In this post I want to show you how to begin basic drawing. In the future we will try some advanced techniques.

This lesson is to teach you the basics of shape and value using pencil, or vine charcoal. For now I will use pencil to show you.

To begin, you will need a pencil or soft vine charcoal (it will say soft on the charcoal box when you buy it), and a kneaded eraser. A basic 2 HB pencil is fine to use for practice but you may want to get a nice set of drawing pencils later for use with advanced lessons. You can find these supplies at your local art supply store.

Step 1: Set up an area where you can observe an object such as an apple or a ball on a table in front of you. Get a lamp to sit beside the apple which will create a good shadow on one side and bright light on the other. Desk lamps are good for this. Now you have your first observation lesson set up.

Step 2: Get your sketchbook and charcoal or pencil and eraser. Take a look at the ball or apple in front of you. You will notice an apple has the basic shape of a circle. Draw a circle.You will notice some apples are rounder and others are more oval shaped. Draw the basic shape of your apple or ball. Below the circle you will draw the cast shadow which is cast as an oval shape at the base of the apple. Your drawing should look similar to this. Continuously look back and forth from your drawing to your subject. This is training your eye.

Tip: if you are using charcoal, try not to press hard as you fill in your shadows. Vine charcoal is very soft and will break or leave crumbs on your drawing, so only use a light touch while shading.

Step 3: Take the edge of your pencil or charcoal and begin filling in the shadow on one side of the apple. You can smudge the shadow with your finger to blend it nicely. If you notice a line in the center of the light and shadow simply blend it to soften it with your finger. Fill in the shadow at the bottom of the apple or ball as well. Blend with your finger. Go back to the darkest areas of the shadow and darken this area. This will be towards the bottom of your apple and along the darkest shadow on the right side. Keep darkening your layers of charcoal or pencil.You can also define the edge of the apple more with your pencil or charcoal. Don’t forget to add your stem and a bit of shading where the stem sits down in the apple.

Step 4: Use your kneaded eraser to accentuate the highlights coming from the lamp on your apple. Near the stem and on the top left of the apple in my picture. Your highlights will be different.

Tada!! You created your first observational drawing! You learned values of light and shadow and how to blend with your pencil or charcoal! Now, feel proud of yourself and try another shape such as a cylinder. A cup or candle is perfect for this. Keep trying more shapes. Everything in life has a shape and if you learn to train your eye to see the basic shapes in each object, you can draw anything you like!