Did you know that the ampersand symbol was once considered the 27th alphabet?I’ve always been fascinated by it.Needless to say,I had to blog about it.Learn how to create easy ampersand art in today’s tutorial.
This post is a tutorial on how to doodle an ampersand in two different ways.Not only will you learn to do that,but you can print them out for free and use it as a coloring page.How fun would that be?You can give it to your kids or be a kid yourself.This is one of those posts where you don’t need to splurge excessively on materials.Which makes it even cooler.You can use any “ampersand” template you like. I’ve put up a generic one that you can print at home.
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Materials you’ll need are for DIY ampersand art are:-
- Rhodia paper-This is my go-to paper for all calligraphy related projects.They are not pricey,has a smooth finish and does not have a blue tint like printer paper.If you don’t have it,printer paper works well too.
- Micron pens or Uniball click gel pen
- Pencil
- Eraser
The Henna Ampersand
Step 1:Start by printing this template.Trace over paper by keeping it against a window.If you own a light box,that’ll make life much easier.If you look up “henna motifs” on google, you’ll find tons of inspiration.I’m quite familiar with them because I celebrate Eid and we love adorning our hands with beautiful henna patterns for the occasion.
Step 2: Fill in more motifs.I’m comfortable with using a pen directly but if you are not confident,draw with a pencil first.
I create these tutorials to help you explore ideas. Challenging yourself to doodle directly with a pen will help you improve. I would suggest doing that for the purpose of increasing your confidence.
Step 3: I’ve used flowers, leaves and paisley patterns for this ampersand art. These were supported and connected by filigree and vine like elements. Fill in the empty spaces as you proceed.
I limited the doodles inside the traced area.Therefore, you will see that some of the motifs are not compete.You can go outside the traced area if you like as long as it still holds the shape.
Step 4:Erase the guideline once you’re satisfied.I hope you have fun creating this henna inspired ampersand art.Download the free coloring page by clicking the link below.
DOWNLOAD HENNA AMPERSAND COLORING PAGE
The leafy ampersand
Trace the outline as previously explained.This ampersand design is fairly a simple one.I used one leaf pattern and repeated it throughout the outlined area.
You may want to vary the size of the leaves in this ampersand art to create interest.One suggestion out of many is that this design would look great as a logo.
Erase the outline to finish.
DOWNLOAD LEAFY AMPERSAND COLORING PAGE
What do you think?
Would you like to me to create more coloring pages like this?What other patterns do you think will make beautiful ampersand art?Let me know about it in the comments below.If you’ve tried this out,hashtag with #makeinkstruck on Instagram.I would love to see.
Have a lovely day!
Love this. The ampersand has a personal meaning to me. Printed it to color in and hang it up!
Thank you Sharon ! I’m so glad you like this and you’re willing to give this a go. I hope to see the finished colored work if you’d like to share please 🙂
I love it, such a beautiful art idea!
Thanks kindly Lizbeth. I think anything can be made artsy if you think creatively.I hope you had a good time reading through.Have a lovely day! x
This is beautiful! I love doodling and you’ve done a terrific job. I love both designs, and I think it’s a great idea to doodle inside the ampersand!
Thank you so much Katrin. Doodling is a lot of fun isn’t it ? I could go on doing it the entire day if I didn’t have other commitments to fulfill. Also, this can be used to do any block letter. Maybe the first letter of your name – K and doodle inside it. Will make an interesting wall hanging too. Have a lovely day ! x
So pretty. I love how coloring for adults has finally found a place – such great therapy!
It is great therapy and the best part is even people who are not confident doing artsy stuff can have fun. Thanks for stopping by Sarah ! x
Great tutorial like always! <3
Thanks for the support like always. I hope you’re having fun trying out the tutorials. Have. A lovely day ! X
I have never heard of it!! im shocked because googling it bought up so many things relating to it.and through to google images there is page after page of it.quite addictive pieces to scroll and scroll through hehe.
your worl is beautiful too. I cant afford print and was view this via my mobile app so actually also loved doodling and copying the drawing you used and then onwards to googling more patterns similar.and just filled pages of plain paper with the ampersand and ur patterns.it was great fun.
id love it if you did more of these.i get a little emotional at some of the pieces you do you know.its weird its just that its so beautiful and inspiring work of such talent.so pretty,so skilled. but yes id love it if you did more colouring pages and more things like this.
im sure many more would agree too. ezpeically now the adult colouring etc is very very much in 😀
Thank you dear for the very kind words. The biggest compliment for me as an artist is when you say that it evokes emotion in you. That’s made my day. So thank you ! I do plan on creating more adult coloring pages, something that’s fun and different from the usual. I’m so glad you tried out the tutorial. I would love to see it if you’d like to share . Have a lovely day ! x
I love this! Thank you for the printable and the lessons! I love to see the techniques of creating such great artwork!
Thanks Kara. I’m so glad you enjoyed the tutorial. I hope you create lots of coloring pages 🙂
These are beautiful…thank you!
Thank you for stopping by ! 🙂