Hand-Drawn Banner Tutorial

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,