Amy Latta - Doodle Everything!: Learn to Draw with 400+ Easy, Adorable Designs

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FOR ERIN, THE SISTER OF MY HEART, THE MOCHA TO MY CARAMEL, WHO BELIEVED IN MY LITTLE DOODLES BEFORE I DID.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved to doodle. If you were to look at my notebooks from elementary school all the way through college, youd find pages filled with flowers, sketches of my teachers and all kinds of other images. Even now, I doodle while I talk on the phone or when Im listening to a speaker. Since you picked up this book, Im guessing you do too! So why is it that we enjoy the art of doodling? In part, I think its relaxing, even therapeutic. Also, this kind of drawing can actually help us remember things, like when were taking notes on a topic. Doodles can also be a great way to connect with others, such as when we draw a handmade card or gift tag or decorate an envelope.

Doodles are a fun and easy way to learn to draw as well. Maybe youd like to dip your toes into the world of art and want to start drawing the things around you, but arent sure where to start. This is the perfect place! These doodles show simple ways to draw all kinds of cute animals, plants and objects, and theyll get you started with a new hobby.

Whatever your reasons for doodling are, I hope you find this book to be a fun source of inspiration. Feel free to work through it from front to backlearning everything it has to offer, to pick and choose your favorite illustrationsor to search for specific topics as you need them for your projects. The drawings are separated into chapters based on where you might find them, such as ) and it will quickly guide you to the page(s) you need.

As we begin, I want to encourage you not to be intimidated by the look of a finished drawing or the idea of sketching a particular thing. The reality is that every image is made up of lines and simple shapes, and thats exactly how we are going to approach our doodles. Each one is broken down visually into a series of steps that will walk you through the process from start to finish. You can follow my steps exactly or put your own spin on an image, making it your unique creation.

I highly suggest sketching all of your doodles in pencil first while youre learning, then tracing over them with markers, pens or any other material of your choice. Not only will this allow you to fix any mistakes as you go, it will also give you the opportunity to erase unnecessary lines when one part of a doodle overlaps another.

Are you ready to get creative with me? Grab a pencil, a good eraser and your favorite markers, colored pencils or crayons and lets doodle everything!

A garden is an artistic masterpiece, with each flower, plant, leaf and herb adding to its natural beauty. In fact, nature is so beautiful that we often bring it indoors to adorn our homes and even, at times, ourselves. Giving, receiving, carrying or wearing flowers often marks the milestone celebrations in our lives because the blooms add to the beauty of those moments. In the same way, we can use garden-inspired doodles in our artwork. They can adorn an envelope, decorate a card or enhance a hand-lettered quote. These natural doodles are never out of place, and no matter which ones you choose, theyre sure to be a lovely addition.

FLOWERS, VINES & PRETTY BOTANICALS

SIMPLE LEAF

Many of the flowers and the vines we draw will incorporate leaves, so learning to draw these is a great place to start. The most basic leaf shape is similar to the shape of a teardrop: rounded on the bottom and pointed at the top. Add a stem and some color, and voil, you have a leaf!

ROUNDED LEAF

For an easy variation on the basic leaf, simply draw an oval shape instead of a teardrop, then add a curving line for the stem. This gives the effect of coming from a different kind of plant or tree than the first type of leaf.

OAK LEAF

To draw an oak leaf, start with a slightly curving line for the stem, then draw several V shapes going down the line. These will be the veins. Next, draw a loose outline of the shape made by those veins. I like coloring this style of leaf in bold fall shades.

DETAILED LEAF

If you want a leaf that looks more complex, try this variation. Start with a slightly curving line for the stem, then draw a rounded diamond shape at the top. Next, draw a semicircle under the diamond and connect it to the diamond on both sides. Continue drawing semicircles going down the stem at regular intervals and connect each one to the semicircle above it. Add some color to finish your sketch.

SIMPLE VINE

A leafy vine is a great accent to any design. In fact, its one of the most common embellishments I use when Im making a hand-lettered project. Not only is it pretty as a stand-alone doodle, it also creates a wonderful border. To draw a simple one, start with a curving line, then add a teardrop shape to one end. Continue down the line, adding teardrop-shaped leaves, then color them in.