If you've stopped by this site before, then you may have noticed that besides the usual business of blogging and freelance writing, I create a lot of art.
Being able to combine my two greatest passions (aside from pizza) is one of the reasons I LOVE working from home.
Although the majority of my art is either for digital downloads (printables) or sites like Society 6 (where the same image can be placed on variety of products), one of my favorite "side hustles" is creating art from other people's random scribbles.
Specifically, I take commissions at the moment to turn first scribbles by babies and toddlers into keepsake artwork.
After I started sharing these on Facebook, I started getting questions like:
"How do you do that?" and "How can you see anything in that mess?"
And also some real life comments like: " I just can't see the original scribble anywhere in the finished work."
(And yeah, someone did call phony baloney on me and say that I was just drawing completely new art from my head and ignoring the scribbles.)
This post is a little bit to show the doubters that I am genuine, and a whole lot to show you the process I use to turn your child's scribble into a piece of wall art.
Ready? Let's look at the steps!
Being able to combine my two greatest passions (aside from pizza) is one of the reasons I LOVE working from home.
Although the majority of my art is either for digital downloads (printables) or sites like Society 6 (where the same image can be placed on variety of products), one of my favorite "side hustles" is creating art from other people's random scribbles.
Specifically, I take commissions at the moment to turn first scribbles by babies and toddlers into keepsake artwork.
After I started sharing these on Facebook, I started getting questions like:
"How do you do that?" and "How can you see anything in that mess?"
And also some real life comments like: " I just can't see the original scribble anywhere in the finished work."
(And yeah, someone did call phony baloney on me and say that I was just drawing completely new art from my head and ignoring the scribbles.)
This post is a little bit to show the doubters that I am genuine, and a whole lot to show you the process I use to turn your child's scribble into a piece of wall art.
Ready? Let's look at the steps!
*This post may contain affiliate links. If you use these links I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read full disclosure here.*
Before I start, I have to have a scribble from a small child. This isn't always easy to do. Sometimes a scribble is so messy or dense that it really can't be turned into anything.
That is why when you order a keepsake printable, I include some easy directions for getting a drawing that can be used to make something really awesome for your child.
For this piece, I used a donation from one of my own toddlers, who can crank me out practice sheets like craaaazy:
That is why when you order a keepsake printable, I include some easy directions for getting a drawing that can be used to make something really awesome for your child.
For this piece, I used a donation from one of my own toddlers, who can crank me out practice sheets like craaaazy:
Step 1. Examining the Scribble
Its actually not always easy to "find" a hidden picture. I turn the paper a lot. Sometimes I have to walk away, because once I "see" one shape, I can't "un-see" it. And it might not be something cool.
When I do see what I am looking for, I ask myself questions like: "Um...have I ever done a unicorn gazelle before? Is this biting off more than you can draw?"
When I decide what the picture will be, I scribble a note on the bottom. Something clever like "Unicorn Gazelle, this side up", so I don't forget what I saw to start with.
In the case of this print, I saw a little girl holding an animal.
Step 2. Highlighting the Working Shapes
When its time to work on the drawing, I start by inking in the parts I feel are the strongest shapes (workable). This involves ignoring lots of lines.
It also means that I have to battle with myself, because most of my art over the years has been a combination of surrealism and cubism. Which probably wouldn't work well here.
Most parents probably wouldn't be thrilled to get pack a three-eyed unicorn gazelle.
It also means that I have to battle with myself, because most of my art over the years has been a combination of surrealism and cubism. Which probably wouldn't work well here.
Most parents probably wouldn't be thrilled to get pack a three-eyed unicorn gazelle.
Step 3. The First Outline
Here you can see where it comes out from the scribble. But the shapes are still there.
1. I drew her hair straight down from her crown, instead of tucked in close to her head.
2. I used the little "v" in the scribble to create her chin.
3. Her hair strands are most of the original lines.
4. Her shoulder and arm were kept. But I did make her hand normal instead of the big "surreal" hand I KEEP seeing in the original.
5. I used the bunny ear shapes and made them slightly longer
6. I used more lines to shape her nightgown.
7. I decided against putting wings on the bunny, and used part of that circle for his outside arm.
Now its time to clean it up.
1. I drew her hair straight down from her crown, instead of tucked in close to her head.
2. I used the little "v" in the scribble to create her chin.
3. Her hair strands are most of the original lines.
4. Her shoulder and arm were kept. But I did make her hand normal instead of the big "surreal" hand I KEEP seeing in the original.
5. I used the bunny ear shapes and made them slightly longer
6. I used more lines to shape her nightgown.
7. I decided against putting wings on the bunny, and used part of that circle for his outside arm.
Now its time to clean it up.
Step 3. The Official Outline
Before I can do this, I trace over my last sketch. (I may trace each drawing as many as five times during the process.) Tracing it to a new piece of paper gives me a completely clean line that I can then ink.
I use my beloved Zig pen for this step. I recommend these pens for fine work or writing because they have no bleed, and make an incredible smooth line on any paper. My next favorites for this type of line work are the Prismacolor Premier pen and theStaedtler Triplus (which are incredibly smooth and comfortable for drawing or writing.
If I goof up during the inking...then I retrace again. Yikes.
I use my beloved Zig pen for this step. I recommend these pens for fine work or writing because they have no bleed, and make an incredible smooth line on any paper. My next favorites for this type of line work are the Prismacolor Premier pen and theStaedtler Triplus (which are incredibly smooth and comfortable for drawing or writing.
If I goof up during the inking...then I retrace again. Yikes.
Step 4. Final Outline (And Coloring Page)
This is the step where I hold my breath. Making a mistake on the details means tracing again. Luckily, this one turned out fine. I added some texture to the hair using a Prismacolor pen (the 005 is the tiniest fine line pen I've ever owned. I love it).
I also added a little stitching to the bunny, because well-loved bunnies usually have worn seams.
I then save a copy of this page into the project folder. It becomes the bonus coloring page I include when you order a keepsake print.
Now I start on coloring the main drawing.
I also added a little stitching to the bunny, because well-loved bunnies usually have worn seams.
I then save a copy of this page into the project folder. It becomes the bonus coloring page I include when you order a keepsake print.
Now I start on coloring the main drawing.
Step 5. Begin Coloring
For this piece, I opted to go with all digital coloring. On other pieces I use a combination of colored pencils, markers, and digital coloring. If I'm using traditional mediums, I do those first, then scan it back in and start working in an editor.
I do all of these using PicMonkey. Is it the most "pro" tool for the job? Probably not. But the simple-to-use options give me tons of control, without having to dig through piles of menus.
To create the background textures, I made my own texture masks. PicMonkey lets you upload your own overlays and textures, so I can make each piece even more unique. For the background texture here, I used a macro photo of a brick from my flower bed.
Sorry, I didn't save the step-by-steps of coloring. That is an involved process. Maybe for a future post!
I do all of these using PicMonkey. Is it the most "pro" tool for the job? Probably not. But the simple-to-use options give me tons of control, without having to dig through piles of menus.
To create the background textures, I made my own texture masks. PicMonkey lets you upload your own overlays and textures, so I can make each piece even more unique. For the background texture here, I used a macro photo of a brick from my flower bed.
Sorry, I didn't save the step-by-steps of coloring. That is an involved process. Maybe for a future post!
Step 6. Adding Details Aaaaaand....Done!
And done! Since this was a practice piece specifically for this walk-through, I added a little text at the top. This will go in my daughter's room, and they prefer writing on all of their stuff.
On the finished piece you can see that I "colored outside the lines" a bit. This is to replicate (I hope) watercolor illustrations, and also to keep the feeling that at the core, it is a piece of art belonging to a child. I also kept shading and other "grown-up" details to a minimum for that reason. (Another artistic struggle).
On the finished piece you can see that I "colored outside the lines" a bit. This is to replicate (I hope) watercolor illustrations, and also to keep the feeling that at the core, it is a piece of art belonging to a child. I also kept shading and other "grown-up" details to a minimum for that reason. (Another artistic struggle).
From Scribble to Done!
And that is how I take your baby or toddler's messy scribble and turn it into a keepsake printable!
I hope you enjoyed this look at the process. If you did, please share with parents, grandparents and anyone else you know who might like a keepsake print to commemorate their child's earliest art.
Thanks for reading!
And don't forget to visit the gallery page to see other before and after photos!
I hope you enjoyed this look at the process. If you did, please share with parents, grandparents and anyone else you know who might like a keepsake print to commemorate their child's earliest art.
Thanks for reading!
And don't forget to visit the gallery page to see other before and after photos!
Read here to find out how to submit and order a scribble print.
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