
Drawing is the foundation of art. But becoming a stellar sketcher takes practice. It begins by mastering the fundamentals. ___1___
Fundamental #1: Learn about lines. Lines are expressive, and not all line weights convey the same thing. Thick lines, for instance, indicate weight and shadow. Learning how and when to use certain line weights will give your drawing depth, both technically and conceptually.
Fundamental #2: Use multiple types of supplies. ___2___ A carpenter wouldn’t use just one tool in their toolbox, and neither should an artist. Pencils, pens, and even the right eraser will set you up for success.
Fundamental #3: Try out new techniques. Lines are just one approach to drawing, but there’s so much more. Stippling, for instance, is the act of making countless tiny dots to build volume in a piece. ___3___
Fundamental #4: Use shapes to help plan your drawing. ___4___ If you’re struggling to sketch a still life, for instance, it’s made infinitely more approachable when you first draw circles, squares, and triangles, and build from there.
Fundamental #5: Learn to draw from a reference photo. Even if you have no desire to draw realistically, everyone can benefit from copying a reference photo. It helps you judge your work from a technical viewpoint.
After learning these skills, you may want a guide to help you put them into practice. ___5___ Taught by illustrator Marghreita Cole, the instructor takes you through the basics in a fun, approachable way. You’ll leave the online class with the skills and confidence to sketch any subject you like.
A. Good tools are necessary for an artist.
B. You can take the online course Drawing 101.
C. Using thick lines can make your drawing look more attractive.
D. Everything can be broken down into simple shapes.
E. You should try different methods to discover the most suitable one for yourself.
F. This means you need professional training if you want to be an artist.