An Artist's Guide: Basic Drawing Skills: An Artist's Guide, #1

AN ARTIST’S GUIDE: BASIC DRAWING SKILLS

DIANE DOBSON BARTON

Artist-How-To Publications Artist-How-To Publications

Copyright © 2023 by Diane Dobson Barton

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

DEDICATION

For Jim…Always

CONTENTS

Introduction

Materials

Viewfinder Directions

Part One

Lines and Texture

Shape

Contour

Gesture

Part Two

Value

Ways To Make Value

Edges

Form

Composition

Part Three

Linear Perspective

Proportions

Figure Proportions

Part Four

Master Study

Reductive Drawing

Maintaining A Drawing Practice

About Author

Afterword

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of arts education is not to produce more artists, though that is a byproduct. The real purpose of arts education is to create complete human beings capable of leading successful and productive lives in a free society. - Dana Giola

This is not a book on how to draw a specific item. Rather, this is a book that introduces you to drawing skills, enabling you to draw anything you want.

My hope for this book is that it will help you will build a firm foundation in your drawing abilities. Drawing is so important to the visual arts. The ability to communicate what you see, whether that is in the physical world or in your mind's eye, gives you a tremendous advantage. And all it takes is a simple piece of paper and a pencil.

I’ve broken this book down into four sections. The first one is Lines and Texture, Shapes, and Gesture Drawing. The second is Value, Form, and Composition. In part three, we cover Linear Perspective, Proportions, Portraiture, and ways to create a self portrait. Finally, in part four, we will learn about Reductive Drawing, how to create a Master Copy, how to Incorporate the Practice into your daily habit. Then last, I have resources for you to look into.

Expectations:

Take a moment and ask yourself, what do you want to gain from this book?

Do you want to refresh the drawing skills you already have?

Pursue drawing as a new hobby?

Use it to do something just for you?

Enhance your other visual artistic pursuits?

All the above?

Or perhaps something totally different that drives you to want to learn more about drawing?

MATERIALS

Materials:

NOTE: Keep yourself from buying all the things right off the bat. It is easy to get overwhelmed by everything that is on the market. The essential thing is to develop an eye for seeing things as an artist, not to have the most supplies.

One profound aspect of drawing is that to learn, you do not have to have a lot of expensive equipment. It all begins with a pencil and paper. It is important to start where you are at this moment. Read over the supply list I included, and choose the level of supplies you need, then go from there.

You can find a downloadable copy to print for your needs here

I have included different drawing supply options, depending upon need.

Just getting started:

A ream of plain white 8.5X11 inch printer paper

Eraser of choice. Options include white vinyl, pink rubber, and kneaded

#2 Pencil or mechanical pencil

Pencil sharpener, if using a #2 pencil

Wanting to expand beyond basics:

2B pencil and/or mechanical pencil

White vinyl eraser and/or kneaded eraser

Ream of 20 lb white 8.5x11 inch printer