Making Colorful Borders – Adding a Fun Frame to Your Sketchbook

Welcome back to our I Love Doodling series! Today, we’re exploring one of the most fun and creative ways to add a pop of personality to your sketchbook pages – colorful borders! Borders made from repeated shapes not only frame your work beautifully but also give you a chance to play with patterns, colors, and designs that make each page unique.

Creating Borders with Simple Repeated Shapes

Borders don’t have to be complicated! Start with a simple shape, like a heart, circle, or wavy line, and repeat it along the edge of your page. By using these basic shapes in a row, you can create delightful patterns that add structure and a sense of completion to your artwork. Here are a few easy ideas to get started:

  • Heart Borders
    Draw a row of heart shapes along one edge or all around the page. Add a small gap between each heart or let them overlap for a more continuous feel. Hearts are especially fun because you can color each one differently, creating a rainbow effect or using soft shades for a gentle look.

  • Circles and Lines
    Alternate between circles and lines to create a playful, rhythmic border. You could try different sizes of circles or vary the spacing to add visual interest. This border is perfect if you’re looking for something minimalist but still fun.

  • Wavy Line with Leaves
    A wavy line with little leaves or flower buds can add a whimsical, organic feel to your page. Simply draw a wavy line along the edge and add leaves at intervals, like a growing vine. Color each leaf in different shades of green or throw in a few bright colors to make it even livelier.

Adding Color – The Best Part!

Once you’ve sketched your border, it’s time to bring it to life with color. Borders are a fantastic place to experiment with different color combinations. Try bright, bold colors if you want your border to pop, or go for soft, pastel shades if you’re aiming for a gentle, calming effect. Don’t hesitate to mix it up with gradients, patterns, or even small details inside each shape for an extra touch of creativity.

Frame Your Page with a Colorful Border

Adding a border is a wonderful way to start or finish a sketchbook page. You can create a border at the beginning of your drawing session to set the tone for the rest of the page or add it as a finishing touch once your artwork is complete. Either way, a border frames your work and makes each page feel like a special piece.

Get Started – Border Challenge!

Pick a shape, draw a border, and color it to your heart’s content. Try different shapes, patterns, and colors, and let your imagination flow. Each border you create will add a unique flair to your sketchbook, making it truly one-of-a-kind.

Enjoy adding colorful borders to your pages, and don’t forget to share your creations with us at the Doodle Institute. Happy doodling!