Drawing A Puzzle – I Can Do It!
It’s a good thing puzzles are so much fun to solve, because drawing one can be an intimidating task. After all, it’s not like you can just pick up a pencil and draw the perfect puzzle! Yet, drawing your own puzzle is totally doable and can be a great learning experience.
If you’re ready to tackle this creative challenge, focus on the two key components for bringing it to life: your ideas and your drawing skills. With a little guidance, these two elements can help you make your first puzzle as unique as your own creative ideas.
Do Your Research
The first step in any successful creative project is research. You’ll want to gain a thorough understanding of the best ways to go about drawing your puzzle. Consider jotted down ideas of the composition, design, and puzzle pieces first, then go online and explore different types of puzzles and the ways to create them.
Once you have a better idea of what you want your puzzle to look like, you can start sketching it out on paper. Set yourself up with different types of paper, an eraser, a few colored pens, and other drawing supplies, and start getting creative! Don’t worry if it doesn’t look perfect; you can use the built-in erasing capabilities of computers for minor tweaks and corrections to your puzzle’s design afterwards.
Draw and Edit
At this point you should have a good idea of what you want your puzzle to look like. Now it’s time to draw it out. Use software to create a rough sketch of your puzzle and start adding details as you go. Move any pieces around that you need to, fill in corners that were incomplete, and adjust the sizes for better accuracy.
Take your time here and make sure that your puzzle is easy to read. Also, if you don’t have a ton of drawing experience, practice drawing various shapes until you have a basic understanding of what works and what doesn’t. Once you have the basics down, use different software tools to speed up the drawing process.
Color and Shapes
Now it’s time to begin the fun part – adding color and designs to your puzzle. Experiment with different shapes, patterns, and colors until you find one that truly stands out. You can also add small embellishments to give the puzzles a unique look and feel.
Finally, you can use software to create a digital version of your puzzle. This is a great way to easily share your work online, as well as store it on your computer for future modifications.
Materials and Templates
Materials used to create puzzles range from cardstock, construction paper, and markers, to foam pieces and fabric to create 3-dimensional puzzles. The supplies you’ll need depend on the kind of puzzle you’re making, so think carefully about which type of materials will work best before you begin.
If you’re feeling unsure, explore online template packs and tutorials to help familiarize you with the necessary techniques for creating puzzles. It’s a great way to speed up the process and also make sure your puzzles turn out great every time.
Printing and Perfection
Once you have a final version of your puzzle, it’s time to print it out. Print the puzzle in two ways so it can be used for more than one type of game. First, print the completed puzzle and laminate it for use on a game board. Then print out individual puzzle pieces and let kids put the puzzle back together.
Finally, make sure the entire puzzle is easy to read. You can clean up any smudges or other imperfections before printing and make sure that all the pieces fit together smoothly. If you’re satisfied with the result, go ahead and print as many copies as you need.
Brain Games
Brain games and puzzles are great ways to test problem solving skills and stimulate the mind. With careful planning and attention to detail, drawing your own puzzles can be tons of fun. Feel free to play around with different designs and ideas; and the more you create, the better you’ll get!
Put the Pieces Together
Want to show off your game-designing skills? Grab your pencils, paper, and markers and get creative! Puzzles are a great way to get your creative juices flowing, and can lead to some fantastic ideas for brainteasers.
Start off by researching types of puzzles and what makes them special. Break the puzzle down into sections and draw a skeleton on paper. Get your art supplies ready and go wild with colors and shapes. With computer software, you can even add extra details and make it look professional.
Print out your creations and let the brain games begin!
Mathematical Challenges
Creating puzzles with a mathematical element can be incredibly rewarding. Start by considering the standard rules used in puzzles – number of pieces, shapes, and connection type. Then throw in math problems or use symbols and shapes to represent equations and mathematical concepts.
Start sketching on paper, and when you feel your design is complete, take out your graphic software and make sure your equations are accurate and easy to read. Use computers to make adjustments to the puzzle before printing out multiple copies to share with friends.
Design a Fun Scene
If you want to channel your inner artist, find a cartoonish scene idea you’d love to draw and use for a puzzle. Set up a grid on paper, sketch in the details, and go wild adding your own creative spin.
Take it to the computer and start adding elements such as fillers, backgrounds, and shadows. Once you’re happy, print it out and get the fun started. Play around with your designs, test them out with friends, and gain an appreciation for the creative challenge that is puzzle making.
