Start with Lines

Lines are the foundation of all drawing. A line can be straight or curved, thick or thin, light or dark. Practicing different types of lines helps build control in your hand and trains your eyes to follow the flow of your subject.

Begin by drawing straight lines from one side of the page to the other. Do it slowly at first, keeping your wrist loose and using your whole arm. Then practice curved lines — waves, loops, spirals — and vary the pressure to explore light and heavy strokes. Use vertical, horizontal, and diagonal lines to train your hand to move in different directions.

Don’t worry about making perfect lines. The goal is to develop muscle memory and build confidence. Over time, your lines will become smoother and more intentional.

Learn to See and Draw Shapes

Once you’re comfortable with lines, the next step is to understand shapes. Most objects — whether it’s a person, animal, car, or tree — are made up of basic shapes: circles, ovals, rectangles, triangles, and squares. Being able to break things down into shapes makes drawing them much easier.

Try this exercise: Choose an object, like a cup or a cat. Before you draw it, ask yourself, “What shapes can I see in this?” For example, a cat’s head might be a circle, the body an oval, and the ears triangles. Lightly sketch those shapes, then connect them using smooth lines. It doesn’t have to be perfect. You’re training your brain to see in a new way.

This technique is often called “blocking in” and is used by professional artists too. It helps with proportions, positioning, and overall structure.

Practice Daily

Like any skill, drawing improves with practice. Set aside even 10–15 minutes a day for simple line and shape exercises. Draw random objects around your room using basic shapes. Practice filling a page with lines going in different directions. Try copying simple drawings or doodles, focusing on how lines and shapes work together.

You don’t need fancy tools — a pencil and sketchbook are enough. What matters most is consistency.

Be Patient and Have Fun

Every artist starts as a beginner. Your early drawings might look rough or uneven, and that’s okay! Each line you draw is a step forward. Don’t compare yourself to others; compare yourself to your past self. Are your lines cleaner? Are you noticing shapes faster? That’s progress.

Remember: drawing is not just a skill, it’s a journey. And like any journey, it begins with a single line.

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