Creative Retreat Live

Want a whole lot of free, online art classes? Of course you do!

Good thing I’ll be teaching, alongside 74 of my closest art buddies, during Creative Retreat Live. I mentioned it’s all free right? Right?! So mark your calendar, and snag your seat so you don’t miss out.

Dates: February 24 to March 5, 2022

There will be classes on drawing, watercolor painting, lettering, Procreate, calligraphy, mixed media, fiber arts, journaling and so much more!

The class I’ll be teaching is How to Paint Watercolor Style Flowers Using Markers. It’s going to be so much fun! To follow along in my class you’ll only need a handful of supplies, and you can find those (along with a printable template to get you started) via the button below.

You’re not going to want to miss Creative Retreat Live—last year’s event was basically the most fun I had all year. I left the retreat feeling inspired, connected, and energized, which was exactly what I needed in my life.

If you have any questions drop me a comment, or hit me up on Instagram.

Free Coloring Pages: Fashion Flatlays

You asked for them, so here are a couple more free coloring pages for you! This time fashion and beauty coloring pages.

I know that coloring really helps give my brain a break and reduce my anxiety, so I’m hoping these will do the same for you.

Just right click on a desktop or long-press on a phone or tablet to save them. Then print and color them or color them directly on your phone or tablet. I’d love to see your finished work, so if you post them to social media be sure to tag @BrownPaperBunny and #BrownPaperBunny so I can check them out.

Please note they are for your personal use only and not for commercial use, sale or distribution. Thanks in advance. ;)

If you’re looking for more coloring pages check out my free flower coloring pages, and free shoe coloring pages.

Free Coloring Pages: Flowers

Coloring and creating always helps me to relax and give my brain a break from overthinking, so I wanted to give you a few more free coloring pages, this time with flowers!

To download them, just right click on desktop, or long-press on your phone or tablet. Then you can print them out, or color them digitally.

I just ask that you not use them for any commercial purposes, they’re for your personal enjoyment only. :)

Let me know in the comments what you think of these, or if there are other coloring pages you’d like to see me create! And if you share your colored pages on social media tag @BrownPaperBunny and #BrownPaperBunny so I can see your lovely work!

If you’re looking for more coloring pages check out my Free Shoe Coloring Pages or Free Fashion Coloring Pages.

Free Coloring Pages: Shoes

A lot of us are stuck at home at the moment, and one great way to lower your anxiety is to focus on a task that keeps your hands busy and helps you zone out for a while. Enter….coloring pages!

I’ve designed a few shoe coloring pages and am giving them to you for free in hopes that they’ll help a little during uncertain times.

You can print them, or color them on your phone or tablet. I’d love to see your finished work, so if you post them to social media be sure to tag @BrownPaperBunny and #BrownPaperBunny so I can check them out.

To download these images just right click (on a computer) or long-press on your tablet and save them.

Please note they are for your personal use only and not for commercial use, sale or distribution. Thanks in advance. ;)

If you’re looking for more coloring pages check out my Free Flower Coloring Pages or Free Fashion Flatlay Coloring Pages.

#SharingArtMatters

UPDATE: While we’re all practicing social distancing during COVID-19, you can also send your little pieces of art to friends and family in the mail, or take a photo and send it via email.

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I’ve teamed up with Tombow to share little pieces of artwork in public places as part of #SharingArtMatters, and I’d love for you to join in!

Download one of my hand drawings below, and use your favorite Tombow products to turn them into little pieces of artwork. Then write your Instagram handle and #SharingArtMatters on the back, leave them somewhere public, and share a pic telling people where they can find your art!

What will you draw the hands holding?

Right-click on the image you want to use, save it, then print it out and start creating!

And here’s a finished one that I made just for you. You can print this out and color it however you’d like!

Tag @BrownPaperBunny on Instagram so I can see your creations!

Please note: These downloadable images are for personal use only, and not for resale or commercial use.

Free Fashion Croquis

I’ve been working on getting faster with my fashion illustrations, and the best way to cut time off each sketch is to use a fashion illustration croquis or figure. Croquis are also a great way to get started illustrating fashion if you aren’t confident drawing figures yet.

With awards season in full swing, one of my favorite things is to illustrate outfits from the red carpet. With the Oscars around the corner I thought it would be fun to share a set of my fashion illustration croquis so you can illustrate the red carpet with me.

Enter your email to download and print this set of free croquis. Then use the figure croquis to illustrate your favorite outfits. Tag @BrownPaperBunny and #BPBcroquis on Instagram so I can see your finished sketches!

Fine print: These croquis are for your own personal use and not for licensing, resale, or commercial use.

If you’d like to see some of my fashion illustrations for inspiration, check out these posts.

(c) BrownPaperBunny

Watercolor Watermelon

Please note: This blog post contains affiliate links, which help pay for the upkeep of this site. That being said, I will never, ever promote anything I am not 100% in love with!

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Today I want to show you how to create some watercolor-look watermelons that you can use on all sorts of fun summer projects! Here's what you'll need to get started.

Supplies:

• Tombow Dual Brush Pens (Numbers 847, 245 and N15)
• 140 lb Watercolor Paper
• Paintbrush
• Jar of Water
• Scissors
• String

Project 1: Watermelon Wallpaper for Your Phone

The first step is to draw your watermelon shapes onto the watercolor paper. Using Tombow Dual Brush Pen number 847 (Crimson), draw half moon, full circle, or triangle pieces of watermelon, or a combination of different shapes. Next, go over the ink with your wet paintbrush so the ink blends together. Once that dries, draw the watermelon rind using Dual Brush Pen 245 (Sap Green), and wet the green ink with your paintbrush too. Once both colors are dry, draw watermelon seeds with Dual Brush Pen N15 (Black). Watch the video below to see each of the steps.

Once you've filled the page, snap a photo and turn your delicious little watermelons into a wallpaper (or background) for your phone, like the image below!

Project 2: Watermelon Cards

Because watercolor paper is pretty thick you can cut cute little cards out of your finished watermelon drawings. Experiment with a variety of sizes for different effects. Your friends and family will love getting these refreshing cards in the mail!

Project 3: Watermelon Banner

Cut around each of your watermelon shapes, punch holes in each side and you can thread them together to make a cute summer banner. I drew simple faces on these ones instead of watermelon seeds. These can add a fun addition to a summer BBQ or birthday party, or just string them up in your kitchen for a daily dose of cute.

I'd love to see your watercolor watermelon projects! Share them with me on social media by tagging @BrownPaperBunny!

Free Holiday Download

Happy Holidays!! Christmas is my favorite time of year...getting to spend time with family and friends, the tree, the Christmas lights, the snow, and the food...oh the food!

To say thank you for joining me on this wonderful journey this year, I made you a little holiday printable you can download and print yourself at home. Did I mention it's free?

Just choose whether you'd prefer gold or copper, and click on that thumbnail to download your free printable. Then in your print settings just scale it to fit the paper you want to use and voila!

Fine print: ©Brown Paper Bunny LLC 2016. For personal use only, not for resale or commercial use. :)

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21 Social Media Prompts for Artists

After successfully using social media to develop my business as an artist, I know that it's tough to keep up with good-quality content. You want your social media to paint the full picture of your brand and show your work without it always feeling like a chore. You know you're creative, so it's totally frustrating when you're at a loss for ideas — like staring at a blank white canvas!

I see so many talented artists and creatives either neglecting social media, or posting any old thing and wondering why they aren't getting results. So I put together this free guide to help out.

Download 21 Social Media Prompts for Artists to get:

• Your free PDF guide filled with tried and tested social media post ideas that you can turn to whenever you're feeling stuck
• Posts that are tailored specifically to you as an artist
• Access to our private Facebook group where you can get your specific questions answered by myself, and other artists and creatives

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Free Thanksgiving Menu Download

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Growing up in Australia we didn't celebrate Thanksgiving, but since moving to America we have embraced this wonderful holiday wholeheartedly! Tomorrow I'm cooking a turkey, with cranberry walnut stuffing, potato gratin, green beans sautéed with slivered almonds, cornbread muffins, and a pumpkin pie (all from scratch — I'm very proud of myself). ;)

And I thought it would be fun to make little menus for the table. AND THEN I thought you might like them too! So click the button below to download them, then print the jpg and write in your menu, or drop it into a Word doc and type your menu over the image and voila!

I've also been thinking a lot about all the things I'm thankful for this year. Despite it being a very challenging year, I am super grateful for my wonderful husband, getting to live in beautiful Colorado, a baby girl on the way, and getting to do what I love every day. We're pretty blessed!

Leave me a comment and let me know what you're most thankful for this year!

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Download Your Illustrated 2017 Calendar!

This year I'm making my 2017 calendar downloadable so you can print it yourself right away. These work great for pin-boards at your desk, sticking to the fridge, framing, or using in your planner. 

AND, to say thank you here's a 10% off code to use with it — just enter 'handmade10' in checkout.

Each of the images in the calendar was originally part of a series I created for Inktober (a month of ink drawings). I then digitized them on my iPad (here are my favorite iPad apps for artists) and added some watercolor elements. If you're a regular BrownPaperBunny reader you know how much I love fashion illustration and bright colors, so I couldn't resist giving these ladies 'rainbow hair'. :)

Here is one of the original drawings being created. As you can see I like to watch TV and drink tea while I paint. ;)

Tonight's inktober fashion illustration was inspired by The Glamourai, painted in ink. Check out my blog if you'd like to see more: http://blog.brownpaperbunny.com

Half the Time, Double the Results

I’m not much of a planner, but I’m forcing myself to build new social media habits because the benefits are SOO worth it. 

Not only do I free up a LOT of time to do other things - like create content, build my business, and spend time with family and friends but I’m seeing more success on social media because my posts are more intentional, strategic, and cohesive rather than ad-hoc. 

Over the past few weeks, since I started being more intentional with my planning and content, I’ve averaged 140-180 new Instagram followers per week. Prior to that I was going up and down a little each week but things were pretty stagnant. 

Plus, if you’ve ever done the math, you probably spend a lot more time than you’d like managing your social media!

I did an experiment using Hours where I tracked every single thing I did for a whole month (from sleeping to exercising and everything in between), to see how I actually spent my time. Turns out I was spending about six hours a week playing games on my iPhone, and almost 11 hours a week on social media, so I vowed to cut those numbers down. Just think what you could do with an extra 17 hours a week!

Enter your email below to download my guide and learn how to streamline your social media workflow, cut your time in half, while doubling your results! It includes:

• My ‘week at a glance’ guide
• A downloadable social media content calendar
• A list (and review) of my favorite social media tools
• A guide to the best times to post on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest

When's the last time your Instagram account got a makeover? If you missed my guide '8 Ways to Fix Your Instagram Account' you can find it here. 

Inktober Day 13: Animal Print (+ Free Download)

So, the prompt for Day 13 of the Inktober Fall Fashion Challenge is 'animal print'. There are pink animals right? You know, like the Pink Panther? 

Ok, so maybe it looks more like camouflage than animal print, but I like how it came out all the same.

And because sneakers are so much fun to draw, color and design I thought you might like to have a go! Leave your email below to download and print the outline of my sneakers. Then once you've colored them in tag @BrownPaperBunny and #inktoberff on social media so I can check them out. Have fun!

Here's a little timelapse video of how I painted mine. 

8 Ways to Fix Your Instagram Profile

The change in seasons always feels like a good time to look around and refresh the things in your life that may have become a little stale. Your online brand and social media presence is no exception. So this week I propose that we start an Instagram clean-up together. 

Why? Because you know what you do, what services you provide, what you stand for, and what your brand is all about - but is your Instagram profile really communicating that to new friends and fans that are seeing it for the first time? 

First, join our Facebook group so you can share your progress and results - then read through the checklist below and see where you might be going wrong. 

Part 1: What’s in your bio?

Is my bio super relevant? 

• You only get 150 characters, make every one of them count! 
• Leave out that you are a mom, wife, mother, dog-lover and only put in what is really relevant to your brand. 

Is it clear what I do? 

• Clear trumps clever every time.  
• For example, instead of saying: ‘I make pretty things to brighten your world’ try: ‘I’m an illustrator, specializing in pattern, bright colors, and hand lettering.’ 

Do I have a strong call-to action? 

• Always, always, always tell people what you want them to do next, and how they can reach you. 
• With Instagram’s new business accounts you can add a contact button right on your profile, but it never hurts to tell people what to do either. You could say ‘Download your free _____’ and include a link to that specific page or opt-in on your website.  

Is my profile pic easy to see, relevant and professional? 

• People like connecting with real human beings, so help them do that. 
• The mistakes I see most often are pics that are too far away (especially when cropped into that tiny little Instagram circle on someone’s phone), pics with family or friends (this is all about you my dear), using pets or kids, or underexposed / poorly taken photos. If you don’t have a professionally-taken portrait at least make sure it has good lighting, a clear background, and is close enough that most of the frame is filled with your face!

To download the rest of the checklist, enter your email below. 

Also, check out my guide on how to spend less time on social media, but DOUBLE your results! I've been gaining 180 new followers a week on Instagram by following these tips. 

Falling for Fall

It seems that the official first day of Fall was the permission the trees needed to immediately start changing color and for the weather to go from stinkin' hot to sweater and boot weather overnight.  

I've heard a few people lamenting the cooler weather, but not me. Fall in Colorado is such a magical time, and secretly I wait all year to be able to get our fire going, and bust out the cute scarves, boots and cuddly sweaters! Not to mention, people in my neighborhood go all out with wreaths, cute pumpkin decorations, and Halloween parifinalia. Coming from Australia, where no-one really decorates (or celebrates) holidays in a big way I love seeing people embrace the change of seasons here!

I had to mark the occasion with a little hand lettering and some gold watercolors, which you can download and print for yourself below. (For individual, personal use only — not for resale). 

Free Coloring Pages

I re-created my watercolor 'rainbow ladies' paintings digitally so I could make them available to you as a free download. 

You've got three to choose from, just right click on the one you want and open in a new tab, then right click to save the image. Print, and color to your heart's desire.

Right click. Open image in new tab. Right click to save image.

Right click. Open image in new tab. Right click to save image.

Right click. Open image in new tab. Right click to save image.

If you want some tips on the best pencils, markers, paint etc to color in with, check out my blog post here. 

Upload your finished coloring page, or progress photos and tag @BrownPaperBunny and #ColorWIthBPB on Instagram or Twitter and we can all color together. A big coloring party, if you will. (Maybe there can even be wine). ;)

Sign up to my awesome email list to get more free goodies that I only share with subscribers!

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Fine print: These downloads are for your own personal enjoyment only, they are not to be used as part of a product for sale or for promotional purposes of any kind. If you would like something commissioned, or to partner on a project, please contact me here. 

Random Acts of Kindness Day

This whole week is Random Acts of Kindness Week (#RAKweek2016 on the social medias) but today is the actual Random Acts of Kindness Day!

So why not print out the image above and slip it onto someone's desk at work, or into someone's mailbox. Just right click and choose 'open image in a new window' then right click on that and choose save image. Print, and voila, you've put a smile on someone's face today. 

Leave me a comment and let me know what other ways you've been participating in RAK week!

Random Acts of Kindness Week

This week is Random Acts of Kindness Week so I'm trying to do as many little acts of kindness as I can. Paying for the order of the car behind me in the Starbucks drive through lane, leaving happy little notes on peoples desks at work when they aren't looking, and anything else I can think of along the way. 

I definitely encourage you to do the same. You'll put a smile on your face, and the person who receives your kindness. 

Leave me a comment and let me know what little kindnesses you plan on doing this week. 

WIN! heART Journal: Coloring Edition

This month the heART Journal is stuffed full of adult coloring pages (including one of mine). 25 different artists collaborating to make 40 beautiful colorbook pages for you, and I'm happy to announce that they're letting me give three issues away! 

For your chance to win one all you have to do is comment below, telling me why you think adult coloring books and coloring sheets are so great, and why you need more of them in your life! (Bonus points for telling me what you use to color - a particular type of marker, colored pencils, glitter pen perhaps?).

Good luck and happy coloring!!

And of course, if you haven't already signed up for the BrownPaperBunny Newsletter you should probably get on that. Otherwise you're missing out on more great giveaways, freebies, and cool stuff!

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WINNERS!

Thanks to Random.org the three winners of heART Journal editions are:

• April Lopez
• Diane Baker-Williams
• Jackie Rickard

Ladies, please email me here with your contact details and I'll get your issue sent out!

Free Adult Coloring Download: Peonies

I LOVE that grown-ups are taking back coloring from the kids! I've long believed that I get the same benefits from painting and coloring in, as I would from meditation...if I was able to sit still and think about nothing...which I'm not. So I think it's great that the world seems to be embracing coloring in as a form of relaxation. 

Here is my first free, downloadable coloring printable for adults. You can use markers, colored pencils, glitter paint, or do what I did and print it out on thick watercolor paper and color it in with paints! I also added some metallic pens and glitter at the end, for that extra sparkle.

Watch the time-lapse video below:

If you enjoy this printable I'd love if you shared your end result on social media, tagging me (@BrownPaperBunny) and #BPBcoloring so I can see! If you'd like me to make printables on a regular basis, let me know in the comments!

While you're here, why not sign up to my newsletter, where I share special things I don't give out anywhere else!

Jess
xx

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The Fine Print: These free downloads are for your personal fun and enjoyment (and to make the kids jealous) but please do not use them for commercial purposes. If you are interested in using some of my designs, drop me a line here.