drawn on a piece of paper. If the paint is too thick and won't spread, dip your brush in water and try again. Continue experimenting with different amounts of water and paint in the mixture until you get the consistency you want. If you want light, dry shades with a dry brush effect, you will need less water. If you want juiciness and brightness, then, accordingly, more, etc. Completely paint over the geometric shape drawn on paper.

Let the drawing dry.

Take a piece of watercolor paper and secure it to the drawing board using special adhesive tape. Use a large brush or sponge to dampen the entire surface of the paper. After this, try applying several strokes of watercolor paint in different colors. See what results are obtained with different degrees of paper moisture when applying different colors of paint.

If you use paper that is too wet, you can end up with a very smooth and light color. Paint of different colors is mixed on paper, allowing you to obtain new shades. Try putting a blue stripe on wet paper next to a yellow or gold stripe, and then a red stripe. You will see how the colors mix, creating uniform color transitions.

Try letting the test design dry until the shine is gone and the paper is still damp. Now the applied stripes will still have soft edges, but will become a little more defined. Once the paint has completely dried, add details with a wet brush on dry paper.

To begin with, try to depict a very simple object that can be multi-colored. Mix up some sky blue paint. Draw a sketch of the hills and tree. First paint them with a wet brush on wet paper. After that, start adding some larger details with a wet brush. Finally, when the paper is completely dry, add fine details with a wet brush on dry paper. That is, the larger the parts, the moister the paper should be.

You can determine that the paper is completely dry by its temperature, which can be checked by holding the back of your hand over the paper, but without touching it. There should be no cold coming from the leaf. In order to acquire the skill of determining temperature in this way, you will need to practice a little. But this is necessary, since any touch can lead to damage to the design and the appearance of greasy stains from the skin of the palms on its surface. Do not remove the adhesive tape until the paper is completely dry. The tape helps the paper not curl, keeps it straight and flat, eliminating the formation of unevenness caused by changes in humidity and exposure to paint.

You can use ready-made watercolor blocks in which all four sides of the paper are glued, like the top edge of a notebook. It's a little more expensive, but very convenient for a beginner.

Try applying light paint to the surface of the paper, and while the paint is still wet, sprinkle salt on it. You'll get interesting effects that can be used to paint landscapes with snowflakes in the sky or lichen on the rocks.

Try drawing on paper with a white or wax pencil, or the tip of a candle, to see how the lines appear when watercolor paint is applied to them.

Try cutting out shapes from adhesive masking film and painting over the resulting stencil to get specific outlines. Anything covered with stencil film will remain unpainted.

Always start your watercolor paintings by painting in the darker areas and outlining the lighter areas. Isolate or mask out anything that needs to remain white. Get used to the "negative image" as this will also help you get more accurate outlines of objects than if you draw them first and then outline the background. Try starting your image of the cup with its surroundings and the background behind the handle, leaving the details of the cup itself for last. You will feel a big difference in image accuracy!

Try the "glazing" technique. Once the watercolor is completely dry, mix a small amount of paint in a contrasting shade and quickly paint over the area. This will change the color and if done correctly will not blur the image. Light golden paint applied by glazing to illuminated areas of the landscape can make sunlight much more expressive.

Read books and articles on watercolors and try to get new ideas from them. Watch videos on YouTube and other portals to learn more about watercolor painting techniques. After that, try to draw something you really like. An interesting type of painting is Sumi-E or Japanese ink painting, which transforms beautifully into watercolor drawings.
- Many instructors begin their courses by teaching the wet-on-wet-paper technique, but it is preferable to begin by introducing the most common technique, wet-on-dry-paper.
- If you use quality embossed watercolor paper (such as Arches), don't throw away any sketches or failed paintings you made on it. You can always paint over them again with acrylic or gouache or use it as a background for pastel painting. This paper will also look better no matter what you paint on it, and if you paint something beautiful, your painting will last longer without yellowing.
- Watercolor paints are produced in various forms: in tubes, in pencil form or in pans. There are also watercolor crayons. This article used tube watercolors.
- Try to find a type of paper that suits your painting style. Different types of paper have different characteristics. Arches paper does not have most of the disadvantages and is the most versatile, even allowing you to wash off a watercolor image, dry it and reuse it.
- If you use paint in pans, do not throw them away after the paint runs out. You can always reuse the ditches by filling them with paint from tubes, after rinsing them thoroughly, and you will have the opportunity to fill the ditches with your favorite colors without relying on the standard sets in which the ditches are supplied.
- Don't buy the most expensive paper or natural sable brushes. You can spend a large amount of money on the purchase, but this is not necessary! Quality synthetic brushes, a small palette of good paint (artist paint is better than student paint) and 300gsm cold pressed paper is most suitable for beginning artists. Buy a few supplies to start with and gradually add more as needed.
- Watercolor pan sets are convenient for painting outdoors or while traveling. They are not as easy to mix in large quantities, but they are very useful for wet-brush-on-dry paper work. For travel, it is better to choose a brush with a medium or large tip with a pointed tip, included in the sets of paints in cuvettes. However, to draw fine details you will need a smaller brush. A pocket-sized block of watercolor paper is ideal for sketching during travel, class, or lunch breaks. Some sets (like Winsor & Newton) include a water bottle, collapsible palette lids, and so on.
- One of the best manufacturers of watercolor paints is Winsor & Newton. The Cotman brand is designed specifically for use by beginners. It is cheaper and therefore you can experiment without worrying about high costs. Winsor & Newton Cotman accessories are of excellent quality and are suitable for students.
- The wet-brush-on-wet-paper method also works well over the wet-on-dry-paper method within the same painting.
Warnings
- NEVER leave a brush in a jar of water with the bristles facing down. However, if you have a brush cleaner that has a coil spring, you can leave the brush in the water without the bristles touching the bottom of the jar. If you have brushes made in China, try to wring them out with your fingers and hang them on a nail or hook and loop on the handle, this will allow the brush to maintain its optimal shape.
- Do not use the same brushes for water-based paints (watercolor, acrylic, gouache) and oil paints (for oil painting, pastel). Once a brush has been used for oil paints once, it should always be used for that type of paint. Mark the handle of the brush with a labeled tape to avoid confusion.
- Wash your brushes with mild dishwashing soap or a special brush cleaner (such as Masters Brush Cleaner & Conditioner). This will remove any residual paint, but some colors may remain. In addition, this will extend the life of the brushes.
- Don't try to shape the brush with your lips. Use your fingers exclusively. Remember that some color pigments can be toxic and hazardous to health.
What you will need
- Several tubes of multi-colored watercolor paints
- 640gsm watercolor paper that will not warp with too much water compared to other paper types
- Watercolor brushes - size 8
- Two cans of water
- A piece of white plastic or porcelain palette plate
- A roll of paper towels or old clean rags.

Friends, hello.

The cool thing about coloring is that you don't have to have a lot of tools! In this article we will review the most popular felt-tip pens, colored pencils and pens that can be used for both anti-stress coloring books and children's coloring books.

We will look at tools from different manufacturers and give examples of work performed by a specific brand.

If you are a beginner, then inexpensive markers will be enough for you. We do not recommend that you purchase expensive tools from well-known manufacturers from the very beginning. Progress to them gradually as your experience and interest increase.

The coolest combination, in our opinion, is the simultaneous use of markers and pens. Thanks to their specific features, these tools allow you to create really cool effects!

Well, let's move on to the review.

Markers.

Copic company.

We give our preference to this brand of markers. A big bonus is that they are refillable!

Colors come out very clearly, with minimal distortion when layering (a known problem with cheap brands). Markers from the Copic Sketch line have two brushes (thin and wide). The first allows you to paint small details of a picture, and with the help of a wide brush it is very convenient to fill large areas of the picture with color.

Copic markers can be purchased individually, so you can gradually add to your collection, starting with your favorite colors. These are professional tools, and everything good, as you know, is expensive. A set of 12 colors will cost you 5,000 - 6,000 rubles, and one felt-tip pen can be purchased for 400 - 600 rubles.

It is worth noting that the price of these markers absolutely corresponds to their quality.

Sharpies company.

Sharpie markers color very accurately and brightly. They are sold individually or in sets. There are markers in neon color, which creates a very beautiful visual effect! Pay attention to these models - Sharpie Fine Point Markers. These are inexpensive markers with an excellent price-quality ratio. You can easily find them in your nearest hypermarket. The average price of one piece is 100 rubles.

Their only drawback is not a large selection of colors. For example, you won't be able to find a pastel blue shade. We recommend using these markers together with other tools to create beautiful effects.

Prismacolor company.

A great option that is also used by professional artists, but it is significantly cheaper than Copic. The markers color clearly and have a large selection of colors.

Tombow Company.

In general, the products of this company are positioned as colored pens, but we still classify them as felt-tip pens. Tombow marker brushes are very thin and great for precise coloring. The markers are double-sided, the brushes vary in thickness. These markers are not very suitable for painting large areas, because when layers are applied, the border is clearly visible (unlike Copics).

Crayola company.

These are inexpensive and very common markers that are great not only for kids, but also for adults! A wide selection of colors and excellent quality make them a leader in their price range. These markers are convenient for painting small details and are not very suitable for wide areas, because they leave a boundary line when applying layers.

Among the many types of marker data, we recommend that you use Crayola Super Tips Markers. The downside to these markers is that they dry out quite quickly compared to all the other markers on our list. If this doesn't bother you too much, then these will work just fine for you.

Colored pencils.

Our choice is Prismacolor pencils. Their colors are so clear and rich that if you press the pencil with force, the fully colored picture will look like it was drawn! A huge selection of colors allows you to create very unusual shades and effects. It’s very cool to create shadows using these pencils. The shadow makes the picture more dynamic and interesting.

Colored with Prismacolor colored pencils

Prismacolor has several different types of pencils. Pay attention to these - Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils. These are professional pencils and a little more expensive. They can be purchased individually (about 80 rubles). This is very convenient, because you don’t have to buy a whole set if you just want to try them out.

For painting very small details, check out the Verithin series. These pencils can be sharpened very finely.

Helium pens.

Sakura company.

These are great pens that we recommend you use. The pens are very thin and come in a wide range of color styles (metallic, glitter, pastel and moonlit). Helium pens are great for highlighting the details of a design. The pen fits perfectly on top of the felt-tip pen, focusing attention on a specific area. It looks very nice.

Fiskars company.

Fiskars is another good brand of gel pens. A very affordable set of 48 pieces. The pens are bright and come in many beautiful colors—metallic, neon, glitter, and more.

Handles.

Staedtler Triplus Fineliner.

These are very thin pens, indispensable for precise coloring. Sold as a set and individually.

Paper Mate Flair Guard Pens.

While they don't color as accurately as the other markers and pens we've covered in this article, these pens come in a wide range of colors and are great for coloring small areas. Plus, these pens aren't very expensive - always a plus!

Friends, we hope you liked our review. Share your experiences and thoughts with us in the comments! We wish you good luck and a great mood!

Decorative details are an integral attribute of any interior. Cute little things made by hand retain the energy of their creator and serve as a source of pride.

Homemade trinkets create a warm and cozy atmosphere in the room and lift your spirits. Of course, you can buy decor in a store, but it’s much nicer to make it yourself.

Most importantly, all decorative elements must be combined with the style of the room as a whole. We should not forget about the color palette.

The tablecloth, decorative pillows, and bedspreads must be in harmony in tone with the rug, walls, and curtains. Otherwise, everything will be too colorful and tasteless.

Properly selected decor can radically change the atmosphere of a room.

Textile

Original textile details can become the highlight of your interior. In addition to tablecloths, napkins and curtains, you can use pillows decorated with lace or fur for decoration.

Various panels, paintings

This is the easiest way to decorate a room. After all, there is nothing easier than hanging several paintings and frames with photographs on the walls or placing your favorite drawings on a shelf.

Nowadays, paintings made of genuine leather and voluminous wall compositions are in fashion.

You can create an unusual panel with your own hands from a variety of interesting pictures depicting landscapes, still lifes or sculptures. Such a thing will certainly attract the attention of guests.

Frames for photographs and drawings can also be decorated. There are many ways: you can use beads, crystals, beads, molded elements, decoupage.

Items embroidered with threads and beads

Today it is very popular to use various embroideries made with one’s own hand or left over from grandmothers and great-grandmothers when decorating the interior. They look especially wonderful on decorative pillows, tablecloths and homemade napkins.

Bead embroidery looks very impressive. You can also decorate furniture, dishes, mirrors, and window cornices with beads.

Beaded beads make funny wicker figures and bracelets. Curtains can be decorated with threads of different sizes of beads.

Candles

The candle has long symbolized the hearth. Arranged candles create a warm homely atmosphere. A wide vase with dried plants, paper flowers, pebbles and a candle in the center will look charming.

Various interesting containers and glasses can serve as candlesticks. You can put shells and pebbles in them, fill them with water, and a candle will sway on top.

A stand for candles can be made from a piece of wood; just drill out suitable holes in it.

Another original idea would be to place a candle in a glass filled with coffee beans.

Pay attention!

Vases

Both floor and table vases will perfectly complement any setting. You can get by with one vase or use several, differing in shape and size.

They can contain bouquets of fresh or dried flowers, branches, bamboo, and various artificial decorative elements.

The vases themselves can have a smooth or textured surface, be matte or shiny.

If you are not satisfied with the appearance of the porcelain product, you can safely paint it with special paints and decorate it with beads and rhinestones. With a little effort, you can create a real masterpiece.

Knitted items

You can add warmth to a room with pillows, rugs, bedspreads, napkins and tablecloths knitted using various techniques. Knitted items create an atmosphere of home comfort.

Houseplants

You can choose a variety of unusual indoor flowers and plants to decorate your interior. Different flower arrangements will have a calming effect.

Pay attention!

You can even allocate a separate part of the room for potted plants. It would be a great idea to use hanging flowers.

How to decorate a room for a birthday

A birthday is a special holiday and it requires appropriate decor.

Thematic vinyl stickers and, of course, balloons are perfect as decorative elements. Let's look at the latter in more detail.

Decorating the birthday boy’s room with balloons has already become a tradition. Balloons add a touch of fun and celebration to the atmosphere.

They can be hung individually, in groups, made into garlands, fountains, funny figures and much more.

Pay attention!

To decorate a room, you can use both regular and helium balloons.

An interesting idea would be a surprise ball with sweets or streamers inside. Below are photos of different ideas on how to beautifully decorate a room for a birthday.

We hope that this article has fully answered the question of how you can decorate a room, and from all the tips given in it, you can choose something useful for yourself.

Photo of how to decorate a room with your own hands

Learning how to color correctly with colored and regular pencils

Writing and drawing are very similar activities. Therefore, most people hold a pencil the same way as a pen - between the thumb and the first two fingers, closer to the point of the pencil. But remember - a well-sharpened pencil tip can easily break and crumble under strong pressure. There is no need to put pressure on the pencil, as when writing with a pen.
This method allows easy control of the pencil and is ideal for specific techniques - linear and cross hatching.

To give the drawing more expressiveness, liveliness and lightness, let's try to hold the pencil further from the end.
It is more convenient to do picturesque energetic lines or shading by pressing the rod on top with your index finger.
"Reverse capture" - this method can be convenient for shading and shading. The pencil is placed on the hand and pressed with the thumb.
The movements are short, using the entire hand.

Another way to recapture.
Movements of the pencil tip are made with the entire brush.

In the academic school of drawing there is a “correct way to hold a pencil.” This method is convenient for artists to use when they are standing at an easel. At the same time, the hand is suspended and movement of the entire hand is required to work. It does not cover the drawing and it does not get erased during work.

Advice! When artists draw at a table (on a horizontal plane), they always place a sheet of clean paper under their hand - a “Background”. The backing allows you to avoid “rubbing” the paper and protects the finished part of the drawing.

Lesson two:
HATCHING AND SHADING
Two basic techniques for toning drawings.
Hatching is the application of strokes (lines) of varying thickness and with varying pressure at a certain distance from each other. The lines can be straight or curved, short or long, overlapping each other in several layers at different angles, forming a grid.

Shading is a uniform (or gradated) “filling” of a surface with a pencil without gaps between the lines.
This can be as simple as rubbing a pencil over the surface of the paper to create a solid tone of varying intensities.
Sometimes pieces of paper, cotton wool, suede, your own finger, etc. are used for this.

LEARNING TO HATCH

In order for the hand to obediently apply strokes in the right direction and with a certain amount of pressure, the hand must be trained! Developing hand firmness, strength and timing of pressure requires many hours of exercise!
Let's perform several exercises to master the basic drawing technique - shading with a pencil. Don't be upset if it doesn't turn out very nice the first time. A little patience and you will see the result yourself!

EXERCISE 1. GENERAL HATCHING
Take a sheet of landscape-size paper, a simple TM or HB pencil and draw 4 rectangles “by hand” (without a ruler).

Shade the first rectangle evenly, using only one angle of inclination.
In others, we change the angle of inclination. We try to make the distances between the lines uniform!
The pressure on the pencil is the same!

EXERCISE 2. HATCHING WITH DIFFERENT GRADES
Let's draw two (or more!) rectangles.
Learning to make strokes with different pressures
Press firmly at the beginning of the stroke and very lightly (almost without touching the paper with the pencil) at the end.
And now so that the strokes smoothly intensify and then also smoothly weaken and come to naught.

We hold the pencil in our hand freely, as if making swings. At the same time, your wrist should work very well.
The lines must be drawn without lifting the pencil from the paper!
The sheet must not be rotated!
Don't forget to maintain equal (or proportional) distances between the lines!
EXERCISE 3. SMOOTH INCREASE OF GRADES
Shade the long rectangle, evenly thickening the tone from light to dark.
Try to achieve its maximum even gain.

Don't resort to rubbing the strokes into spots and try not to use shading for now.

These techniques can be used individually or together.
When practicing or drawing, try to avoid mechanical shading or shading. Always think about the nature of the surface, shape and volume of objects.
It is necessary to learn how to correctly convey chiaroscuro and gradations of light and shadow of colored objects in a drawing.
By shading a drawing with a pencil, develop a sense of tonal relationships and skill
see the power of shadow and contrast relationships in shading. Using the shading technique, try to convey the texture of the surface in the drawing.