Learn How to Draw and Send Us Your Awesome Artwork

Anyone can make art.

Got a pencil and a sheet of paper? You can make art. How about watercolors? Acrylic paints? Computer drawing apps? Art, art and more art.

When we asked on Facebook for Scouts to submit samples of their own artwork, they delivered. And it’s not too late to join the fun.

First, watch our series of art videos below. We share helpful tips from professional artists whose work you see in the pages of Scout Life each month.

Then start your art! It doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad or somewhere in between. Just get to work and see what happens.

Finally, don’t forget to share your creations using the form at the bottom of this page.

We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

COMPUTER AND PENCIL SKETCHES WITH JOEY ELLIS

Take a look at the Art merit badge requirements and art appreciation with art teacher and expert Luc Travers. And then the illustration magic begins when Joey Ellis demonstrates computer-sketched art with Photoshop. He also shows how to sketch with pencil and paper.

Supplies to have on hand for the pencil sketch:

• A few pieces of tracing paper or regular computer paper
• A pencil
• An eraser
• A marker (or a permanent marker)

ACRYLIC PAINTING WITH ERIC OTTINGER

Eric Ottinger shows how to make a work of art with acrylics.

Supplies to have on hand:

• Acrylic paints
• Synthetic bristle brushes
• A wax- and oil-free canvas or heavy watercolor paper (or even a blank piece cardboard)
• Water in a disposable or painting cup
• Paper towels or clean junk rags
• A workspace you can get messy (protect surfaces you want to avoid staining with paint)

PENCIL AND PAPER SKETCHING WITH DARYLL COLLINS

Daryll Collins demonstrates a pencil-and-paper sketch and answers viewers’ questions.

Supplies to have on hand:

• A few pieces of tracing paper or regular computer paper
• A colored pencil (Darryll likes a Prismacolor Col-Erase Erasable Colored Pencil – carmine red)

WATERCOLOR DEMONSTRATION WITH KEVIN HURLEY

Kevin Hurley demonstrates watercolor painting and answers viewers’ questions.

Supplies to have on hand:

• Basic tray of watercolors
• Set of watercolor brushes
• Textured watercolor paper (140 lb. weight recommended)
• Water in a disposable or painting cup
• Paper towels or clean junk rags
• A workspace you can get messy (protect surfaces you want to avoid staining with paint)

PEN AND INK ART WITH MIKE MORAN

Mike Moran shows how to create art with pen and ink.

Supplies to have on hand:

• A pen with plenty of ink (fountain, rollerball or felt-tipped)
• A few pieces of heavyweight paper

DRAWING FROM THE ART MERIT BADGE

Check out requirement 4 from the Art merit badge:

4. Render a subject of your choice in FOUR of these ways:

1. Pen and ink,
2. Watercolors,
3. Pencil,
4. Pastels,
5. Oil paints,
6. Tempera,
7. Acrylics,
8. Charcoal
9. Computer drawing or painting

If you watch all the videos and draw along with the experts, you may have four (or more) great pieces of art to show your merit badge counselor. This could help you complete a key, challenging requirement. Ultimately, only your merit badge counselor can give you the final sign-off. Either way, you’ll be working toward developing the skills you need to earn this badge.

And if you need a hard copy of the merit badge pamphlet, you can order it online here. If you’re looking for the Kindle Edition, you can find it here.

Have you created a comic, drawing or artwork during Art-O-Ree? If you are under 18, send it to us. It could be featured in Scout Life magazine, on scoutlife.org or on our social media channels.

Important Note: Please only upload photos of your artwork. If you sign your artwork, please only use your first name. Because of privacy rules, we can’t post any photos that show people’s faces or full names. Always ask for your parent’s permission before uploading anything to a website.

ARTWORK FROM SCOUT LIFE READERS