This art lesson on a postcard is fun for beginners and seasoned artists alike. Everyone is welcome to join!
Using Bristol or other quality art paper:
Begin by drawing a horizon line slightly above the center of the page. The paper should be cut to size appropriate for mailing as a postcard.
Place a dot near the center of the line. This will be your vanishing point.
Lightly draw diagonal lines from the vanishing point to the corners of the paper.
Draw buildings between the two diagonal lines on one side of the paper. The tops and bottoms of the buildings will line up with the top and bottom lines. All windows and doors in the buildings will line up with any other light lines you draw from the vanishing point to the edge of the page.
Draw trees between the two diagonal lines on the other side of the paper. The tops and bottoms of the trees will line up with the top and bottom lines you have drawn on that side of the paper.
Add details in the top and bottom triangular panels to create the center ground and sky. You can draw a street scene, canal, garden, or whatever you'd like to complete the picture. Cars, boats, sidewalks, street lanes etc. that are "moving" toward the vanishing point also fit between guidelines that are drawn from the vanishing point to the bottom of the page.
Using a black, waterproof marker, trace over any pencil lines you would like to keep in your drawing. Erase mistakes and guidelines.
Color your picture using paints, colored pencils, markers, crayons or pastels.
Glue your drawing to cereal-box weight or heavier cardboard. You may also use chipboard as your base.
Write your partner's name and address, your name, and the name of the swap on the reverse side of the card. You may also write a note to your partner if you'd like to do so, but this is not mandatory.
Mail the card "naked" unless this is prohibited by your post office. If this is the case, please let your partner know in advance of mailing the card.
Just do your best and enjoy the process. :-)
P.S. Flakers will win a one-way trip to the Swapthamology Group vanishing point.
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