Learning to draw

Everyone is familiar with the phrase “draw what you see not what you know.’  This sounds easy right?  In theory yes and after practice it becomes very easy.  But to get there, you need to train your eye to see in a whole new way.

Start by drawing your basic shapes: square, rectangle, circle, cylinder, and triangle.  Look at these on your paper and then look up.  Whatever is the first object you see, look for these basic shapes within them.  It’s easy for many inanimate objects.  Obviously your TV is rectangular; your glass is cylindrical, etc.  But what about your hand?  It’s not a circle, square, rectangle, etc.  And that pear isn’t quite a circle yet it’s not a cylinder either. 

Not everything that we “see” can be described with one of these basic shapes but if you break them down, then you realize that they are indeed comprised of several of these shapes linked together with a few simple lines.  Your hand for instance is indeed a triangle (point disappearing in the wrist) with several cylinders forming your fingers.  That pear is actually two circles on top of each other with an hourglass curve connecting them.  At least this is how I see them.  You may see them differently but you get my point.

Once you have learned how to see, it is time to learn how to draw.

Wandering through an art supply store can be daunting.  You may think that if you are learning how to draw you must first learn the proper use of materials.  Many marketing executives will lead you to believe that to be a good artist; you must use expensive materials.  If you have sub-standard materials, then you must be sub-standard yourself.  Stop that thinking immediately!  You are a beginner and you don’t need to spend a fortune to learn how to draw!  Find a pen, any pencil lying around, a crayon, marker, whatever and draw.  Use computer paper, that old newspaper, napkins, junk mail or, if it makes you feel better, buy a sketchpad at your local store.

Now that materials are out of the way, the next step is to get rid of the eraser!  The eraser is a crutch.  In the beginning stages of learning to draw it inhibits growth and crushes your self-confidence.  If you have an eraser attached to your pencil, cut it off.  If you have one separate, throw it away, lock it up and throw away the key just do whatever is necessary to keep the temptation away from you.  An eraser is akin to the most addictive drug out there for starting artists.  Once you begin to use it you will never get rid of it so don’t start!

The next step is to be comfortable.  I prefer to sketch while cross-legged on the floor.  Others feel more comfortable seated at a desk or kitchen table.  Wherever you choose, make it free of distraction.  You do need a level of concentration when starting out but don’t worry.  Once you’ve mastered the basics you can take your tablet anywhere and not be distracted at all.

Now, play with your pencil, marker, etc. on the paper.  Make various lines, circles, scribbles, etc.  Experiment with what happens when you press hard or vary your line.  How does it look when you cross those lines in the opposite direction?  Get a feel for what you can do with your instrument.  How are you holding the pencil?  Are you too rigid and trying to perfect your lines as you do when writing letters?  If so, adjust your grip and hold it differently so that the pencil is loose in your hand but you can still maintain control.  (As with the eraser, holding a pencil too tightly and trying for perfect lines can be an inhibitor.)   Remember this part too as you advance in your skill.  Each time you try a new pencil grade, marker, etc, you should repeat this step to learn how to use it.

Next, find something to draw.  Fruit is a popular choice for the first item though you can find any utensil from the kitchen.  Try to keep it simple.  If drawing an apple is difficult right now imagine what that corkscrew will be like.  Set it in front of you.  Make certain that you do not disturb it nor move your head too much while you are sketching it.  Shifting your head even slightly will change the perspective but sitting in one position without movement at all will cause cramping.  Just be aware of what will change if you change your perspective.

Now draw the object using the basic shapes I discussed earlier.  Don’t press too hard and don’t worry if that circle isn’t quite right or that square has one line longer than the other.  You are not drawing a technical manuscript with rulers and compasses.  And unlike what they taught you in kindergarten, you are permitted to color outside that line if you want to.  Once the basic shapes are in place connect them with contour lines.  Sometimes squinting your eyes makes it easier to see the outline of an object.  Don’t get obsessed at this stage either.  It’s okay for it to look lopsided and imperfect.  Just because you have learned to see what you are looking at, doesn’t mean that you have trained your hand to draw it yet. 

The most important lesson to learn is to have some patience with yourself and celebrate your successes.  There’s no harm in placing that first masterpiece on the refrigerator.  Being an artist is not just about skill or talent, it is about building self-confidence and expressing your inner child by remembering how to have fun and be good at something all at the same time.

These are the basics for learning how to draw.  Once you are comfortable with these then it is time to learn all the nuances like shading, perspective, the use of colors, etc.  I do warn you however, drawing is addictive and once you start, you will be sketching everything under the sun.