I teach beginner and intermediate drawing at Art Alliance in Greensboro, NC. Here are some really helpful resources.

And one of my drawings…

The best way to learn to draw is by drawing. The more you draw the more you can refine your seeing skills. And the more you see, the better you draw. In other words, if you can’t see all the gradients, the intricacies and the details, then you can’t draw them.

Get your self a sketchbook and a piece of charcoal and start your sketchbook habit.

Best place to get supplies is online at https://www.jerrysartarama.com/drawing-illustration

https://www.jacksonsart.com/blog/2018/08/23/difference-between-graphite-and-charcoal/#chemicalstructure

https://www.aristidesarts.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Classical-Drawing-Essential-Techniques/dp/082300659X

https://www.drawright.com/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1585429201/ref=dbs_a_w_dp_1585429201

https://youtu.be/ewMksAbgdBI

https://youtu.be/OWfQEM-35Dw

Backgrounds and edges – The background of your drawing is more than just afterthought; it creates the environment the objects reside in. Here’s a great article from thedrawingsource.com with an awesome video that shows how the background gradient affects the appearance of the gradients in your subject. 

https://www.thedrawingsource.com/backgrounds-video.html?ck_subscriber_id=848106655

Perspective – It’s easier than you think!

If you want to draw accurate, realistic boxes, table tops, buildings, anything…you’ll need to use utilize the element of drawing called perspective. It may sound a bit daunting, but it’s really much simpler than you might think.

Two things to remember about Perspective:

1. Objects that are closer to the viewer appear larger than objects that are farther away.
2. The parallel lines of an object vanish at the horizon line (vanishing point.)

I used two point perspective to check the angles of the shelves in the painting below, to create depth and space and to make them look more realistic.

Here’s a great article that clearly and simply explains the element of Perspective. Take a look:

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/perspective-in-paintings-2578098

Reverse Drawing

Next we’ll be doing some reverse drawing, sometimes called subtractive drawing, where we’ll be starting with charcoal covered paper and drawing/revealing the form by erasing only. Kind of drawing in reverse. This helps you refine your ability to create form using values instead of just lines.

Here are some helpful resources…