These drawing lessons are presented in a gallery format so
that you can easily find the lesson you want. Beginners should
start at the very beginning and work through each one, as
most lessons build on preceeding ones. Remember to come back
to this page to find your next lesson! Use the Drawing Forum
to get feedback from your guide and other artists on your
work.
Have you ever been told that you're holding
your pencil the wrong way? Or that there is only one right
way to hold a pencil for drawing? Chances are that this well-intentioned
advice wasn't quite right. There is no single right way, and
whatever 'works' for you is probably the best choice. This
short article demonstrates the most popular ways to hold a
pencil for various drawing effects. Try experimenting with
various pencil grips, as different methods will suit you for
various effects, and you may find some more comfortable than
others.
You will need: 5 minutes, some scrap paper
and a pencil.
Scribbling is a great way to loosen up
and get to know your pencils.
Whether you've never done any drawing before
or have just bought a new type of pencil or pen, a great way
to find out what each pencil can do is simply mark-making.
Scribbling, doodling, call it what you will mark-making with
the intent of exploring your new medium - without the pressure
of creating a drawing - is a great way to gain confidence
and get to know your materials.
To do this lesson, you need five minutes, some
sketch paper, and any pens or pencils that you'd like to try
out.
Get started drawing without the pressure
of having to make it 'look like something' with this fun wire
drawing exercise. Practice following a line in space, drawing
it on paper, training your hand and eye to work together.
You will need: about 15 minutes to half an hour, a piece of
wire - such as an old coat hanger - and pliers, some sketch
paper and pen or pencil.
Blind contour drawings look a bit odd,
but are great practice.
Blind contour drawing is a classic exercise
that develops your eye-hand connection. Advanced students
can also improve observation skills by including Blind Contour
drawing as a warmup.
You will need: 15 minutes to half an hour, some sketch paper
and a pen or pencil.
Pure contour is basically outline drawing. The
line describes visible edges of an object; this is the simplest
form of line drawing. Many artists enjoy using pure line in
their drawing, and clean contour drawing is an essential skill
for cartoonists.
You will need: 30 to 45 minutes, an object
to draw, some paper and a pencil, and possibly an eraser.
Understanding cross contours is useful for both
line and value drawing, as the contour will often be implied
by the direction of shading, if not drawn with line. Cross
contours help you create a three-dimensional effect in your
drawing, turning the silhouette into a form in space.
You will need: 30 to 45 minutes, an object
to draw, paper, pencil and eraser.
