How to be a bad artist

Diane AshmoreHow do you become a good artist? Be a bad one first. how-to-be-a-bad-artist.com shares free arts and crafts projects to make and do.

Diane Ashmore is the author of this website. You can see more about her at dianeashmore.com.

Get crafty with step-by-step, illustrated craft projects

Reversible tea cosy

reversible tea cosyMake a reversible tea cosy from an old sweater and scrap pieces of felt…Read more about making a reversible tea cosy

Make an accordion book with pockets

accordion book with pocketsI was inspired to make this accordion book by reading Making Handmade Books: 100+ Bindings, Structures & Forms and decided to give it as a gift…Read more about making an accordion book with pockets

How to make a Five of Hearts Valentine’s card

Five of Hearts Valentine's CardThis Valentine’s card looks like a Five of Hearts from the front and opens up to a Ace of Hearts with mini-envelope inside. I had fun making it. You will too…Read more about making a Five of Hearts Valentine’s card

Book covers featured in Making Magazine

book coversThese book covers are featured in the January issue of Making Magazine…Read more about making a book cover

Try out new art techniques and follow my experiments

20% Off at Daniel Smith Art Supplies

The Artist’s Way

Sometimes the inner critic can dominate your thoughts, making it difficult to be creative and productive. Many years ago, I read The Artist’s Way, an inspirational book for people who feel ‘blocked’ and want to be creative again. One of the things that the author suggested was a weekly ‘artist’s date’…Read more about The Artist’s Way

Memories from my sketchbook, part III

view near Longdendale DerbyshireAnother sketch from my notebook. I’ve used Inktense pencils again, which is why it’s so garish…I mean vibrant…Read more about memories from my sketchbook

Memories from my sketchbook, part II

sketch of back yardHere’s another of my sketches.This is a tree I drew in the rain near Frenchman’s Creek. It brings back memories of seeing the rain splash off my sketchbook making the drawing a little blurry. It was fun to spend a whole afternoon making sketches.

I used Inktense pencils, which have the vibrancy of ink and can be mixed with water or used on their own…Read more about memories from my sketchbook

Memories from my sketchbook, part I

sketch of back yardI carry a sketchbook everywhere I go. Often I dislike what I’ve drawn, but then months if not years later, I decide I do like some of the sketches after all. It’s not that I think they are brilliantly drawn, I just like the memories that they evoke….Read more about memories from my sketchbook