We always love to try something a bit different at Folky HQ and over the past couple of years we have been challenging ourselves to have fun with our skills. Every month, we set a different theme and play with different ideas. A few months ago, inspired by the popularity of our mandala month, we began playing with patterns and silhouettes - creating doodles within different shapes.
This month, we revisited this idea after a customer challenged us to create a reindeer doodle. We have had so many requests and emails about this one, we've put a tutorial together just for you. Please note: although we have created this Level 3 guide, please do not feel that you have to stick to it. Take what you want from it and leave the rest; if there is a part of the design you don't feel comfortable painting or if it involves a technique you haven't learnt yet, replace it with something else. The great thing about these doodle practice pages is that they are fun, they are flexible and they are entirely yours to paint how you will.
What we used:
Dark paper (we love a bit of black paper to paint on!)
DecoArt Americana in Tomato Red and Snow (Titanium) White
(or something similar)
Luxe label brushes
No 4 Round Brush
No 2 Round Brush
Liner Brush
No 8 Rake Brush
Dotting tool
Pen
Tracing and transfer paper
When completing these doodle animals, we always begin adding a few larger patterns to the piece. These are what draws the eye to various parts of the shape and adds interest. We add our dots towards the end as they act as fillers.
Step 1: Transfer your design to your paper.
Step 2: Begin by painting the larger designs using the Titanium white. Using your liner brush, paint the snowflake, surrounding lines and flowers (those marked in blue).
Step 3: Using your No 4 brush, paint the comma stroke petals in white (shown in pink).
If you haven't got the brushes we are using here, feel free to use the brushes you have and adapt the design - a thicker No 3/4 brush will need fewer petals, whereas using a liner or No 2 brush, you will need to add more petals.
Step 4: Using the Rake brush, fill each leg with white lines. Once this is dry, do the same again but in a different direction to create a crosshatched effect. (the yellow areas).
Again, if you don't feel confident using the Rake Brush or haven't got one, why not try using your liner brush to create this lace-like crosshatched design?
Step 5: Next, using your liner brush, paint the lines marked in orange.
Don't worry if these aren't perfect as you will be adding detail to them - dots and lines. This design isn't about being perfect but about having fun. The great thing is, there may be areas in these paintings that you aren't happy with as you are creating them but they fade into the background when you look at the project as a whole.
Step 6: Using your No 2 round brush, or a liner brush, paint two comma strokes for the hooves. Paint the comma strokes around the head and antlers (those colour coded in purple).
Here, we have painted some in Tomato Red and some in white. You can follow our original design or make it your own.
Step 7: Next, add the larger dots to your reindeer (marked green) You can use large dotting tools for this like the ones here or like us, you can use the end of a pen or pencil!
Step 8: Grab your dotting tool and create hearts across his tail using the small end (marked in red).
Step 9: Add dots across the lines and around the large dots (marked in grey)
Take a step back from your design and add dots of paint around your design where you have gaps. You will see we have done this around the antlers, and around the snowflake.
These dots help to bring your pattern together. While you want to have some black space on your reindeer, having too much will stop your eyes seeing the 'bigger picture' as it focuses on each pattern. Adding dots helps fill the shape creating an outline without the need for painting one.
Step 10: Add any contrasting brushstrokes/dots you wish. You will see around the head, we layered smaller brushstrokes on top of the larger ones to add detail and bring the two colours together.
If you do have a go at painting this fun project, we would love to see it.
Happy Folking x
(or something similar)
Luxe label brushes
No 4 Round Brush
No 2 Round Brush
Liner Brush
No 8 Rake Brush
Dotting tool
Pen
Tracing and transfer paper
When completing these doodle animals, we always begin adding a few larger patterns to the piece. These are what draws the eye to various parts of the shape and adds interest. We add our dots towards the end as they act as fillers.
Step 1: Transfer your design to your paper.
Step 2: Begin by painting the larger designs using the Titanium white. Using your liner brush, paint the snowflake, surrounding lines and flowers (those marked in blue).
Step 3: Using your No 4 brush, paint the comma stroke petals in white (shown in pink).
If you haven't got the brushes we are using here, feel free to use the brushes you have and adapt the design - a thicker No 3/4 brush will need fewer petals, whereas using a liner or No 2 brush, you will need to add more petals.
Step 4: Using the Rake brush, fill each leg with white lines. Once this is dry, do the same again but in a different direction to create a crosshatched effect. (the yellow areas).
Again, if you don't feel confident using the Rake Brush or haven't got one, why not try using your liner brush to create this lace-like crosshatched design?
Step 5: Next, using your liner brush, paint the lines marked in orange.
Don't worry if these aren't perfect as you will be adding detail to them - dots and lines. This design isn't about being perfect but about having fun. The great thing is, there may be areas in these paintings that you aren't happy with as you are creating them but they fade into the background when you look at the project as a whole.
Step 6: Using your No 2 round brush, or a liner brush, paint two comma strokes for the hooves. Paint the comma strokes around the head and antlers (those colour coded in purple).
Here, we have painted some in Tomato Red and some in white. You can follow our original design or make it your own.
Step 7: Next, add the larger dots to your reindeer (marked green) You can use large dotting tools for this like the ones here or like us, you can use the end of a pen or pencil!
Step 8: Grab your dotting tool and create hearts across his tail using the small end (marked in red).
Step 9: Add dots across the lines and around the large dots (marked in grey)
Take a step back from your design and add dots of paint around your design where you have gaps. You will see we have done this around the antlers, and around the snowflake.
These dots help to bring your pattern together. While you want to have some black space on your reindeer, having too much will stop your eyes seeing the 'bigger picture' as it focuses on each pattern. Adding dots helps fill the shape creating an outline without the need for painting one.
Step 10: Add any contrasting brushstrokes/dots you wish. You will see around the head, we layered smaller brushstrokes on top of the larger ones to add detail and bring the two colours together.
If you do have a go at painting this fun project, we would love to see it.
Happy Folking x
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