Online Drawing Lessons
Welcome again to the site! I'd like to share with you, a little bit about the online drawing lessons you'll find here - and how you can get the most out of them. So before you dive in, please have a quick read through the following page.
Oh, and to make things easier - just as I like to do with the lessons! - I've broken it all down into separate ideas, beginning with...
Free Online Drawing Lessons!
First and foremost, please know that all of the lessons here on the site are completely free. Drawing is my passion, and so is helping others (that's you!) learn and improve at their craft. So while you're browsing & working away, know that there are no hidden costs of any kind.
Just draw and enjoy! :-)
Drawing Lesson Levels
You'll notice I've divided the online drawing lessons up into three categories - Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.
Really, this is only a guideline - and it doesn't necessarily mean that if you're just starting out - you can ONLY do the Beginner lessons. I do my best to categorize each lesson accordingly, but really... I understand that everyone learns at a different pace.
My best advice to you? For sure - if you're new to drawing, start with the Beginner lessons. But don't be afraid to try out another level. In short, work at a level (and on lessons) that are most comfortable to you. And also, go with the categories and themes that you most enjoy.
Drawing Lesson Categories
Perhaps the most important factor when it comes to drawing (and anything!) is to draw the things you most love. When you love what you're doing, work often feels more like play. And for sure, this is exactly how it should be!
To help with this, I've divided the site into a series of 'lesson categories' everything from animals to dragons to people. Choose the category you're most interested in, and practice your drawing skills in and around this theme.
Do what you love and love what you do! :-)
The BIG Picture
In each of the online drawing lessons, the first thing you'll see - is a finished, colored version of the cartoon that you'll soon be creating.
I did this so that you have a clear goal before-hand, of exactly what it is you'll be doing. In this way, you'll have a better understanding of the step by step process, and it will be much easier for you to progress from start to finish.
Frameworks
I like to begin each lesson by encouraging you to draw, what I like to call - a framework. Truly, everything we draw - can be broken down into a series of simple, 'easy to recognize' shapes. And similar to the way our bones are the frameworks of our bodies, and how steel beams are the frameworks of buildings... simple shapes can be arranged ahead of time, as they help us visualize what it is we're drawing.
So yes, a series of simple shapes - arranged in a particular way... act as the framework in most of the online drawing lessons you'll find here on the site.
Not only does a framework aid in keeping a drawing 'looking the way it's supposed to'... but also... it helps to maintain proportion so that you can put more focus on the creative 'left brain' aspect of things.
The more you practice and repeat, the more familiar you will become with the various patterns of shapes and lines involved in whatever it is that you're drawing - and eventually - the less you'll need to make use of a framework.
It's at this point, when you begin to 'draw from memory' - similar to how you would play a musical instrument 'without even thinking about it'... after lots and lots of practice! :-)
Draw this First!
Once you have a framework drawn (if the lesson calls for it!), I like to encourage you to begin by drawing the head of whatever it is you're sketching - especially (obviously) if it's a cartoon character - something that thinks... something with eyes!
And speaking of eyes - after you've sketched out a framework with guidelines, the eyes are the very first thing - in most cases, that I'll recommend you draw. Quite simply, the eyes are 'the windows to the soul', and so - by drawing them first - it really helps to establish life and character in your drawing, early on.
Makes the rest of the process that much easier and more enjoyable! :-)
The Step-by-Step Process
Framework and head in place, the rest of the lesson takes place in series of very-easy-to-follow steps.
And yes, I really do try and make things as easy as possible for you. Often, I'll go a little overboard and include even the tiniest of steps. And I do this so that you know exactly what's going on - and exactly what you need to draw next!
It's my way of ensuring you get the very most out of each of these online drawing lessons.
Creativity
A final point - something that really is THE single most important factor with respect to these free online drawing lessons - is creativity.
Drawing is about being creative. And while each lesson here does encourage you to walk a 'specific path' to create a cartoon of my creation... you must never forget to tap into your own creativity as well.
Actively seek out new ways to change the drawing at hand, such that it becomes unique to you. There are endless ways to do this, whether it be making things larger or smaller... or changing the style of your lines. And of course, I'll be encouraging you to do so at various stages throughout the lessons.
Well, thank you for taking the time to read through this brief introduction. I hope these online drawing lessons are helpful to you. :-)
