Draw with lines

Lines, the basic building blocks of drawing, can either be visually rendered or simply implied as a division between spaces or values. All shading styles used throughout Drawspace are made up of the three different types of lines, straight, curved, or angle. Hence, becoming familiar with lines is an integral aspect of learning how to draw. Numerous exercises and projects focus on becoming familiar with and using lines, to improve various drawing related skills.

Seeing Light and Shadow

Knowing where to draw light and shadows can turn shapes into forms, such as a circle into a sphere. In this article, you examine four aspects of light and shadow created by a dominant light source, which show artists where to draw light, medium, and dark values.

Seeing Shapes of a Horse's Head

An illustrated discussion surrounding a photo of a horse’s head focuses on the process of breaking down a seemingly complex subject into simple shapes.

Seeing Shapes in a Photo of a Dog's Head

In this lesson, an illustrated discussion surrounding a photo of a dog’s head focuses on the process of breaking down a seemingly complex subject into simple shapes.At the same time, you follow along with numerous illustrations to render a proportionately correct sketch of Isaac.

Grendel Gremlin

Learning to draw is all about learning to see. In this project, you exercise your vision to examine the step-by-step illustrations that show you the various stages of drawing a goofy-looking gremlin.

Seeing Values

Learning to draw is learning to see. Values are the most important ingredients in realistic drawing.

Blind Contour Drawing

Learning to draw accurately depends on many hours of practicing the skill of coordinating your visual skills with your drawing hand, until your eyes and hand work together effortlessly. This fun project enhances your observation skills by encouraging you to very closely examine your subject. In essence, you draw by looking only at your drawing subject, rather than your subject and your pencil and paper.

Faces and a Vase

In a fun project, you exercise your brain, vision, and drawing skills with a traditional optical illusion in which you see two different images within the same drawing.

Simple Symmetry

Many drawing subjects, including frontal views of faces, etc., look more believable when drawn the same on both sides.

Shapes of a Duck

Seeing and sketching accurate proportions is the foundation of drawing.This lesson takes you step-by-step, through the entire process of drawing a cute little candle-shaped duck, from initially looking at the shapes and proportions to completing a contour drawing.

Drawing with Spaces

When you can identify positive and negative spaces inside a drawing space, you can draw what you see more accurately. This article illustrates the process of drawing objects by identifying and drawing three different types of spaces.

Drawing Curved Lines Naturally

you discovered your natural hand movement for drawing straight lines. In this lesson, I show you how to find your natural hand movement for drawing curved lines and circular shapes (such as circles and ovals).

You're A Natural!

Many aspiring artists simply jump into drawing without taking the time to discover their natural hand movement. As a matter of fact, most people don’t even know they have one! This section explores the natural hand movement of Leonardo da Vinci, and helps you find yours.

Making and Using a Viewfinder Frame

A viewfinder frame is an adjustable, see-through drawing format, which allows you to examine a potential drawing subject from various viewpoints, and can be used for portraits, figures, landscapes, or any other drawing subjects.

Good Posture First!

Sitting correctly is very important; not just for your health, but also for improving your drawing skills. In this article, I explain and illustrate good posture for sitting at a drafting desk or other sloped surface.

Making a Portfolio

A hard-sided portfolio is indispensable for protecting your drawing paper and completed drawings from becoming wrinkled, damaged, or destroyed. You can buy many types of wonderful portfolios in art supply stores. However, most tend to be very expensive, especially those made of leather.

Creating Your Own Drawing Space

With the increased popularity of home based computers, a renaissance of classical drawing endeavors, and a resurgence of art-based businesses, comes an exciting and virtually limitless choice of options for furnishing an in-home art studio.

Buying Drawing Supplies

With so many different products available, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Actually, you need very little to get started! This article offers practical guidance for buying drawing materials.

Understanding Talent

This inspirational article provides insights into myths surrounding art and artists.

Illustrated Glossary of Drawing Words and Terms

This glossary provides definitions and illustrations of the art-related vocabulary used throughout Drawspace lessons and articles. I tend to stay away from complicated and unnecessary words. However, knowing the meanings of fundamental terms is essential to the learning process. Becoming familiar with the vocabulary of drawing enhances your comprehension of the diverse articles and lessons throughout this website, and helps make your drawing experiences more pleasurable and less frustrating!