At the end of this lesson, you’ll start drawing by creating a “before” picture. Then you’ll put the drawing away and return to it later to create the same picture again – it’s exciting to see how much your artwork improves! In a classroom, this lesson is a great starting point, giving teachers insight into each student’s skill level.
Supplies You’ll Need
Drawing pencils – Unlike standard pencils from school, drawing pencils vary in hardness and do not usually have an eraser on top. Softer leads (marked B) create darker lines, while harder leads (H) produce lighter lines.
Drawing paper can be thicker and heavier than regular computer paper. However, computer paper is less costly and a good paper to practice on.
Pink Pearl Eraser – This eraser is perfect for small areas and erases cleanly with no smudges. It works better than the eraser on top of a pencil for precise corrections.
Kneaded eraser – Gray and moldable, kneaded erasers can be shaped, pulled apart, or squished back together. Kneading cleans the eraser, and it’s ideal for gently lifting graphite to lighten areas without fully erasing.
Eight Important Things to Know Before You Draw
1. Drawing is seeing.
2. Drawing is fun!
3. Drawing requires concentration.
4. Drawing is fun!
5. Drawing involves planning.
6. Drawing is fun!
7. Drawing isn’t a race.
8. Drawing is fun!
Okay, that’s really only five things, but they’re all important.
1. Drawing is seeing. Have you ever imagined a picture in your mind, but when you started drawing it on paper, it didn’t come out the way your thought it should? Because it’s often difficult to draw something from memory or from our imaginations, it’s a good practice to draw from real life or photos. Drawing from a reference helps you understand placement, proportion, and shapes. For example, an eye is not just an oval – it has an circular iris and pupil, as well as the catchlight that reflect how light interacts with it. The more you practice “seeing” the shapes and lines that make up objects, the more accurate your drawings will be.
2. Drawing requires concentration. Unless you’re just doodling in your notebook when you should be listening to your teacher, you’ll find that drawing requires your attention and concentration in order to do it well. Focus is essential for creating your best work. When you start drawing, try to minimize distractions so you can think about your art and produce your best results.
3. Drawing involves planning. Before you draw, consider first what you are going to draw, how big you are going to draw it, and where on the paper it will go. If you are in a hurry and just start drawing, you might make the picture too large so it runs off the edges, or you might make it so small it doesn’t fill the paper. Thinking through your work to the final drawing means less erasing as you go along.
4. Drawing isn’t a race. I’ve never seen a racecar shaped like a pencil, have you? That’s because pencils aren’t for racing – they’re for drawing – so take your time! Some people draw quickly, some very slowly, and that’s fine! Take the time you need to make your artwork its best.
5. Most importantly, drawing is fun! If ever drawing becomes tedious or frustrating, it’s time to put your pencil down and take a break. Go back to it when you’re ready.
Exercise: Your First Drawing
This first exercise is a fun one. Here’s what to do:
- Find pictures to copy (line drawings and coloring pages work really well) and start drawing. You may not have time to draw all of them – remember, you don’t need to hurry. Draw as many as you have time for BY YOURSELF without any help from anyone else.
- Then, sign your name to your artwork and write the date on the back.
- Give the drawings to a parent, teacher, or put them away (but don’t forget where!) until until the end of the nine weeks, school year, etc.
- Then draw the samples again. When you’re finished, you will be able to compare your first drawings with your later ones. It’s fun to see how much your drawing has improved!