Beach drawing cover image
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Beach Drawing and a Happy Birthday Lettering Printable

Learn how to make a beach drawing for a birthday card with one of the style options on a Happy Birthday Lettering Printable.

Most of the designs I make are created around flowers or colorful backgrounds, but occasionally, I like to come up with cards or designs that show off a scene with a touch of humor. These cards are created while thinking of the men in my life and usually involve sleeping and mishaps (ex. A hunter falling asleep in a tree stand while a big buck looks on or a fisherman sleeping while a large fish thinks about nibbling his fingers). 

With the approach of my dad’s birthday, I’ve been trying to come up with a good design for him. I want it to represent something he loves to do with a little joke. My dad has never been one to relax much, but when he goes on vacation, he goes to the beach and is completely off. So, I knew right away that the drawing had to be a beach drawing. What if he fell asleep in a book (also something he loves) on the beach and while he slept, the sun moved his umbrella shade … you guessed it … sunburn.

Beach Drawing Birthday Card
This man is enjoying a nap on the beach but doesn’t realize his shade has moved.

Follow along to give it a try yourself.

Beach Drawing

Gather your supplies!

For the drawing …

For the watercolor …

  • The basics – water, watercolor paper, watercolor brush, paper towel
  • Colors in this tutorial (from the Winsor & Newton Cotman sketcher’s pocket box)
    • Sand – Yellow Ochre and Burnt Umber
    • Water – Ultramarine and Intense Blue
    • Sunburn – Alizarin Crimson Hue
    • Umbrella – Cadmium Red Pale Hue and Cadmium Yellow Hue

Happy Birthday Lettering Printable

If you want to practice these styles with a worksheet, there is a Happy Birthday Lettering Printable in the Resource Library, free for Blots & Jots email subscribers.

Happy Birthday Lettering Printable

Here are a few of the styles in action to get you started.

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial! I wonder what other funny scenes you could dream up to send to the men in your life.

Thanks for reading … and Happy Creating!

Joanne, Your Style in Letters - Name

If you want a more minimal card design, try using one of these birthday styles on a watercolor background. Learn more about how to make one with this tutorial: How to Make a Watercolor Background for Lettering.

As always, you can also find me on Instagram and Pinterest.

Just a brainy creative with a fascination about how people think and understand. I use watercolor and letter design to encourage connection ... with self, the environment, and especially the people who live there.