Active Fine Art Posts

How To: Draw shoes with a pencil

Even the greatest comic artist of the last two decades, Bill Watterson, had considerable trouble drawing shoes. Calvin's feet always looked like dinner rolls. Here, you will learn how to sketch some realistic shoes in pencil. Practice this, and you will be well on your way to drawing feet that are made for walking rather than appetizing.

How To: Draw angel wings with pencil

Our site contains many videos on how to draw different kind of demons, but comparatively few for angels. Go figure. This video demonstrates how to draw angels wings, their distinguishing feature, in pencil. It is only a sketch at this stage, but with a little inking this could be a really beautiful wing.

How To: Ink a comic book page with gel pen and sharpie

This four-part video series demonstrates how to ink a comic book. Inking is often thought of as a lesser comic art than drawing or writing, but proper inking is essential to creating a really beautiful final product. In the end, it is what the reader sees, not the pencil work that the illustrator did. All you need is a gel pen and a sharpie.

How To: Draw human hands in pencil

The human hand, along with the brain, is what sets us apart from the rest of the animal kingdom. This video demonstrates a couple of ways to effectively draw them in pencil. They look very real, and could be attached to the other body-part specific videos from Wayne Tully to create a really impressive drawing of the human figure.

How To: Draw a biomechanical-themed tattoo sleeve design

Designing a tattoo sleeve is a challenging and important task for any tattoo artist or recipient, as they are huge, expensive, nearly impossible to hide and, like all tattoos, with you forever. This four-part video demonstrates the sketching and inking of a sleeve design with a a biomechanical theme. It is unmeasured and would need to be refined and drawn again before it could go on a body, but is a good place to start.

How To: Draw a ninja

Ninjas has captured the imagination of both East and West with a combination of flair, combat effectiveness, and secrecy unlike any other type of warrior in the world. In this three-part video you will learn how to draw a rather muscular example of the group, holding a massive sword and adorned with shruiken, in pencil.

How To: Make white slips for wall vases and other pots

Adding slips to your vases gives them a subtle artistic flair without detracting from the beauty of the flowers within. Simon Leach is here to teach you how to add a white slip to your ceramics, using the wall vases that he has been working on as examples. You may not be able to do it so effortlessly, but as Simon always says, keep practicing!

How To: Make old t-shirts into tote bags

If you have kids, chances are you also have a pile of t-shirts that said rapidly-growing little ones have outgrown. Rather than throw them out or donate them, make them into something new! This video from Threadbanger will teach you how to sew two old t-shirts into a fun new tote bag. It will be soft, durable, stylish, and free!

How To: Paint a Blue Butterfly and Iris using a Hake brush

The Hake brush is a type of flat brush used in Chinese painting along with the more typical trimmed brush. In this video the artist demonstrates the use of such a brush to create painting of an Iris with a blue butterfly and some calligraphy to finish it off. If you don't already have a Hake brush as part of your Chinese art toolkit, this video should convince you to invest in one.

How To: Make a birdhouse

Making a birdhouse is an art-and-crafts project as old as shop class. This video from Threadbangers demonstrates how to make one quickly and easily at home out of wood at your home with simple tools. It is a rather simple end-product, but that should make it easier for beginners.

How To: Draw a bridge

This tutorial from Drawing Now demonstrates how to draw a bridge, one of the most common items in landscape drawing and one for which proper use of perspective is crucial. Watching this is sure to improve you art skills.

How To: Draw a gymnast on the balance beam

This video tutorial from Drawing Now demonstrates the drawing of a gymnast doing a routine on the balance beam. Her look of concentration evokes the drama and strength of both will and body required by this ancient sport. Learn to evoke that same feeling in your drawing by watching this video. Here are some instructions from the artist:

How To: Draw a simple dragon

Dragons are one of the most fun, traditional, and challenging things an artist can draw. Fortunately, Drawing Now is here to help you get started with this tutorial on how to draw a cute, simple, Western-style dragon. Here are their step-by step instructions:

How To: Draw the dragon Drago from Bakugan

This demonstration of how to draw the Drago character from Bakugan features a high degree of skill and speed, so if you aren't already pretty adept with Paint and digital art in general you probably need not apply. If you have the desire and patience to really improve you skills at drawing anime-style images in Paint, however, then this video may be very helpful to you.

How To: Draw Batgirl from Batman

In this 2 part video tutorial, idrawgirls shows you how to draw the elusive Batgirl from Batman. Capture her great hair, and her sleek lines by following along with idrawgirls' sketch. You'll be inspired to learn to draw and sketch some more female superheroes. For more drawing and sketching videos, search on WonderHowTo.