Cool things to draw with gel pens

Do you draw yourself or sometimes perhaps even with children? Then you definitely know the question "Can you draw me a …?". Often you have no immediate idea how to put the desired motif on paper. Here our tutorials can assist you! Simply go step by step. With a little practice you will soon be drawing the most original motifs.

Recently I was gifted with some (totally awesome) gel pens. Such a flash back! We used these all the time in junior high. What I have now discovered, that I was unaware of all those years ago - gel pens blend REALLY WELL! It's super easy, and I can't wait to share the how-to with you all. 

Supplies:

Gel Pens - I'm using Gelly Roll. They have always been my favorite. 

Quality, thick paper - Like the paper you find in Archer and Olive sketchbooks. Wet gel is like paint, and you really need a paper without a tooth (for maximum smooth) and thick enough to withstand the ink. 

Paper towel or rag - This will be getting ink on it. 

Before getting started: This works best with two colors that are close to each other on the color wheel. Although, I have had some success working with two colors on opposite sides. 

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Step 1:

Start with your lighter color ink. Draw the entire shape you would like to apply the gradient to. 

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Step 2:

Apply your darker ink on top of the lighter ink in the areas you would like the darker ink to appear at 100%, as well as the area you would like the gradients to appear. 

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Step 3:

With your lighter pen, go over the areas you would like only the gradient to appear. Continue drawing over the area until you create a gradient you are happy with. Wipe off any excess ink that appears on the tip with a rag. 

Thanks to the internet, you’ll never run out of gel pen project ideas, but here are four quick-and-easy art projects you could try today!

Soothing Circles

Sure, it can be nice to color in an adult coloring book, where the lines are drawn for you, but it can also be nice to fill a blank page.

There’s something soothing about repetitive shape drawing--lines, spirals or circles.

A favorite project around here is to fill an entire page with nothing but circles! Go abstract and make a cool design, or consider this beautiful nature scene (or your own) made entirely of circles.

Materials: Gel pens and white paper. Seriously, that is all.

Temporary Tattoos

Kids love temporary tattoos, but then, so do adults. Use a temporary tattoo to:

● Try out a real tattoo before going under the needle

● Enhance a costume for Halloween

● Make a kid’s day by creating a design on them

● Just for fun!

Gel ink temporary tattoos are super simple.

Method 1: Draw directly on the skin, henna style.

Method 2: Make a design last a little longer by allowing to dry, then dusting with hairspray.

Method 3: Draw your design with gel pens onto parchment paper, place over skin and apply warm water to the back.

Materials: Gel pens, hairspray, parchment paper, a washcloth (for wetting with warm water).

Note: Particularly if you have sensitive skin, you may want to test products on skin and wait 24-hours before application to a larger area.

Musing over Mandalas

Nearly every ancient culture had some sort of repetitive pattern or design--the Greek key, the step patterns of the Aztecs, Celtic knots and the intricate patterns of China, just to name a few.

Mandalas are one of those enduring patterns, originating possibly in China, India or the Middle East, seen in cloth, tile or sand.

Making mandalas at home can be similarly soothing. With your gel pens, consider one of these 3 approaches:

1. Get a mandala coloring book and color someone else’s designs.

2. Get detailed and map out your own designs before drawing them, and then coloring them.

3. Be a little more free-form and draw mandala-inspired designs freestyle.

However you go about it, drawing mandalas can be a fun exercise in focus, with a beautiful product at the end.

Radiant Rock Art

Painted rocks are another one of those projects that are fun and easy to do with kids, but also remarkably satisfying for adults.

You can buy clean, small rocks, or collect them on hikes or trips to the beach. You can opt for smooth, or invest in a rock polisher.

1. Whatever your approach, be sure to first clean your rocks and let them dry completely.

2. Next, choose your color palette -- go high contrast with neons, organic with earth tones or classic with black, white and metallics.

3. Then, draw simple designs, drawings, or more mandalas.

4. You can clean and start over if you make a mistake, but when you are done be sure to seal your rocks.

Materials: gel pens, small rocks, soap, alcohol or other solvent for cleaning and spray sealant (mod podge also works as an indoor rock sealant).

The Best Gel Pens

Beautiful gel pen art starts with the best gel pens. At OfficeGoods we have the perfect sets:

● Original classic colors

● Earth tones

● 60-piece set with bonus glitter pens

With truly vibrant colors and even flow, these gel pens look great on many surfaces -- the possibilities are endless!

What can you do with a gel pen?

Can gel pens be used for drawing?

What are some cool ideas to draw?

What cute things can I draw?