Learn How to Digitize Your Drawings in This FREE Online Class

Elise Cofield
Jun 10, 2016

Ever wondered how to get your art, favorite sayings or #50daysoflettering handiwork out of your sketchbook and into your followers’ Instagram feeds? Allow us to introduce our in-house expert on all things illustration, Visual Designer Rosee Canfield. Rosee is the creative genius behind those pieces of eye candy filling your Instagram stockings every day on Brit + Co’s Instagram account.

In her FREE online course going live later this month, Rosee’s going to teach you how to digitize hand lettering to use for your Instagram, website or print project using image tracing in Adobe Illustrator.

If you’ve taken Calligraphy, Chalk Lettering or one of our similar classes, this class is a great next step to digitizing and perfecting your work. If not, that’s okay too. You don’t have to have any prior lettering experience (or even good handwriting, for that matter) to take this class — seriously!

In Rosee’s course, you’ll learn the basics of Adobe Illustrator by creating a simple, fun and colorful graphic. She’ll teach you how to draw a design, plop it into Illustrator and use your digital toolbox to make it look poster-worthy.

Learn how to:

  • Draw a design from a quote
  • Convert an image of your design into a digital object
  • Manipulate, reshape and clean up your design in Illustrator
  • Add background, color, shapes and texture
  • Advance your new Illustrator skills

Rosee has also included a download of helpful Illustrator shortcuts that you’ll have access to once you download the class. Don’t have Adobe Illustrator yet? Try Illustrator FREE for 30 days. That takes care of supplies! Seriously, could this class get any more free?

This on-demand online course doesn’t launch until June 20, but you can sign up right now to get an email notification from us when the class goes live. Just fill out a few deets in the Typeform below.

Pre-registration for this class closed at 4pm on 6/21. This class is now available here.

And don’t forget: One of the best things about a Brit + Co online class is that you can watch classes at your own pace (because it’s yours forever!). And hey, if you can’t wait to get the creative juices flowing, make sure to check out our Brush Calligraphy Online Class and Intro to Chalk Lettering to see what all the hype is about.

What phrase or lyric do you want to illustrate? Tweet us @BritandCo and let us know!

Stay Creative With Access To Our Free Online Art Classes!

In March 2020, we opened up our creative library to the world and over 150,000 of you joined to stay creative during the pandemic.

Well, things have changed for sure, but it's still a bit crazy out there. Many of us are still balancing working from home by night with watching our toddlers by day. Some of us can't work and are catching a serious case of cabin fever this winter... and ALL of us want to stay inspired, creative, and take care of ourselves.

So starting February 1, 2023, we're offering 10 free courses for the next 3 months and you can always access all 120+ online classes for just $10/month or test drive them all with a 30-Day Free Trial after you create a free B+C account. Interested in learning some new recipes or baking techniques? Check out 45+ expert-led classes in our B+C Baking and Cooking Bundle.

You've all shared some beautiful and creative things over the past few years, so we wanted to figure out how to make it easier for all of you to keep learning, making and creating. This is just the first phase of some new things coming to B+C Classes, and we're excited to give members exclusive access to even more great creative stuff in the near future.

Stay creative, friends!

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OMG Lady Gaga Just Dropped A New Christmas Song (& Finally Brought Back Carpool Karaoke)

Christmas has come early for two reasons: Carpool Karaoke is back — and so is Lady Gaga! Wondering what they have in common? Everything!

The 2010's sensation gave us amazing celebrity appearances with James Corden as driver extraordinaire, and stars like Harry Styles, Katy Perry, and Selena Gomez. Lady Gaga joined the carpool in 2016 — with over 88 million views on Youtube — singing songs like "Million Reasons" and "Bad Romance" to her heart's content.

Finally, the pop star — and the show itself, TBH — made a return this week! And more than that? Lady Gaga even debuted her new Christmas song. I've already played it multiple times, so I know it's about to top my most-played Christmas songs. Excited? Here's everything you need to know about the surprise song drop, the return of Carpool Karaoke, and more!

See how Carpool Karaoke gave us the biggest surprise of 2024 — a new Lady Gaga Christmas song!

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- YouTube

In an unexpected trailer for A Carpool Karaoke Christmas, Zane Lowe can be seen accepting a phone call from the one and only James Corden who has a huge favor to ask. The first passenger Lowe picks up is the "Bad Romance" songstress herself — followed by Chappelle Roan and Dua Lipa's own individual appearances.

The car's decked out in green wreaths and festive red bows which adds to the Christmas spirit as everyone sings along to famous holiday songs. Lady Gaga can also be heard singing "Christmas Tree" which has fans in the trailer's comment section besides themselves with glee!

According to Deadline, the special premiered on Apple TV+ December 15, so it's not too late to watch it if you're just as excited as we are. But that's not all!

The outlet also reported Lady Gaga and Lowe released a new version of "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" on all streaming music platforms! This means you get to hear the pop star give the nostalgic song a punk rock vibe that's now stuck in our heads.

If Lady Gaga tells us not to pout or cry, we're going to listen! (And sing along while we're at it 😉)

Follow us on Facebook for more fun celeb news!

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We’re Swooning Over This Artist’s Nature-Inspired Work

Bounty Paper Towels
Brand

We recently partnered with Bounty to support emerging artists and designers in a national design competition. The ask? Design a graphic for a new Brit + Co and Bounty paper towel collection themed A Clean Fresh Start, which launches this month. In this creator spotlight series, we are featuring the winners of that competition to learn more about their inspirations, their design process, and their winning Bounty design. Read on to meet…

Jill Reynolds | Jill OREY Design | @jilloreydesign | Saint Paul, Minnesota

What are your design inspirations? Getting away from my computer. I find inspiration in the outdoors, nature, organic shapes, and patterns, from something as simple as a unique leaf shape to cracks in the pavement. I love looking at textiles old and new and being inspired by vintage motifs. Travel is always an amazing way to see something fresh and feel inspired. My favorite trip has been to Japan – the juxtaposition of old and new is like nowhere else I’ve experienced.

Tell us your design process? I like to play and experiment a lot. I don’t have a hard structure to my work and instead I prefer to let ideas flow and come about with experimentation. I love to use different objects to paint with and create imperfect textures and marks that I’ll piece together. I work with traditional mediums as well as Adobe programs and Procreate. Color is really important to me and I love an unexpected combination.

How did you get into illustration? My career goal when I was 10 was to travel the world to find inspiration for the books I would write and illustrate so from a young age, I knew instinctively that I wanted to create. I’ve always followed what I’m good at and what I enjoy and that has created a career path that has eventually brought me to becoming a full time surface pattern designer. I still strive to illustrate my own series of children’s picture books.

What are three IG accounts you love?

Fantastic Fungi They forage all these amazing mushrooms and discuss the texture and color and other magical properties. With some ASMR thrown in, it’s addictive!

Lucy Tiffany She paints from her imagination on large-scale using beautiful color palettes and bold strokes. I like designers who take risks, create from the heart, and aren’t following trends.

Domino Magazine There are lots of amazing interior accounts out there and Domino has been one of my favorites for aspirational and real-life living spaces.

How do you know when a piece of art, like your winning Bounty Paper Towel design below, is “finished”? I just know. I can’t really put my finger on it but there’s a certain level of balance and being slightly ‘off’ that I find satisfies me.

What will it be like for you to see your design on a Bounty paper towel at your local store? To see my designs in my local store will be such a thrill! I imagine it’s like when a musician hears their music on the radio. A lot of work and moving parts goes into the final product and it’s starts with an idea and some imagination. It’s a huge reward as a creative to see my thoughts become a real tangible product that people can use. I always hope my work at the least spreads some joy and I think we have done that with these new prints!

Be sure to look out for Jill’s winning design wherever Bounty Paper Towels are sold!

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Yep, A Luigi Mangione Documentary Is Already On Its Way

Luigi Mangione sparked a media frenzy after his arrest for the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, and details of the case set the internet ablaze with speculation and theories, transforming the tragedy into a gripping real-life mystery. The bizarre circumstances surrounding the case, coupled with the public’s insatiable appetite for true crime, quickly turned Luigi Mangione into a household name.

As shocked as I already am about the whole situation, nothing could have prepared me for the thirst edits or the Luigi slideshows playing against Hannah Montana's "He Could Be The One"— are y'all okay?! And it looks like the celebrity fascination is peaking because 7 days after his arrest, a Luigi Mangione documentary is already on its way.

Here's everything we know about the Luigi Mangione documentary coming soon.

A Luigi Mangione documentary is in development from Stephen Robert Morse.

Jeff Swensen/Getty Images

Deadline confirms that Stephen Robert Morse (who's behind documentaries like Amanda Knox and How to Rob a Bank on Netflix) is developing a feature documentary about 26-year-old Luigi Mangione. The filmmaker, who's been nominated for two Emmys, is already set to direct.

“This case is complex and raises important questions about vigilantism, the devastating cost of a privatized healthcare system, and the inevitability of violence when peaceful change is seen as impossible,” Stephen says in an interview with Deadline. “My goal is to present a balanced exploration of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s assassination, showing all sides of the story while respecting the profound loss of life and its impact on everyone involved.”

In the age of the internet, it's no surprise a documentary is coming together so quickly. And Stephen is already planning how to engage with members of Gen Z who will be tuning in, noting that “this documentary will be memed.” But he also explains that he wants the film to “foster a deeper understanding” of the entire legal situation while also honoring the loss, which will help not to alienate older generations.

The internet has one celebrity they want to see play Luigi Mangione.

Even though this Luigi Mangione documentary might include interviews with the individuals involved instead of a cast of actors, the internet is already fancasting a hypothetical feature film (which, based on the current obsession with biopics, isn't out of the realm of possibility).

The most popular fancast is Dave Franco, and honestly the resemblance is uncanny. "No audition needed. I crown you Luigi!" one TikToker says in the comments, while another jokes, "He was born for this Role.. it is destiny."

Stay tuned for the latest news on this documentary — any any potential feature films.

What do you think about the internet reaction to Luigi Mangione's arrest? Are you one of the true crime-obsessed? Let us know on Facebook. And check out The Best True Crime Podcasts to listen to tonight.

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"Burr Baskets" Are The Easiest Last-Minute Gift This Holiday Season

The most wonderful time of the year is finally here, complete with bright and colorful decorations everywhere, holiday music and movies on repeat, and endless amounts of hot chocolate. But with this joyous season comes a reemerging question that some of us dread: “What gift should I get for my loved one this year?!”

Fortunately, TikTok has you covered with the latest gift-giving trend emerging in recent years — burr baskets! This holiday-themed gift basket is almost like a stocking stuffer, but cozier. Like the spooky “boo basket” trend during Halloween, burr baskets are a great way to show someone you’re thinking of them during the hustle and bustle of this time of year. Whether you’re still looking for the perfect gift for your special someone, or looking to add some finishing touches to your holiday list, here are some suggestions to make your burr basket sparkle like freshly fallen snow!

Here are 5 must-haves for your beautiful holiday burr basket!

Amazon

1. Don’t Forget the Basket!

Before you think of anything you want to add to your boo basket, you have to get a crucial step out of the way – getting an actual basket to store all the gifts in, duh! Don’t worry, you don’t have to go too crazy with this part; even a simple container like this INough storage box from Amazon will do the trick. In addition to the variety of colors and patterns offered, there is also a built-in drawstring sack that helps to keep everything in place while adding to the holiday theme. Looks like Santa has some competition!

2. Something Cozy

It’s no surprise that most people like to bundle up and stay indoors as the weather gets colder (myself included), so why not use this gift-giving trend as an opportunity to give your special someone things to keep them warm? Personally, when winter rolls round, there are two clothing items that become essentials in my loungewear routine – fuzzy slippers and fuzzy socks.

If you’re on a budget but also searching for the perfect UGG slippers dupe, look no further than Land’s End Suede Furry Lined Slippers! Not only do these shoes have a fuzzy faux fur interior to keep your toes warm and toasty, they also have durable rubber soles, making them perfect to wear whether you’re on the go or staying at home. Plus, these slippers are currently on sale for $35 for the holidays. Compared to $100 and up for a pair of UGG slippers, it’s a deal you can’t refuse.

Target

A comfy getup isn’t complete without a fresh pair of fuzzy socks! My favorite kind of fuzzy socks are ones that are super colorful and have cute animals on them, like kittens, llamas or (admittedly) even characters from Bluey. These “Holiday Movie Crew” crew socks from Target fit that description to a tee; who wouldn’t find a rabbit and a bear watching holiday movies together adorable? There’s also a gift card holder included in the socks, just in case you’re looking for a creative way to include an extra gift.

Send A Friend

3. Something Comforting

Let’s face it – while the holidays are fun, it can also be extremely stressful. To me, one of the best ways to show someone you care about them is by giving them a care package filled with their favorite snacks, drinks, or even a stuffed animal that they can snuggle with when you can’t be there. If your burr basket recipient is in need of an impromptu spa day, one of the best care packages I would recommend is the Self Care Bundle from Send a Friend. This care package includes a pair of fuzzy socks, a wellness journal, a lavender bath soak, Bigelow lavender and chamomile tea and, of course, a fluffy friend! Not only can you choose from over 40 stuffed animals to include in your package, it will also contribute to a good cause; a portion of each purchase is donated to multiple nonprofits across the United States.

Amazon

If you’re well-versed in all things beauty and wellness, then you already know that one of the biggest trends that is currently taking the industry by storm is achieving a “snatched” face – or in other words, a defined jawline and cheekbones. While there are cosmetic procedures that can help to get this look, “natural” alternatives, like the use of facial massagers, have also gained popularity in recent years. If you’re looking for an affordable tool for your skincare guru, Pacifica Beauty’s Gravity Rebound Facial Massage Roller is the perfect option. The dual zinc alloy rollers help to cool the skin while adapting to the contours of your face to depuff and sculpt your face through lymphatic drainage. You can even store it in your fridge or freezer for an extra cooling effect. Personally, I’ve incorporated this roller into my morning skincare routine and it’s made a huge difference in getting me awake, refreshed and ready for the day!

Target

4. Something Yummy

Arguably one of the best aspects of the holiday season – besides spending quality time with your loved ones, of course – is the treats. As an avid baker, one of my favorite things to make are warm, gooey cookies. But if you’re baking for people who have dietary restrictions, sometimes it can be difficult to figure out how to bake treats that not only taste good, but that everyone can enjoy. Luckily, Sweet Loren’s premade cookie dough is here to help make holiday baking so much easier. These cookies are gluten-free, vegan and allergen-free, and also come in a variety of fun flavors including gingerbread and chocolate mint. Plus, if you’re a fan of eating raw cookie dough, you could eat these as is – no baking required!

Amazon

5. Something Fun for Everyone

One of my favorite holiday traditions is game nights with my family. Whether it’s an intense round of Uno or a simple game of Charades, game nights are a fun way to bring people closer together. If your burr basket recipient is also a fan of card games, consider adding the holiday edition of “What Do You Meme?” to their rotation. Here, you can combine image and caption cards to create the best holiday meme, or combine it with other “What Do You Meme” expansion packs for even more laughs. After all, laughter is the best medicine, and what better way to get your fix than through creating fun memories with your loved ones?

Looking for more holiday inspo? Be sure to sign up for our weekly email newsletter so you never miss a thing!

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