I’d like to state as a matter of fact that hand-drawn banners are the chic design element right now, and their applications are limitless. One stroll around Whole Foods will tell you they look great on chalkboards. Many hip blogs {though … come to think of it, not mine} feature them to draw your attention to this, that, or the other. And then there’s the illustration aspect! I love drawing banners on my outgoing letters and using them in doodles.
The truth of the matter is hand-drawn banners are very easy to create. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to quickly draw four different styles of banners. All you need to get started is a pen and paper!
The Arch Banner:
To create an arch banner, start with a curved line.
Extend a line down from the right side, about 0.5″ long.
From the bottom of that line, draw a curved bottom line that’s parallel to your top line.
“Seal it”!
Now, draw a short horizontal line that starts about 1/4th of the way down on the side of your banner.
Draw a line straight down from the end of that line. Try to make this line as long as the two vertical lines you have already drawn. It should extend down a bit.
Finish up this shape by drawing another horizontal line over, and a vertical line up.
For the ribbon tail, draw a small, curved line that starts about 1/4th of the way down on the horizontal line that is furthest left.
Make a small vertical line down.
And add the first half of a V-cut.
Then complete the V-cut like so:
Repeat on the other side.
To give some dimension to the banner, add lines for shading:
And voilà!
Art Deco Hand-Drawn Banner
For an art deco banner, start with a straight horizontal line.
Draw a line parallel to your top line.
Make it into a rectangle with two vertical lines.
You’ll now follow the same ribbon fold process that is required when making the arc banner; except your lines will be completely geometric. You’re basically drawing small rectangles at the sides of this banner.
And, hey, why not add more folds?
The V-cut on the art deco ribbon is easier.
At this point, draw a dot to signify where the lowest point of your V-cut should be.
Then draw your lines so they meet at that dot.
I want to add some bold accents to my banner.
Pretty cool, huh?
Easy Doves Hand-Drawn Banner
Like the bluebirds in the Simple Tree Art Tutorial, these doves are pretty easy to draw. Start with a wing, which is basically a right angle triangle with a squiggly base and a missing side.
Add the bird’s little body and tail:
And the other wing.
Finish it up with a head and a beak.
Now, draw a curved downward line from the beak. You can end it in a little loop, if you like.
Give some volume to the end of the banner, and finish up by swooping the top line up to the bird’s beak.
Don’t be afraid to add some lines to denote folds!
Now, repeat the process to draw another dove; then draw a line that slightly dips down in the middle to connect one bird’s beak to the other birds’ beak.
Do the same with your bottom line, but have it dip down even more.
Add some wrinkle lines at the sides of your main banner, where the hold the fabric.
And repeat the hanging fabric process with the bird on the right. Ta daa!
Long Folded Hand-Drawn Banner
Start with a curved line …
… and continue drawing until you have a rectangle with a bit of squiggle to it.
Follow the process outlined in the arc banner steps to create the side fold.
And add your V-cut.
Now, add a small, slightly curved line to the top right of your banner to denote a change in direction of the ribbon.
Draw a larger squiggly rectangle under the small rectangle you just created.
And draw an angled line down.
See where I’m going with this?
Repeat the process again.
Now, finish up this banner just like we finished the arc banner.
And this time, add some vertical lines for shading!
Love it.
Though this is a post that’s packed full of images, you will find that creating a hand-drawn banner takes about two minutes. It really is a wonderful way to enhance any piece of art; just today, I used the art deco hand-drawn banner on an envelope.
{I used Kaitlin style calligraphy; but I made the letters a little smaller and the joining lines a little longer.}
I hope you welcome your weekend by drawing a lot of banners … because some text just deserves to stand out from the rest!
P.S. — Want to learn how to create calligraphy to complement your banner? Click the photo below.
Until next time!
XO,
I have to say that I was originally looking for a site that described a method to design website banners – however, as I flipped through the pictures I decided to stick around and read through the whole article. Very informative and brought me back to the days when I used to draw and sketch just for fun. Inspiring – thank you.
Hi! I have recently discovered this site, and it has honestly become part of my life. I had a project for school, and this tutorial along with the laurel wreaths one really helped. Thank you for your wonderful tutorials 🙂
I am so glad to hear that! It’s the best when you find places you can go to for inspiration — I’m really happy that this is one of those places for you, Hana! 🙂
THANK YOU! Lindsey, for your insightful tutorials that I have recently found via Pinterest!! I just completed this banner tutorial that was so fun and easy! So looking forward to exploring your blog further to learn more that will add to my mixed media interest. Many THANK YOUs for your willingness to share online.
Would you have a suggestion as to which lettering tutorial would be helpful for journaling? I’m not interested at this time in learning calligraphy but would enjoy adding some “flair” to my lettering.
Sweet blessings as you bless others with your gifts!
Joyfully….~Sandie
Hi Sandie!
This tutorial is one of my favorites; I love banners. 🙂 As far as lettering goes, you may like the Breezy Hand-Lettering Tutorial, Three Fresh Lettering Styles to Try, and/or the Hand-Lettering worksheet. You can also use the search feature on the TPK site (upper right corner) to look for posts that include the keyword “lettering”! But, yeah — those are the three resources that come to mind at the moment.
Enjoy!
Awesome. Scrolling down fast it was like going through a flipbook. Especially glad for the one with the doves because that’s the closest to the approach I want to try. Thank you!!
Haha! That’s how you know you have too many pictures! 😉 I’m happy you found this useful, though — enjoy!
I had so much fun with this tutorial! Can’t wait to incorporate these banners into notes and envelope addressing!
I looove banners — they’re the perfect space-filler, for sure, and I think in general people don’t realize how easy they are to draw! So glad you enjoyed the tutorial and are planning on getting some mileage out of it!
Thank you so much for this! I always loved your banners, they make things look so fancy! I just addressed my dad’s birthday card using these. I posted a photo to my Instagram, but I took it before I went back and added the lines for shadows.
Thank you again!
Nothing like banners to add some frill to an otherwise dull envelope or piece of art work! I checked out the envelope on your Instagram; he’s going to love that! I really like how you used the banner to highlight the zip code; super creative. Also, kudos on some awesome faux calligraphy!
Thank you! I loved this tutorial and have been practicing the banners. I’ve recently become addicted to calligraphy as well and have been combining the banners with a return address insde when sending mail. Thank you!
I think banners are the perfect complement to beautiful calligraphy! These banner styles, in particular, are so quick and easy that I can always find time to add them to an envelope. It’s a pretty amazing feeling to be sending something so pretty to someone … I know you can relate! 🙂
This was an awesome tutorial!! I googled “How to draw cool banners” and your tutorial popped up! I followed the steps SUPER easily, and in fact (if anything) there could’ve been LESS steps. It was REALLY easy and well done. Thank you for the detail!!!!!! 🙂
You’re very welcome! And I agree there could have been less steps … I kept thinking that to myself as I was editing, editing, editing the photos. What can I say, I’m thorough! 😉 Enjoy!!
I don’t think there are too many steps. Because of the many illustrations I noticed all of the subtle variations that make these hand drawn banners so unique and charming. This was an inspiring and totally unintimidating tutorial. Thank you!
PS: As I was reading the comments, my phone rang, 5 minutes of chit chat later and I had doodled two little banners – nice work on your part – Thanks again
I think I should say nice work on your part; I can barely chew gum and walk at the same time! I love that you were able to get your doodle on while talking on the phone. 🙂 Thanks, Candace!
This will be something I will definetly use in my mail art.Thank you for the share.
Thank you for sharing this tutorial , it really makes it so simple.
I’m so glad to hear that! That was my goal … I think banners are a bit intimidating, but once you actually create a couple, making them becomes “old hat”. 🙂
Thanks for this Lindsey, GREAT tutorial! I’ll be drawing lots and lots of banners from now on 😀
I love these banners! They are beautiful and such a great way to add a little something to outgoing mail!
These are SO great. I love tutorials like this. On my own, graphics don’t come together so nicely, but with a little help from someone awesome like you, I feel like something artistic is possible for my hand. Thanks!! I’ll have to give it a try on my snail mail in the near future.
I really love using banners on stationery — or illustration, or chalkboards … whatever I can get my hands on, really. 😉 You are so very welcome for the inspiration!
By the way, I checked out your website; I was excited to see that you graduated from KU in 2011. My spouse and I both graduated from there in 2011 as well … my degree is in English, and his is in Mechanical Engineering. 🙂 Small world!
I love this tutorial! The banners, of course, are super beautiful, but it’s almost like a tutorial in HOW to do a tutorial as well. It’s so beautifully laid out and clearly explained. I’m now super inspired to make banners and teach people … things! All sorts of things. Thanks, Lindsey!
You’re welcome! I had no idea how many photos I had actually taken until I went to edit them {seven hours later, I decided perhaps the next blog post will be fine with less pictures!} ;). But — I do think all the steps are important. I hate it when people who write tutorials assume I know how to do this or that, so I try to make as few assumptions as possible. Plus, I mean, who doesn’t want to learn how to draw a banner? They’re so simple, but they’re kind of intimidating at the same time. So: I hope you make a few banners, then teach people all kinds of things. Or, heck, do both of those things at once. I, for one, would love to learn what you know. 🙂
I’d love to see a book with all of your lovely ideas/tutorials in it; guess I’ll have to rely on Pinterest for now!
Someday, Cathy! I would love to create a book, and have always wanted to be published author. That would be my biggest project of all time, though! Bear with me for a couple of years, and I promise eventually you’ll have something more tangible than Pinterest. 🙂
I am going to print out my pictures & the courses I’ve purchased and put them into a 3-ring binder. I have enjoyed your lessons so much! I use the roses & swirls design to decorate many things! It’s fun & relaxing!
One small error on the second step of the first banner – you say draw a line down on the right side of the banner, but the left side of the banner is shown. Perhaps the picture was flipped. I was a bit confused, but your step-by-step pictures help clarify everything.
Many thanks for everything you do to teach and inspire us! You are wonderful!
Can’t wait to try the dove banner! So pretty!