The Artist's First Steps

DRAWING REFERENCE: Pears and apple with leaf

YOU'LL NEED: drawing paper 9x12 inches or copy paper, pencil, eraser, fruit (pears)

Hi and Welcome!

Today you're going to learn one of the most important drawing skills artists use!

Almost anything you see can be drawn by first looking for simple shapes. Artists don't try to draw every detail right away. Instead, they identify the basic shapes they see and then combine those shapes to build a drawing.

In this lesson, you'll learn how to use simple geometric shapes as building blocks. By combining and changing these shapes, you can create drawings that look more and more like the objects you are observing.

Don't miss this important idea: artists build drawings from shapes!

Today You Will:

• Look for simple geometric shapes in an object.
• Combine shapes to create a basic drawing.
• Adjust the shapes to better match what you see.
• Create a simple line drawing using shapes as your guide.

As you practice, you'll begin to notice that man...

DRAWING REFERENCE: apples or other round fruit 

YOU'LL NEED: 2-3 sheets of paper, pencil, eraser, a template for a 3 inch circle (like a jar, a cup, a can, or a roll of tape) and apples of different varieties

Hi and Welcome!

Great job practicing your hand movements in the last four lessons! Now it's time to start drawing like an artist by carefully observing real objects.

Artists learn to draw by looking closely at the world around them. Instead of drawing from memory or imagination, they study real objects and draw what they see.

In this lesson, you'll use a piece of fruit, such as an apple, as your drawing reference. You'll begin by finding its basic shape and then adjust that shape to match the fruit more accurately.

A circle template can help you get started. Think of the circle as a guide, not a part of your finished drawing. As you look carefully at the fruit, notice where the edges curve inward, bulge outward, or change direction. Then make small changes to your circle ...

DRAWING REFERENCE: Flexible Bag

YOU'LL NEED: copy or drawing paper 9x12 inches, pencil, eraser, a flexible bag of cloth, plastic, or mesh, and fruit or large objects to put into the bag 

Hi and Welcome!

Welcome to our final lesson on how to move your hand to create smooth, confident lines. The more you practice, the easier and more natural drawing will feel.

In this lesson, you'll draw a flexible bag. Unlike a rigid bag that keeps its shape, a flexible bag changes shape depending on what is inside it. This makes it a fun challenge and a great way to practice observing shapes and edges.

If you can, find a bag at home and place different objects inside it. Try drawing the bag with blocks, balls, toys, or other items. Every time you change what's inside, the bag will look different, giving you a brand-new drawing challenge!

If you'd rather not draw your own bag, you can use the photo shown in the lesson video.

What You'll Discover

1. Start with the Objects Inside

Before drawin...

DRAWING REFERENCE: the rigid bag 

YOU'LL NEED: copy or drawing paper 9x12 inches, pencil, eraser, a bag that is either circular, an oval, a rectangle, or a square

Hi and Welcome!

Welcome to Lesson 3 in our drawing series!

So far, you've been learning how artists use simple lines to create drawings. Line drawings are the starting point for almost every kind of art, from sketches and paintings to detailed illustrations.

In this lesson, you'll draw a rigid bag—a bag that keeps its shape and doesn't have lots of wrinkles or folds. This makes it a great object for practicing shapes and edges.

If you'd rather not draw your own bag, you can use the bag shown in the lesson video.

Remember Our Three Goals

1. Look for the Edges

Artists carefully observe the edges of an object and draw the lines they see.

2. Start with Big Shapes

Focus on the largest shapes first. Don't worry about small details yet.

3. Draw Large

Use big hand movements and try to make your drawing fill most of the p...

DRAWING REFERENCE: backpack or other simple bag shape 

YOU'LL NEED: drawing paper 9x12 inches or copy paper, pencil, eraser, a backpack or bag

Hi and Welcome!

Welcome to Lesson 2 in our line drawing series!

In the last lesson, you learned about moving your hand across the paper and making your first line drawing. Today, you'll practice those skills again while drawing a different type of bag.

Every artist starts by learning to see and draw simple shapes. As you work through these lessons, you'll become more confident with your pencil and learn how to draw what you see.

You may feel a little awkward at first, and that's completely normal. Every new skill takes practice. The more you draw, the easier it becomes!

Your Goals for This Lesson

1. Look for the Edges

Carefully observe your bag and notice where the outside edges are. Draw lines where you see those edges.

2. Start with Big Shapes

Don't worry about tiny details right away. Artists begin with the largest shapes first and...

DRAWING REFERENCE: gift bag 

YOU'LL NEED: drawing paper 9x12 or copy paper, pencil, eraser, paper bag and bow 

Hi and Welcome!

This lesson is the beginning of a fun drawing journey for kids, teens, and anyone who wants to learn how to draw. Every great drawing, painting, or artwork starts with simple lines. Learning how to draw those first lines is one of the most important skills an artist can have.

In this lesson, you'll learn how artists look carefully at an object and draw what they see. You'll use a real gift bag as your drawing reference and practice creating a line drawing step by step.

Don't worry about making it perfect. The goal is to observe, practice, and have fun!

What You'll Discover

1. The Edge Is Where We Start

Artists often begin by looking at the outside edge, or outline, of an object. The edge helps us understand the shape we are drawing.

2. Why Staying in One Spot Helps

When drawing from a real object, it's important to stay in the same position. If you mo...