Tag: Design

Creating Mandalas

Creating Mandalas

by Elaine Vitikainen ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

For a month in 2015, I created 50 mandalas. The process was nothing religious in nature. But just something that I thought would be nice for people to colour in, as we all know adult colouring books were the thing that time. I had them uploaded on Pinterest and they were repinned many many many times over. Someone even created a colouring book with my mandalas.

But now when I think about it, the process was actually quite freeing for me artistically. I remember gathering all kinds and sizes of round objects (some from the kitchen!) to create these mandalas. The process was freeing as I got to allow myself to just experiment with the designs without really putting much thought and energy into it. I really thought that it was a good way to just let go of that feeling that I can’t draw, but then coming up with 50 different designs.

I didn’t know Procreate at that time. I didn’t know about its ability to create a quadrant symmetry! But as I quickly recreated my mandalas in Procreate, I thought it was quite relaxing. So now if I want to just relax through drawing, I will continue to recreate these mandalas on Procreate. At least, they will not be as wiggle as they were on paper!

From a simple illustration to a sticker

From a simple illustration to a sticker

by Elaine Vitikainen ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I remember at some point I was drawing on an A4 label paper, then cutting these drawings into squares to make easy stickers. Later it became a bit more complicated with digital illustrations, printing process and cutting by hand. I was a bit hesitant to buy any cutting machine. I heard some are really having a hard time with these machines. It takes time and a lot of experimenting to be able to make stickers with them. But I did give in and bought the Cricut Joy. Why Cricut Joy? I have a small working space so the size of the Cricut Joy just works well for me. I’m not also a technical person so I didn’t want to spend more money on a product that I probably end up not using.

But I’m getting the hang of it. In fact, it is so fun, addicting and somehow, relaxing. The important point in using this machine is to really understand each process, not just simply following the step by step procedures. Once I understood why a process must be done, I was able to create my own workflow. In just two weeks, I have somehow mastered the process. Although, I have to say that it is indeed a lot of experimenting to get it right. But I got there while learning through my mistakes on the way. I can’t wait to finally be able to sell physical stickers, not just printable ones.

Making BT21 fan art stickers for fun
Turning my cake illustrations into stickers

What is your sticker making process? Please don’t hesitate to share your process with me. And if you have any questions, just reach out. Thanks!

Creating stickers

Creating stickers

by Elaine Vitikainen ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I’m very excited to start working on my next Skillshare class on designing a Weekly Spread template on Procreate. For this class, I’ve created stickers for students to get started with designing their projects. I really enjoy creating these stickers. I hope you will look forward to the class. Meanwhile if you haven’t already, please check out my previous class on how to design your own Monthly Spread template using Procreate here. Have a great week!

Printable stickers available here!

Weekly Spread: Design your own template on Procreate

Weekly Spread: Design your own template on Procreate

by Elaine Vitikainen ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Hello everyone! I’m happy to announce that I’m now working on my next Skillshare class on designing a Weekly Spread template on Procreate. This time, we will be using the digital stickers that I created for the class. It will be fun! Meanwhile if you haven’t already, please check out my previous class on how to design your own Monthly Spread template using Procreate here. Thanks!

Here is an example of a Weekly Spread I designed on Procreate:

Also, I’m giving away a 12-month Skillshare membership. If you have followed me on Skillshare, created a project and gave a review to any of my classes by the 1st of June, you will be automatically included in the raffle draw. The winner will be announced on the 5th of June. Thank you for supporting me on Skillshare!

I finally bought it!

I finally bought it!

by Elaine Vitikainen ♥ 2 Comments

I took the plunge and finally bought a Cricut Joy! My greatest fear was my weakness in following instructions. I don’t want overly technical stuff and my brain shuts when I hear numbers. I decided to get the Cricut Joy because what if I don’t get to use it. But here I am making the most of it and I’m really enjoying it. I’m quite surprise myself! 🙂

My first try!
My second try!
And now let’s try a more complicated design!

The Cricut Joy doesn’t do print and cut. So there is a hack that I learned to go around it, realising my mistakes along the way. But getting there and happy about it. Can’t wait to finally start selling my sticker designs!

Do you have a sticker cutting machine? What do you use it for? Are you happy about it?

A Drawing a Day

A Drawing a Day

by Elaine Vitikainen ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

One kind of journaling that I started this year is called A Drawing a Day. It’s really fun and I have a journal dedicated only to this daily activity. I draw something simple without much thought, effort or time put into it. No pressure to be perfect, purely for the joy of it. I even draw on the couch! Have you started yours?

These daily drawings are prompted by Kamo from her book, How to Draw Almost Every Day.

EV Visuals turns 3!

EV Visuals turns 3!

by Elaine Vitikainen ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

I’ve never regretted starting this journey 3 years ago! In November, I even ventured out and started to teach on Skillshare after receiving a grant from Arts Promotion Centre Finland. What more, I’ve became a more confident online graphic facilitator after a series of Webinars. Thanks to you all for your love and support!

To celebrate this third year, here is a short clip on how to make a quick stamp brush on Procreate as a token of thanks. Please enjoy learning with me! This will also be a bonus video in my next Skillshare class on how to design a bullet monthly journal template on Procreate. Please look forward to it. Thanks!