Magic Drawing Lessons? What I do to Teach my Students how to Really Draw
Welcome to the advanced drawing lessons page!Here you will learn the key drawing techniques that every accomplished representational artist uses. I use a multifaceted approach to drawing, and I teach my students to draw the same way. No tricks or shortcuts. Do you feel intimidated by the word “advanced”? Don't. It's just there to distinguish these lessons from the
the really basic lessons
I've put together elsewhere on the site for people who are complete beginners. If you are just starting to draw, then please take the time to go through the basics, and then return here. If you already have a foundation in drawing, then read on and polish your skills.
I learned these methods years ago when studying classic drawing techniques. I have used the same principles in my drawings over and over since then. You probably will not master all of them at the same time. I still catch myself neglecting some of them myself sometimes. With practice, however, these techniques will gradually become second nature. Read on to learn what I think should be taught in every art school before allowing the students to touch a paint brush (and there's no tuition for this either!). Learn how to measure proportionStart with the basis of the crucial block-in process.
Check the alignment of edges and shapesInstead of using a plumb line, learn how to plot the alignment.
Simple ways to measure anglesAnother drawing element you will use continuously once you learn its power.
Break down your subject into simple geometrical shapesThe ability to simplify a more complex form into basic shapes helps you draw with confidence..
Soft and hard edges – make them work for youLearn how to create soft and hard edges to enhance and give life to your drawings.
Why is tonal value even more important than color?Understand why accurate tones are vital to successful drawing and painting.
Learn how to see tonal values in colorsFortunately artists do not have to convert everything they see into black and white images in order to read tonal values. Use these techniques to spot the tonal relationships in your drawing subjects.
Discover mass drawing – Beyond line drawingsStretch yourself and pull away from line drawing. Learn to draw the form in volume.
One Step further beyond knowing the concept of tonal drawingDelve into value painting in depth and learn some of the exercises you can do at home.
Learn the tricks to blend shading strokesDiscover the shading techniques and tools that produce a smooth form.
Do's and Don'ts in painting valuesDon't walk away without these must-read principles for capturing accurate values.
I attend weekly open studio sessions at a local art school. Once I encountered the following quote when I was there. I think I'd share here since it is thought provoking to me.
“One of the major functions of art is to present a situation in which perceptions -coaxed from their engrained habits-have the possibility to change” - Joseph Johns.Hopefully this is what the art of drawing does for you. I will keep posting more interesting drawing lessons for this section.
I do not pretend that I can fully provide comprehensive drawing lessons with this site although it is my goal to expand the site in the near future. If you feel like learning more, you can click here or the picture below for more drawing lessons. 
Here is another resource where you can access more lessons on DVD's if you prefer to watch how it is done in action.
Or learn from the free art lessons - The Art Instruction Blog
More art instruction and other great resources on a variety of different mediums including oil painting, acrylic painting, watercolor, drawing,and pastels.
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