Learn How To Draw By Looking More Carefully

By Michael Dale

When somebody says they can't draw... Is it true?

The truth is that people draw every day without realizing.

The basic function of drawing is to make marks onto a surface to communicate ideas and information. Making marks is usually done with pictures and writing.

"If you are capable of writing... you are equally capable of drawing"

Drawing pictures uses the same skills as writing a message.

When you are writing you don't have to think about what you are doing...

* You are forming lines

* You are drawing circles

* You are creating curves

It is easy for you to write. Writing comes naturally to you. You were taught to write from an early age. The skills come easily to you.

When you draw exactly the same skills are being used...

* You can use a series of lines to draw a house

* You use a combination of curves to draw a face

There is nothing to stop you learning to draw. You can learn to draw if you take time and effort to improve your drawing skills.

Here's a challenge... Take a pen or pencil and draw a cat or a dog. If you aren't used to drawing the result will disappoint you. Your drawing might not look anything like a cat or a dog.

Because you already think that you can't draw there is no surprise.

The surprise might be to learn that many artists would also fail to get an exact likeness.

The biggest challenge when you learn to draw is to sharpen your powers of observation.

By looking more carefully at the dog and cat you see more. Look closely at the head...

* See the shape of the head

* See how the ears are placed on top

* See the eyes

* Look at the nose

Very soon you will see a clearer picture in your mind...

"Now, you will see a sudden improvement when you draw the next dog or cat picture"