Craftside

5 steps to writing graffiti letters from the book How to Draw Graffiti Style

First up today, if you have 3 minutes to take a survey about your e-media habits, you can get yourself in the running for a Starbucks gift card!

http://fluidsurveys.com/s/digitalsurvey/

Besides that, I have a fun 5 step tutorial on writing graffiti letters from the book How to Draw Graffiti Style. Click on the image to enhance. 

More about the Chartwell book:

How to Draw Graffiti Style by Kevin Fitzpatrick

The books in the How to Draw series are especially designed for artists of all levels, beginner to advanced, who are looking to hone their skills in a specific style of artwork. The books are 6.5in x 8in, hardcover with an internal spiral binding so they lay open flat as readers follow the steps on their own canvas or paper. The books are beautifully illustrated and contain hundreds of colorful pieces of artwork, photographs, and helpful diagrams. Step-by-step instructions help guide artists through the learning process.

How to Draw Graffiti Style will not only teach you about how graffiti art is made, but will also take you through how the whole culture of graffiti art evolved, and how it remains vibrant and changing today. The graffiti scene has many codes, rules, and classic styles, passed down through generations of graffiti artists. Discover how letters have evolved from the early tag through to the bubble letter, and what we see today. Explore the possibilities with 3D graffiti, using shadow and depth to bring your work off the page, wall, or even the canvas. All aspects of modern-day graffiti art (including the popular stencil art) are explained in depth.

Everyone loves to draw, and graffiti is gaining momentum as a recognizable genre of art. Whether you want to graffiti on paper, on canvas, or on permitted walls, this is the book for you. Complete with easy to follow step by step instructions and expert hints and tips, you’ll be an urban art aficionado in no time.

Voted the best graffiti artist in London, Kevin "Astek" Fitzpatrick is known the world over and has a huge following of fans.  Being involved in graffiti for 20 years, Astek has carved his style into British graffiti and beyond, as well as painting at events all over the world.  Astek has exhibited his work in many galleries in Edgeware and Covent garden, to name a few, along side artists like Will Barras and the infamous Banksy.  Astek has worked with companies like Ecko Unlimited and Nike, as well as doing commission work - private and commercial.  Astek is rated as one of the best in the world.

Relax, and Color In a Page of Flowers Just Like You Did When You Were a Kid

I am totally loving the new "adult coloring book" trend. Are you? This page of flowers to color is from the book Flowers Coloring Book: Beautiful Pictures from the Garden of Nature. If you haven't tried coloring in a while, download this page and try it. I bet you will find it relaxing and you will feel de-stressed. I am also guessing that it would make a great piece of custom wrapping paper for a Mother's Day gift!

More about the Chartwell coloring book:

Flowers Coloring Book: Beautiful Pictures from the Garden of Nature

by Arcturus Publishing

This delightful book offers a wide and enticing range of different flower types and patterns for you to personalize and make your own.  The stylish outlines provide a fun way for you to improve your artistic skills using colored pencils.  By the end you will have a portfolio of beautiful finished pictures as reward for your efforts and the confidence to follow your creative instincts.

How to Fold an Envelope from the Book The Origami Artist's Bible

We all give gifts and cards to others; why not make your own cute origami envelope out of wrapping paper? This origami envelope tutorial from the book The Origami Artist's Bible would be cute for a card or cd that you want to match the gift wrap with the envelope.

Click on these pages from The Origami Artist's Bible to enlarge and follow the tutorial on how to fold an origami envelope.

More about the Chartwell book:

The Origami Artist's Bible

by Ashley Wood

This hardcover book with internal wire-o binding is 6.5in x 8in, a perfect size for readers to keep handy and reference often. The stylish design of this book, along with the interior photographs, illustrations and diagrams, make the learning process simple and fun for origami beginners and provides useful tips for more advanced folders.

Origami transcends gender, culture, and language. It demands no prior learning and no complex equipment; it can be done at any age, by anyone; models can be large or small, useful or ornamental. You can fold a bus ticket or a sheet of gold leaf, but the sole requirement of becoming an expert in origami is that you enjoy it!

The Origami Artist's Bible starts with a simple set of origami folds, illustrated with clear step-by-step diagrams, and three essential origami "bases" that are starting points for project models in the rest of the book. The models are arranged according to theme; some are complex, requiring patience and practice, and some are suitable for total beginners.  

    

How to fold a paper placecard holder from the book The Origami Artist's Bible

Today, I have a great origami pattern for a placecard from the book The Origami Artist's Bible that you can use for all the upcoming holidays to decorate your table so that your guests know where to sit. I bet it would be great to also use to label food items so your guests know just what scrumptious goodies await them.

Click on these pages from The Origami Artist's Bible to enlarge and read the full step-by-step tutorial on how to fold an origami placecard.

More about the Chartwell book:

The Origami Artist's Bible

by Ashley Wood

This hardcover book with internal wire-o binding is 6.5in x 8in, a perfect size for readers to keep handy and reference often. The stylish design of this book, along with the interior photographs, illustrations and diagrams, make the learning process simple and fun for origami beginners and provides useful tips for more advanced folders.

Origami transcends gender, culture, and language. It demands no prior learning and no complex equipment; it can be done at any age, by anyone; models can be large or small, useful or ornamental. You can fold a bus ticket or a sheet of gold leaf, but the sole requirement of becoming an expert in origami is that you enjoy it!

The Origami Artist's Bible starts with a simple set of origami folds, illustrated with clear step-by-step diagrams, and three essential origami "bases" that are starting points for project models in the rest of the book. The models are arranged according to theme; some are complex, requiring patience and practice, and some are suitable for total beginners.  

    

Interlaced chain embroidery stitch from the book The Quilter's Stitch Bible

Today, I have a really cool interlaced chain tutorial from the book The Quilter's Stitch Bible: The Essential Illustrated Reference to Over 200 Stitches with Easy to Follow Diagrams to share with you. I think it's really cool all the variations you can make by simple changing where you do your second rounds of stitching on the base chain. Another really cool thing about this book is that it shows you what the stitches look like from behind.

Click on this page from The Quilter's Stitch Bible: The Essential Illustrated Reference to Over 200 Stitches with Easy to Follow Diagrams to enlarge and read how to stitch an embroidered chain and then build on it to make an interlaced second round.

More about the Chartwell Book

The Quilter's Stitch Bible: The Essential Illustrated Reference to Over 200 Stitches with Easy to Follow Diagrams

by Nikki Tinkler

This practical guide explains all the stitches you need to make any type of quilt, from plain wadded quilting to trapunto and crazy patchwork, allowing you to explore unfamiliar techniques with confidence and interpret designs creatively.

More than 200 stitches and designs are featured for both hand and machine sewing, from a basic running stitch to decorative feather and zigzag stitches, as well as more complicated techniques such as couching and applique.

Nikki Tinkler is a quiltmaker whose busy schedule involves extensive traveling to give workshops and demonstrations of quilting techniques, offering a variety of techniques that appeal to both the traditionalist and the more experimental textile artist.