The TPK printable illustration of the month for May is an intricate and serene henna-inspired bluebird! In this post, I’ll show you how to use the illustration to make a multi-purpose greeting card. The post also contains a couple of other creative project ideas!
For the past three months, I’ve taken a day or two to indulge in a few hours of pen and ink illustration. I love using the Nikko G nib and sumi ink to make elegant, detailed pieces! In March, I made a lace butterfly, and April brought a rosy Arc de Triomphe. Today, I’m introducing May’s artwork: an elegant henna-inspired bluebird illustration.
I always start with a pencil draft of my illustrations. Once the pencil draft looks good to me, I go over the draft with a dip pen and ink. Once I finish, I wait for the ink to dry, then I erase the pencil guidelines and digitize the artwork. Next, I make the artwork into PDF files, which can be printed out and used for a variety of purposes. Today, I’ll show you how to use this lovely seasonally-appropriate illustration to make a multi-purpose greeting card!
You can find these henna bluebird illustrations by clicking here.
Once you’ve printed the 5″ x 7″ illustrations PDF, cut out either of the bluebirds. It doesn’t matter which one!
Cut out an 11″ x 5.5″ (280 mm x 140 mm) piece of black cardstock, and fold it in half to make a card. Once you’ve folded the card, use a glue stick to adhere the henna bluebird illustration to the paper.
This step is optional, as you could certainly send the card as-is. However, for the sake of embellishment, you can create a continuation of this little bird’s floral perch! To get started, grab some white ink and a dip pen (or a Gellyroll white pen, if you’re not comfortable using a dip pen). Use the white ink to draw an outline of five petals, as shown below.
Once you’ve finished your outline, draw a few lines that originate in the center and curve outward. Soften the ends of those lines with some small circles.
Now, use your pen to fill in the edges of the petals with tiny white lines. You can extend a few of those faint lines down to contour the flower a bit.
Now, add a couple of leaves. To draw leaves, draw serrated almond shapes like the ones shown below.
Next, draw lines downward from the serrated edges of the leaves to the center line.
Finish up by adding some shading along the outside edges of the leaves. Once you’ve done that, you’re finished!
You can put the finished card in a 5.75″ x 5.75″ (146 mm x 146 mm) envelope, which is available at Paper Source. Alternatively, you can DIY a 6″ x 6″ envelope with the template in the Letter Writer’s Complete Resource.
If you are using a square envelope in the United States, don’t forget to add extra postage to cover the non-machinable envelope cost.
As with the other printable illustrations on this website, my hope is that you will get creative with your implementations! One obvious use would be to frame the illustration.
You can also use the illustration as an artistic bookmark.
And, as I mentioned before, this little bluebird makes for great decoupaged mail art!
Additionally, you might decoupage the illustration into your sketchbook or bullet journal. If you’d like to make a bluebird-themed project, but aren’t in love with the henna, you can find a free bluebird outline by clicking here.
I hope that you enjoy this illustration. If you make a cool project with it, I’d love to see! You can tag me on Instagram at @thepostmansknock, or, if you’re not on social media, feel free to email [email protected]. Thanks very much for reading, and have a wonderful spring weekend!
Warmly,
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