Let's go over some of the drawing basics before we put our pens to paper.

Get a grip!

Hold the pen comfortably. Try following along with the video to the right. Create an L with your hand and drop your pen onto it so it sits. Closing your fingers will lock it in place and keep it balanced.

  • Don't squeeze too hard or let the pen dangle loosely.

  • Find a sustainable grip that you feel you could use for a long time and that gives you freedom of movement.

Avoid the hairy line

When drawing we mark our papers with lines. The "Hairy Line" is when we create straight or curved lines by stringing together lots of little strokes.

Lines created like this can look messy (and not in a good way).

Instead, try to create lines with a single confident stroke.

Lock your arm

  • The wrist is a natural pivot point so if we draw using only our wrist, our lines will naturally curve one way or another.

  • Try to keep your wrist straight while you mark your page

  • Draw with your entire arm and shoulder muscles.

  • Lead your hand with your arm and your elbow, not little strokes with your wrist.

"Comfort" Drawing Angle

  • Find the most comfortable drawing angle and use it as often as possible. Your "comfort angle" will most probably be starting near your body and moving away from you diagonally

  • Take a moment and try drawing single stroke lines that lead away from your body diagonally

  • Find the direction that feels most comfortable (least awkward).

      • If you are right handed, try starting from the bottom left of your page and draw diagonally to the top right of the page

      • If you are left handed, try starting form the bottom right of your page and draw diagonally to the top left of the page

Spin your paper

Once you have found your optimal angle for marking lines, try to draw in this "comfort" angle whenever possible.

To achieve this, get in the habit of spinning your paper as you draw.

By spinning your paper, you can draw in your "comfort angle" instead of trying to draw lines in awkward directions or uncomfortable angles.

Ghost your lines

Finally, we always want to be confident in the marks we make. If we feel unsure before we start drawing a line, it will show in the mark that we make. So, in order to feel confident, always "Ghost" your lines.

Before putting our pens to paper, first mimic the line you are attempting to draw above the paper ("ghosting"). Mimic the line, end-to-end, until it looks and feels as if you will draw it correctly.

Once you feel confident and ready to commit your mark to paper, drop your pen to the paper and mark the line.