Drawing

How to draw

Ever wanted to learn how to draw?

Have you daydreamed of picking up a pencil and sketching? But inside there is a lingering doubt.
A distant memory of a school teacher who told you once you were bad at art. An inner critic that holds you back…. Even before you begin.

But what if you could learn to draw? Wouldn’t you give it a try?

How to draw for beginners

I believe anyone can learn how to draw.

Drawing is not about talent; it’s about practice and developing your skills. Success comes down to understanding the perceptions behind drawing, rather than how to hold a pencil. (See: The 3 Reasons Why You Can’t Draw)

Once you’ve learnt the key drawing concepts, clear explanations and logical progression can guide you to make drawing easy.
You can start sketching with pencils, pens, or markers. With a few art supplies and a sketchpad, you start to make drawing part of your daily practice.

Below are step-by-step tutorials, articles and courses built on the simple principles of shape, simplicity and structure – combining drawing theory and practical drawing practice.

There are urban sketching lessons, using pens and watercolours. Light and shadow lessons using charcoal and graphite and articles on the fundamentals of perspective, how to shade and create the illusion of form.

You’ll learn about line, value, tone, negative space, and perspective and come away with the confidence to start making drawing a daily habit. The Absolute Beginners Drawing Course is a great place to understand the fundamentals.

The 3 Reasons Why You Can't Draw, (And What to Do About It)

Is it a lack of talent? Skill? Understanding how mental blocks can be holding your drawing back

How to Draw Perspective for Beginners

Simple methods to be aware of when creating the illusion of depth in your drawings

How to Choose Watercolour Paper

Do you know your NOT from your Hot pressed?

The Rule of Thirds in Landscape Painting (video)

A simple rule to ensure a balanced composition in your drawing

The Secret of Good Composition

How variety is the key to creating interesting compositions

Are You Unwittingly Creating a Compositional Cardinal Sin?

How to avoid a visual jarring in your drawings

Are You Making Any of These 7 Compositional Mistakes?

How to avoid common issues when drawing still lifes

How to Instantly add Depth to Your Mountains in Landscapes

Learn how Da Vinci used science to create depth in his paintings

The Importance of Contrast in Painting

How learning to view your paintings as drawings can improve realism in your work

A Beginners Guide to Light & Shadow

The key components of “Light Logic” to create the illusion of realism in your drawings

How to Shade a Drawing with Light & Shadow

Step-by-step drawing demo, using a paper tortillion to create the illusion of form with graphite

How to Paint Light & Shadow in Acrylics

This two-part tutorial looks at applying the principles of light and shadow to your paintings to improve the illusion of form and realism

Studying Holbein's Portrait Drawings: A Brief Encounter

Exhibition review of a selection of Hans Holbein portraits

A Daily Dose of Painting Courage (And Overcoming Masterpiece Anxiety)

How to bring spontaneity back into your studio and paint daily. The idea is simple: do a quick small study of something you already have lying around the house, try a new technique, colour palette and subject with no expectation. Just thoroughly engage in the process.