8 Hand Drawn Frames to Doodle

8 Hand Drawn Frames to Doodle

Friends, I am so excited to be back this month to share with you! Last time, I shared about the business end of things as an artist and blogger, letting you all in on my top tips for connecting with brands. Today, I want to focus on something more fun…doodling! I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love creating hand lettered designs. One of the things I often like to do to finish off a piece is draw a whimsical frame around my lettering. There are about a million types of frames you can create using various combinations of lines, shapes, loops, and more, but today I want to share with you eight of my favorites in the hopes that they’ll inspire you for your own projects.

#1: Funky Frame

This one is the most complex, so I’m going to break it down for you in a few basic steps. First, practice drawing a line with loops going in opposite directions. Loop up, then down, up, then down, and so on. Try to keep your loops pretty evenly spaced.

Then, starting in the top left corner, make a line with five loops. You’ll start and end with upward loops and have two downward ones in between. When you reach the corner, continue the pattern around the other three sides to form a square or rectangle shape. Reconnect your lines when you get back to the beginning. You can leave it like this, or continue on to make it even more fun.

The next step is to go back and add double lines to your frame wherever you like.

Once again, you can leave it as is, or you can continue to embellish. I like to add tiny diagonal lines in all the double line spaces. You could also color these in with black or any colored marker you like. Finally, I add three dots around the top of each loop. That’s all there is to it!

#2: Hearts & Lines Frame

To create this frame, the first thing you have to do is sketch four sets of parallel lines. Well, almost parallel, anyway… You’ll notice that none of the lines in these frames are perfect or totally straight, which adds to the hand-drawn effect. Of course, you can always use a ruler and/or work on lined paper if you like, but I personally prefer a less perfect look. The lines won’t actually connect, you want to leave a little open space in each corner. Then, go back and sketch four cute little hearts. You could easily substitute any other shape too, including stars, moons, circles, or flowers.

#3: Simple Squiggles Frame

This is one of the easiest types of frames to create, because all you have to do is start drawing a line and add three cursive “e”s about 2/e of the way across. Turn your paper and repeat three more times until you’re back where you started. You can definitely add more or less “e”s for a variation.

#4: Triple Line Frame

Create this frame by drawing a rectangle, then sketching four short diagonal lines pointing up from the corners. Draw a second rectangle by connecting those diagonal lines. Finally, go back and draw a third line in between the two you already created. Add more lines or leave out the middle one to change the overall look.

#5: Triangles & Lines Frame

Once again, this frame is super-simple to create. Just sketch your basic four lines, then draw tiny triangles across each line in alternating directions. Fill them in with your black marker or with any other color.

#6: Polka Dot Marquis Frame

If you have ever wanted to see your name on a marquis, all you have to do is sketch it inside this fun frame. Draw a box around your design, then add a second rectangle on the outside. Fill in the space between the lines with polka dots. Color them in with black, or leave them open and make them look like lights with a yellow marker!

#7: Lots of Lace Frame

Rather than straight lines, this frame is made up of curves. Create a bumpy pattern, and remember, don’t worry about keeping them even or uniform. Then, draw a small circle under each bump.

#8: Crossing Arrows Frame

Start this frame by drawing two long crossing lines on each side of your design. Turn the lines into arrows by adding triangular points on opposite ends and drawing four “v” shapes” on the other ends. For more on drawing arrows, check out my step by step tutorial here.

What do you think? All of these frames are totally do-able and will add pizzazz to any lettered design you create! What are your favorite frames to doodle? Tell me all about them in the One Artsy Mama & Friends Facebook group. Also, if you liked these, I’d love for you to stop by my blog for more hand lettering and embellishment tutorials. Happy doodling!

Amy Latta, aka One Artsy Mama, is passionate about inspiring her online community by sharing honest inspiration for everyday life.  Amy is the recipient of The Craftys’ 2015 “Best Craft Blogger” award, as well as being voted the top Crafty Blogger of 2015 in the SwayyEm community. Recently, she released her third e-book, A Hand Lettered New Year. Amy is a perfectionist, a recovering English teacher, a ballroom dancer, and a Starbucks addict.