Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft

Lettering Tutorials!

Oh, hello there! It's Nicole again, and I'm back with another tutorial! This time, I'm focusing on lettering.

I've found, that if I think of lettering as another form of drawing, it comes more naturally to me, because it can be broken down into steps exactly like a doodle. Here, I've given you 5 different methods to add some flare to your lettering.

Once you master the letter A, you can move your way through the alphabet using these simple guidelines. Adding even the tiniest of details can really add some "oomph" to your journals and planners! I like to use my PITT artist pens for lettering because they are so smooth on paper, and the colors really pop!

If you want to practice, but don't want to dive right into your notebooks, download this free printable practice sheet HERE!

If you post what you create, be sure to tag us @fabercastellusa & @plansthatblossom so we can see (and maybe even share!) your lovely creations!

Thanks for stopping by! Keep creating!

-Nicole @plansthatblossom

All The Watercolors

I gathered up all of my Faber-Castell watercolor tools to do a quick comparison and also to show a few different techniques to use with each one.

 

1. Connector Paints

 

2. Watercolor EcoPencils

 

3. Goldfaber Aqua Watercolour Pencils

 

4. Albrecht Durer Watercolour Pencils

 

5. Albrecht Durer Watercolour Markers

 

6. Gelatos

 

 

Erin is a teacher by day and a creator by night. She loves to try and inspire creativity in her students everyday! Because she’s busy during the day, the night is when her creativity gets to explode into the world through lettering and messing around with watercolors. Her biggest advice would be to not compare your art to other people’s art! Be uniquely you!

The Lettering Fern

Albrecht Durer Watercolor Marker Sunflower

Still here celebrating World Watercolor Month with these brand spankin' new Albrecht Dürer Watercolor Markers! These things are pretty great. You can color straight on the paper, then wet it with water over the top, you can wet the paper, and color it in to see the colors bleed, you can scribble a little bit on a palette and use a wet paintbrush to pick up the color like you would with regular paint. You can layer colors one on top of another, or you can blend them all together to make new colors. Watch a few of the techniques in this sunflower below, and then go give them a try! You won't regret it.

 

Chelsea has a not-so-slight obsession with all things lettering. Watching lettering videos is what got her started, and you can usually find her posting videos using every art supply she can get her hands on. From brush pens to watercolor, and everything in between!

 

 

 

 

 

Banner & Paper Scrap Doodles!

Hi there, you creative soul, you!

I'm back with another planner tutorial. I love creating these for my journal, because they are just so versatile. They can be used alone for decoration or used as headers for text. Plus, they are just so fun to create!

These 7 tutorials break down the steps easily so you're able to recreate these for your own planners. It's almost as if you are able to have 7 different types of sticky notes at your disposal to use however you wish!

If you're not the doodling type, but would like to utilize these banners and paper scraps, download a fun and free printable HERE!

Thanks for stopping by, keep creating!

-Nicole @plansthatblossom

Sketchbook on the go with Goldfaber Aqua Watercolor Pencil Roll

Hi everyone, Mou here! How do you stay creative during summer break? This question particularly applies to all who get extra busy during summer as the kids stay home. I am one of you, so staying creative during summer can sometimes be a slight challenge. I try to be creative daily and sometimes that means I am sketching on the go, making use of small pockets of time. I find that creating on the go is easier with the appropriate tools and here are some of my favorites -

Faber-Castell Goldfaber Aqua watercolor pencil, pencil roll, 30 pieces (#114652)

Faber-Castell Deluxe Waterbrush (#770306)

Faber-Castell Graphite pencil Grip 2001 with eraser HB (#117200)

Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen black box of 4 (S, F, M, B) (#567100)

Watercolor paper/ Sketchbook

If you are wondering about inspiration, my suggestion is to simply look around mindfully wherever you are - be it your kitchen or at the beach or when you go to your mailbox. You'll find something interesting to draw and study if you like to sketch. If sketching is not your thing, take inspiration for colors, textures, materials, etc. I sketched a pinecone that I found by my mailbox this morning when I took my daughter to the stop for the day camp bus. 

Start with a light pencil sketch of the object of your choice. I choose a pencil with an eraser attached. I also use a kneaded eraser sometimes because then I have an eraser that's clean at all times and no eraser shavings to deal with.

Trace the pencil lines with S-tip Black PITT pen. Being permanent India ink, there is no risk of ink smudging if you choose to use watercolors next.

The Goldfaber Aqua Watercolor pencils come as open stock, in boxed sets as well as this fun 30-piece roll for sketching on-the-go. I take this with me when I travel. This roll includes a sharpener and a round brush too.

You can leave the colors dry, or like I do, use a waterbrush to blend the colors. Having a waterbrush is very helpful as it rules out the risk of spilling water while you are out and about or working in tight or uneven spaces.

Mood Trackers For Your Journal!

Hi there! I'm back with more trackers, but this time, I'm talking MOODS!

Here I've shown you 12 different simple weekly mood trackers that you can use in your journal! These can be expanded to cover a whole month, or simplified for each day.

Happy days, sad days... mad days... let's face it, we've all been there. I enjoy tracking my moods because it helps me learn more about myself. I can recognize what triggered me, or what made me happy. This way,  I'm abler to regroup, and focus on the good. It's also a nice way to look back on your month without having to go into too much detail.

One misconception about mood tracking is that its bad too have too many days with the same type of mood, or that you are considered negative if you have too many bad days. This really "grinds my gears" because honesty is a very important aspect of journaling. If you can't be honest with yourself in your journal, how can you grow and learn?You don't need to track this many moods if it doesn't suit you, OR you can add other moods if you want a more thorough evaluation of your well being. That's the beauty of bullet journaling... it's for you - by YOU!

Please enjoy this free printable monthly mood tracker that I created based on one of my most popular mood trackers. I hope you enjoy! You can Download Here

Thanks for stopping by - keep creating!

-Nicole @plansthatblossom

Watercolor word art

Hi everyone, Mou here today! July is World Watercolor Month and Faber-Castell is celebrating by featuring watercolors all month long. Today I am focusing on Connector Paints.

Here are the materials I used:

Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen Soft Brush India ink pen, black

FAber-Castell Pitt Artist Pen Superfine India ink pen, black

Faber-Castell Graphite pencil Goldfaber 1221 HB

Faber-Castell Connector paint box 24 colors + brush

Faber-Castell Water cup Clic&Go light green

Faber-Castell Kneadable Art Eraser, grey

Other: watercolor paper trimmed to 9x6 inches, scissors

Start with a pencil sketch.

Color the image with Connector Paints.

Add details with PITT pen.

Hand-letter a quote with the Soft Brush tip PITT pen and cut it out with scissors.

You can use the image to decorate notebook or anything you want.

Watercolor Kit Flowers

It's World Watercolor Month! Good thing we have this super easy to follow 20 minute Watercolor Art Kit!

 

 

Start by putting a piece or two of tape on a sheet of watercolor paper (or you can use the paper provided in the kit). You'll want tape thats easy to peel like washi or painters tape. Use the XS Pitt Artist Pen, and a stencil, and start tracing!

 

Add a few drops of water to the colors you'll be using, and let it sit for a minute or two to get the colors soft. Mix it up, and start painting! You can do it carefully in the lines, or more of a rough paint, using your outlines to guide you. Blend multiple colors to add dimension!

 

Once that's dry, carefully peel off the tape, and add in a fun quote using a Pitt Artist Brush pen!

 

 

Chelsea has a not-so-slight obsession with all things lettering. Watching lettering videos is what got her started, and you can usually find her posting videos using every art supply she can get her hands on. From brush pens to watercolors, and everything in between!

Celebrate World Watercolor Month

 

What comes to mind when thinking about the month of July? Of course, we have the summer essentials; fireworks, barbeques, and warm weather. For those with an artistic side, July is officially declared World Watercolor Month thanks to founder Charlie O’Shields. Creator of the watercolor blog “Doodlewash,” O’Shields founded World Watercolor Month to unite artists in celebrating watercolors while sharing their artwork, as well as raising awareness of the need of children’s art supplies and art education.

With a love and dedication to promoting the joys of watercolor art, O’Shields set out to make World Watercolor Month official in 2016. Landing watercolors on the official calendar was an easy campaign, despite over 18,000 applications being submitted for “official days” each year. 

“They (the registrars) immediately agreed with the heart and spirit of the month. The focus on art education was and still is the most compelling part of World Watercolor Month,” states O’Shields. “As we come together to celebrate as a global community, we are not just celebrating this moment, we are celebrating the artists of tomorrow!”

Aside from igniting the watercolor artist in us all, the core meaning of the month is the partnership with The Dreaming Zebra® Foundation. As a nonprofit with a mission to encourage children to embrace their individuality, express themselves creatively, and to follow their artistic dreams, the foundation aims to help provide underprivileged children art and music supplies.

With watercolor supplies available in our children, student, and adult brands, Faber-Castell is joining in on the fun. Follow along as we feature some of our favorite watercolor products such as our Connector Paintbox, Goldfaber Aqua Watercolor Pencil, and our Albrecht Durer Watercolor Pencil to name a few. We will also host giveaways, as well as participate in the challenge: 31 watercolor paintings in 31 days! 

Whether you are an experienced artist or are new to the craft, O’Shields and the Doodlewash team encourage you to join in on the celebration.

“I’m a firm believer that we all have a natural creative ability and we need only remember back to when we were kids to know that’s true. I also hope the month inspires parents to try watercolor with their kids. It’s a perfect medium for kids and adults alike,” says O’Shields.

To learn more information regarding World Watercolor Month, visit the Doodlewash blog. Be sure to share your own watercolor art with hashtags #WorldWatercolorMonth and #FCWatercolorMonth, and stay connected with Faber-Castell as we celebrate all month long.  

Journaling Add-On & Embellishment Tutorials!

Hi there! I'm back with another doodle tutorial to fill your journals with that little something extra!

Here, I've shown you 7 different ways to add some flare to your journals. I love all things stationery and paper - I collect washi tape, stickers - you name it, I've got it! However, there is something a little more satisfying about adding these elements yourself by drawing them!

Using Faber-Castell PITT Artist Pens, I've given you the steps to amp up that lovely journal of yours!

For added effect, I like to use color, shading, and even highlighting to really make them POP off of the page!

Give these simple 4 step tutorials a try, and make sure to share them with us! We love to see your creations!

As a bonus, I've created another free printable for you! You can grab it HERE

Thanks for stopping by - keep creating!!

-Nicole @plansthatblossom