It’s famous artist week! Hey there, it’s Mandy from @thebrewtifulword showing you how to create Disney inspired art with the ABT PRO Alcohol-Based Markers!
Have you ever heard of Mary Blair? She is best known for being responsible for the whimsical design and color scheme of It’s A Small World. Every time I’ve ridden It’s A Small World, I always pay attention to the detail of the design. It really is incredible! So with her contrasting color palettes and abstract shapes, I thought it would be fun to recreate one of her paintings from It’s A Small World! This may look complicated, but I promise it’s not! Let’s gather our supplies and get started!
MATERIALS
- Bristol paper
- Tombow ABT PRO Alcohol-Based Markers 452, 491, 502, 526, 535, 723, 845 and N15
- Tombow MONO Drawing Pen 04
- Tombow MONO Zero Eraser
- Ruler and reference photo
- Gold paint or paint pen
STEP 1 – Sketch design
Using the MONO Drawing Pencil on bristol paper, sketch out the design. The secret to recreating a complicated art piece like this one is to break this image down into shapes. If you pay attention, this image is mostly squares, rectangles and triangles. If you focus on each shape and where it’s placed, it makes it easier to sketch out.
I first started with the biggest rectangle as the bottom middle part. I pulled the image up on my iPad and then started with just the bottom middle rectangle with the two big blue arches. I measured with a ruler how wide and tall it was and then sketched that rectangle out first. Then, I measured the rectangle directly on top of it and sketched that out. Once the two big rectangles were drawn, I measured each shape inside of the top rectangle and sketched those out. Then, I did the same process for the sides and then sketched out the remaining top part.
If you don’t have an iPad, you can use a computer screen to reference the photo. Just make sure that the image isn’t blown up bigger than the piece of paper you are working on. You can make this image smaller as well.
Once all my outside shapes were sketched, I sketched out all the inside decorations and embellishments.
Here’s what the sketch looks like closer up. One thing I picked up on is that not every shape is perfect in this piece. This helps make it easier to draw. You don’t have to worry about it being perfect!
STEP 2 – Ink
Using the reference photo, start with ABT PRO Marker P845 and color in all the shapes that are red. Layer with a second coat of ink.
Next use ABT PRO Marker P723 and color in the shapes that are pink.
Use ABT PRO Marker P526 and color in all the shapes that are a muted blue.
Next, use ABT PRO Markers P491 and P502 to color in the bottom two big arches.
Next use ABT PRO Marker P452 to color in the brighter blue area.
Using ABT PRO Marker P535, color in the areas that have ultramarine in it.
Using ABT PRO Marker PN15, color all the black in. You may need a few layers of black here. I did three layers in the bigger areas to keep the ink looking smooth. We are almost done!
Our last step is to add gold paint to all the gold areas. Then, erase any remaining pencil lines. Our Mary Blair recreation is done!
For more famous artist inspired projects, check out these posts:
- How to Paint like Bob Ross Using Dual Brush Pens with Katie
- Pop Art Illustration Inspired By Roy Lichtenstein with Jennie
- Pop Art Inspired Lettering with Mandy
Thanks for following along, see you next time!
Mandy