The complete drawing curriculum

Why anyone can learn to draw, the materials you need, and how to practice so you actually improve.

1. 1Introduction: Anyone Can Learn to DrawDrawing is a skill, not a gift. Learn how this course works and what you will be able to do. 8 min
2. 2Drawing Materials for BeginnersPencils, paper, erasers and sharpeners: what to buy, what to skip, and why. 12 min
3. 3Posture, Grip and Drawing from the ShoulderHow you hold the pencil and move your arm changes every line you make. 10 min
4. 4How to Practice EffectivelyDeliberate practice, sketchbook habits, warm-ups and tracking your progress. 10 min

The line is the alphabet of drawing. Build control, confidence and a rich vocabulary of marks.

1. 5Drawing Confident LinesGhosting, speed and arm movement for straight, smooth, intentional lines. 12 min
2. 6Line Weight and Line QualityUse thick and thin lines to show depth, light and importance. 10 min
3. 7Curves, Circles and EllipsesDraw smooth curves and convincing ellipses, the key to round objects. 12 min
4. 8Hatching, Cross-Hatching and StipplingBuild tone with lines and dots: the classic mark-making techniques. 12 min

Turn flat shapes into solid, three-dimensional forms that feel like they exist in space.

1. 9Seeing the World in Simple ShapesBreak any subject down into circles, rectangles and triangles. 10 min
2. 10The Basic 3D FormsCube, sphere, cylinder and cone: the building blocks of everything. 14 min
3. 11Construction DrawingCombine simple forms to build complex objects step by step. 14 min
4. 12Contour and Cross-Contour LinesUse contour lines to describe the surface and volume of a form. 10 min

Learn to see like an artist: measure, compare and draw what is really in front of you.

1. 13Drawing What You See, Not What You KnowEscape symbol drawing and start observing shapes, angles and relationships. 10 min
2. 14Measuring Proportions and AnglesSight-size, the pencil method and plumb lines for accurate drawings. 14 min
3. 15Negative SpaceDraw the space around objects to see their true shape. 10 min
4. 16Your First Still LifePut it all together: set up, block in, refine and shade a still life. 16 min

Create the illusion of depth with horizon lines, vanishing points and foreshortening.

1. 17Perspective Basics: Horizon and Vanishing PointsEye level, the horizon line and why parallel lines seem to meet. 12 min
2. 18One-Point PerspectiveRoads, hallways and rooms seen straight on. 14 min
3. 19Two-Point PerspectiveBuildings and objects seen from a corner. 14 min
4. 20Three-Point PerspectiveDramatic views looking up at skyscrapers or down from above. 12 min
5. 21Foreshortening and Circles in PerspectiveObjects pointing toward you, and how circles become ellipses. 12 min

Make drawings glow with convincing light: value, shadows, edges and texture.

1. 22Understanding ValueValue is how light or dark something is, and it matters more than color. 12 min
2. 23How Light Falls on FormHighlight, core shadow, reflected light and cast shadow explained. 14 min
3. 24Shading and Blending TechniquesSmooth gradients, layering, blending tools and when not to blend. 12 min
4. 25Edges: Hard, Soft and LostControl edges to create focus, depth and atmosphere. 10 min
5. 26Drawing Textures and MaterialsMetal, glass, wood, fur and fabric: how to suggest any surface. 12 min

Arrange your drawing so the viewer’s eye goes exactly where you want.

1. 27Composition Basics: Focal Point and BalanceRule of thirds, balance, contrast and the focal point. 12 min
2. 28Thumbnails and Value StudiesSmall, fast sketches that solve your picture before you commit. 10 min
3. 29Leading Lines, Shapes and FlowGuide the eye with lines, shapes and rhythm. 10 min
4. 30Creating Depth: Overlap and AtmosphereForeground, middle ground, background and atmospheric perspective. 10 min

Proportions, gesture, anatomy, heads, hands and clothing: drawing people with life and structure.

1. 31Figure ProportionsMeasure the body in heads: adults, children and stylized figures. 12 min
2. 32Gesture DrawingCapture movement and energy in 30 seconds with the line of action. 12 min
3. 33The Mannequin: Structure and BalanceBuild the body from simple forms, and keep it balanced. 14 min
4. 34Anatomy Essentials for ArtistsThe skeleton and major muscle groups that shape the figure. 18 min
5. 35Hands and FeetSimplify the hardest parts of the body into manageable forms. 14 min
6. 36The Head: the Loomis MethodConstruct a head from a sphere at any angle. 14 min
7. 37Eyes, Nose, Mouth and EarsDraw each facial feature as a form, not a symbol. 14 min
8. 38Facial Expressions and EmotionEyebrows, eyelids and mouth: the tools of emotion. 10 min
9. 39Clothing and FoldsThe seven fold types and how fabric reacts to the body. 12 min

Apply the fundamentals to animals, landscapes, architecture and your own imagination.

1. 40Drawing AnimalsSimple forms, comparative anatomy and gesture for any creature. 14 min
2. 41Nature and LandscapesTrees, rocks, water, clouds and big outdoor spaces. 14 min
3. 42Architecture and Urban SketchingDraw buildings and streets on location, quickly and confidently. 12 min
4. 43Drawing from ImaginationBuild a visual library and design things that do not exist. 14 min

Hue, value and saturation, harmonies, temperature and mixing: color that works.

1. 44Color Basics: Hue, Value and SaturationThe three properties of every color and the color wheel. 12 min
2. 45Color HarmonyComplementary, analogous, triadic and more: palettes that work. 12 min
3. 46Color Temperature and LightWarm and cool colors, colored light and shadow colors. 10 min
4. 47Mixing ColorsSubtractive mixing, limited palettes and mixing clean colors. 12 min

Ink, charcoal, colored pencils, watercolor, gouache, acrylic and oil: techniques for each.

1. 48Ink Drawing: Pens and BrushesFineliners, dip pens and brush pens: commit to the line. 12 min
2. 49Charcoal and PastelBold, expressive tonal drawing with dry media. 12 min
3. 50Colored Pencils and MarkersLayering, burnishing and marker rendering. 12 min
4. 51Watercolor I: Materials and WashesPaper, paints, brushes, water control and the three basic washes. 16 min
5. 52Watercolor II: TechniquesWet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, glazing, lifting, dry brush and more. 16 min
6. 53Gouache and AcrylicOpaque water-based paints: flat shapes, layering and speed. 14 min
7. 54Oil Painting FundamentalsFat over lean, mediums, alla prima and safe studio practice. 16 min

Tablets, software, layers, brushes and a complete digital painting workflow.

1. 55Digital Drawing Setup: Hardware and SoftwareChoosing a tablet, an app and configuring them well. 12 min
2. 56Layers, Brushes and Blending ModesThe core digital tools and how to use them without getting lost. 14 min
3. 57A Digital Painting WorkflowFrom sketch to finished piece: a reliable step-by-step process. 16 min

Style, storytelling, portfolios, careers and growing as an artist for the long term.

1. 58Finding Your StyleStyle comes from choices and influences, not from searching for it. 10 min
2. 59Visual Storytelling and ComicsPanels, camera angles, pacing and character design. 14 min
3. 60Portfolio and Art CareersIllustration, concept art, comics, animation and how to get there. 14 min
4. 61Critique, Art Block and Long-Term GrowthSelf-critique, feedback, plateaus and avoiding burnout. 10 min