by Jennifer Brinkle

Created on: February 11, 2007   Last Updated: May 08, 2007

Everyone is familiar with the phrase "draw what you see not what you know.' This sounds easy right? In theory yes and after practice it becomes very easy. But to get there, you need to train your eye to see in a whole new way.

Start by drawing your basic shapes: square, rectangle, circle, cylinder, and triangle. Look at these on your paper and then look up. Whatever is the first object you see, look for these basic shapes within them. It's easy for many inanimate objects. Obviously your TV is rectangular; your glass is cylindrical, etc. But what about your hand? It's not a circle, square, rectangle, etc. And that pear isn't quite a circle yet it's not a cylinder either.

Not everything that we "see" can be described with one of these basic shapes but if you break them down, then you realize that they are indeed comprised of several of these shapes linked together with a few simple lines. Your hand for instance is indeed a triangle (point disappearing in the wrist) with several cylinders forming your fingers. That pear is actually two circles on top of each other with an hourglass curve connecting them. At least this is how I see them. You may see them differently but you get my point.

Once you have learned how to see, it is time to learn how to draw.

Wandering through an art supply store can be daunting. You may think that if you are learning how to draw you must first learn the proper use of materials. Many marketing executives will lead you to believe that to be a good artist; you must use expensive materials. If you have sub-standard materials, then you must be sub-standard yourself. Stop that thinking immediately! You are a beginner and you don't need to spend a fortune to learn how to draw! Find a pen, any pencil lying around, a crayon, marker, whatever and draw. Use computer paper, that old newspaper, napkins, junk mail or, if it makes you feel better, buy a sketchpad at your local store.

Now that materials are out of the way, the next step is to get rid of the eraser! The eraser is a crutch. In the beginning stages of learning to draw it inhibits growth and crushes your self-confidence. If you have an eraser attached to your pencil, cut it off. If you have one separate, throw it away, lock it up and throw away the key just do whatever is necessary to keep the temptation away from you. An eraser is akin to the most addictive drug out there for starting artists. Once you begin to use it you will never get rid of it so don't start!

The next step is to be comfortable.

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