Drawing is a visual language that can be learned just like any other language, and anyone can pick it up with the right guidance and practice.

The first project of the Drawing Basics course is to challenge yourself to simplify the shapes, edges, and values of a pear or portrait from observation.

In this video, I’ll give you an in depth look at what you’ll learn in my Drawing Basics course.

Here is my step-by-step demo on how to properly execute the first assignment for level 1 students.

Here’s a project to help you avoid chicken scratch. We’re going to simplify our drawings to C curves, S curves, and straight lines.

There is an endless number of ways to use lines as an artist, so let's jump in and take a look at the basics.

A beginner's guide to sketchbooks and paper! Learn about paper types, texture, weight, archivability, and common pitfalls.

Before we start, let's go over tools. I've included an extensive materials shopping list of paper, pencils, markers, erasers, and sharpeners.

This warmup is a fun way to help you practice drawing ellipses.

All the ways I sharpen pencils. Wooded and woodless graphite pencils, 2.0 and 5.6mm mechanical pencils, charcoal pencils, and eraser pencils!

In this lesson, we’ll learn about the importance of line weight when creating engaging and interesting art.

Learn about shape language, using simple shapes to design and construct, and adding complexity to your simple shapes.

Learn how to practice to draw with accurate proportions by eyeballing, using various measuring methods, and self-critiquing for a fast feedback loop.

In our very first critique of the course, I take a look through your simplified pear submissions and give feedback on some of the most common mistakes.

Mastering simple 3D forms is the secret to freehand drawing. I will show you how to use these basic shapes to draw anything from your imagination.

Master line quality with 6 key habits: avoid common mistakes, find a comfortable speed, follow-through, ghosting, rotate the paper, and use simple strokes.

In this project, we'll start learning how to sketch using simple loose lines.

Master the Tapered Stroke for confident line quality in your sketches! Learn how to construct complex shapes & add energy to your loose sketches.

In this demo, I'll show you how I would approach the level 1 CSl drawings.