Basic Skills / Getting Started with Drawing

Learn to draw with The Art & Science of Drawing series, a step-by-step course covering basic skills, shapes, and techniques for artists and designers. Build skills with daily lessons and projects.
Basic Skills / Getting Started with Drawing

Quick Facts

  • Duration: 261 minutes
  • Level: Beginner
  • Prerequisites: None - designed for complete beginners
  • Instructor: Brent Eviston, Master Artist & Instructor with 20+ years teaching experience

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Is This Course Right For You?

Ideal For

  • Those with no prior drawing experience who want to learn fundamentals
  • Painters, graphic designers, and illustrators looking to strengthen core skills
  • Advanced artists seeking specialized techniques
  • Those looking for digital-only instruction

Key Learning Outcomes

  • Master fundamental pencil techniques
  • Learn to break down any subject into basic shapes
  • Develop ability to analyze and draw subjects accurately
  • Build foundation for more advanced drawing skills

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How You'll Learn

Teaching Style Distribution

  • Video Lectures: 40%
  • Hands-on Practice: 45%
  • Interactive Elements: 5%
  • Projects/Assignments: 10%

Primary Learning Methods

  • Method1: Progressive Skill Building - Daily lessons build upon previous concepts, example: Starting with basic shapes and progressing to complex forms
  • Method2: Practical Demonstrations - Detailed demonstrations of techniques and processes, example: Step-by-step breakdowns of drawing various subjects
  • Method3: Structured Practice - Daily practice assignments with specific focus areas, example: Drawing exercises designed to build specific skills

Best Suited Learning Styles

  • Visual learners
  • Practice-oriented learners
  • Systematic learners

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Content Depth Analysis

Major Topics

1. Basic Drawing Techniques (30% of course)

  • Depth Level: Comprehensive
  • Key Components:
    • Pencil handling
    • Line quality
    • Basic shapes
  • Main Takeaways: Foundation for all drawing skills

2. Shape Analysis (40% of course)

  • Depth Level: Advanced
  • Key Components:
    • Breaking down subjects
    • Form analysis
  • Main Takeaways: Ability to analyze and simplify complex subjects

3. Drawing Applications (30% of course)

  • Depth Level: Intermediate
  • Key Components:
    • Practice projects
    • Real-world applications
  • Main Takeaways: Practical application of learned skills

Coverage Overview

Comprehensive Coverage

  • Basic drawing techniques
  • Shape analysis

Foundational Coverage

  • Form understanding
  • Drawing process

Limited Coverage

  • Advanced shading
  • Perspective
  • Color theory

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Skill Development Path

Required Starting Point

Must Have:

  • None - course starts from absolute basics

Helpful to Have:

  • Patience
  • Willingness to practice

Development Stages

1. Foundation Phase

Skills Developed:
  • Basic pencil control
  • Understanding shapes
Practical Outcomes:
  • Ability to draw basic forms

2. Analysis Phase

Skills Developed:
  • Subject breakdown
  • Form recognition
Practical Outcomes:
  • Capacity to analyze and simplify subjects

3. Application Phase

Skills Developed:
  • Drawing process
  • Basic composition
Practical Outcomes:
  • Ability to approach and draw simple subjects

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Success Factors

Keys to Success

  • Regular practice
  • Following the course sequence
  • Completing all assignments
  • Patience with the learning process

Preparation Steps

Before Starting:

  • Gather basic materials
  • Set up dedicated practice space
  • Schedule regular practice time
  • Basic drawing materials
  • Practice paper
  • Drawing board

Next Courses:

  • Dynamic Mark Making
  • Form & Space
  • Measuring & Proportion

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About the author

Course Insights

by Gareth B. Davies

Course Insights by Gareth B. Davies

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