Hey Fun Fab Drawing Club Member!! I can't believe it, but we've hit the FINAL lesson in our Steampunk series :) Kinda sad about it!! I hope you've loved this collection of drawing lessons as much as I have. 

I don't know if you know this about me, but I'm absolutely in LOVE with old books. I love bookstores and anything vintage! So this stack of books idea really struck me as a fun project to do together. We're of course working from a reference, as well as honing our observational skills to improve our "draw what we see" skills! You've got this!!

As always, feel free to use whatever art supplies you love most. I think this could look fabulous in watercolor, or inks. And please use whatever COLORS you love most. Just because my books are blue and gold doesn't mean yours can't be green and red or any other colors in the rainbow!! I love them all :) 

Triangle https://amzn.to/3GI3Ppa
and Circle Template https://amzn.to/3QwtxAt
Bristol Paper 11 x 14 https://amzn.to/3MkxzdY
Pentel GraphGear Mechanical Pencil https://amzn.to/3OMntBT
Molotow Fineliners https://amzn.to/3Bp41GF
Molotow ALTERNATIVE (1/3 of the price) https://amzn.to/3DKH0i8
Ohuhu alcohol markers YR148, YR209, YR5, BR2, YR240, YR95 (funnily enough those are all from skin tone set https://amzn.to/3XphRmx )
And Copic colors in B99, B45, B18, C7 and C3
Pentel Pocket Brush Pen https://amzn.to/47qiAbk
Copic white for highlights https://amzn.to/3DO2r23

👉Ready to start? Let's go!!

We had soooooo much FUN working on this CRAZY, Steampunk Cat!! I'm in love with his 2-colored EYES!! So cute :)

Even if you missed working with us LIVE, you know I've ALWAYS got your back and am recording in case you've got two places to be at once. WATCH THE REPLAY HERE.

I got you!! Ok, so maybe Steampunk isn't floating your boat today. That's FINE. There are SO many projects available in The Fun Fab Drawing Club. Feel free to scroll through the Visual Index to find something that does inspire you. 

If you need a recommendation for an alternative project, have you worked in the Fun Fab Figures classroom yet? If you draw mostly faces, this one is great to get you a little outta that box (which is FINE -by all means, I LOVE being in the always-drawing-faces-box!!), but adding a figure - fashion or otherwise, can be super fun to try too! 

This classroom teaches you my Quadrant Method (in case you've never tried it, or have never heard of it!), gives TONS of tips on how to make your OWN, original art, smaller forward facing Fun, Fab Faces, and is just plain fun.

​Check it out...

Or, check out ALL the lessons inside the Fun Fab Figures Classroom!

You also might want to warm up for the month of MAY, because we're headed straight into "mermaid season," or "Mermay" as some artists lovingly call it! That means more mermaid lessons are headed you way inside the Fun Fab Drawing Club. 

​Right now I think there's only one. Isn't she so cute?! 

Or, simply pop over to the Visual Index to pick whatever YOU love most!!

Actually something BIG!!

​Have you ever tried your hand at mixed media art? I know you're here to DRAW... but I'll tell ya a secret :) You're kinda doing mixed media art all the time with me! Mixed media art simply means using more than one art supply to complete a project. And we DO that in almost every lesson, right? Simply adding highlights to something has us dragging out our white gel pens and poscas, right? 

Well, if you've never tried my hamburger layering system, you should give it a try!! Next Sunday, I'm hosting a Mixed Media LIVE event. As a club member you're already invited and it's totally free. You can even invite your artsy friends who aren't club members :) 

My good friend Mandi (she actually lovingly writes these blogs for me, helps me with email newsletters, and uploads lessons for you at Awesome Art School! This is us a few months ago in Scotland goofing around in the kitchen with Lucy and Melanie. We found costumes so of course had to put them on and play!! Mandi's next to me in red :) I think the night after this pic was taken in the castle is when she had a HUGE (and kinda terrifying) ghostly experience. Lucy and I interviewed her on our podcast if you wanna hear the story!!

She and I were mom friends before work friends and she's come with me to Scotland THREE times!!). Anyway- she and I will be dressed in FULL SPEAKEASY costumes and creating this FUN project together!! ​

We hope you'll join us!!! 

​There are a few supplies you'll want to grab ahead of time, so I've made a list of those for you and added some reference images in my Mixed Media Speakeasy Classroom, HERE. 

We're meeting online at 2pm EST, Sunday 4/28!

Be there, or be square ;)

Here's the April calendar again just in case you needed it!

​👉CLICK HERE to find a different lesson in the Visual Index

👉CLICK HERE to access a recent email newsletter

👉CLICK HERE if you're a new member and make sure you check out ALL the links in our FOR NEW MEMBERS blog post.

👉CLICK HERE for VIDEO help navigating & finding your lessons

I've been DYING to get this lesson into your hands for weeks!! I get asked all the time how to draw children's faces by my students and how kids' face drawing differs from the whimsical and semi-realistic portraits we usually create.

​Well, today I'm finally releasing one of these lessons with answers to ALL your questions about proportions, shading, and anything else you might be wondering about!

Let's dive in!!

I kept supplies fairly minimal for this lesson. You could TOTALLY do the entire thing in colored pencil, but that is WAY too tedious for me with all the endless shading and layering!! LOL.

Instead, I opted for stabilos because I knew I could activate them quickly and move on with my life :) 

​Use whatever you have on hand and love most!

​​o.5 from Pentel GraphGear Mechanical Pencil Set https://amzn.to/2GFzZlf
Stabilo Aquacolor in orange and brown shades https://amzn.to/3uyl8po
Stabilo Woody's (fat ones!!) https://amzn.to/3UFmh9q
I used my Polina Bright Round No. 2 for the whole thing
Polina Bright Watercolor Brushes https://www.polinabright.com/karencampbell and use coupon code KARENCAMPBELL to save 10% off your order

Copic white for highlights https://amzn.to/3DO2r23
Pentel Arts Sign Pen w/ Micro Brush https://amzn.to/3JhAjZ2

👉Ready to start this SUPER FUN LESSON?! Let's go!!

It just so happens that I have a FEW more children's face drawing projects, and even a lesson on how to draw a baby's face right here inside the Fun Fab Drawing Club!! Take your pick... and enjoy!! 

I've also got an adorabe EASY baby shading lesson inside my Skin Tone Secrets book! Remember, you get a copy of this eBook FREE just for being a member of the Fun Fab Drawing Club :) 

CLICK HERE to access your FREE ebook!

​Then scroll to page 36 to learn how to shade this adorable baby drawing with alcohol markers. Additional skin tone marker combinations are provided for this sweet project on pages 48 and 60. 

Wanna try this shading project with a different ethnicity? YOU CAN!!

The REAL beauty of this book is that you can choose ANY marker combo provided (or ANY marker combo YOU MAKE UP!) to make this baby drawing project (or ANY project you create!) reflect the skin tone or ethnicity of YOUR CHOICE :) 

​Here's a video on HOW to use this book for more skin tone shading secrets with alcohol markers in case you haven't seen it :)

Stay tuned for deets on our next Brain Stretches & Sketches LIVE art along, coming THIS FRIDAY, 4/12. I can't wait!! 

Our final Steampunk lesson will be released on the 21st. It's a still life... something we've never done in the Fun Fab Drawing Club! 

The following week, I hope you join me as we kick off the next unit MIXED MEDIA STYLE at my LIVE Speakeasy art along on Sunday, April 28th!! 

This is a FREE online art event for you and anyone you'd like to invite. Sign up and grab the accompanying PDFs for this lesson HERE.

​👉CLICK HERE to find a different lesson in the Visual Index

👉CLICK HERE to access a recent email newsletter

👉CLICK HERE if you're a new member and make sure you check out ALL the links in our FOR NEW MEMBERS blog post.

👉CLICK HERE for VIDEO help navigating & finding your lessons

It's HOT steampunk guy time!! You're welcome😜

​THIS week's NEW LESSON is kind of a choose-your-own adventure!!

It can go one of two ways depending on what YOU want!!

Graphite... or watercolor :)

If you opt for graphite, supplies are SUPER simple and this is what your finished piece will look like. 

 Am I right?!

Now, this part is REALLY important...

IF you know you want to add watercolor, you need to do your drawing on watercolor paper. If you're not sure- I suggest you STILL opt for a sheet of watercolor paper for this project. 

I happen to LOVE the look of graphite on textured cold press watercolor paper, so I usually grab a sheet of that (or work in my Strathmore Watercolor Journal) if I'm on the fence, or unsure where a project is gonna end up.  Plus I think that shading in pencil looks SO cool on the textured cold-press watercolor paper. 

Seasoned graphite artists & watercolorists, ready to start this project?
(Club Newbies & Watercolor Newbies, PLEASE keep reading!!)

Don't worry- supply links to the exact watercolor shades I used are in the classroom in case ya wanna know :)

For skin tones, I almost ALWAYS use this skin tone palette by Prima (shown below). It's super affordable and gives ya 12 fun colors to play with for around $20. You can create pretty much ANY ethnicity with this set and it will last ya forever.

Prima also offers some other great sets you might want to consider if you're just getting started with watercolors. I've reviewed a TON of them on YouTube in this playlist, and think both the Terrain or Tropicals set would be perfect for this project.

If you wanna avoid buying more than one watercolor set and keep supplies cheaper right now, you can skip the skin tone set and choose either the Terrain or Tropicals set alone. Both of these sets have a shade you can use as a skin tone :)

​The Graphitint watercolor palette by Derwent (shown below) would be another SUPER FUN choice for today's project because graphite has been pre-mixed into these watercolors so they have kind of a grungey look on paper. They're super moody and create cool effects!! I reviewed this one on YouTube also if you wanna watch before ya buy :) You can also skip the Prima skintone set if you want to buy this one because a light wash of the shade Russet in this set will work.

You can't go wrong with any of these palettes. 

Just pick the set YOU love the colors most in, and GO!

As far as watercolor brushes go, anything will work.

​I recommend a ROUND brush for watercolor because they hold a LOT of pigment and water :) ​

I like this set of 8 brushes for students by Creative Mark because there are a variety of brush sizes to play with for less than $60.

​They've also got a slightly smaller set of 5 brushes for about $23.

​If you just wanna invest in ONE nice watercolor brush right now, you can't go wrong with brands like Silver Brush Black Velvet or Winsor & Newton. These are fine artist brands though, and one nice brush could cost ~$20+ depending on what you fall in love with.

Just keep in mind that brushes come in a wide variety of sizes.

You know yourself - if you're a details girl and want lots of control (similar to a pencil!), grab one with a smaller size number (like 4,6, or 8- yes, you can go smaller, but TRY starting in this range).

If you're like me and not so much into details and wanna put some serious strokes on your page and move on, go for a medium to larger size number on your brush like an 8-14!

You might also like looking in person at brushes at your local craft store. Sometimes it helps to feel them in your hand and see the size of the bristles up close :)

If you're nervous about adding watercolor to a drawing you already love, there is this super cool thingy called a pipette. Grab one of these along with a mixing plate/paint palette tray. Wet your watercolor brush and dip it into the color you'd like to use first (let's say a skin tone).

Then brush that around on your mixing plate, and add a few drops of ADDITIONAL water with a pipette (shown below). This waters down the color EVEN MORE and will give you a little more control with how much color you're adding to your page so you can add layers of color in baby steps :)

That's a wrap for March! But stay tuned because LOTS MORE FUN is headed your way in April, like this adorable Steampunk Girl Lesson!!

​The replay can be JUST AS FUN!!!

​It's ready and waiting for ya whenever you're ready RIGHT HERE.

​
​👉CLICK HERE to find a different lesson in the Visual Index

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👉CLICK HERE if you're a new member and make sure you check out ALL the links in our FOR NEW MEMBERS blog post.

👉CLICK HERE for VIDEO help navigating & finding your lessons

Hey Fun Fab Drawing Club Member!!! 

We're continuing our deep dive into the magical world of Steampunk drawing ideas with today's latest lesson: a watercolor marker Steampunk HAT with Goggles. 

This look TOTALLY makes me think of Sean all dressed up for our Steampunk LIVE drawing event!!

​Doesn't he look amazing?!​

The googles on the hat are THE look, right?!!

So when I found this digital image that inspired today's project, I immediately purchased the rights for us to use it!! 

​Let's dive in, shall we?

I chose to use watercolor markers for this project. I know we don't use them a lot in the Fun Fab Drawing Club, but I also know lots of peeps have them so I thought why not?!

If you don't have watercolor markers or tombows, don't freak out. You totally don't have to run out and buy them. You can EASILY do this project in watercolor, colored pencil or just plain old graphite.

Whatever you choose will look AMAZING. Just make sure if you're using ANYTHING WATERSOLUBLE (wet mediums like watercolor, watercolor markers/pencils, etc.) - you MUST use watercolor paper. Deal? OK!!

​Here's what else I used...

Fabriano Cold Press Watercolor Paper 9" x 12" https://amzn.to/47qgrMO

Using pencils from this set: Pentel GraphGear Mechanical Pencil (pricey) https://amzn.to/3OMntBT

and also this set (not pricey): https://amzn.to/3OW5YBL

Pentel Arts Sign Pen w/ Micro Brush https://amzn.to/3JhAjZ2

Copic Opaque Paint with Brush https://amzn.to/3Dfr1ZW

Winsor Newton and Faber-Castell Watercolor Markers in loads of brown shades like:
Burnt Umber (Winsor & Newton)
Burnt Red (Winsor & Newton)
Yellow Ochre (Winsor & Newton)
Burnt Sienna (Winsor & Newton)
Sanguine (Faber-Castell)
India Red (Faber-Castell)

​Here's a picture so you can grab similar colors in the supplies you already own.

And then here are the colors for the colorful accents (lenses, band around the top part of the hat):

Indanthrone blue (Faber-Castell)
Indigo (Winsor & Newton)
Cobalt Turquoise (Faber-Castell)
Leaf Green (Faber-Castell)
Purple Violet (Faber-Castell)

Again, just showing a picture so you can get an idea of the colors you need to grab in ANY supply you love so you don't have to purchase these at all.

If you DO want to check out these sets you can check out Winsor & Newton Set of 24: https://amzn.to/48ZGPNM

And Faber-Castell watercolor markers here set of 10: https://amzn.to/3HAAexs

Set of 20: https://amzn.to/3u4XJvD

Set of 30: https://amzn.to/3vI8JiP

Alternatively, you could get a SUPER CHEAP set of markers like these and they'd work great too! They just won't be lightfast. https://amzn.to/3OeL4gv

I'm using Polina Bright Watercolor Round Brushes https://www.polinabright.com/karencampbell and use coupon code KARENCAMPBELL to save 10% off your order

​If you have NO watercolor brushes and don't want to break the bank, I own and suggest these: Creative Mark Mimik Watercolor Brushes 5 pack https://amzn.to/3gCZWRZ

👉Ready to start this super FUN 1.5-hour project? ME TOO!!!

Everyone in the club has been having a blast with these Steampunk projects! I think it's so fun to see what other people are working on.

Sooooo many fun Airbuses and graphite drawings, Steampunk girls, and dragonflies!! I love it!!!

​Find a lesson that inspires you, YOUR WAY...

​MORE Steampunk!!

Stay tuned for our next Brain Stetches & Sketches LIVE on March 15th!

Watch for these NEW LESSONS in the coming weeks!!

​
​👉CLICK HERE to access a recent email newsletter

👉CLICK HERE if you're a new member and make sure you check out ALL the links in our FOR NEW MEMBERS blog post.

👉CLICK HERE for VIDEO help navigating & finding your lessons

I've been LOVING our Steampunk drawing projects being shared in the Facebook Group sooooo much over the last month! From the looks of it- everyone is having a blast!!

Aren't these sassy ladies awesome?! Each one is so unique!!
👆CLICK HERE TO START ABOVE LESSON.

These quirky dudes are SOOOOO cool!!! The detail is outstanding!!
👆​CLICK HERE TO START THE ABOVE LESSON.

The dragonflies are JUST stunning!! This was NOT an easy lesson, so I'm super proud of everyone who tried it!! You're killing it!!
​
👉MISSED THE ABOVE DRAGONFLY LESSON? Click here to start it.

Today, I'm super excited to add a giant Airbus drawing lesson to our Steampunk collection of drawing projects!! 

Before you freak out and assume it's too hard - TRUST ME, it's WAY EASIER than it looks!! Everything is very systematic. Plus, I have TONS of tricks up my sleeve to help you along step-by-step as we break this steampunk drawing project down together from start to finish.

If you didn't do the copper ball lesson released a couple of weeks ago, you might wanna do that first to just experiment with the shading technique and marker shades, because we'll be using this same palette for the Airbus lesson.

The Metals Lesson is also a great one in general in case you're new to the Fun Fab Drawing Club or shading with alcohol markers. It's zero stress because we're just playing with a variety of marker colors and layering techniques to achieve the most realistic look of metal. 

👉If you are totally new to alcohol markers and haven't started a little collection for yourself but want to, WATCH THIS LESSON before you do anything (or BUY anything!) to get my recommendations on brands to try based on your price point. And no- you DON'T have to buy a million copics :) You don't even have to buy one!

I am working on Bristol Paper 11 x 14: https://amzn.to/3MkxzdY
A 0.7 mechanical pencil from this cute set:  https://amzn.to/3OW5YBL
My copper colors from the Metals Lesson (listed lightest to darkest):
Artbeek BK 11
Artbeek 33 Melon Yellow
Artbeek 24 Marigold
Ohuhu YR5 Terra Cotta
Ohuhu YR91 Natural Oak
Copic E49 Dark Bark
Copic R49 Cardinal
The 2 "boring neutral browns" I keep referring to are:
Ohuhu YR 148
Artbeek 417 Light Walnut
The two turquoise colors are:
Artbeek 57 Turquoise Green Light
Artbeek 50 Forest Greet (dark)
Sakura Belly Roll 1.0 big nib https://amzn.to/3SQ2inE
Pentel Arts Sign Pen w/ Micro Brush https://amzn.to/3JhAjZ2
And matching Prismacolor Pencils in black, dark brown, terra cotta, yellow

👉Ready to get started on this 2-hour lesson? Me toooooo!

We're starting the month off with Brain Stretches & Sketches LIVE this Friday, March 1st. I can't wait!!! Watch your email for details.

Then it's time for ... you guessed it! MORE Steampunk projects!!

Here's a sneak peek at the fun in store for March!!

See ya Friday!!

​
​👉CLICK HERE to find a different lesson in the Visual Index

👉CLICK HERE to access a recent email newsletter

👉CLICK HERE if you're a new member and make sure you check out ALL the links in our FOR NEW MEMBERS blog post.

👉CLICK HERE for VIDEO help navigating & finding your lessons

Hi Fun Fab Drawing Club member!! I hope you've having a fantastic week. I'm thrilled to bring you a new Steampunk drawing lesson today :)

This week we're doing a gold and silver dragonfly!  I felt like this would be a FUN follow-up to our how to draw and shade metals in alcohol markers lesson from last week. In case you haven't had a chance to do that one yet, no worries! I do recommend ya give last week's coloring tutorial a shot FIRST, because it will help you get familiar with some alcohol marker coloring techniques (AND exact marker shades!) I love to fall back on for rendering realistic gold, silver, and copper.

For today's fun, new Dragonfly lesson, you can totally follow me in the shading, or go your own way. I chose not to use my "Gold alcohol marker mix" from last week's lesson, but now that my piece is done, I'm really curious how it would've looked in gold!!

Remember to always feel free to experiment and go rogue from whatever I'm showing if your gut is telling you something or a certain color is calling your name!! 

Mechanical Pencil https://amzn.to/3OW5YBL

Grey Scale Alcohol Markers https://amzn.to/48Paeub (I'm so excited, I just ordered this set)

Alcohol Markers in Blue
Gold Posca Pen (which I didn't like, I just ordered this one to try out next: https://amzn.to/3SxmYQz)

Ellipse Template https://amzn.to/3ZegSFV
​
and Circle Template https://amzn.to/3QwtxAt

👉Ready to start this 1 hour & change lesson? Let's do it!!

I just LOVE doing these LIVE sessions with you, and it's even better when I start seeing the Facebook group being flooded with the amazing art everyone created TOGETHER!! 

I mean, just LOOK at this...

Just INCREDIBLE!! I am so proud of each and every one of you for trying this challenging lesson, for being brave enough to share your work, and for your artistry. These are just amazing!!

If you didn't get to join us for the LIVE, no worries, I'm sure you'll still enjoy the replay:) CLICK HERE to watch the replay now, or press the button below.

Your next new Steampunk lesson will be the Airbus, coming out on Feb. 25!! How cool is this?!

Hey Fun Fab Drawing Club member!! I hope you've been enjoying the Steampunk classroom so far! I've got TONS of FUN, creative projects coming your way as we flip our calendars to February :) 

Before I go any further, I need to make sure you saw a pic of Sean's final FIRST ever Fun Fab Face from our Steampunk LIVE recently!!

Isn't he adorbs?! Don't answer that. Let's not make it weird. 🤣

​He did a great job, right?!

In case you missed the fun LIVE from a few weeks ago, here's that link to WATCH NOW. And in case you didn't get a chance to do the exclusive Fun Fab Drawing Club version of this lesson (with step-by-step alcohol marker coloring instruction & a GINORMOUS, 83-page PDF full of Steampunk inspo!), CLICK HERE for the PDF, and press play below to start your lesson.

Hopefully you got to hang with me Friday for our most recent Brain Stretches & Sketches LIVE.

If you didn't, CLICK HERE to watch the replay.

We chatted a LOT about alcohol markers in general for the first 30 minutes or so. If you have questions about markers- make sure you listen to this :) 

​

I hear ya! There are SO many other places to play inside the Fun Fab Drawing Club. In case you're new, make sure you know how to get to the NEW MEMBERS CLASSROOM HERE to find answers to all your newbie questions :)

I think one of the most popular ways to FIND A LESSON inside the Fun Fab Drawing Club is to use the VISUAL INDEX.

The Visual Index is simply another page on this website that shows you a tiny picture of each lesson so you can choose what looks fun to you, click on it, and be magically transported to your lesson over at Awesome Art School! 

Here's what it looks like...

When you scroll down or page down with your mouse or cursor on this page, you will see TONS of fun projects to play with!!

If you're totally new - start at the beginning to learn about supplies (I'm a HUGE fan of using what you already have - but I also don't want to leave ya hangin' - if you WANT to try a new art supply or NEED new pencils- I don't want you to blow all your money on garbage art supplies - so I always try to provide a range of options by budget and quality).

I also drop buttons EVERYWHERE to help you find the Visual Index in case you forget where it "lives" on my site:) In fact, here's one now!! 

And, just so you know WHERE the Visual Index "lives" on my website, it's right here - so you can always go to www.KarenCampbellArtist.com and click the first link under "Drawing Club"  - See All the Projects  - to the left of my little green arrow below :)

That's it! Easy, right?! 

Why don't you pop over there now to choose whatever you're in the mood to draw? And remember I can't wait to SEE what you're working on!! Make sure you share a pic of your artwork in the Facebook Group and add the hashtag #DrawingClub to the beginning or end of your post like Leslie did....

See how easy that is?!

Just add a pound sign (#) in front of the words drawingclub (all one word), and then #drawingclub will turn blue on Facebook.

If it's blue, ya know you did it right :) 

AND... the best part is, if you did it right, you're now entered to win a fun FREE prize on the 1st of the month during my next Giveaways LIVE on Facebook! 

​​👉CLICK HERE to watch our last Happy Hour LIVE Steampunk Dude Draw Along

👉CLICK HERE to access a recent email newsletter

👉CLICK HERE if you're a new member and make sure you check out ALL the links in our FOR NEW MEMBERS blog post.

👉CLICK HERE for VIDEO help navigating & finding your lessons