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Sketching basics

Line, shape, value, shading and perspective — the foundation every other skill sits on.

Lesson 1

Line: confident, controlled marks

Learn to draw straight lines, curves and ellipses with your shoulder and elbow, not just your wrist.

Lesson 2

Shape: seeing simple forms

Break complicated subjects into simple 2D shapes and 3D forms before adding any detail.

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Lesson 3

Value: light and dark

Value — how light or dark something is — does more to make a picture read than colour does.

highlightcore shadowreflected lightcast shadow
Lesson 4

Shading: light on form

Understand highlight, light, core shadow, reflected light and cast shadow — and render a sphere convincingly.

horizon (eye level)
Lesson 5

Perspective: one, two and three point

Horizon lines, vanishing points and how to draw boxes and buildings that sit in space.