I became involved with making free line art available on the Internet in 2005. My clipart and web graphics site, Demented Pixies Graphics, had generated some requests for line art that could be colored, or that would be suitable for various uses in print and design. As I am the actual scribbler who does all the artwork available there, I encourage requests. There are so many beautiful sights in the world - how would I ever decide by myself what to draw? I need you to tell me what you want!
Color Your Own was the result. I began with an idea and a few line arts I had already on the computer. I wasn't sure, at the time, if anyone would be interested in them at all.
So I was already mulling the idea in my head when I joined a new sim game online - Virtual Horse Ranch. I was pleased to discover that artists were encouraged to use their own art for images of their sim horses, and there is a lively little play money industry creating art for other players. I began doing line drawings of horses, adding them to Color Your Own and making them freely available to other players. And, of course, taking requests. (I later joined Virtual Pups and Sandbox Farms and create art for those players as well.)
There are a few other small websites with free line art set up for those players as well. Sadly, most of them come and go or don't offer a large selection of drawings. Many of the artists are young adults who love the work, but also have other commitments such as school, sports, and so on that limit the effort they can put into the site. Often they are on free hosting, which can be a problem, too.
Not long after I joined VHR, I became involved in a discussion on Gather.com about adults who enjoy sitting down on a lazy day with a big box of crayons and coloring books. (Yes, I do) One of the major complaints was the lack of coloring books that offered subject matter and artwork that would challenge and please adults. I began adding more drawings to Color Your Own in response to their requests.
Since I started Color Your Own, I've gotten requests to use the art for more things than I could have imagined. They have been used in a college project on visual recognition, one greyhound rescue group prints out the greyhound pages and hands them out to children at their meet and greets, and most of all, other players have used them and enjoyed them - as well as children whose parents have written me and thanked me for the pages!
One project that especially touched my heart was a request for a rottweiler head study to be used to make a needlework pattern so a handicapped person could create it and place it on the back of her wheelchair to honor her assistance dog who had recently passed on.
Free line art is often used to create various needlework and craft patterns. Be sure if you are going to sell the product that you have the artist's permission. Artists who create designs for sewing and craft patterns, or for t-shirts and so on, are usually very highly paid designers. No artist particularly appreciates it when you use his or her art to make a product that you then sell for a profit. When asked I have given permission to use my line art to create various craft items to be sold to benefit charities, but I did refuse permission to a person who wished to make patterns of my free line art, and then sell those patterns on the Internet for profit. I offered to license the patterns to them - for an appropriate fee - and never heard from them again.
Now this doesn't mean you can't use free line art to make a pattern to make one or a few shirts for yourself, your family, or a gift. But be sure and read the artists or websites terms of use, or be polite and write for permission. I really enjoy hearing from people who want to use my art. Other folk's creativity always delights me.
And now there's more...
This was my first Squidoo lens ever! Since I wrote it, I've found more wonderful coloring books and coloring pages on the Internet, and met some great Squidooers who also draw coloring pages, or find the best coloring books. So I set up a group so you can find links to all the best Squidoo coloring page and coloring book lenses, as well as related art and craft lenses. Check it out!
Coloring Books and Coloring Pages on the Internet
A central list for lenses devoted to coloring books, coloring pages on line, and other crafty and artsy lenses.
Some words about proper usage of line art
Back to the sim game players for a moment. Several players have written me to request permission to use my line art, color it themselves, and sell it for game money or enter the art contests held on game. I always say yes, and in fact, I say on the front page of Color Your Own that you may use my art that way. It's for play money, after all.
A good colorist can really make a difference in how a line art looks. I am a comic book fan from way back. If you look at a comic book - a new one or one from years ago - you will probably find inside the cover a list of names. They will include the cover artist, the line drawing artist(s), the colorist (or inker), and the author of the story. A good colorist can do good things for your line art!
Always make sure if you are looking for free line art, that you check the Terms of Use posted by the artist or website and do not violate them.
I hate to mention it in such a positive article about something I enjoy so much - but there is also a problem with people who direct link to art and steal bandwidth. My website is set up so that cannot be done, and it happens less with line art than with the clipart and web graphics, but please do not steal bandwidth. It is a crime, and it does hurt people - in fact, all of us who use the Internet as a source of art of whatever kind.
Netiquette is a good thing for all of us to use. Polite and correct usage of art will make sure that it is available to us all now and in the future.
If you have some websites that are good sources of free line art, feel free to list them in the guestbook.
And last, but hardly least, if you have a request, please do write me! I can never decide what to do next and I love the challenges requests set me.
I am a big fan of tattoos, and yes, I have two - one of which I designed. My husband also has a tattoo I designed just for him. As an artist, I have from time to time been asked by a friend to design a personal tattoo just for them. This is always such an honor. Someone wants to wear a piece of my art on their body for the rest of their lives!
So it should have come as no surprise when the first request arrived in my email from someone who wanted permission to use a line art from Color-Your-Own as a tattoo design. My answer, of course, was a resounding YES!
Not long after that came a request from someone for a particular drawing to use for a tattoo - a request I gladly accomodated. Although I made the design to their specifications, they encouraged me to add it to the Color-Your-Own site to share with others.
I can't possibly express to you what an honor it is to me that someone would want to use the line art from Color-Your-Own as a tattoo design - or would request a design from me for their tattoo. Trust me, if you want something in particular designed, please do feel free to make a request or let me know if you use a line art that is already up at Color-Your-Own. You will totally make my day!
Carvebuddy.com
Another use for the Color-Your-Own drawings!
I am very pleased to announce that Michael Tyler (who is a great guy) and I have worked out a business arrangement to create Carvebuddy.com patterns for use on the CarveWright and CompuCarve machines. For more information and to see the patterns visit Carvebuddy.com
Coloring Books
sometimes a coloring book is just what you want
Sometimes I don't have what you want, or you're out of printer paper, or you just feel like sitting down with a simple coloring book. Here's some of my favorites.
You can vote these coloring books up or down, depending on how much you like them! You can really tell I like patterns (so nicely mindless and zen like to work on), history, nature and animals, and fantasy! What do you like?
Striking adaptations of authentic native art depic more...1 point
Striking adaptations of authentic native art depict, among other subjects, a Mixtec circular design from an incised gourd rattle, religious figures from a Metepec candlestick, and images of jaguars taken from a Guerrero lacquered chest. An exciting challenge for coloring book enthusiasts, these 30 illustrations will also inspire artists, designers, and craftspeople.1 point
Accomplished illustrator and nature writer takes y more...1 point
Accomplished illustrator and nature writer takes you on a beautiful tour of the four seasons, pointing out with great artistic and verbal skills the many mysteries of nature - from sightings of spring flowers to amazing life beneath pond ice. An entertaining and informative book for colorists of all ages. Captions.1 point
Visit a magical realm where 16 winged sprites, clo more...1 point
Visit a magical realm where 16 winged sprites, clothed in beguiling floral garments, nestle among floral beauties, and pose prettily with nature's loveliest blossoms. Outfitted in apparel identical to the blossoms shown in the pictures, these elfin creatures need only a touch of color and a source of light to glow with life.1 point
This vibrant collection of drawings was inspired b more...0 points
This vibrant collection of drawings was inspired by the hypnotic appeal of the mandala. An ancient form of meditative art, mandalas are complex circular designs that draw the eye inward, toward their centers. These 30 dazzling mandala designs will captivate colorists of all ages, challenging them to create kaleidoscopic effects.0 points
The decorative richness and structure of tiles mak more...0 points
The decorative richness and structure of tiles make them ideal coloring subjects. These striking renderings, adapted from Spanish, Islamic, and other cultures from around the world, burst with elegant florals, geometrics, and intricate, repeating patterns. 30 illustrations. 0 points
Woven from sumptuous motifs inspired by the elemen more...0 points
Woven from sumptuous motifs inspired by the elements of nature, paisley patterns derive from a centuries-old art tradition. Colorists will enjoy hours of creative pleasure with this all-original gallery of paisley designs - 30 full-page illustrations swirling with gorgeous organic themes.0 points
Enter the delicate, complex world of underwater li more...0 points
Enter the delicate, complex world of underwater life through extraordinarily detailed, hand-drawn illustrations and newly updated text. The Marine Biology Coloring Book will serve as an excellent resource and guide.The process of coloring will focus your attention and leave a visual imprint on your memory.Details on the natural coloration of the plants and animals illustrated will help you create an accurate picture of the ocean world.The text provides a clear introduction to major marine enviro...0 points
From A for Apple Blossom to Z for Zinnia there is more...0 points
From A for Apple Blossom to Z for Zinnia there is a flower fairy to color for each letter of the alphabet in this popular coloring book. Black-and-white outline pictures have been redrawn from Cicely Mary Barker's well-loved A Flower Fairy Alphabet and reproduced on high quality paper, making this book ideal for paints and markers as well as crayons.0 points
43 finely detailed, accurately rendered illustrations of pipevine swallowtail, monarch, buckeye, white admiral, olive hairstreak, California dogface, mourning cloak, great spangled fritillary, fiery skipper, painted lady, many others. Captions provide data on coloration, range, habitat, special characteristics, more. Captions by Monty Reid.0 points
Charming coloring book includes 30 black-and-white more...0 points
Charming coloring book includes 30 black-and-white designs based on patterns made by a kaleidoscope - a Greek word meaning "beautiful form." Optically enchanting, these images will appeal to colorists of all ages. Artists and craftworkers will also find them an exciting source of inspiration and design.0 points
A valuable resource for: anyone interested in hors more...0 points
A valuable resource for: anyone interested in horses, horse owners and riders, 4-H club members & leaders, veterinary technicians, equine practitioners, farriers, farm managers, riding instructors, trainers, equine science students, livestock judging teams, educational groups. *A pleasant and rewarding way to learn *Easy-to-understand, in-depth exploration of horse anatomy *Clear, understandable definitions are keyed to daily practical application *Medically correct terminology so you can commun...0 points
This collection of lovely images invites coloring more...0 points
This collection of lovely images invites coloring book fans to explore the exquisite beauty of medieval tapestries. Thirty handsome drawings of unicorns, delicate damsels, knights in armor, and other details from priceless tapestries can be enhanced with a rainbow of colors. Captions.0 points
Thirty traditional designs grace the pages of this more...0 points
Thirty traditional designs grace the pages of this unique coloring book. Skillfully adapted from authentic motifs, they depict a pair of peacocks amid lush blossoms, a serpent-like dragon with scaly skin, an idyllic waterscape, revealing a gazebo and pavilion, lilies and foliage in an eye-catching circular configuration, and other richly detailed illustrations.0 points
Victorian artist Richard Doyle (1824-1883) is famo more...0 points
Victorian artist Richard Doyle (1824-1883) is famous for his charming illustrations of elves, fairies, and gnomes. For this coloring book, Marty Noble has skillfully adapted 29 of the English's artist's most delightful watercolors created for his book with Andrew Lang, The Princess Nobody: A Tale of Fairyland.0 points
Artists of all ages are invited to add their own h more...0 points
Artists of all ages are invited to add their own hues to Grant Wood's American Gothic, Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party, Winslow Homer's Snap the Whip, as well as works by Edgar Degas, Mary Cassatt, Edward Hopper, John Singer Sargent, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Vincent van Gogh, and masterpieces by 51 other great artists.0 points
Thirty ready-to-color images of fire-breathing myt more...0 points
Thirty ready-to-color images of fire-breathing mythical creatures with batlike wings, scaly skin, and a barbed tail - among them a flying dragon with three heads, Quetzalcoatl, a legendary feather-covered serpent, the Leviathan, a sea monster of enormous proportions, and a real dragon, the Komodo, one of the world's largest living reptiles.0 points
Intricate and inventive, these 30 full-page design more...0 points
Intricate and inventive, these 30 full-page designs are drawn from the vibrant patterns that have adorned Indian clothing and decorative objects for centuries. Motifs include birds and animals, folkloric characters, abstract florals, paisley patterns, and other bold designs. Colorists of all ages will thrill to the challenge of bringing these black-and-white patterns to vivid life.0 points
Simple, easy-to-use presentation of core regional more...0 points
Simple, easy-to-use presentation of core regional anatomy presented in 195 black and white line drawings arranged on 81plates. Consistent layout includes medically correct terminology with clear, understandable definitions. Helpful do-it-yourself coloring format maximizes comprehension and retention.0 points
Coloring the circular designs known as mandalas is more...0 points
Coloring the circular designs known as mandalas is a relaxing, meditative activity enjoyed by adults and children alike. The mandalas in this book are specially designed to provide a creative encounter with the Divine as a feminine presence. The archetypal imagery of the circle-appearing in the form of organic shapes of nature, the curves of the female body, the womb and childbirth rituals, the circular turning of cosmic rhythms, or geometric designs conveying the primal energy of the Godde...0 points
Forty important garden flowers - morning-glory, tu more...0 points
Forty important garden flowers - morning-glory, tulip, peony, daffodil, zinnia, dahlia, iris, petunia, delphinium, fox-glove, snapdragon, many more. Caption for each drawing gives common and scientific names, usual colors, blooming season, whether annual, perennial, or biennial. Full color reproductions on covers.0 points
Historically accurate renderings of Vikings, Crusa more...0 points
Historically accurate renderings of Vikings, Crusaders, Italian Condottiere, Spanish foot-soldiers and luminaries such as Richard the Lion-Hearted and Henry the VIII document the evolution and development of personal armor and weapons through the centuries. Introduction. Captions. Glossary. 42 plates.0 points
Detailed and ready-to-color drawings of 47 species more...0 points
Detailed and ready-to-color drawings of 47 species: rhinoceros, snow leopard, giraffe, reindeer, gorilla, tiger, giant panda, elephant, kangaroo, many more. Brief captions describe habits of each species. Colorists will find this volume entertaining and educational; artists and designers will find practical use for the royalty-free illustrations. 40 black-and-white illustrations. Captions.0 points
A picture history thorugh the Renaissance, includi more...0 points
A picture history thorugh the Renaissance, including the great unicorn tapestries, with the story of how the unicorn ended up on the Royal Arms of Britain. J. K. Anderson is Professor Emeritus of Classical Archaeology in the University of California, Berkeley.0 points
The Pre-Columbian civilizations had some masterly more...0 points
The Pre-Columbian civilizations had some masterly artists -- this coloring book contains their finest artwork. There are ballplayers, dancers, calendars, counting devices and a pantheon of gods to be colored.0 points
Forty-four detailed drawings recall the glory of a more...0 points
Forty-four detailed drawings recall the glory of a magnificent civilization. Full-page illustrations of Cleopatra, Ramses II, arts and crafts, funerary practices, warfare, architectural monuments, and more are featured, along with captions. Educational entertainment for colorists of all ages; inexpensive source of royalty-free graphics for commercial artists.0 points
A panorama of life in the Middle Ages in 42 realis more...0 points
A panorama of life in the Middle Ages in 42 realistically detailed drawings ranging from scenes of everyday life in castle, village, monastery, and countryside, to dramatic and colorful portrayals of tournaments, castle sieges, banquets, the building of a cathedral, battles, fairs, and more. Introduction. Detailed captions.0 points
Dozens of mythical animals rendered by artists suc more...0 points
Dozens of mythical animals rendered by artists such as Dürer and da Vinci appear in this remarkable collection. Includes 45 finely detailed, skillfully adapted images of dragons, winged dogs, demons, lions, griffins, a bull, unicorn, eagle, and various other grotesques from The Book of Kells, medieval architecture, other sources. Captions.0 points
Learn to identify birds like the Myrtle Warbler an more...0 points
Learn to identify birds like the Myrtle Warbler and the Ruby-Throated Hummingbird - as well as better-known species - as you color these 46 accurate renderings of 50 favorites. Captions provide scientific names, other information. A delightful way to learn about birds you may discover in your own backyard.0 points
Over 40 expertly rendered illustrations depict lif more...0 points
Over 40 expertly rendered illustrations depict life in Athens in the 5th and 4th centuries B.C.: the building of the Parthenon, a performance of Oedipus Rex, a torchlight wedding procession, children playing, Socrates' trial, the Olympian games, Aristotle tutoring the young Alexander of Macedonia, and more. Detailed captions for each illustration.0 points
An artistic adventure awaits you! Masterpieces lea more...0 points
An artistic adventure awaits you! Masterpieces leads you on a guided tour of sixty paintings by some of the world's best artists. Each painting has been carefully redrawn and is ready to color--with crayons, colored pencils, markets, and your imagination. Accompanying each painting is a story that describes it and introduces you to the artist. See the world through the eyes of the great painters as you read these tales and color these pictures of kings, gypsies, flowers, parties, dancers, heroes...0 points
Forty-five of Audubon's noted illustrations render more...0 points
Forty-five of Audubon's noted illustrations rendered for coloring by Paul Kennedy: red-winged blackbird, painted bunting, wood duck, great blue heron, ruby-throated hummingbird, purple finch, blue jay, many more. Original plates reproduced in full color on covers. Common and scientific names and current range are included.0 points
Impressive illustrations dramatically portray even more...0 points
Impressive illustrations dramatically portray events leading up to and including the sinking of the "unsinkable" White Star liner. Descriptive captions accompany 29 realistic drawings of the Titanic at dock in Southhampton, England; passengers dining, strolling on deck, and relaxing in the elegant first class lounge; the ship striking the iceberg; more.0 points
Detailed, ready-to-color images of India's lovely more...0 points
Detailed, ready-to-color images of India's lovely Taj Mahal, the hanging gardens of ancient Babylon, the Mayan temples of Tikal in Guatemala, the magnificent sanctuary of Abu Simbel in Egypt, England's awesome Stonehenge, and 22 other amazing structures. Captions. 0 points
Ready-to-color illustrations, each accompanied by more...0 points
Ready-to-color illustrations, each accompanied by a page of descriptive text, depict Atlas holding up the heavens; Hermes slaying the many-eyed Argus; Aphrodite weeping over the body of Adonis; and 19 other exciting illustrations. A great way to introduce youngsters to Greek mythology. 22 black-and-white illustrations.0 points
Color precise, carefully researched depictions of more...0 points
Color precise, carefully researched depictions of 45 species: elephant stag beetle, earwig, giant desert scorpion, walkingstick, tiger beetle, desert tarantula, black widow spider, human flea, pleasing fungus beetle, many more. Informative captions offer fascinating facts about insect life. 44 color illustrations on covers.0 points
Children and adults alike will enjoy adding their more...0 points
Children and adults alike will enjoy adding their own hues to an array of interesting interlacings, geometric-animal combinations, decorative initials, and much more. Each design has been culled from authentic Celtic sources including Book of Kells. Captions accompany each illustration. 37 illustrations.0 points
Over 40 species. Add your colors to the king cobra more...0 points
Over 40 species. Add your colors to the king cobra, black mamba, boa constrictor, puff adder, Indian python, milk snake, garter snake, and many more. Captions.0 points
Thirty large, ready-to-color illustrations, all ad more...0 points
Thirty large, ready-to-color illustrations, all adapted from traditional African designs, reflect the continent's rich artistic and cultural heritage. Carefully rendered from authentic artifacts are a Moorish textile pattern, an Ashanti carved door panel, an antelope-shaped wooden headdress from Mali, an Ethiopian cross, and other motifs.0 points
With a variety of life rivaled only by a tropical more...0 points
With a variety of life rivaled only by a tropical rain forest, Australia's Barrier Reef is the sea's grandest jewel. This collection offers incredible illustrations of a tiger shark, clown anemone fish, blue ringed octopus, harlequin sweetlips, razorfish, nudibranch, cuttlefish, regal angelfish, mandarin fish, and 21 more.0 points
Wild animals in our midst come to life in this uni more...0 points
Wild animals in our midst come to life in this unique, carefully rendered coloring book. Forty-two detailed black-and-white illustrations depict a garter snake, Virginia deer, garden spider, Japanese beetles, chickadees, raccoons, honeybees, cardinals, squirrels, and many more. 5 color illustrations on covers. Captions.0 points
Exquisite renderings of ready-to-color floral favo more...0 points
Exquisite renderings of ready-to-color floral favorites - one for each letter of the alphabet - include azaleas, bluebells, columbine, daisies, foxglove, and other flowers. Among the florals are a troop of enchanting sprites in a variety of carefree poses: snuggled in a blossom, swinging on a vine, more.0 points
Thirty meticulously rendered black-and-white drawings of van Gogh masterpieces. By referring to the accompanying full-color illustrations, you can bring alive these skillful adaptations that include Sunflowers, Starry Night, Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear and Pipe, The Church at Auvers, and many more. Captions identify each artwork.0 points
Sixteen elaborate geometric designs incorporate a more...0 points
Sixteen elaborate geometric designs incorporate a wide range of abstract Islamic motifs: pentagons, squares, octagons, combinations of stars and rosettes, and more. The patterns produce striking results when colored and placed near a source of bright light.0 points
For lovers of western lore and coloring book fans more...0 points
For lovers of western lore and coloring book fans of all ages - 36 carefully researched and excellently rendered images of a keelboat approaching a thriving river town, fur traders being attacked by Indians, the dramatic rescue of the Donner party, a Morman handcart company heading West, stagecoach robbers at work and more. Captions.0 points
Fifty-one accurately detailed, royalty-free renderings include national bird (eagle) and flower (rose) plus 50 state birds and flowers - among them the mockingbird and apple blossom (Arkansas), cardinal and goldenrod (Kentucky), California gull and sego lily (Utah), and 47 others. Identifying captions.0 points
Have you used any of this art? Do you have some great ideas for new coloring pages, or new uses for the line art, or maybe you've got some coloring pages of your own to share?
Color Your Own was the result. I began with an idea and a few line arts I had already on the computer. I wasn't sure, at the time, if anyone would be interested in them at all.
Not long after I joined VHR, I became involved in a discussion on Gather.com about adults who enjoy sitting down on a lazy day with a big box of crayons and coloring books. (Yes, I do) One of the major complaints was the lack of coloring books that offered subject matter and artwork that would challenge and please adults. I began adding more drawings to Color Your Own in response to their requests.
Coloring Books and Coloring Pages on the Internet Headquarters
Back to the sim game players for a moment. Several players have written me to request permission to use my line art, color it themselves, and sell it for game money or enter the art contests held on game. I always say yes, and in fact, I say on the front page of Color Your Own that you may use my art that way. It's for play money, after all.
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I am a big fan of tattoos, and yes, I have two - one of which I designed. My husband also has a tattoo I designed just for him. As an artist, I have from time to time been asked by a friend to design a personal tattoo just for them. This is always such an honor. Someone wants to wear a piece of my art on their body for the rest of their lives!
I am very pleased to announce that Michael Tyler (who is a great guy) and I have worked out a business arrangement to create Carvebuddy.com patterns for use on the CarveWright and CompuCarve machines. For more information and to see the patterns visit Carvebuddy.com 
Posted June 25, 2009
