Isa Art Boutique is open on Etsy

Hello dear readers!

For the past few years I have been illustrating scripture verses in my journaling Bible.   Funny though that I enjoy drawing and painting these days because I sure disliked it when I was in high school during my art class.   Anyhow, through the years I have become a bit better in sketching, drawing and painting.   Back in December, we thought we could use some of these paintings I have made and offer them as black cards for people to use.   And so my Etsy store – Isa’s Art Boutique was open a week or so before Christmas. 

Isa’s Art Boutique can be found on Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/IsaArtBoutique.

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At this point I have five different paintings that we are offering as greeting cards.

Yellow Warbler

This beautiful bird is offered as a single or in a pack of five greeting cards. 

Baby Turtles

This design is offered as a single or a a pack of five greeting cards. 

Poppies

The poppies are offered as a single or a a pack of five greeting cards.

Barn Owl

The barn owl design is offered as a single or a a pack of five greeting cards.

Hummingbird

The hummingbird is offered as a single or a a pack of five greeting cards.

MultiPack

Finally, we are also offering a pack with all the different kinds of greeting cards.   This multipack is offered in five or tens (2 of each design) greeting cards. 

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The painting were originally sketched, inked with Pitt Pens and painted with Derwent Inktense products on Canson XL Series Watercolor Textured Paper.  Size of the cards are 5x7 inches.   As you can see on the image above, they are either on portrait or landscape format depending of the format of the original painting.

Prices of the greeting cards varies depending of what you desire to purchase.  Swing by my Etsy store Isa’s Art Boutique to see the prices.

If you desire more updates on Isa’s Art Boutique, please join my mailing list - http://eepurl.com/gbyFN5.

Keeping a Nature Journal

Keeping a Nature Journal – Discover a Whole New Way of Seeing the World Around You
Written by Clare Walker Leslie & Charles E. Roth
Published at Storey Publishing

About the book

Experience the splendor of nature with fresh eyes! Featuring an inspiring portfolio from Clare Walker Leslie’s nature journals, this guide offers easy-to-learn techniques for capturing the world around you in pictures and words. Encouraging you to make journaling a part of your daily routine, Keeping a Nature Journal is full of engaging exercises and stimulating prompts that will help you hone your powers of observation and appreciate new aspects of nature’s endlessly varied beauty.

My Thoughts

I have been doing bible art journaling for a few years now and as time goes by I am always eager to learn new techniques on drawing.   I have been seeing this particular book numerous time through the years but never ended up getting it.   I got the opportunity to review it and I have learned quite a bit while reading and trying the techniques presented in the book.    This is the 2nd edition of the book and in includes 32 pages of color portfolio from Clare’s latest journals.   Most of the rest of the book is black and white drawings. 

This book will open up a whole new way to look what is going on around you.  Personally, I find it peaceful and relaxing to sit down with a sketch book and draw.   The book is divided into four parts.  Part One will guide you on how to get started.  And please do not give me the excuse that you are not skilled whatsoever in drawing.  I, myself, is the perfect example in how someone can develop the skills and draw better.  I remember when I was in high school and I disliked my art classes.   It was always difficult for me that year to get better….  But unbeknown  to be the genes in my body would blossoms when I would be in my…. wait for it….. FORTIES!   Yes you have read this right.  I have learned to enjoy drawing and painting in my forties and as I am at the edge of turning fifty next year, I am looking forward to see how this journey will develop itself in the years to come.

Part Two will provide plenty of tips and tricks to draw through the seasons – whether you decide to do an ongoing journal or specific season journals.  Part Three presents the new selection of pages from Clare’s journals this time in color.   Finally Part Four is giving you a lesson on how to enjoy and develop the skill of nature journaling.  You cannot miss the examples and techniques presented.  One thing I will tell you is that practice makes you better as time goes by.  So do not hesitate a minute and grab this book, a sketch book and pencils to practice drawing.

I was inspired by one of the examples found in the book.  The tree presented looked as though it was a spring or summer image.  However, I decided to change it a bit and create a more late fall/winter image.   I am quite pleased with the result.

Another thing that I think is great for this book is that at the end of the book you can have a suggested scale for teachers to assess nature journaling skills.   As a homeschooler I think it is fabulous to have guidance of this sort because it can be difficult to grade assignments.  

This book is definitively a great resource to have if you desire to develop a new skills, if you desire to be better at drawing, if you homeschool, or if you do bible art journaling (because like it or not nature is perfect to illustrate verses!).  

The book Keeping a Nature Journal is available to purchase at your favorite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

 

Disclaimer: Thanks to Thomas Allen for sending me the above mentioned book for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

NIV Journal the Word Bible

It is no secret to people around me that I like to do art journaling on a regular basis.  I wish I could do more of it sometimes but if I feel low one day doing some bible art journaling has a way to lift up my spirit.   When I started doing bible art journaling I was doing it in a regular bible that had some small blank spaces in it because I couldn’t afford a journaling bible at that time.  Then I purchased a ESV journaling bible because a Christian book store was closing its door and there was a very good reduction on it.   Since then I never looked back.  The only thing that was a bit disappointing was that my journaling Bible was an ESV and not an NIV like I am use to read.

But recently I have receive the opportunity to blog about the new NIV Journal the Word Bible which is published at Zondervan.  Seeing that my ESV possess numerous drawings in it, I saw an opportunity to finally get my own NIV Journal the Word Bible.   I didn’t know what to expect.  I had seen the presentation of the jacket but I wasn’t sure what the bible would look like.

I AM SPEECHLESS.

This beautiful hardcover bible is wrapped into a material that is simply stunning.  The background is soft pink and a multitude of beautiful field flowers are designed on it.  The spine itself is purple color.

When you open the bible you will see that there are lined margins on the side for notes and reflections as well as for art journaling.    The paper is cream colored and semi-thick.   I say semi-thick because some specific types of pens/markers or other tools that people might use for bible journaling may bleed and mark the back of the page.   I would strongly suggest that you do your research before embarking in bible art journaling.   Personally I use Prismacolor, Derwent Inktense Blocks and Pencils, as well as Sakura Micron pens.   I had purchased the Koi Watercolor Brush pens but quickly learned that these were not the best for bible art journaling as it bled on the other side of the page in my ESV Journaling Bible.    So keep in mind that some products might cause issues.

Here’s an example of a drawing I have made for Joshua 1:9.   When I spend some time to do art journaling, I initially sketch my drawing in pencil softly and then I use a Sakura black pen to go over it.   Once it is inked, I take either my colored pencils or my Inktense products to add colors.  In this specific case I have use the Inktense Blocks with water and brush.   Note that the page will crinkle one it dries up because I like to let it dry from the air.   Some people would use a blow dryer to speed up the process.   And some will prep the page before painting of it.  The product to prep the page is somewhat expensive for me so I skip that part.  That’s why I like the Derwent Inktense products.  

Now if you notice I did indeed colored over the text but I always make sure that the text is not hidden and still can be read by whoever take the bible.   I do this because I want my bible to be an heirloom and passed down to other generation.   Other people doing this have taken the habit to paint over the words in order to highlight a specific scripture.  There is much debate about this and I do not want to pour gasoline on an already strong fire within the community.  Consequently I will say to you that if you sense that God is okay with whatever bible art journaling you do to simply continue doing what you do.   I just want to offer various options to whoever is considering doing bible art journaling.

Whether you are strong in art or just discovering it, I think that bible art journaling is something that is very powerful as it lift our spirits and help us to memorize and visualize the scripture better.   It would be a great way for young and old to spend time together.  In the various facebook groups dedicated to this style of art, you will see women – and a few men – who share their drawings.   People encourage each other and we are all inspired to pursue this form of art.  My own drawings are sometimes inspired by what I have stumbled upon on Pinterest, the facebook groups, as well as Instagram.   I have also designed my own art through the pages of my ESV.   With this new bible I can start afresh and do new design on pages I have already illustrated in my previous bible.   I find it exciting because already from the pages of my first journaling bible I can see a progress in my drawings.   They have become more sophisticated with time.

The NIV Journal the Word Bible would make a great gift for someone in your life this Christmas season.   It is a fabulous bible to jolt down notes and thoughts or to illustrate a specific verse that has touch you.  It comes with various covers – for those of you who would prefer a less flowery cover.  This bible is published by Zondervan.

The NIV Journal the Word Bible is available at your favorite Christian stores or bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

 

The bible is also available with other type of covers including a leather version.

Beautiful LEGO Wild

Beautiful LEGO Wild!
By Mike Doyle
Published at no starch press

About the book

Scenes from nature spring to life in Mike Doyle's latest curated collection of LEGO art, Beautiful LEGO: Wild! From botanical marvels to adorable critters—as a sea otter family made from 3,500 LEGO pieces—every page is sure to delight the artist and naturalist in all of us.

Interviews with LEGO masters from around the world give you a glimpse into the inspiration behind these incredible works of art. Discover amazing landscapes, insects, mythical creatures, and more, all within the enchanting pages of Beautiful LEGO: Wild!

My Thoughts

I have decided right away after received this book that it would be mine.  Mind you I will let my kids check it out for sure but images are so marvelous that I have decided to keep it for me.

All the items shown in this book are made of…. LEGO.   It is amazing to see the iguana, the doe and her baby, and the butterfly to stand still in LEGO pieces.   I cannot imagine how much planning and time has been spent doing these amazing structures made out of LEGO.

This book do not contain instructions to make the structures.  It is simply a book that you can leave in the living room for all to admire whenever they would like to do so.  But whether it is a bird or a dragon, a tree or a character from a Disney movie these picture will take your breath away if you are a LEGO fan or if you have some artistic blood in your veins.  Some could be easy to replicate while others are just a bit more complicated to do.  

Whether you desire to replicate the structures presented in this book or simply enjoy the hard work of other people, this book is packed with interesting things made our of LEGO.   

Beautiful LEGO Wild! is available at your favourite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

Crayola Air Marker Sprayer

The Crayola Air Marker Sprayer is simply fabulous for the child in your life that possesses some artist skills. Basically, this took will allow the young artist to paint with an airbrush using markers that are made by Crayola. I tried with another kind of marker that I had at home and because they were thinner it did not work. However, if you have large marker that are not Crayola made it could work if it fits in the nozzle.

The use of the tool is easy. First after unboxing all the components, you will have to plug the base in an electric outlet. Part of me wish that this device would be chargeable so that you do not have to have is plugged in while using it. But it isn’t the case so let’s move on…

The box comes with the base to which a tube is attached to the sprayer itself. A docking area is also possible for when you do not use the sprayer. The nozzle is easy to use as you simply open the marker you desire inside it and twist in order to secure it. Once you are ready you press the on/off button which is located on the base and use the trigger to start the masterpiece you have in mind. Voilà! It is that simple to use.

The Crayola Air Marker Sprayer comes with a few of white pages, two stencils (one composed of letters and numbers and another one with designs like a feather, the sun, a dragon and so on), and five pip squeaks (red, yellow, green, blue and purple). Honestly for the price tag I would have expected a bit more colors included in the box. Because honestly there is more space in the box to include more colors… I guess you will have to purchase more pip squeaks or large Crayola markers if you place to give this as a gift.

Another aspect of the Crayola Air Marker Sprayer that I have notice while using it was the loud noise it makes when it is powered. The tool is easy to use but it is quite noisy when it runs.

Apart from my desires of having this device rechargeable or more markers included in the box, I think this product would be a fabulous gift to a young artist. It would be perfect for Christmas or birthdays for sure.

The Crayola Air Marker Sprayer is available for purchase at amazon.ca and amazon.com.

 

Disclaimer: This product has been provided courtesy of Amazon.ca Vine Voices for review purpose. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by Amazon.ca or the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

ART a visual history

ART a visual history (previously published as Eyewitness Companion Art)
Published at DK Canada

About the book

Art: A Visual History is the complete visual guide to Western art, now updated and repackaged in a themed slipcase.

How to tell Impressionism from Expressionism, a Degas from a Monet, early Medieval art from early Christian? Art: A Visual History explains it all — painting, sculpture, great artists, styles, and schools — and will help you answer the question, "What makes great art?"

Art: A Visual History includes:

   • More than 650 artists and all the major schools and movements, all arranged chronologically.
   • Close-up focus on 22 masterpieces, from Ancient Greek sculpture to 1960s Pop Art.
   • Well-known icons along with lesser-known gems — carefully chosen to illuminate the points made in the text.
   • Features on major schools and movements to explore and explain their stylistic trademarks, characteristics, and favored subjects.

Art: A Visual History is a knowledgeable, thought-provoking, and accessible tour of the creators of Western art.

My Thoughts

We are currently in the midst of a unit on art with our homeschool coop.   The kids had spend the past two weeks learning about the lingo of art and creating fun things.    Last week, I was teaching about self-portrait and we learned about Albrecht Dürer who is considered the first artist to make a self-portrait.   He actually made four of them while growing up and his first one was at the age of 13 years.  Needless to say, I was very please to have the book ART a visual history to show the page on this artist to the kids.

The table of content is divided in different era:

• Early Art  c. 30,000BCE – 1300CE
• Gothic and Early Renaissance  C1300 – 1500
• High Renaissance and Mannerism  C1500 – 1600
• The Baroque Era C1600 - 1700
• From Rococo to Neoclassicism C1700 - 1800
• Romantic and Academic Art C1800 - 1900
• Modernism C 1900 – 1970
• Contemporary Art 1970 onward

In each of these sections gives techniques used during a specific era and will provide a timeline of the history as well.  You will be able to discover the artists who created art during that period of time and learn more about the media they used.  The book is packed with information on artist, samples of sculptures and paintings, information about specific historical influence, as well as a glossary.

This book is very informative and will introduce anyone reading it to art during history.   However, if you have children at home – particularly growing boys near puberty age – I think that you should be aware that this book could be a source of issues when it comes to the unveiling of the body of women.   Numerous images will clearly show naked body part.   I find it essential to be aware of this and make sure that this do not cause issues in the long run.  For example, when I found my page on Albrecht Dürer, the opposite page was of a naked woman lying on the side.   Needless to say since I was teaching the older group of kids – ages 10 to 14 – I decided that it would be better for me to cover this painting while I was doing my presentation.   Not that I am ashame of my own personal body but to prevent issues on various level.   This was not appropriate in the context of our homeschool coop.

Art a visual history is available for purchase at your favorite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to DK Canada for allowing me to promote this book. I was not monetarily compensated for this post . Please note that the post was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Live Loved–A Adult Coloring Book

Live Loved – An Adult Coloring Book
Craft God’s Word Into Your Heart Through Creative Expression
By Margaret Feinberg
Published at Bethany House

About the book

PRAY • CREATE • MEMORIZE • REFLECT • JOURNAL
How would your attitude, actions, and responses change if you lived in the unconditional, immeasurable love of God? What would it look like for you to live loved?
Live Loved provides an opportunity for you to pull away from the hustle and bustle of life to pray, journal, and unleash your creative gifts as you marinate in the truth of God's fierce love for you.
• Spend time in prayer, reflecting and growing in your relationship with God
• Commit Bible passages to memory and deepen your faith
• Share your fun artistry with others through what you create
Color and doodle and learn to live loved as you craft God's Word into your heart.

My Thoughts

Since last year, we have seen a huge demand of adult coloring books on the market.  The craze is there right now but I sometimes wonder how long it will last.  I discovered bible art journaling a few years ago as I was drawing some images in a sketchbook.  But what I didn’t know was that there was suck a thing as a bible journal…. which I stumbled upon back in the late fall of 2014.   However, I was very restricted with money and decided to use a bible that I had at home.   When the local Christian book store closed its door in the spring of 2015, I decided to splurge a bit and get myself an ESV  journaling bible.  Since then, I draw and highlight the scriptures that speak to me in three bibles – one being an interleaved New Testament.

I knew that coloring books was getting more and more popular last year but I never really was attracted to it.   I couldn’t justify the price to pay for one.    So I was pleased to see this new title to be offered one day so I could review it.   I had mixed feelings about it because I usually prefer to have freedom in what I draw.   So I didn’t know how much I would enjoy coloring in it.

First of all, I totally support the fact that coloring can help remove the stress you might have in your life.  I know that it helped me quite a bit over the past year.   Secondly, this specific adult coloring book will allow you to memorize the scripture which I also think will be beneficial for you as you store the words of God in your heart and mind.   Thirdly, this adult coloring is different from other ones in the market simply because for each page of coloring you can do, you will also have a page to record notes and prayers you might have while coloring as  you can see in the image below.

However, as you can see the writing is a bit small to color in.  Personally, I would have prefered a bigger font in order to color in the letters to highlight the scripture.   I would have been better I think.    I find the fact that the lettering is also in italic to make it more difficult to color in.   But then again, I am picky when it comes to coloring.  I am used to do my own lettering in my bibles and I have been more independent that way for quite some time.  

Having a Christian adult coloring book is nice because if I don’t feel like bringing one of the bibles with me when I go somewhere I could bring this coloring book and some pencils to color while waiting.    I find it peaceful to do so when I feel somewhat overwhelmed with things happening. 

Live Loved is available for purchase at your favorite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

Disclaimer: The book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Zenspirations

With the popularity of bible art journaling pouring through the internet whether on Pinterest or facebook groups dedicated to the trend, I have seen numerous people highly recommending the books of Zenspirations from Joanne Fink.  I was somewhat curious about them and decided to approach the publisher to see what was the fuss all about.  I have received two of the Zenspirations books to review.

Zenspirations Dangle Designs – Expanded Edition

http://www.d-originals.com/zenspirations-dangle-designs-expanded-workbook-edition

Zenspirations dangles are unique patterns that add interest and texture to any design. Although they may look complicated, they are actually quite easy to create! All you need is a pen, a piece of paper and your imagination. Gifted calligrapher and designer Joanne Fink shares her fun and relaxing techniques for adding dangle patterns to your drawings. Whether you like to journal, draw or doodle, you'll find intriguing ideas here for crafting, designing and decorating with dangle patterns. This expanded edition includes a bonus workbook section that gives you a place to play, experiment, and create new, exciting dangle designs. This is where you can practice drawing all the dangle design components, experiment with new techniques, and develop your own unique dangle style.

 

 

Zenspirations Letters & Patterning

http://www.d-originals.com/zenspirations 

Patterning is fun, easy and relaxing - and it is a great way to add interest and texture to any design. Joanne Fink presents creative monogram and pattern techniques, offering intriguing ideas for filling borders, edges and spaces with creative flourishes. These decorative borders, frames, shapes, and alphabet will appeal to a spectrum of tastes and styles. Use Joanne's techniques to create details, depth and beauty reminiscent of classical architecture, medieval block printing and manuscript calligraphy. Whether you like to journal, draw, doodle, design, or craft, you'll find a world of inspiration here.

 

My Thoughts

To be honest I am a bit disappointed with the size of the books.  Both are quite thin with respectively 34 and 50 pages.    Though I must admit that they would be light if you decide to bring them with you to appointments or on a trip.   The Dangle Designs book was the expanded version which allow the person to practice within the pages of the book.  Both books offer advice on how to construct a dangle and offer numerous ideas on how to do one by yourself.  In the Letters & Patterning book, the author will also offers advice on the tools and materials, pen techniques as well as watercolors to embellish the dangles.

Needless to say if you enjoy doing craft and enjoy bible art journaling, these books offer numerous ideas on how to decorate and/or journal.    However, I would strongly suggest that you be wise with your money and look for sales for these titles because honestly I couldn’t justify the amount suggested for them in my head.

If you are still on the lookout for something special for someone in your life who enjoy journaling then these two books are great to expand their drawing skills.

Zenspirations Dangle Designs and Zenspirations Letters & Patterning are both available at your favorite bookstore, even on amazon.ca and amazon.com.

 

 

Disclaimer: Thanks to Design Originals for sending me the above mentioned products for review purposes . I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Children’s Book of Art

Children’s Book of Art – An introduction to the world’s most amazing paintings and sculptures
Published at DK Canada

About the book

This engaging guide takes children on an international tour of the world's greatest art, from the first daubs of paint in prehistoric caves to today's performance art. It includes all of the important art movements, from Renaissance to Rococo, as well as the great painters from all these eras. However, the approach is to look at art as an international exchange of ideas, not a straight history of western art. The book includes art from all countries, from aboriginal art to totem poles.

My Thoughts

A child of mine wanted to do a lapbook and selected the one that is all about art.  So to surprise him I decided to ask to review the Children’s Book of Art.  I figure that he could use the book while doing his lapbook.  

The book will give you an historical view of art through the ages and also present some of the main artists that blessed the world with marvelous paintings and sculptures.  The pages are packed with detailed information and images in order to give you a better understanding on how art has impacted our lives since the beginnings of the world.    In it, not only will you learn the main techniques used in art but you will also discover how papyrus paper was made, how a Roman fresco was created, discover the beauty of mosaic, and also get a close-up of the work of specific artists.

The table of content is easy to follow as you can see.

• Early Art: Rocky beginnings, Egyptian scribes, faces in art, how to make fresco, how to make mosaics, Gods and Heroes in art, Chinese art, how to create colors, Renaissance, landscapes in art, Leonardo da Vinci, Jan van Eyck, how to use oil paint, Baroque, Jan Vermeer, still life, Rococo, Frnacisco de Goya, how to use watercolor, and Katsushika Hokusai.
• Modern Art: Impressionism, Claude Monet, how to paint with pastels, Vincent van Gogh, after impressionism, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, surrealism, Joan Miro, Grant Wood, animals in art, postwar abstract art, Jackson Pollock, Sir Sidney Nolan, war in art, Andy Warhol, street art, work in art, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, and Modern art.
• Sculpture: carved in stone, the Terra-cotta Army sculptors, how to carve wood, African sculpture, how to sculpt marble,Michelangelo Buonarroti, Frédérix-Auguste Bartholdi, Gustav Vigeland, Abstract sculpture, Henry Moore, Alberto Giacometti, how to create land art, sculpture NOW, and Damien Hirst.

The book is a great way to learn more about art and get exposed to a variety of styles and era.  I particularly like to learn how to paint with pastels.   In some of the pages you might also find a “Now You Try It” challenge which will allow you to experiment a bit with the technique presented.  The book is also packed with example of various artists on a specific technique giving you a nice ideas on how it varies from one person to another.

In conclusion, I think this book is a great one if you are interested in exploring how art has evolved through the ages.   It could be a great book for a child or adult interested in art.  It is definitively a great book to have in your personal homeschool library.

Children’s Book of Art is available at your favourite bookstore.

Disclaimer: Thanks to DK Canada for sending me the above mentioned title for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Pick and Draw

Pick and Draw

http://pickanddraw.com/

About the product

Pick and Draw was developed to be used in my presentations to children of all ages at public libraries and schools. I knew that most kids that I drew with at these one hour sessions I would never see again, and wanted to help them unlock new pathways of visual thinking…empower them, and do it in an unsuspecting fun way.

That is when Pick and Draw was born.

My Thoughts

I stumbled on this cute little card game that will encourage your child and yourself to draw on facebook.   Somehow I saw a post about it.  I was curious, explored their website and decided to request it.   Pick and Draw is a fun little product that will stimulate you in drawing .   I particularly like the fact that you can develop the gift of drawing that God has given us and that you can use the cards to share the Gospel (as shown on their website).

Essentially, the product is in fact a card game where you need to pick a card from each set – face, nose, eyes, mouth, and hair.   You can’t look at the faces of the cards.  Keep each color card face down in front of you.   Now you will need paper and a pencil.   Once you have the tools you need to proceed, flip the red card and draw whatever shape shown on the card.  Slowly at every step of the way (as soon as you finish one card you need to flip another one – red, green, purple, blue, and orange) you will discover the character that you are drawing.   There is no card for ears and you can do them as soon as you have completed the face, nose, eyes, and mouth.   As you advance the drawing you are allowed to erase any of the face shape that need to be removed as you draw.    The last card you are allowed to draw is the hair one – orange – and you have to add the hair you see on  the card. 

I think the product is great to encourage anyone to develop their ability to draw.  I have a child who shows an interest in drawing and this product will be perfect for him.  But the product is so much fun that I think we will all use it when we need to take a break from our homeschool.

See this little video to discover what Pick and Draw is all about!

Pick and Draw is available at their website for the price of 10$ + shipping for an individual pack.  

Disclaimer: Thanks to Pick and Draw for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Botany for the Artist

October is Craft Month at DK Canada and for a limited time they are offering a special deals for fans who love to create something new with their hands.  Whether looking for a long-term hobby or hoping to while away an afternoon, you will find the resources you need with this wide selection of books for kids and adults. From reference books that show the best lighting for a photograph to how to knit a scarf – these books will answer every question and encourage your creative side!

I have been offered some titles to review in order to present them to my readers.    The second title that I have selected for this special promotion is Botany for the Artist.

Botany for the artist 

About the Book

Following the success of Anatomy for the Artist and Sketch Book for the Artist, Botany for the Artist teaches readers in step-by-step illustrations and expert narrative instruction how to master the art of drawing plants. Page after page of beautiful, detailed photographs complement Sarah's illustrations; drawing classes provide a wealth of practical how-to advice; and pages from Sarah's own sketchbooks as well as inspirational master classes reveal how other artists—from 17th century masters to contemporary botanical illustrators—have portrayed plants throughout the years.

My Thoughts

I love to learn new things and with two grand-mothers who painted my husband thinks that I should learn to draw and paint.   So far, we hadn’t had the time or financial possibilities for me to be guided with a teacher to develop this skill but I am not loosing hope.   Since drawing is a craft and I like seeing drawings of plants whenever I can, I opted to review the Botany for the Artist.

This book will allow any artist to grasp a better understanding of the structure of plants when drawing them.  It contains numerous illustrations on flowers, trees, and other plants.   It will inspire any artist or artist wannabe like me into taking more time to observe and draw the plants that surrounds us.

Fabulous photographs also complement this book along with the numerous illustrations of roots, stems, leaves, flowers and fruits.  The classes included in this book will also guide you through the skills that you will need to capture the plants successfully and realistically.    Doing the lessons in this book will allow you to discover how botanical artists from the exploration days were able to portray the plants over the centuries.

Let’s explore the table of contents for a minute:

• The Art of Botany: Images from the past, drawn from life, the printed truth, private passions, expanding worlds, personal drawing books, voyages of discovery, zen composition, meditations.
• Drawings Plants: Working with plants, materials, mixing colors, preparatory drawings, creating a drawing, sources of inspirations
• Diversity: Plant classification, algae, fungi, lichens, mosses and liverworts, ferns and horsetails, conifers, flowering plants, monocots, eudicots.
• Roots: How roots work, spreading roots, no need for soil, Drawing Class: Hawthorn.
• Stems: Strong stems, stem buds, Study: Wild Stems, Drawing Class: Pine Tree, Study: Trees in the landscape, Drawing Class: Composition, Study: Folded fritillary, runners, climbers, wetland plants, underground story, Drawing Class: Kohlrabi, modified stems, skin surfaces.
• Leaves: Simple leaves, compound leaves, leaf veins, leaf arrangements, Study: Pine needles, Drawing Class: Leaves in perspective, pitchers, heterophylly, bracts, Study: Fern crosiers, Drawing class: Autumn leaves.
• Flowers: Anatomy of a flower, inside a flower, pollination, Study: Cross sections, Study: Opening buds, symmetry in flowers, Drawing Class: Aristolochia, flower forms, Study: Tulips, branching, cymes, racemes, Study: Wild flowers, flower heads, Study: Hippeastrum, Spikes, catkins, and spathes, capitula, capitula variations,  Drawing Class: Windflower.
• Fruit, Cones, and Seeds: Dispersal, capsules, Drawing Class: Conkers, pods, Study: Herbarium fruits,  achenes, Study: Banksias, smalldry fruits, winged fruits, fleshy fruits, Drawing Class: Watermelon, fruit diversity, Study: Cones, Drawing Class: Pine cone, germination.

Going through the pages of this book, I can see that the author has taken the time to present a step-by-step process on how to draw various plants or parts of a plant.   Though it could be tempting to simply jump at a specific area in the book, I strongly suggest that you take your time to read and follow the instructions in the book because you wouldn’t want to miss some important lessons.  I particularly love the fact that included in the book are photos as well as images of plant drawings done through the years as explorers were discovering the world around them.

My maternal grand-mother has painted some fabulous vines and grapes as well as plums in a tree when she was 16 years old on roller blinds (keep in mind that was in the early 1900s).  These paintings are not displayed in my dining room and you can see that at some places the age of the painting is showing with cracks.   My husband think I could be able to repair them but before I think I will take advantage of this marvelous book and learn much about drawing and painting plants.   I seriously need to build my confidence before embarking on the possible restoration of my grand-mother’s paintings.

This book could also be used as part of a drawing lesson in your homeschool.  It’s a fabulous book to learn more about drawing plants and will provide clear instructions in developing this skill.

DK Canada is currently offering a 30% off on numerous titles in their Craft Boutique.  You don’t have any drawing skills?  No problem, you can find books on how to brew your beer, knitting, photography, sewing, handmade gifts, flower arranging, wood working, drawing, painting, books for kids for craft ideas or drawing, and much more.

Simply click on the image below to get directly on the Craft Boutique of DK Canada.

Botany for the Artist is available for purchase at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca and amazon.com.

  

Disclaimer: Thanks to DK Canada for sending me the above mentioned titles for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Just Draw It

Just Draw It! –The Dynamic Drawing Course for Anyone with a Pencil and Paper
Written by Sam Piyasena and Beverly Philip
Published at Barron’s

About the Book

This unusual book serves several different purposes, starting with its guaranteed appeal to both professionals and amateurs who like to pick up a pencil and draw. Art students seeking a change of pace will respond to the authors’ very informal approach, seeing the lessons as fun-to-do confidence builders that emphasize the value of creative freedom. Every exercise can be performed by artists at all levels of training and ability.

• All exercises are designed to develop and improve hand-eye coordination
• Each exercise focuses on a different approach to drawing precisely what the eye sees—rapid sketches of moving objects, detailed observation of tones and shadow, exercises that teach rules of perspective, and much more
• A powerfully effective art course that never feels like a set of tedious drills

Lessons can be completed using various media—pencil, ink, colored pencils, magic markers, or charcoal. Illustrations on every page in color and black and white.

My Thoughts

I consider this book as a guide in learning how to draw.   Though it explain various techniques and styles, I find that the book contains lots of explanations and examples but need to guide the reader a bit more in how to apply to teaching part.   I felt really discouraged when I saw how much things I needed to read while learning how to draw.   Maybe a more advance novice in drawing would enjoy this book better than I did.    Don’t take me wrong, the information contained in this book is fabulous and can help you to expand your drawing skills but for me it wasn’t a good fit.  

There are six chapters in this book:

Chapter 1:  Line and Mark Making –>  drawing start with lines…. learn how to master this simple step.

Chapter 2: Tone and Form –> Seeing the shapes, round, shadow play, tone, tear, stick, and more.

Chapter 3: Composition, perspective and Viewpoint –> Zen portraits, rule of thirds, crop and more.

Chapter 4: Movement and Gesture –> speed draw, time and motion, moving people…

Chapter 5: Pattern and Texture –>  first impressions, dots, spots and blots, and more.

Chapter Six Observation, Exploration, and Imagination –>  magnification, reflection, decomposition,…

If you are considering exploring drawing I am unsure that this would be a great book for you.  However, if you are the type of person who is quite confident in yourself and if you have a good base in drawing, this book can help you explore various techniques in drawing.  Each chapter contains some exercises but I personally felt lost in the book.   I don’t have the time to explore drawing at this level at this point in time in my life.   So for now, I will put the book aside and hope to have more time in the future.

Just Draw It! is available at your favourite bookstore, even amazon.ca and amazon.com.

   

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review purposes from Barron’s. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Exploring Drawing during March Break

Doodlepedia books and You can Draw Marvel Character
Published at DK Canada

This week as part of our March Break (we are still doing Mathematics which will be complete by early April as well as a little bit of other things), I gave the kids some drawing books I had received from DK.   Each of them got a different one and I decided to personalize each book with a page the kids have done. 

For Dominic – my animal love – I gave the Doodlepedia Animal Antics.

For Jérémy – my goofy kid – I gave the Doodlepedia WOW.

For Jasmine – my princess – I gave the Doodlepedia Pretty.

For Alexandre – my first born – I gave the You Can Draw Marvel Characters.

I also gave the kids a challenge to draw something in their books.  I realized that each of them will have different levels of artistic design and that it will go with their ages as well.  

Let’s see how they did.

Doodlepedia Animal Antics

From toucans, macaws, and other birds of the rainforest, to zebras, elephants, and lions across the grasslands of Africa and into the woods with black bears, deer, and owls, the animal kingdom runs wild in Doodlepedia: Animal Antics. This doodle guide invites young readers to discover how animals live, what they eat, how they move, and why some are so big while others are so small, all while they complete drawings, color images, and add finishing touches. Unique, interactive, and most of all, fun, this book is perfect for every young, creative animal lover.

My Thoughts

I will be honest.  I was surprise by which page my second son, Dominic picked to draw first.  But it doesn`t matter really because he loves animals and he has a sense of humor.   Yes he picked skunks and honestly I sure hope he doesn`t meet one like his character on the page.  *grin*  

This specific Doodlepedia book will let your child explore the world of animals and learn more about the ones he is drawing at the same time.  Whether penguins, geckos or mountain goats, there are plenty of animals to discover in this book.   Dominic smile said a lot when he realized which one I gave him.   I know this child of mine is an artist at art and loves animals.  So he was delighted to get one about animals.  It would be easy to ask him to discover where the animals lives in the world and join geography at the same time.   

Doodlepedia WOW

Unique, interactive, and most of all, fun — the Doodlepedia series gets kids learning and thinking by inviting them to participate in the action. These interactive doodle guides ask readers to complete drawings, color images, design subjects, and add finishing touches, all while learning about subjects they love — creating an engaging and truly unique educational experience.

With Doodlepedia Wow! kids are tasked with drawing a space exploration vehicle and a rainforest scene, coloring in snakes, monkeys, and birds, tracing chains and cogs to "turn" wheels, and more — discovering the worlds of space travel, animals, paleontology, habitats, and mechanics as they go.

My Thoughts

Jérémy, age 7, received the Doodlepedia WOW.   He immediately chose the two pages below because he loves comic books.   Looking at what he did, I am pretty impressed with him following the guidelines by himself and drawing Spider-Man.

This specific book will allow your child to explore various things to draw from surf boards to polar world and swinging by video games or becoming a chemist.   There are a tons of suggestions in this book as well as fun facts.   The child can also shift his book in order to draw on the propose side (either vertical or horizontal).   There is plenty of suggestions to keep your child busy drawing for a while.

Doodlepedia Pretty

Unique, interactive, and most of all, fun — the Doodlepedia series gets kids learning and thinking by inviting them to participate in the action. These interactive doodle guides ask readers to complete drawings, color images, design subjects, and add finishing touches, all while learning about subjects they love — creating an engaging and truly unique educational experience.

In Doodlepedia Pretty young readers are invited to fill in a rainbow, color and match baby animal footprints, finish flower petals, and design a symmetrical snowflake — in the process learning about science, weather, animals, nature, and more

My Thoughts

I will admit that this book might be a bit advance for my five years old girl.  But she was delighted to have her own book and quickly started doodling in it.   The first page she was attracted to was the ballerina one and she drew herself doing position 2 like she has learned in her pre-ballet classes recently.   She was very proud to tell me that it was her doing position 2.   And she was very happy to see all the different position at the bottom of the page.   

In this specific book, the child will have the possibility of drawing feathers on a peacock, design some masks, create a quilt, dress some zebras, explore the colors of a rainbow, create some snowflakes, fill a fish tank, design some fashion, add color to a Russian cathedral, plant some sunflowers, let turtles go to the sea, design hats, and much more.  The book is packed with fun things to draw, add color and even read some interesting facts on the subject you are drawing.  For example, in the hummingbird page you can discover how fast their wings can beat.  

You Can Draw Marvel Characters

From bodies in action to computer-aided coloring, this step-by-step guide teaches budding artists everything they need to know to draw characters from the amazing universe of Marvel Comics.

• Includes tracing overlays and stencils
• Features tips by expert Marvel artists
• Three Master Class sections showcase favorite Marvel characters as they evolve from concept to finished full-color artwork
• Fans won’t be able to resist putting themselves in the shoes of the comic artists they admire

My Thoughts

I find this book fabulously made and encouraging the child to expand his comfort in drawing.   Alexandre is not an artist – he is gifted elsewhere.   But this book helped him to draw a Spider-Man which I think is pretty well done for someone who has not the ability to draw naturally.

This book is packed with helpful guidance on how to draw Marvel Characters.   You will learn the essential of drawing with basic information like equipment, shapes, male and female figure before going into the deeper lessons like muscle, shading, action, perspective and much more.   Further in the book, you will learn to draw specific characters from Marvel Comics like Spider-Man,Wolverine and villains as well.   Once you have mastered this book I wouldn’t be surprise if you will be propelled in designing scenes with your favourite super-heroes.  

In Conclusion

I had the opportunity to review two other drawing books from DK Canada in the past – Doodlepedia and You Can Draw Star Wars.   All these books will stir the creativity in your kids (and yourself) and guide them in becoming better artist in the process.  Whether your kids are homeschool or not, I think these books are perfect for keeping them busy during a week off or the summer time. 

I realize that March Break is almost over but it is not too late to order these books via DK Canada or your favourite bookstore.  They could be a great idea for Easter or for the summer time.   Swing by the March Break Store at DK to see other ideas in the products they have to occupy your kids during down time.

All these books are available at your favourite bookstore, even at amazon.ca and amazon.com.

   

   

   

   

   

   

Disclaimer: Thanks to DK Canada for sending me the above mentioned product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.