Handmade New Year’s cards with horse motifs! A collection of ideas you can make with common materials

Stylish New Year’s card with a horse

Stylish Year of the Horse New Year’s Cards [Easy for Everyone! 3 Cute Horse Designs★]

Here’s an idea I’d love those of you who want to add illustrations to your New Year’s cards or are unsure about the design to try.

Let’s create a stylish, cool New Year’s card that still has the warmth of something hand-drawn.

You’ll need items like a sign pen or brush pen, postcards, and colored pens.

It seems that the congratulatory phrases you pair with the illustrations should be tailored to the recipient as a matter of etiquette.

Try finishing it off by combining them with cute illustrations.

Let’s paint a horse in ink wash painting!

[New Year's Card Making] Let's Paint the 2026 Zodiac Year of the Horse in Sumi-e (Ink Wash Painting) #howtopaint

Sumi-e ink wash paintings, with their appealing shades and brush textures.

You may want to try it but think it looks difficult…

This idea is perfect for you! All you need is a gasen paper postcard, a brush, bottled ink, and a palette.

There’s a careful, step-by-step explanation from how to handle the brush to how much ink to use, so it’s ideal for first-timers.

The time you spend capturing silhouettes and painting with an awareness of light and dark will likely become a lovely moment to put your feelings into the New Year’s card for its recipient.

Add a message or greeting and send it off!

Origami horse New Year’s card!

[Origami Original] Ema Charm Edition — Horse, Year of the Horse, 2026, origami, New Year’s card, the Twelve Zodiac Animals, single sheet, horse

Let’s make ema (wooden votive tablets) out of origami and create a three-dimensional New Year’s card! You’ll need brown-toned origami paper, round stickers, a black pen, scissors, a hole punch, string, and double-sided tape or glue.

Some steps can be a bit tricky, but it’s best to take your time while following along with the video.

It’s nice to write New Year’s greetings or a thoughtful message for the recipient on the ema.

When attaching it to the card, combining it with chiyogami or patterned origami paper will create a lovely atmosphere!

How to draw a simple horse illustration

@yuzuan_illust

Everyone, have you ever drawn a horse outside of New Year’s cards?#IllustrationIllustratorHow to drawHow-to-draw videoMessage CardBirthday cardSimple illustration

♬ Knock Knock – Pilaf Alien

I want to send these to friends and family with whom I can casually exchange New Year’s cards! Here are ideas for cute illustrations that are easy to draw.

All you need to prepare are things like pens and postcards.

One of the nice things about hand-drawn illustrations is that you can be picky about the types of pens you use! Brush pens, felt-tip pens, colored pencils, paints—you can choose according to the image you want, which sounds like a fun time in itself.

In the video, we introduce ideas for message cards, but how about adapting them for New Year’s cards as you finish yours?

How to make a horse eraser stamp

http://www.lemon8-app.com

Here’s a New Year’s card idea that works for everyone—from those who want to create a meticulously crafted design to those sending cards to many people.

You’ll need an eraser, a pen, a craft knife, and an ink pad.

First, draw a picture of a horse on the eraser.

Feel free to add your own touches, like a running pose or a view from behind.

Next, use the craft knife to carve the eraser.

Be careful not to cut your hand.

Finally, apply ink with the ink pad and stamp—your card is complete! The video explains detailed tips for carving the eraser, so even beginners can use this opportunity to give it a try.

Perfect for New Year’s cards! Sumi-e ink art

Easy! How to Draw a Horse [2026 New Year’s Card] #zodiac #howtodrawahorse #howtodraw #sumie #sumi-e #2026 #newyearcard #brush #horse #yearofthehorse #inkart #inkpainting

Here’s an idea for an ink wash painting that keeps a horse’s skeleton in mind as you draw.

You’ll need a brush, liquid ink, and postcard-sized paper.

The sense of dynamism—like the horse is about to leap out and start running—is wonderful, isn’t it? Try painting a horse to kick off the new year with energy.

A key point is using tonal variation and ink’s natural dry-brush textures—hallmarks of ink wash painting—to express liveliness.

If you also outline while being mindful of the underlying bone structure, the result will be even more striking.

Combine it with a New Year’s poem and send it to someone special.

Painted in ink wash! A vertical horse

New Year’s Card Making: 2026 Zodiac Year of the Horse — “Horse Painted in Ink Wash” (Vertical Layout) #howtopaint

Here’s a mood-rich idea perfect for anyone who wants to draw the zodiac on their New Year’s cards! All you need are a brush, ink, and postcards.

A rear view of a seated horse is unique and unlikely to overlap with other people’s designs.

Pay special attention to the steps where you depict the horse’s mane and tail—these are key points to craft with care.

Even in a seated pose, these parts convey dynamism and strength, so aim for a refined finish by being mindful of the ink’s tonal variations.

It’s also good to leave some space for your message.