Fun4theBrain Chatter!

Chubz's day at the Jersey Shore!

2011-06-15T08:49:00.000-04:00

It’s been said that due to my lovely orange tan and big tuft of hair that I would fit in nicely at the Jersey Shore. So I thought…why not give it a try! Let me just say, they were right! I loved it there! I had my favorite food….PIZZA and enjoyed a chocolate covered frozen banana. Yumm!

Next, the beach…I mean shore. I think I could just sit back and relax all day at the shore, feeling the warm sun on my fur and listening to the waves. Although I should be careful, don’t want to become too orange! It was a great time.

Where have you gone? Do you have any stories and pictures? I’d love to hear about the fun times you have had.

My New York City Adventure! - By Zizi

2011-06-01T09:07:00.003-04:00

I had the best time this past Saturday in New York City!!! I had never been there before and every experience was just as exciting as the one before.

To get into NYC I took the Staten Island Ferry. The ferry was a nice way to get into the city and we went right past the Statue of Liberty. It was amazing!

Next, I rode an escalator for the first time. How cool is that? Steps that move!

The escalator took me to the Subway. Now that is an experience! It took me a few minutes to figure out which train I needed, but learning new things is always fun for me!

Now for some entertainment. I headed over to the theatre district and caught a show. Wicked! Words cannot describe how amazing that was!!! I LOVED it!!! I would love to go see it again!

After the show I headed over to Ellen’s Stardust Diner. It has a 50’s theme to it and all the wait staff are aspiring actors or actresses hoping to make their big break onto Broadway. So while you wait for your food they all take turns singing. I even got my picture taken with Brandon Ellis, my waiter. Someday we will see his name in light. Wow, entertainment and food, what next?

How about Times Square? Great idea! So I headed out and guess who I ran into? Cookie Monster!!! Well I had to get a picture with him, he’s great, and I do love cookies!

Just a little further and there I was, right in the middle of Times Square! It was incredible!! There was so much to take in. Tons of people, signs, lights, smells, music, cars….what an adventure!

This trip was truly an awesome adventure for me, and I can’t wait to do it again or even try something new. Maybe some of my monster friends have been on fun trips too. If you have, send me some pictures. I always love to hear about new adventures!

- Zizi

Murb Community Helper Contest!

2011-03-25T09:25:00.001-04:00

Every town has many community helpers to help it run smoothly. The growing town of Murb has found that they need to have some community helpers too. So we are holding a contest to see what GREAT helpers you can create! Individuals, families, or classes can turn in their ideas! So, either work on your own, or get some friends together to come up with the best community helpers you can!
For this contest, you need to:

Create a Community Helper Monster (doctor, bus driver, mail carrier, etc.)
Design the Community Building for that monster (hospital, bus, post office, etc.)
Write a story, "Why this Community Helper is Important for Murb"
Be sure to read all of the Contest Rules below.

As always, be sure your monsters are fun, friendly, and unique! What kind of community helpers do you think Murb needs?

Contest Rules

Email entries must be received by April 15, 2011.
Mail entries must be postmarked no later than April 14, 2011.
Entries will be judged based on originality, overall design, and creativity.
Entries should be in color and include a story, "Why this Community Helper is Important to Murb".
At least five winners will be selected to have their community helper monster placed in Murb.
Classes, families, or just groups are encouraged to work together to come up with some great ideas. Just be sure to list who helped create which items on the entry form.
By submitting an entry, the contestant agrees that they have parental consent to submit his/her work.
The winner agrees to allow Fun4theBrain to publish his/her name (first name, last initial only) and artwork on the website and in games. Winner personal information will be kept confidential and will NOT be published.
All materials received will become the property of Fun4theBrain and will not be returned. Fun4theBrain will be allowed to make additional styles of the artwork and media, including but not limited to, advertising, game characters, and toys.
Ideal size of monster drawing is 8.5" x 11". Images that are too small to see detail will not be judged. Images that are too large to size down easily, will not be judged.
Fun4theBrain will not accept any copyrighted images. It is up to the contestant to verify copyright status.
All entries must be accompanied by the Contest Entry Form.
All entries MUST have all three component to qualify for contest. If the character, his/her building, or their story is missing, the entry will be denied.
Images emailed in must be in the .jpg or .png format and must be attached via email. Technical help is not provided by Fun4theBrain. Scans or Photographs are accepted.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Click here for your Contest Entry Form.

** -For emailed entries - feel free to type the entry form information into the message of the email instead of scanning in the entry form.
*** - Special consideration given to earlier entries!

Announcement: New Contest Coming Very Soon!

2011-03-08T08:54:00.000-05:00

Hey! Fun4theBrain has exciting news! A new contest is coming!!

So, dust off the thinking cap, and get ready to let your creativity flow. You will get to design a new feature for Murb. Stay tuned for more details in the next few days. Contest begins Tuesday, March 15th - one week from today!

How to Draw Lessons - Winter Vacation

2010-11-15T06:59:00.000-05:00

Hello all! We have drawn almost all of the monsters that live in Murb. There are only a few left to go! However, the How To Draw lessons are taking a vacation while we figure the best way to do the last few monsters. Starting January 10, 2011, you will see more monsters and much more Murb fun here on the blog. Until then, enjoy drawing the other monsters and reading interesting news from around Murb!

How to Draw: Diamondhead

2010-11-08T10:30:00.000-05:00

This week's monster is Diamondhead! Diamondhead loves diamonds. He is small, but strong and helps people a lot. His favorite colors are blue and red. He is the richest man in Murb and is always willing to help people out. Thanks to Ty P. from New Jersey for this cool monster!

How to Draw Diamondhead PDF

Step 1: Draw a slightly curved triangle for Diamondhead's head.

Step 2: Add more lines for the top of his head.

Step 3: Draw the sections of the diamond.

Step 4: Using straight lines, start drawing the braces for his head.

Step 5: Continue drawing the braces.

Step 6: Draw in the braces that are behind his head.

Step 7: With lots of curved lines, draw Diamondhead's nose, smile, and eyebrows.

Step 8: Add in his eyes.

Step 9: Straight lines and rectangles make up his glasses.

Step 10: Draw his shirt with some curved lines.

Step 11: Using curved lines, draw his belt and the top of his shirt.

Step 12: Finish drawing Diamondhead's shirt.

Step 13: Using curved lines, draw in the rest of his jacket.

Step 14: Add in his pants.

Step 15: Drawing Diamondhead's arms should be easy with just a few curved lines.

Step 16: His shoes are created with straight lines at angles to make kite-like shapes.

Step 17: Add in the extras and color in Diamondhead!

How to Draw: Jelly Bean!

2010-11-01T09:31:00.000-04:00

This week, our monster drawing lesson brings us a fun, athletic, candy-eating monster named Jelly Bean! Jelly Bean loves candy and playing football. Want to know a secret? Her mom just got her candy corn shoes and cotton candy. She always has candy for people in Murb. Thanks, Cassidy R. of Texas!

How to Draw Jelly Bean PDF

Step 1: Draw a square with rounded corners for Jelly Bean's body.

Step 2: Draw three circles for her eyes and nose.

Step 3: Add in her smile!

Step 4: While this kinda looks like a hat, it is really ice cream! Draw a half circle with two curves at the bottom to draw the ice cream on Jelly Bean's head.

Step 5: Draw a cherry on top!

Step 6: Add all of the extras to finish Jelly Bean's face.

Step 7: Draw Jelly Bean's legs with some straight and curved lines.

Step 8: Draw straight lines coming out at angles from the legs to start Jelly Bean's feet.

Step 9: Draw a straight line down from the top of her foot. Then connect that line to the other side of her foot. Do this step carefully as it really helps to make the feet look 3D.

Step 10: Make 3 straight lines along the tops of Jelly Bean's shoes.

Step 11: Now draw lines coming down from the lines in Step 10. This step completes the shoes, and makes them look 3D!

Step 12: Draw a very bumpy line to start Jelly Bean's jelly bean arm.

Step 13: Finish off her bumpy arm.

Step 14: Draw her other arm which is made of cotton candy. This arm is curvy, but not bumpy.

Step 15: Draw in the extras.

Step 16: Color Jelly Bean!

How to Draw: Glorious Gracie

2010-10-25T10:08:00.000-04:00

This week's monster drawing lesson is going to teach you how to draw Glorious Gracie! This lesson is a long one, but it is worth it to draw this happy, helpful monster! Glorious Gracie is a stylish monster. She loves to wear fancy clothing and shiny earrings. Glorious Gracie also has a crown that glows in the dark. It is fantastic because it helps her memorize her spelling words and math facts. Glorious Gracie is always happy. You will love her because her happiness is contagious! Thanks to Georgia B. from California for this stylish, happy monster!

How to Draw: Glorious Gracie PDF

Step 1: Draw Gracie's special crown with straight lines, curved lines, and a diamond.

Step 2: With more curved lines, draw the top of Gracie's hair.

Step 3: Draw Gracie's face shape.

Step 4: Using circles, draw Gracie's eye. Then draw a curve for her mouth.

Step 5: Finish her mouth by drawing the lips.

Step 6: Draw Glorious Gracie's neck.

Step 7: Draw her dress. Straight lines can be drawn from her neck. Then add in long curved lines for the side of the dress. Then connect the lines by drawing a curved line across the bottom of the dress. Finally, draw an additional line for her bodice.

Step 8: Draw 6 straight lines from the bottom of her dress. These will be the beginning of her legs.

Step 9: Add straight lines to start her feet.

Step 10: Each foot has three little curves. Gracie has feet like a duck!

Step 11: Draw Glorious Gracie's arm.

Step 12: Using straight lines, you can draw her other arm, that is bent, and her hand on her hip.

Step 13: Draw one of Gracie's earrings by drawing a circle first on her ear. Then add a straight line going down. After that, add a rectangle, a diamond, and a circle to finish up her earring.

Step 14: Draw the same type of earring on her other ear.

Step 15: Add fun circles to her dress to make it spotted!

Step 16: Add an extra layer of curves on Gracie's feet like she painted her toes.

Step 17: Now, add in her long hair. You can make it as fun and crazy as you would like!

Step 18: Color and have fun with Glorious Gracie!

How to Draw: Swirlee

2010-10-18T09:42:00.001-04:00

cartoons, drawing, drawing lesson, fun4thebrain, kids, lessons, monsters, Murb, pdf, ZuzuThis week's monster is Swirlee! Swirlee likes to help monsters in the town of Murb. He is 8 years old. He is a plumber. He cleans out the drain and cleans out the sewer. Alex K. from Virginia came up with this great monster who will be seen soon around the town of Murb!

How to Draw Swirlee PDF

Step 1: Start Swirlee's body by making a curve like this.

Step 2: Continue making the curve curl around a few more times.

Step 3: Keep making the spiral until you feel that it is enough for Swirlee's body.

Step 4: Now make two lines going up for his neck and make the top and bottom of his head.

Step 5: Make Swirlee's mouth by drawing a wiggly oval.

Step 6: Now draw a circle for his nose and draw the front of his head with a curve.

Step 7: Draw Swirlee's eye and then add some spiked hair on top of his head.

Step 8: Color Swirlee! Have fun with your Swirlee!

How to Draw: Zuzu

2010-10-11T08:27:00.000-04:00

Let me introduce you to a wonderful monster named Zuzu. Zuzu loves to play. He lives in the forest under the bed. He really wants to be in Murb because he would be nice, gentle, and fair. His vision is black and red and his favorite colors are blue and red. Thanks, Makalyn F. from Texas for this great addition to Murb!

How to Draw: Zuzu PDF Version

Step 1: Draw the oval shape of Zuzu's head.

Step 2: Add in his antennae with some squiggly lines and a circle.

Step 3: Draw Zuzu's funny face with one big eye and a squiggly mouth with three teeth.

Step 4: Add in Zuzu's neck and body.

Step 5: Draw a circle for Zuzu's belly.

Step 6: Use straight lines to make his arms, then add three curved lines on the ends for his hands.

Step 7: Zuzu has a squiggly tail!

Step 8: Carefully draw Zuzu's spring with curved lines.

Step 9: Lightly draw in the different shapes that you want to have on Zuzu's body. He has lots of colors and shapes around him.

Step 10: Draw in Zuzu's eye.

Step 11: Finish coloring Zuzu and have fun!!

How To Draw: Cleaner

2010-10-03T15:19:00.000-04:00

This week's monster is Cleaner! Cleaner likes to clean everything in your house that is dirty. He's a sponge, so he likes to clean a lot. He is very cool, because he has no ears at all. He has to work and he gives all the monsters ice cream. Thanks, Alyssa M. from Virginia for this fun and helpful monster!

How To Draw: Cleaner PDF

Step 1: With a bunch of curves, draw Cleaner's head.

Step 2: With more curves, draw Cleaner's leg.

Step 3: Draw Cleaner's other leg.

Step 4: Now, with more curves, draw his shaggy feet.

Step 5: Now with some curves, circles, and one straight line, draw Cleaner's happy face.

Step 6: By now, you should be really good at drawing curves. Use more curves for his arm.

Step 7: Now adding more curves, draw Cleaner's hand.

Step 8: Draw Cleaner's other arm.

Step 9: Cleaner's other hand can be drawn with more curves.

Step 10: Lightly draw curves to show the areas of the coloring for Cleaner's face.

Step 11: Lightly draw in more lines for the rainbow sections of his head.

Step 12: Add in the fun details and then color Cleaner!

How to Draw: Confetti

2010-09-27T09:42:00.000-04:00

Today's drawing lesson is Confetti! Confetti loves birthday parties. He always brings the best gifts! He is most famous for lighting all the candles on the cake with his fiery breath. He wears the best party hats too! He sounds like a great monster to have around! Thanks, Francesca B. from California for this fun monster!

How to Draw: Confetti PDF version

Step 1: Draw Confetti's bean-shaped body.

Step 2: Add lines for his legs.

Step 3: Draw lines for his arms.

Step 4: Add in his tufts of fur on his arms and feet.

Step 5: Draw Confetti's hands.

Step 6: Create claws for his feet by drawing some curvy triangles.

Step 7: Confetti always has a present in hand!

Step 8: Draw Confetti's head and neck.

Step 9: Three circles make up his eyes.

Step 10: Draw the fun party hat with any design you would like.

Step 11: Add in the fire that he uses to light birthday candles.

Step 12: Lightly draw curvy lines on Confetti's neck and head. If you want a different design, feel free to draw it lightly now.

Step 13: Color and add in fun details!

Have fun with this monster! He is quite the party animal! I can't wait to see what your version of Confetti looks like!

How to Draw: Skerey

2010-09-19T10:07:00.001-04:00

This week's drawing lesson is Skerey, not scary though! Skerey can fly up. When Skerey flies up the monsters can see high. She can see everything in Murb. She is not mean. Skerey can give other monsters a ride because she is nice. Thanks, Lauren S. from Virginia, for this great monster!

How to Draw: Skerey PDF

Step 1: Draw Skerey's eyes with circles and squiggles.

Step 2: Add in her cute smile and two teeth.

Step 3: Draw a shaggy frame around her face for her hair and chin.

Step 4: Add in Skerey's wild hair by adding in long shaggy lines.

Step 5: Two lines and two small circles make up Skerey's antennae.

Step 6: Add a cute bow to her hair.

Step 7: Draw Skerey's shirt.

Step 8: Draw the sides of her skirt.

Step 9: With little lines, draw in the rest of the pleats in her skirt. These lines can look like "L"s.

Step 10: Draw in Skerey's arms.

Step 11: Add two little curves for her hands.

Step 12: Draw the outline for her legs and feet.

Step 13: Using 4 curves and one straight line, draw Skerey's shoe tops and socks.

Step 14: Add in Skerey's tail.

Step 15: Lightly draw in the designs for Skerey's skirt and socks. Draw lines going sideways first for her skirt, then add in the lines going up and down. To make the pattern on her socks, just make 3 X's going down each sock.

Step 16: Add in the final details and then color your Skerey.

How to Draw: Sleeper

2010-09-13T08:39:00.000-04:00

This week's monster comes to us all the way from Galway, Ireland! Here comes Sleeper! Sleeper is very shy and likes to sleep under the bed. He has baggy eyes because he is very sleepy. He has a torch (flashlight) and he sneaks around at night with this torch. Thanks, Paddy C. for this great monster!

How to Draw: Sleeper PDF

Step 1: Draw an oval for Sleeper's head.

Step 2: Draw two thick lines with circles on top for his antennae. They look like lollipops on his head!

Step 3: Two curves from the side of his head make the beginning of Sleeper's ears.

Step 4: Inside those ears, make some semi-circles.

Step 5: Connect those semi-circles to Sleeper's head and outer ear to complete his ears.

Step 6: Draw his sleepy smile and cute nose.

Step 7: Draw his eyes and eyebrows.

Step 8: Sleeper is pretty tall, so draw his long arms with some long, slightly curved lines.

Step 9: Sleeper's jacket can be completed with a few more curved lines. His jacket should be a bit longer than his arms.

Step 10: Draw straight lines down from his jacket to start his legs. Add in a belt.

Step 11: Draw an upside down U for the inside of his legs and then add in the bottom of his pants.

Step 12: From the bottom of Sleeper's pants, add in his long feet with a few curved lines.

Step 13: Draw Sleeper's hands. His right hand can be made mostly out of ovals for the fingers.

Step 14: Add in Sleeper's torch.

Step 15: Sleeper's outfit has a lot of fun patterns. Lightly sketch the pattern for his jacket here. You can make it match this sleeper or you can design your own fun pattern.

Step 16: Now, drawing lightly, design your Sleeper's pants. Circles are always fun to draw!

Step 17: Color Sleeper! I can't wait to see what your sleeper looks like! Have fun with him!

How to Draw: Jon

2010-09-07T08:58:00.000-04:00

So, here we are again at the beginning of September! From here to December I will be doing my best to give you a weekly monster drawing lesson. This week, Jon is the monster we will be drawing. Dillon C. sent in this great monster who is full of character.

Jon is very scared. He likes to fly but he is scared of heights. He has wings, but he keeps a parachute on his back. He has nine eyes. He likes to eat apples. Thanks Dillon C., for sending in Jon!

How to Draw: Jon PDF version

Step 1: Draw the shape of Jon's head and neck.

Step 2: Add his round body.

Step 3: Draw two long pointy ears on his head.

Step 4: Add in Jon's legs and feet. For the side angle, draw the legs first, then the bottom of the foot. Then connect the two with a curve for the top of his foot.

Step 5: Use lines to show Jon's six arms.

Step 6: Draw six cute hands with four fingers each. Add in a little curve under the fingers to show his palm.

Step 7: Draw the beginning of Jon's cool wings with a straight line up from his back and then a curved line.

Step 8: Add the rest of the curves to make up Jon's wings.

Step 9: Using a straight line, make the top of Jon's mouth. Using curves add in his teeth and nose.

Step 10: Add in Jon's eyes and the bottom of his mouth. Remember, Jon has NINE (9) eyes!

Step 11: Lightly draw in your designs for his body and wings. You do not need to make them look the same as this one. This monster comes with all sorts of options for designs!

Step 12: Color Jon's body and wings. Be as creative as you would like with this step!

Step 13: Now, add in Jon's black spots and you have finished your Jon! Send me an email with some of your drawings. I would love to see them!

A Seed of Inspiration

2010-08-24T09:13:00.000-04:00

As I constantly try to improve Fun4theBrain, sometimes it can be difficult to figure how to best reach the kids and help the teachers and parents. Every now and then, I start to feel like the site really does not help very many and all the time and effort that I put into the games could be better spent elsewhere. But, of course, I do not listen to those little negative voices in my head. Helping kids have fun while learning is my passion. While I am not sure I have the patience to be in a classroom everyday, and trust me, I highly respect those of you who do, I know that I want to help learning reach every child through involvement and interaction.

I know the new school year has just started, but I wanted to send out some of the quotes that I have found truly encouraging and inspiring over the last year. So, if you are hearing those negative voices in your head, tell them to sit down and be quiet! And then enjoy these quotes to give you that happy smile that comes from knowing that what you do can make a big difference!

"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." -- Benjamin Franklin

“To learn and never be filled, is wisdom; to teach and never be weary, is love.”

"The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called "truth." ~Dan Rather

"The important this is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the wish to learn." -- John Lubbock

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement, nothing can be done without hope and confidence." -- Helen Keller

"They may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel." - Carol Buchner

"Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, you can achieve." -- Mary Kay Ash

"A very wise old teacher once said: "I consider a day's teaching wasted if we do not all have one hearty laugh." He meant that when people laugh together, they cease to be young and old, master and pupils, jailer and prisoners. They become a single group of human beings enjoying its existence." -- Gilbert Highet

"A hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much money I had in the bank...but the world may be a better place because I made a difference in the life of a child." -- Forest Witchcraft

And then here is one, it is a bit long, but worth it!

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.
One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?"
He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."
To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"
Bonnie replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, and then began...)"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.
I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental...
You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)
I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them criticize.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and then I make them write.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
I make my students stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, because we live in the United States of America .
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.
(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.) "Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant. Do you want to know what I make?
I make a difference. What do you make?"

Teachers and Parents, keep going, you make a difference!

How to Draw: Arabella

2010-08-15T20:59:00.000-04:00

I have tried to pick some of the monsters that are the simplest to draw. But, the time has come for the lessons to get a bit longer. The lessons will not be harder, just longer. I will still try to break down the drawings into simple steps. The first of these harder lessons is Arabella!

Arabella is an 18 inch monster. She is funny, creative, and everybody wants to be her friend. Her hobbies are cooking, swimming, and cuddling her stuffed bear. She is a very fast swimmer with all her arms and legs. Thanks Adrienne D, from Ontario, for this awesome monster!

How to Draw: Arabella PDF

Step 1: Draw Arabella's face shape.

Step 2: Add in her pointy ears.

Step 3: Draw the top of Arabella's hair.

Step 4: Add in her horns.

Step 5: Use two lines to draw the beginning of her neck.

Step 6: Draw the back of her hair.

Step 7: Draw her eyes, nose and smile.

Step 8: Add in the extras for her face by making her teeth and the curves by her eyes.

Step 9: Add in her necklace and the top of her shirt.

Step 10: Draw the lines for her sleeves.

Step 11: Finish her shirt and belt.

Step 12: Draw Arabella's hands with curved lines.

Step 13: Draw the lines for her legs.

Step 14: Add in the cuff for her pants.

Step 15: Draw her feet and claws.

Step 16: Add her 6 pockets by drawing squares on her pants.

Step 17: Add buttons to her pockets.

Step 18: Color Arabella. You can make a fun design on her shirt too! Have fun!

How To Draw: The Strawberry Monster

2010-08-09T10:06:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the first drawing lesson of August! This week, we will be learning to draw The Strawberry Monster! The Strawberry Monster is a chatterbox. She loves heights and has a blue car. She has three tails too. She also has a cute bellybutton! Jenna W. from West Virginia sent in this fun talkative monster! You will be seeing The Strawberry Monster coming soon in Murb! Thanks Jenna!

How To Draw: The Strawberry Monster PDF

Step 1: Draw Strawberry's head.

Step 2: Add in her fun crown-shaped topper.

Step 3: Draw her face and bellybutton. She has a happy smile with two teeth showing and a cute little curve for her nose!

Step 4: Draw her 4 eyes. Don't forget her eyebrows!

Step 5: To draw her arms, simply draw two straight lines from each side.

Step 6: Each hand is made up of four curves. Connect them to her arm and add little lines for claws.

Step 7: Using straight lines draw her legs and the beginning of her feet.

Step 8: The Strawberry Monster only has 4 toes. Draw each one by drawing a little circle.

Step 9: Now add in Strawberry's fun curvy tails! She has three of them.

Step 10: Now color your Strawberry Monster!

Have fun drawing The Strawberry Monster. Make her tails any design you want and then send me a picture of your drawing! I would love to see it!

How to Draw: Wiggles!

2010-07-25T18:21:00.000-04:00

It is time for another fun monster drawing exercise! This week's monster is WIGGLES! Wiggles is a wiggly monster. He works for the fire department. If someone is stuck up high or falls off of a building, he can just move his arms. When he wiggles his arms they grow and grow and grow!

Thanks to Matthew P. from New Jersey for this helpful and wiggly monster!

How to Draw Wiggles PDF version

Step 1: Draw Wiggles' wiggly head by drawing a circle with a very wiggly line!

Step 2: Add in his eyes, eyebrows and nose!

Step 3: Wiggles always wears a big smile!

Step 4: With wiggly lines, make up the sides of Wiggles' body.

Step 5: Make up the wiggly bottom of his body.

Step 6: To make his arm, draw a very wiggly line down and add a curve at the bottom to look like a hand.

Step 7: Two more wiggly lines make up his other arm.

Step 8:Add Wiggles' other hand by adding a few more curves.

Step 9: Draw the rim of Wiggles' fire department hat.

Step 10:Draw the top of Wiggles' hat with some lines that are more straight than wiggly!

Step 11: Color Wiggles.

I hope you had fun drawing Wiggles! He should be a great help around Murb!

How to Draw: Fuzzy

2010-07-12T09:05:00.000-04:00

This week we are going to be learning how to draw FUZZY! Fuzzy likes to eat small things and it is very nice. It likes to chew. It would be a good resident for Murb because it loves people and is very unique. Thanks Ryleigh C. for this adorable monster! I am sure we will see this little monster around town.

How to Draw: Fuzzy PDF version

Step 1: Draw the top of Fuzzy's head with a curvy line.

Step 2: Two more curved lines to make the side of Fuzzy's body.

Step 3: A triangle will make the nose and then two curved lines make the mouth.

Step 4: Circles create Fuzzy's eyes and straight lines will make the three teeth.

Step 5: Now add the extras onto Fuzzy's body.

Step 6: Using zig zag lines to make Fuzzy's fur.

Step 7: Draw 6 half circles to make the front of Fuzzy's shoes.

Step 8: Make lines for the tops of the shoes.

Step 9: This step is a bit tricky. So carefully look at the picture and draw the rest of Fuzzy's shoes and legs.

Step 10: Draw the tops of Fuzzy's shoes with curved lines.

Step 11: Color Fuzzy.

Step 12: Now add in the extras. Draw the shoelaces on Fuzzy's shoes to finish the fun picture!

How To Draw Lessons - Summer Vacation

2010-07-07T08:56:00.000-04:00

For the months of July and August, the how to draw lessons will be created every other week. While most students are on a summer vacation, I am going to try to take somewhat of a break as well! But don't worry! We will be back to every Monday in the fall!

How to Draw: Sasha

2010-06-28T10:06:00.001-04:00

How to Draw lessons are back, and this week's lesson is SASHA! Sasha likes to get food from the monster store. She shares the food with the monster families. Ella M. from Accra, Ghana has come up with a cute, helpful monster! Thanks, Ella!

How to Draw Sasha as PDF

Step 1: Draw Sasha's head with an oval and two straight lines for her neck.

Step 2: Use two small curves for her ponytail holders. Using straight lines, you can make the bangs of her hair.

Step 3: Using curves and circles, make her eyes and eyebrows.

Step 4: Draw a cute smile for Sasha. Then, add her nose with two dots and two small lines.

Step 5: Draw a large oval for Sasha's body.

Step 6: Each of Sasha's wings is made of three small curves.

Step 7: Draw Sasha's legs with straight lines and a small curve.

Step 8: Here is a tricky step, drawing Sasha's shoe. Start with a large curve for the toe. Then, connect that to her leg with a straight line at the top. Draw a line from the back of her leg and then curve that around to connect with the first curve.

Step 9: This foot is partially hidden, so just draw the lines you see.

Step 10: Using several small curves, make the outside of Sasha's braid.

Step 11: Continue using the small curves to make the inside of that braid. Then do the same for the other braid.

Step 12: Color Sasha! Enjoy this fun and helpful monster!

The Monsters Are Missing!

2010-06-22T09:50:00.002-04:00

There will not be a How To Draw lesson this week. The monsters have gone on vacation and were not available for the lesson creation. The How to Draw lessons will return next Monday.

How to Draw: Bubbles

2010-06-14T08:33:00.000-04:00

Are you ready for another monster drawing lesson? Well, here he is... BUBBLES! Bubbles is a very entertaining monster. He loves to chew bubble gum and blow bubbles. He blows bubbles all morning, afternoon, and night. Bubbles also collects yo-yos. Bubbles is an incredible monster! Thanks go to Ambria B. from California for this cute, and multi-talented monster!

How to Draw: Bubbles PDF

Step 1: Draw Bubbles' head. He has a round head with a flat bottom, three yes and a bubble coming out of his mouth. His hair can be drawn using little squiggles.

Step 2: Draw two straight lines going down and then connect them with a curve at the bottom. This is the middle of his body, so make it as tall as you want him to be.

Step 3: Create a wiggly line for each side of his body. Add in little lines to show that it is wiggly.

Step 4: Add four straight lines for the tops of Bubbles' legs.

Step 5: Now to add his feet. Make a straight line for the bottom of his feet, then add a curve to the top. His feet are not very large, but you can make yours bigger if you want.

Step 6: Bubbles has a skateboard! This can be drawn by making an oval under his feet. Then add another layer of the oval to make it look like a thin board.

Step 7: Add two wheels onto the board by drawing two circles for each wheel.

Step 8: Bubbles has four arms. So draw some lines coming from his body that will be the beginning of his arms.

Step 9: To draw Bubbles' hand, start with a curve coming up from the bottom line of one of his arms. Then, draw his finger sticking out from there and a line to connect that to the top line of his arm.

Step 10: Repeat step 9 for each of his arms, so now he has 4 hands!

Step 11: Add in the yo-yos! Each yo-yo is a circle and is attached to a string that goes to his fingers. Since Bubbles is moving on his skateboard, the yo-yos are blowing in the breeze a bit.

Step 12: Color Bubbles!

Have fun drawing your own versions of Bubbles! What if he liked roller skates instead of skateboarding? What if he liked to play with bouncy balls instead of yo-yos? What would he look like then?

How to Draw: Squish!

2010-06-07T09:09:00.001-04:00

It is time for another fun monster drawing lesson! This week's monster is Squish who came to us from Eayahna R. from Texas! Thanks Eayahna!

Squish is a funny looking monster because he is really big and squishy. He has a lot of friends all over the town of Murb.

How to Draw: Squish - PDF

Step 1: Draw a circle a Squish's head.

Step 2: Draw 8 squiggles with circles on the ends for his hair.

Step 3: Add in the shapes of his face.

Step 4: Fill in his eyes and some lines for his happy smile!

Step 5: Draw a big circle for his body.

Step 6: Using straight lines, draw his arms.

Step 7: Now draw his hands with many small U-shaped curves.

Step 8: Draw four circles for his wheels. Connect them with a squiggly line.

Step 9: Add more squiggly lines for his body.

Step 10: Color your Squish.