Line is one of the formal elements of art and
design. It’s a basic building block which can be used to render form, shape,
texture and tone. Below are a number of different drawing exercises to try at
home. All you need is some paper and something to draw with.
If you can try and gather a few different media eg, pencil, biro, felt tip, crayon etc. All of these different media will have different qualities and make different kinds of mark - so even if it’s something you don't usually use, give it a try - you never know you could find a new favourite!
1) Blind Drawing
A blind drawing means you create your drawing with out looking at the paper and instead looking only at the object you are drawing. This will force you to study your object closely. Look at every shape and edge with your eyes and mimic the lines you see onto the paper. You are not aiming to create a realistic artwork, so don't worry if your finished product isn't quite what you imagined it would look like. The aim here is strengthen the connection between eyes, hand and brain.
Top Tips:
1) Don't take your hand off of the page, this will help you to visualise where you are on the paper
2) Set your self a time limit for the exercise, why not try doing a series of drawings in quick succession - say 3 drawings each lasting 1min.
3) Choose a single object to draw to begin with - rather than a complex scene.
2) Non-dominant Hand
Give your non-dominant hand a go. Sometimes a lack of control in art and design is a good thing, and, unless you are ambidextrous, this exercise will require you to give up much of your learned control. By drawing with your non-dominant hand you should find your line becoming more loose and fluid.
You should begin to notice improvement in your line quality as become more confident with your drawing. Also focus on looking at what you are drawing as much as the drawing itself and do not stop moving your hand when you look up.
You should begin to notice improvement in your line quality as become more confident with your drawing. Also focus on looking at what you are drawing as much as the drawing itself and do not stop moving your hand when you look up.
If you can try and gather a few different media eg, pencil, biro, felt tip, crayon etc. All of these different media will have different qualities and make different kinds of mark - so even if it’s something you don't usually use, give it a try - you never know you could find a new favourite!
1) Blind Drawing
A blind drawing means you create your drawing with out looking at the paper and instead looking only at the object you are drawing. This will force you to study your object closely. Look at every shape and edge with your eyes and mimic the lines you see onto the paper. You are not aiming to create a realistic artwork, so don't worry if your finished product isn't quite what you imagined it would look like. The aim here is strengthen the connection between eyes, hand and brain.
Top Tips:
1) Don't take your hand off of the page, this will help you to visualise where you are on the paper
2) Set your self a time limit for the exercise, why not try doing a series of drawings in quick succession - say 3 drawings each lasting 1min.
3) Choose a single object to draw to begin with - rather than a complex scene.
2) Non-dominant Hand
Give your non-dominant hand a go. Sometimes a lack of control in art and design is a good thing, and, unless you are ambidextrous, this exercise will require you to give up much of your learned control. By drawing with your non-dominant hand you should find your line becoming more loose and fluid.
You should begin to notice improvement in your line quality as become more confident with your drawing. Also focus on looking at what you are drawing as much as the drawing itself and do not stop moving your hand when you look up.
3) Gestural Drawing
Gestural
drawings use expressive mark making to capture the "essence" of an object
quickly. Use fast, expressive lines to capture basic forms and proportions –
the emotion and essence of a subject – without focusing on detail.
- The first drawings you only have 20 seconds to complete. Repeat the 20-second exercise about 10 times.
- Increase the timer to 40 seconds. You want to be bold with these drawings and forget about the "mistakes" that you are making.
- Increase the time again to 2 minutes after you have completed about 10 drawings at 40 seconds.
You should begin to notice improvement in your line quality as become more confident with your drawing. Also focus on looking at what you are drawing as much as the drawing itself and do not stop moving your hand when you look up.
4) Continuous Line Drawing
A continuous
line drawing is produced without ever lifting the drawing instrument from the
page. This means that, in addition to outlines and internal shapes, the pencil
must move back and forth across the surface of the paper, with lines doubling
back on each other, so that the drawing is one free-flowing, unbroken line.
5) Contour Drawing Exercises
A contour
drawing shows the outlines, shapes and edges of a scene, but without
including fine detail. Using only line you won't be applying tone, colour
and mediums; and instead focuses attention solely on shape and proportion.
Share your drawings on social media with #explorewithSWM and see what other people have been making too.
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