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

Original New Year’s postcards that you can make just by sticking on masking tape

Just stick it on with masking tape—so easy! This is all you need for New Year’s cards! ‘Stick-On New Year’s Card Tape’ 2023 Year of the Rabbit HOW-TO Video

There are probably people who want to send handmade New Year’s cards but aren’t good at drawing.

In that case, why not try using washi (masking) tape? Masking tape is that tape you can stick on and peel off easily.

In fact, many masking tapes come in cute designs.

If you cut and stick them on, you can easily make original New Year’s cards.

You can find masking tape at 100-yen shops and the like, so try looking for your favorite ones.

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Eraser stamp with a single character seal

Year of the Rabbit 2023: Single-Character Seal Made with an Eraser Stamp

If you want to add a subtle handmade touch, why not try making a single-character eraser stamp? As the name suggests, a single-character eraser stamp features just one character carved into it.

If your theme is rabbits, the kanji “兎” or “卯” would be nice choices.

You could also personalize it by using one character from your own name or a kanji associated with good luck.

By the way, when carving, it helps to place tracing paper with your draft over the eraser.

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An illustration collection of lucky charms that will also brighten Year of the Rabbit New Year’s cards.

How to Draw New Year’s Illustrations [Also for Nengajo] – 10 Auspicious Items and How to Make a Classic Hand-Drawn New Year’s Card / How to Draw a Japanese New Year’s Card

You’ve decided to make the rabbit the main feature, but some people still can’t think of an overall design, right? In that case, try adding classic motifs.

A representative one is “First, Mount Fuji; second, a hawk; third, an eggplant.” That gives it a lucky, auspicious feel.

If you want to add some color, camellias are also recommended.

Since rabbits are white, the red of the camellia really pops.

Other options include drawing the Seven Lucky Gods or an ema (a wooden votive plaque).

With an ema, you can even write a New Year’s greeting inside it.

There are plenty of other classic motifs too, so try looking around for ideas.

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A relaxed brush pen illustration of a rabbit

I’m casually writing New Year’s cards for the Year of the Rabbit. Feel free to join me if you’d like.

One classic New Year’s card design is the ink-wash (sumi-e) style.

When illustrations and lettering look like they were done with a brush, it feels stylish and gives off a mature vibe.

But many people think actually using a brush is too much trouble.

That’s where brush pens come in handy.

With a brush pen, you can easily draw ink-wash-style illustrations.

As a further twist, you can color a rabbit drawn in the ink-wash style with bright hues.

This adds a pop feel and results in a more refined design.

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Ballpoint pen illustration of a rabbit

Rabbit drawn with a ballpoint pen ~Rabbit~ Simple and cute illustration lesson 13

You often see New Year’s cards that use stamps or printmaking techniques with lots of creative touches.

But many people may be panicking because they don’t have enough time for that.

In such cases, a simple option is to just draw with a ballpoint pen.

By “draw,” I don’t mean anything complicated—something like a simple rabbit face is enough.

It might seem too plain, but with a few tips you can create a charming illustration.

You can also add color to it if you like.

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