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[Handmade] Recommended for Year of the Rabbit New Year's cards! A roundup of reference works and ideas such as rabbit illustrations

We’ll introduce handmade creations and ideas that are useful and inspiring for Rabbit Year New Year’s cards!

When you make New Year’s cards by hand, it’s easy to wonder where to start.

So instead of thinking everything up from scratch, I’ve put together ideas you can adapt by using works uploaded to video sites as references.

From standalone elements like brush-lettering art and stamps to mix-and-match illustration styles, we’ve got you covered.

Skimming through the article might spark some inspiration!

I also selected options with ease and speed in mind, so feel free to try anything that makes you think, “I can do this!”

[Handmade] Recommended for Year of the Rabbit New Year’s cards! A collection of reference works and ideas such as rabbit illustrations (11–20)

Coloring letter of a rabbit bell

New Year’s postcard “Rabbit Bell Coloring Letter” — a quick series to paint with rough-and-ready watercolors! The paper for sale uses authentic gasen washi! It’s easy—just color in the pre-drawn outline♪ Being clumsy is fine! I love picture letters where the charm is in being a bit clumsy 💘
Coloring letter of a rabbit bell

If you want to make a lucky New Year’s card, why not try a coloring-letter featuring a rabbit bell? As the name suggests, a rabbit bell is a bell shaped like a rabbit.

Many people buy them during their first shrine visit of the year.

In fact, bells have long been believed to ward off evil and invite good fortune.

So by drawing a rabbit bell on your New Year’s card, you’re not only making it cute, but also conveying a wish for the recipient’s happiness.

When drawing, it’s recommended to use an actual rabbit bell as a reference.

postcard art

Postcard Art Lesson No. 7 (New Year’s Cards, Part 1)
postcard art

When it comes to classic handmade New Year’s cards, postcard paintings are probably the gold standard.

They’re a staple, but that’s exactly why they tend to make a good impression on anyone.

If you’re trying postcard art for the first time, start by deciding on a design and making a sketch.

It’s best to learn the techniques before you tackle the final piece.

By the way, if you’re drawing a rabbit, making the head a bit smaller helps balance the composition.

Also, when coloring, using plenty of water will give it a soft, delicate look.

Give it a try and use these tips as a reference!

Pastel art with a lovely, soft atmosphere

Pastel Art 247: How to Draw “Winter Rabbit 2019” — Try it with 100-yen shop pastels! Let’s have fun drawing★
Pastel art with a lovely, soft atmosphere

If you draw illustrations with pastel art, you can achieve a soft, gentle look.

Pastels are an art medium similar to chalk.

Unlike chalk, however, you attach the powder to something like cotton and then apply it to the paper to create the illustration.

If you want a detailed finish, using stencils is helpful.

Also, for New Year’s cards made with pastel art, the pastel powder can come off if you mail them as-is.

Be sure to use a fixative before sending.

New Year’s cards made with rubber block prints

New Year’s cards made with rubber-block prints in 2023
New Year's cards made with rubber block prints

If you’re making New Year’s cards with rubber block prints, they’re perfect when you want to send them to many people.

Rubber block printing is a technique where you create illustrations using a stamp carved from rubber with a chisel—think of it like making an eraser stamp.

It’s more efficient than drawing each illustration by hand, and it still gives a handmade feel.

A good tip is to carve out the large areas first, then move on to the finer details; that tends to work well.

Also, since you’re using a stamp, make sure the printed cards are completely dry before stacking them.

Embossed seal (suitable for plain paper)

2023 New Year’s Cards Made with Stamps [Zodiac Yukimi Rabbit]
Embossed seal (suitable for plain paper)

Have you ever felt that the blank spaces on your finished New Year’s card looked a bit lonely? In times like that, stamp embossing is perfect.

Embossing is a technique that creates raised and recessed textures on paper to express patterns or illustrations.

With regular paper, you can easily emboss using a stamp.

And it’s not just for filling empty spaces—if you use it in key spots, you can achieve a subtly stylish design.

One thing to note: areas that have been embossed can be difficult to write on, so please keep that in mind.