Click here to read the introduction to the course if you missed it!
Drawing is simply the process of layering shapes, lines, scribbles and values on top of each other until you get your desired result.
In this first lesson, we’re going to focus on the process of sketching. If you can make a mark on a piece of paper, you can learn how to sketch! You don’t need to be able to draw straight lines or perfect circles in order to be an artist.
Introduction to Sketching
Sketching is the process of roughly scribbling an idea on paper. It allows you to bring your ideas to life quickly so you can save time in the long run. It’s a great way to brainstorm!
So don’t be afraid to make mistakes!
This stage is meant for exploration! When I make a mistake, I find ways to use that mistake to my advantage. If I can’t, I’ll simply move on.
How to Sketch
It’s best to use free flowing lines that are loosely and lightly drawn. To do that, adjust your grip on the pencil so that your hand is relaxed instead of tense. If your hand usually gets tired after you’ve drawn for less than an hour, you’re probably gripping it too tightly.
When making an initial sketch, you’ll want to leave your perfectionism behind and focus on general shapes. Think about the size, shape, angle, etc. The last thing you want to think about is detail!
Let’s Sketch Something Together!
Since this is a sketching tutorial for beginners, I’m using my left hand (non-dominant hand) to show you that you don’t need to have good control of your hand in order to sketch well.
Step 1: Sketch a circle loosely
I sketched a circle using a bunch of loosely drawn lines. Don’t worry if your lines are going in weird directions. It’s likely that you’re not going to draw something perfect the first time around. That’s totally fine! Remember, we’re supposed to work in layers.
Step 2: Refine the shape
After your initial sketch, find areas that need improvement and sketch over it until you get closer to your desired result.
Step 3: Keep refining
Keep repeating that step until you get even closer to what you want.
Tip: You can rotate your sketch book to help your eyes look at the shape differently. You might spot some obvious areas that need fixing.
Step 4: Define the shape
Happy with how it looks overall? Use more confident lines to define the shape of your circle. You can erase the scribbly lines or let them disappear naturally as you continue to work on your drawing.
Like That Example? Here are Some More!
I got used to moving my elbow and shoulder joint to draw which gave me much smoother lines. If you look at the images in the example above, you’l notice that my lines gradually become a lot less wobbly.
I thought it would be fun to show you the difference between a sketch made with my left versus right hand:
Your Homework Assignment
Things to remember while you draw:
- Don’t be a perfectionist
- Focus on the overall shape instead of the details
- Use a gentle amount of pressure
Assignment #1:
Fill an entire page in your sketchbook, following the steps in this lesson.
Step 1: Sketch Loosely
Step 2: Refine the shape
Step 3: Refine it further
Step 4: Define the desired shape
Find objects to draw around the house, outside or from a quick google search on “random objects”. Once you fill an entire page in your sketchbook, fill another one.
My challenge to you: If you can draw 50 things in your sketchbook and submit it to the facebook page, I’ll feature your artwork down below!
Here are some ideas for you to draw:
- Fork
- Apple
- Banana
- Laptop
- Jacket
- Hat
- Your hand
- Your foot
- Your eye
- Key
- Lamp
- Cat
- Dog
- Bird
- Boat
- Tree
- Flower
- Car
- Helicopter
- Plane
- Alligator
- Person jumping
- Person sitting
- Person standing
- My avatar picture
Done the assignment?
Let me know if/how you improved and how this lesson helped you draw better!
If you’re waiting for lesson 2, sign up to my special mailing list in the footage or follow me on facebook and I’ll notify you when it’s posted.
Update: Click here for lesson 2
Have any questions? Drop them in the comment section below and I’ll get back to you shortly!
Readers Who Completed the Challenge!
Firoz Wadud <– he drew 80!!
Anahita Sharma
Ritwik Verma
Guylene Antoine
Darlene created RFA In 2013 with the goal of sharing simple yet detailed drawing tutorials with other artists on the world wide web. She is a self taught pencil portrait artist and Youtuber.
Thanks a lot. Everything is in full details. It is so kind of u for giving up free course. I was so stuck and was confused how wat n why. U t.v. me the best answer. Thank you once again
Thank you so much for sharing these wonderful drawing lessons. I am from Iran and very interested in using pencil to draw beautiful pictures. Unfortunately i have no time to join drawing classes, so i found ur words and ur works online so useful in learning how to draw. I am working on ur challenge about drawing on first lesson❤thanks❤
Lesson #1 completed.
After completing the first lesson I see improvement. I am now viewing objects in terms of basic shapes to start a scetch, this is something I was not doing before. When I begin a scetch with basic circles, rectangles, cones etc. it helps me to keep my proportions acurate and see the potential to make my scetch appear more 3 dimensional.
I will post my sketches to the Facebook page in messages.
I look forward to future lessons
im a better drawer on the fist lesson thank you cant wait for the others
Hi Darlene,
You are awesome, the best drawing teacher. Also, thanks for the FREE LESSONS, you have a golden heart. No wonder you’re a darling to all art lovers. Lots of love and well wishes. And Thanks again.
Hey Darlene, thanks so much for creating this website, I love it!!!! It has really helped me learn to draw Thanks again!
I had a hard time getting into drawing but this lesson really helped, thanks for making this website.
Hi, my name is Renea and I live in the u.s. I am a 37 yo mother and wife. I loved art throughout my childhood and took art in high school. My father was a great artist and had inspired me to be. Well I had become an adult and lost my will and time for it. About 3 years ago I decided to try my hand again. I have a 13yo daughter that has had some sort of drawing/writing tool at had at all times since she could hold them. She is a wonderful artist and sketches and draws all the time. I also have an 8 yo daughter that is just AMAZING for her age in drawing. I push and push for them to keep on and not EVER stop. I believe they will be GREAT artist some day. So anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for creating this site. I am very busy and have a hard time finding time to practice. This is very well constructed and easy to follow. I have a goal and that is to illustrate a coloring book or two. I am pretty rusty and this will be the best practice I believe. Thanks again so much for providing your skills and knowledge to the world. Your so very much kind😁
Do you teach drawing buildings (White House)
Courtroom
Statue of Liberty
And other physical structures we see every day either in person or on TV?
Hi, Darlene,
My name is Van Thai, I am Vietnamese. Are you Vietnamese , too? cause I saw your last name is Nguyen, like almost Vietnamese’s last name.
I like drawing, but I don’t know where I can start, luckily, I saw your webpages.
Thanks a lot
Hello, this was very good but I do not have a facebook and can not do that but this is extremely useful in helping become a stronger drawer. Thank you!
Thanks Darlene, for creating this site. I always wanted to learn about art but its something i never did.so thank you again.
First of all Thank you. I m the beginner n try to learn sketching from your tutorial and it is helping me. Thank you
I am Ritwik and I have did homework but your facebook page is not working so I am unable to submit homework.Please tell me it’s solution as soon as possible.
Hi Ritwik, you can submit via email as well: rapidfireart at outlook.com
Hi Darlene, I came across your web site yesterday.
I’m a 57yo Australian and have always been in awe of those who can draw/paint. After spending my whole life wondering how my dad’s artistic talent managed to bypass all four kids (including me!), the opportunity to attend a life drawing class came up last weekend. Surprisingly, I actually did rather well and since pencil is probably my favourite medium, I started searching online and found your fabulous tutorials.
I thoroughly enjoy your teaching style. It’s simple to follow and the goals you set are achievable.
So, Derwents, sketch pad and eraser in hand, I have started on my sketching journey to see where it may lead. Thanks for your fabulous website. I already have a page of sketches completed and am all fired up!
Amazing! Glad you took the initiative to try your hand at it again. Any skill can be learned as long as you are willing to set aside time to practice and practice often :)