Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and if you are like most people, you fall into one of two categories: people who go with the classic (and never disappointing) chocolate and flowers, or people who have no idea what to get for that special someone.
If you are a proud member of that second group of people — and there are plenty of us who are — we have the perfect gift idea for you. Art, made by you, specifically for your Valentine. Because nothing says I care about you more than a homemade gift.
We know it can be intimidating making your Valentine a gift instead of buying one. What if it doesn’t turn out exactly how you want it to? Don’t worry about that, because we make creating art easy for everyone, so your gift will be sure to impress!
Below are a handful of great Valentine’s Day art activities, but be sure to check out the app for even more ideas.
(Or give your valentine the gift of art with a cupixel annual membership!)
Send a Valentine’s Day card: Candy hearts
Express your love with candy heARTs this Valentine’s Day. Trace the outline of two candy hearts on your drawing surface, use the custom Text Editor to decorate them with a message that’s short and sweet, then add color! This experience is fun, quick, and simple for all ages and skill levels.
Experience type: Smart trace-powered drawing
Materials:
- Square or rectangular surface for drawing
- Pencil and eraser
- Markers, colored pencils, or crayons
Butterfly love
Sketch out a heart-shaped butterfly at the center of a whimsical landscape, then tap into your creativity to add personal touches and vibrant colors. Send your creation to that special someone, or brighten up your space with this charming and heartwarming imagery!
Experience type: Creating without tracing
Materials:
- Square or rectangular surface for drawing
- Pencil and eraser
- Markers, colored pencils, or crayons
Cookie Decorating: Valetine’s Day
Learn how to use edible paints and markers to decorate your cookies with love-inspired art. Whether you’re hosting a Valentine’s Day party or want to your Valentine with a yummy gift, you can never go wrong with cookies and creativity.
Experience type: Smart trace-powered cookie decorating
Materials:
- Paper with dark edges (or on a dark background)
- Cookies with royal icing
- Edible paints and paint brushes
- Edible markers
Flowers by Ty Wilson
Send flowers (in greeting card form) to your valentine! Our artist guides you through tracing the bold, minimal line drawing by Ty Wilson and offers tips and tricks on how to create a seamless blend with colors to bring your flowers to life.
Experience type: Smart-trace powered drawing
Materials:
- Square or rectangular surface for drawing
- Pencil and eraser
- Markers, colored pencils, or crayons
Valentine hearts
Using a simple set of colored pencils,create these connected soul hearts filled with vibrant colors. Use this whimsical piece as your reference, but fill the hearts with the pattern, colors, and accents of your choice. This painting can end up framed with a greeting on the back or just a memorable activity for two.
Experience type: Creating without tracing
Materials:
- Square or rectangular surface for drawing
- Pencil and eraser
- Colored pencils (or whatever else you have!)
Engagement Ring
Commemorate the day they said “yes” with a creation they’ll cherish forever! Either upload your own photo or use the photo provided and apply what you’ll learn to make it personal. Whether you want to send a card to congratulate a newly engaged couple or surprise your fiance with a handmade gift, your creation will be held near and dear to someone’s heart.
Experience type: Smart trace-powered drawing
Materials:
- Square or rectangular surface for drawing
- Pencil & eraser
- Markers, colored pencils, or crayons
Love-inspired artwork collection
Spread the love with your creations! In this short video, our artist introduces you to our collection of love-inspired images that you can use for your own creations, from custom Valentine’s Day greeting cards to beautiful floral paintings.
Experience type: Smart-trace powers drawing and painting
Materials:
- Square or rectangular surface
- Pencil and eraser
- Depending on the experience you may need paints, markers, crayons, or colored pencils!
Flamingo love
A beautiful symbol of balance and grace, the flamingo also represents romance due to their elaborate displays of courtship. Follow along with our artist in sketching out your drawing then get creative with vibrant colors and your own personal touches.
Experience type: Creating without tracing
Materials:
- Square or rectangular surface for drawing
- Pencil and eraser
- Markers, colored pencils, or crayons
Dog with rose
Show your unconditional love with this adorable painting of a dog with a rose in its mouth. Tracing the outline of the pup from a photo, then follow along in bringing your outline to life with watercolor. Whether you or your loved one are a proud parent to your own fur baby, or just a lover of all things cute and cuddly, you could always go for a little creativity and puppy love!
Experience type: Smart trace-powered painting
Materials:
- Square or rectangular surface for painting
- Pencil & eraser
- Watercolor paints (or your paint of choice)
Romance collection
Show the love of your life how much they mean to you with a romantic greeting card! This collection of Ty Wilson’s artwork offers contemporary, elegant depictions of love. Join our artist as she walks you through recreating the line artwork and shows how to incorporate a passionate pop of red.
Experience type: Smart trace-powered drawing
Materials:
- Square or rectangular surface for drawing
- Pencil & eraser
- Markers, colored pencils, or crayons