How you will draw. A quick lesson...
1. Relax and get comfortable.
2. Choose a subject that interests you.
3. Start by using reference material or something to look at. Later, after you have drawn hundreds of things, you will be able to draw from memory.
4. You should have a sturdy piece of paper with a few extra sheets underneath to act as a cushion.
5. You need 3 pencils, hard, medium and soft. These will give you light to dark lines.
6. Have a kneaded eraser ready.
7. Practice sketching using your finger instead of the pencil. This is a good way to plan your object placement.
8. One object should dominate your composition. You may want to place it off center.
9. Hold the hard pencil far from the point and let it glide LIGHTLY over the paper.
10. LOOK FOR BASIC SHAPES like circles rectangles and triangles. (see #1)
11. After you are satisfied with the basic sketch, you may erase some of the unwanted lines with your kneaded eraser.
12. Now, take a break and walk away from your drawing for a couple minutes. When you come back, you will see problem areas with a fresh eye and be able to correct them BEFORE you darken any lines.
13. Next add some detail as you study your reference. Look for areas that go in and out. Look for graceful curves and be accurate. (see #2)
14. Next look for values. These are the darks and lighter areas. shading and shadows can be roughed in. Remember, light usually comes from one direction in nature. (see #3)
15. Towards the end, look at your reference through squinted eyes. This eliminates detail and allows you to see the really dark areas that will add drama to your finished piece.
16. Finally, satisfied with your efforts, do one sketch a day and see how quickly you improve.
To see Barry Singer's online art gallerys visit
www.fishfanatic.etsy.com or www.gyotakuartist.com