Drawing Tips

The lessons in my books show you ways of drawing animals, cars, trains, monsters, you name it. You don't need to start with the first illustration. Choose whichever one you wish. When you have decided, follow the step-by-step method shown. Very lightly and carefully, sketch out the step number one. However, this step, which is the easiest, should be done the most carefully. Step number two is added right to step number one, also lightly and also very carefully. Step number three is sketched right on top of numbers one and two. Continue this way to the last step.

It may seem strange to ask you to be extra careful when you are drawing what seem to be the easiest first steps, but this is most important, for a careless mistake at the beginning may spoil the whole picture at the end. As you sketch out each step, watch the spaces between the lines, as well as the lines, and see that they are the same. After each step, you may want to lighten your work by pressing it with a kneaded eraser (available at art supply stores).

When you have finished, you may want to redo the final step in India ink with a fine brush or pen. When the ink is dry, use the kneaded eraser to clean off the pencil lines. The eraser will not affect the India ink.

Here are some suggestions: in the first few steps, even when all seems quite correct, you might do well to hold your work up to a mirror. Sometimes the mirror shows that you've twisted the drawing off to one side without being aware of it. At first you may find it difficult to draw the egg shapes, the ball shapes, or sausage shapes, or to just make the pencil go where you wish. Don't be discouraged. The more you practice, the more you will develop control.

The only equipment you'll need will be a medium or soft pencil, paper, the kneaded eraser, and, if you wish, a pen or brush.

The first steps in the lessons are shown darker than necessary so that they can be clearly seen. (Keep your work very light.)

You may also want to try using the Draw 50 series with your computer. The best way to use the Draw 50 series with a computer is with an electronic pencil and pad program, such as Painter4 or artPadII. Computers offer some advantages, not the least of which is the "Undo" command (not available with regular India ink!). On a computer, you can erase as many times as you like without ripping the "paper," and you can print as many copies of your drawing as you like. You might also want to draw your images using pencil and paper, then use a scanner to create an electronic version you can color and manipulate with a painting program.

Remember there are many other ways and methods to make drawings. My books show some of my methods. Why don't you seek out other ways from teachers, from libraries, and most importantly...from inside yourself?

Lee J. Ames

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