Art

Book Review: Scavenger Art by Lexi Rees

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Scavenger hunts are fun.

Drawing is fun.

Put them together for ★ SCAVENGER ART ★

This unique art-based activity book includes 52 scavenger hunts designed to

✓ encourage curious minds
✓ spark creativity
✓ practise mindfulness
✓ develop drawing skills

Perfect for ages 6 to 12.

Purchase Links

UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1913799042/

US –  https://www.amazon.com/dp/1913799042/

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Scavenger Art puts scavenger hunts and art together. It’s a great book that will give kids something fun to do while teaching them creativity. What a great book to get for bored children during the holidays, summer vacation, or a lockdown.

The book has several sections: My House, My Stuff, Outside, People, Faces & Bodies, Nature, Eating, and Birds, Insects, & Animals. Each section lists instructions for a scavenger hunt and a page to draw 9 pictures of items found. Here’s an example from the My House section:

This is a great book that will keep kids entertained for hours. I’m going to have to get one for my grandkids when they’re a little older!

About the Author

Lexi Rees was born in Scotland but now lives down south. She writes action-packed adventures brim full of witch-doctors, fortune-tellers, warriors and smugglers, combining elemental magic with hints of dystopia. She also writes fun activity books for children. 

Her fantasy adventure, Eternal Seas, was awarded a “loved by” badge from LoveReading4Kids. The sequel, Wild Sky, is available now. 

She’s passionate about developing a love of reading and writing in children and, as well as her Creative Writing Skills workbook, she has an active programme of school visits and other events, is a Book PenPal for three primary schools, and runs a free online #kidsclub and newsletter which includes book recommendations and creative writing activities.

In her spare time, she’s a keen crafter and spends a considerable amount of time trying not to fall off horses or boats.

Social Media Links –

Website: https://lexirees.co.uk

Twitter: @lexi_rees  or https://twitter.com/lexi_rees

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LexiAuthor/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/lexireesbooks/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexi.rees/

Book Review: Portrait Drawing for kids by Angela Rizza

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Draw the people and faces around you―a kid’s guide to portrait drawing

Anyone can take a picture―but drawing a person with recognizable likeness takes practice. Portrait drawing offers a completely unique interpretation of your subject, and Portrait Drawing for Kids gives budding artists the skill set they need to draw pictures of themselves, their family, and friends.

Broken down into simple, step-by-step instructions, this book will teach you every aspect of portraiture, from features of the face, to capturing emotions, to techniques like shading and highlighting. This drawing for kids book will help you take your artistic talents to the next level―beginning with a sharpened pencil.

Portrait Drawing for Kids includes:

  • Selfie know-how―Not only will you learn to create pictures of other people, but you’ll also learn the art of self-portraits.
  • Inspirational activities―Each lesson offers separate drawing for kids exercises to inspire you to establish your abilities on your own.
  • A painter’s toolbox―Get introductions to your full range of art instruments―from sketch pads to colored pencils―as well as terms of the trade like contour, midtones, exposure, and more.

Interested in a drawing for kids book but not sure where to start? Portrait Drawing for Kids is ideal for budding artists!

Amazon

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Although it says that this book is for ages 9-12, I think that any age will learn a lot from this book. All you need is a pencil and an eraser and something to draw on. She gives a list of other tools that would be nice to have on hand, but they’re not necessary, especially to begin with.

Portrait Drawing for kids begins with the basics. First, framing the face, then adding the eyes and eyebrows and finally, the nose and mouth. The last thing under basics are expressions, which are a little more difficult than just drawing an expressionless face.

Once you have the basics of the face down, the book goes into more advanced things such as ears and hair, profiles, shading, etc. Toward the end, she shows a few portraits from history followed by how to draw your own portraits.

There is so much detailed information in Portrait Drawing for kids that one thing needed is patience. It takes a lot of practice to get good at something. There are a lot of pages dedicated to practice and those should be taken advantage of (over and over).

I recommend Portrait Drawing for Kids for anyone of any age who wants to learn more about drawing people.

About the Author

Angela Rizza graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC in 2011 and since, has been creating artwork in Mahopac, NY. Her work is inspired greatly by the wildlife around her home, and her favorite stories she read growing up. When working on children’s books, she creates images that appeal to her inner child, drawings with lots of details, color, and quality that captures the attention of the viewer. The intricate work is hand-drawn in ink and color is applied digitally, and she is greatly influenced by classical storybook illustrators and her favorite plants and animals.

Book Review: The Hand Lettering Workbook by Amanda Kammarada

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A hands-on workbook for the art of hand lettering

From original wall hangings to ornate invitations, hand lettering―or the art of drawing letters―allows you to slow down and get creative by crafting elegant works of art with your own hands. Perfect for letterers of any level, The Hand Lettering Workbook is your how-to guide to hand draw letters, showing you how simple and calming lettering can be.

An easy-to-follow overview explores the core principles of hand lettering, including some need-to-know typography terms. Each section takes you step-by-step through forming upper and lower cases of a variety of alphabet styles and hand-lettered fonts, as well as plenty of useful practice pages.
Then, you’ll pull it all together with a helpful chapter on connecting letters to form words and adding embellishments to create something inspirational and whimsical.

The Hand Lettering Workbook includes:

Pen to paper―Step-by-steps and fill-in practice sheets take you from A to Z through 7 different alphabet styles, including hand-lettered fonts.
Connect the dots―Practice connecting letters and making words, along with embellishments like bounces, ligatures, flourishes, and more.
Artist toolkit―Learn about the right tools for hand lettering with advice on the difference between monoline, brush, and water pens, and a dive into the types of markers, chalk, and pencils.
Add some elegance and creativity to your words with the unique and beautiful art of decorative hand lettering and calligraphy.

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy from the publisher. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

I’ve always admired those who could write fancy lettering, so I jumped at the chance to get this workbook to learn hand lettering. It was a good choice.

Before starting, chapter 1 explains the different types of lettering, writing tools to use, and definitions of different parts of letters. The Hand Lettering Workbook has step-by-step instructions and plenty of practice sheets to try the different letter styles. Once you learn the basics, you can add embellishments, many of which are here for you to practice on. Once you’re finished with the workbook, you should be able to make some amazing projects!

I am not artistic at all but I’m slowly going through this workbook. I’m learning to relax and let the letters flow. If you’re a beginner looking for something to help you learn fancy lettering, this is a good place to start.

About the Author

Amanda Kammarada is a hand lettering artist and mom of two, residing in Tampa, FL. She is an ambassador for Tombow USA and a designer for private clients, who include Mixbook and Denik, in addition to her online shop. Since 2017, Amanda has taught in-person brush lettering classes that give students the skills to get started and the confidence to continue learning.

Amanda uses her lettering to inspire positivity and promote self-love and kindness. When you learn to letter, you unlock the magic of lettering. Words are powerful. Words can inspire, motivate & encourage us. The possibilities are endless and lettering is great for your mental health.

When she isn’t lettering, you can find her at the Florida theme parks on weekends living out her magical dreams or at home snuggling her dog Luna. Amanda is a Hufflepuff, lover of chocolate and coffee, yoga and spending time with her family.

Book Review: Soul Alchemy by Elizabeth Foley

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Soul Alchemy ~ A Vision Quest

By Elizabeth Foley

Genre: Art & Poetry

Purchase Soul Alchemy: https://radiantearthstudios.com/soul-alchemy-art-and-poetry

Artist’s Statement about Soul Alchemy 

For me making art is a spiritual practice.  It makes me feel alive, centered, and connected to something greater than myself.

Much of my work explores feminine archetypes from warrior and muse to medicine woman and inner child.  Each painting is an expression of my own journey to reconnect with these parts of myself.

At the core of each painting is something I seek to discover, an intention I am exploring.  What does my inner artist need in order to feel free to express my unique voice?  What does the idea of the Muse mean to me. How do I access her inspiration?  What would my life look like if I thought of myself as legendary?

As I progress through a painting I enter a dialogue with the emerging image.  What message does it have for me each step along the way?  What does the way that this layer or that drip of paint interacts with each other have to tell me about my inquiry? 

Each brush stroke is made with intention.  Dots become prayers. A line reflects a trauma or long held desire.  Deeply personal symbols are created that reflect a broader universal language.

I believe that at the core of the problems that plague today’s world – human suffering and environmental degradation – is greed, apathy, and a lack of compassion.  To solve these problems what we need isn’t just a legislative or a scientific response but a spiritual and cultural transformation. 

We need to wake up to our interconnectedness with each other and with nature.  To create real change we must awaken compassion, empathy, and understanding.  I envision my art as one voice in a chorus of voices that will catalyze this shift in the consciousness in humankind.

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

The paintings in this book are alive with vibrant colors. In one of them, She Who Calls Circles, I felt like she could actually see into my soul. There are so many details in each painting that you can spend a long time on each one trying to get everything out of it that the artist is trying to say.

The poetry that goes along with the paintings is also well done. It’s obvious that Elizabeth Foley is passionate about the strength of women and empowering ourselves to become the best that we can be. The poem below was my favorite because I found it inspirational. It accompanies the painting from the cover of the book.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for some inspiration through art. It will touch you.

This poem accompanies the piece titled Elishaba ~ Visionary Warrior


You Are Legendary.
 
Dive deeper within yourself.
There are gifts awaiting you there.
Dive Deeper.
 
Inside you lives one who is patient and powerful.
One who is focused, fearless and fierce.
 
Dive Deeper.
 
Inside you lives one who owns her truth.
One who is boldly authentic.
 
Dive Deeper.
There are powers untapped within you.
 
Inside you lives a cosmic warrior
a visionary queen,
a healer,
a sage.
 
Dive Deeper.
 
Inside you lives one who is consecrated to the divine.
One who embraces determination.
 
Trust.
Trust a little more.
Trust even more still.

Trust your intuition.
Trust that you are on the right path.
Trust in your vision.
Trust that if you take the leap
You will come floating gently down into the valley of your dreams.
 
You are meant to show others the way.
You are meant to lead others to greatness.
You are meant to shine light in the darkness.
 
You are one with the universe.
You are a supreme being of infinite wisdom.

Facebook Group – Radiant You – https://www.facebook.com/groups/1506259369529561/

About the Author

Artist, Elizabeth Foley helps women feel more joy and fulfillment by experiencing creative expression.  She offers online and in person workshops, retreats and one on one coaching.  Elizabeth has been passionate about creativity since childhood and believes that we are all creative beings whether we claim the identity of artist or not.

Elizabeth is a painter, potter, poet and creativity coach.  Currently her medium of choice is acrylic paints.  Elizabeth studied fine art and ceramics at The University of Oregon and apprenticed to accomplished Oregon potter Gil Harrison. She has studied with award winning artists Shiloh Sophia McCloud and Amber Kuileimailani Bonnici.  Elizabeth is a certified Intentional Creativity Instructor and a Cosmic Smash Book Teacher in training.

Elizabeth loves getting her hands dirty with paint, clay and in the garden.  When she isn’t busy in her studio you’ll find her climbing a mountain or relaxing by a waterfall in her hammock.  Elizabeth is grateful to make her home in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Asheville, NC.

Book Review: Figure Drawing for kids by Angela Rizza

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Draw inspiration from everywhere and everyone—a beginner’s guide to drawing people for kids.

Grab a pencil and an eraser—it’s time to explore the world around you and illustrate the people in it! Featuring a simple, step-by-step format for budding artists, Figure Drawing for Kids is a great way to start sketching friends and family, pop culture icons, and epic superheroes—one easy-to-draw exercise at a time.

Along the way, you’ll learn helpful terms and essential drawing concepts like proportion, negative space, point of view, composition, crosshatch, and more. Figure Drawing for Kids is an action-packed activity book that will surprise and delight kids at all skill levels. Drawing for kids has never been so awesome!

All you need to know is in this drawing for kids’ guide:

  • Practice makes perfect—From sketching basic shapes and shading to advanced skills like perspective drawing, you’ll master 13 figure-drawing activities at your own pace.
  • Draw diversity—Get inspired by a wide range of human sizes, shapes, skin tones, and abilities.
  • Photo fun—Discover how to draw from a photograph, how to set up a model station, and even how to draw the world around you!

Dive in and let the doodling fun begin with this great beginner’s guide to drawing people for kids.

Amazon

My Review

I chose to read this book after receiving a free copy from Callisto Publisher’s Club. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.

Although it says that this book is for ages 9-12, I think that teens and adults would benefit more unless the 9-12-year-old has some artistic talent. I have no artistic talent, and I practiced on the first activity for quite a while. I still have a lot of work to do, but I’m going to learn how to draw a person no matter how long it takes!

Not only does Figure Drawing for kids teach how to draw people, but it goes into the details of how to show movement, make a scene, draw faces and much more. Shading is discussed also. It has always fascinated me how an artist knows how to use shading to make an illustration look completely different.

I recommend Figure Drawing for Kids for anyone of any age who wants to learn more about drawing people.

About the Author

Angela Rizza graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC in 2011 and since, has been creating artwork in Mahopac, NY. Her work is inspired greatly by the wildlife around her home, and her favorite stories she read growing up. When working on children’s books, she creates images that appeal to her inner child, drawings with lots of details, color, and quality that captures the attention of the viewer. The intricate work is hand-drawn in ink and color is applied digitally, and she is greatly influenced by classical storybook illustrators and her favorite plants and animals.

Book paintings by Pierpaolo Rovero

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Pierpaolo Rovero makes amazing paintings using a unique technique. ” First, he creates the digital artwork. Then he prints it using a special technique – the file is being damaged to achieve the desired effect. Finally, he retouches the work with a stylus.”

Visit his website to see his portfolio. You can zoom in on the paintings and see the amazing details. I could spend hours looking at his art!

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