Welcome back to InsideOutTeacher.com, your go-to source for art education and inspiration. Today, we’re diving into the world of drawing and using art worksheets to avoid common mistakes that many beginners make. Drawing is a skill that anyone can develop with practice, and by following the right approach, you can make rapid progress.
In this blog post, I’ll guide you through the process of developing strong drawing habits right from the start using super easy art worksheets. We are going to see how using small simple images like those found on these art worksheets can really help build foundational drawing skills that are so important to learn from the beginning so that they become a habit and second nature in your drawing process.
Embrace a New Thought Process Using Art Worksheets
Learning to draw can feel challenging because our natural tendency is to seek perfection right away. We want every line to be flawless, every shape to be just right, and every detail to be spot-on. But guess what? That’s not how drawing works, especially when you’re just getting started.
To overcome this, we need to shift our focus. Instead of obsessing over perfection, let’s concentrate on placement. Think of drawing as putting together a puzzle; figure out where each piece belongs in the overall picture before refining details. Working with small-scale simple images or art worksheets like I’m using here, is a great place to start while students are just learning because the simplicity allows them to focus on JUST THE PLACEMENT to start.
This change in mindset, while initially unfamiliar, is crucial for becoming a skilled artist. So, ditch the idea that everything has to be perfect instantly and embrace the importance of getting the placement right. This shift will not only make the learning process more enjoyable but also set the foundation for artistic success.
Start with a simple image or some easy art worksheets
You want to start with something that’s not going to overwhelm you. Find a simple reference image with minimal details and a drawing paper that doubles the size of your image. Keep it small like the image shown on the art worksheets above.
So, for your first drawing adventure, I suggest picking a simple image. What do I mean by simple? Well, think of something that doesn’t have tons of tiny, complicated details. We’re talking about an image that won’t make your head spin when you look at it. You can use reference images or the drawing worksheets linked below on my website. These art worksheets have proven to be excellent tools for beginners for several reasons:
- Smaller Scale: The images on these worksheets are smaller in scale, which makes them less intimidating for beginners. It’s like starting with a shorter bike ride instead of a marathon.
- Guidance: These art worksheets come with a handy-dandy rubric and friendly reminders. Imagine having little notes of encouragement and helpful tips right on your bike’s handlebars as you learn to ride. That’s what my art worksheets do for your drawing journey. They guide you, keep you on track, and make sure you’re headed in the right direction.
(Check out my lessons here with reference images to help you start your drawing journey!)
The three steps to success
Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to become a drawing champ. I promise it’s not as complicated as it might seem. We’re going to use these art worksheets to help break it down into three super-duper important steps.
Step 1: Focus on placement
Imagine you’re building a house. Before you start painting the walls and adding decorations, you need to make sure all the walls, doors, and windows are in the right places, right? Well, drawing is kind of like building that house.
In the first step, we’re all about getting the placement spot-on. That means figuring out where everything in your drawing goes before you dive into the fun details. It’s like creating the blueprint for your masterpiece. You can use an X grid like the ones pictured on the art worksheets above.
Now, here’s a biggie: resist the temptation to get all fancy and start drawing curves, shapes, or tiny details too soon. Trust me, I get it; you’re eager to make your drawing look amazing. But hold your horses! Concentrate on getting the location and placement of your shapes absolutely right first.
Think of it like this: if you’re baking cookies, you wouldn’t start decorating them with sprinkles before you’ve even mixed the dough, right? Same idea here. Get the base right before you add the sprinkles (details).
And guess what? We’ve got a trick up our sleeve to help you out. You can use grid marks or reference points. It’s like having little markers to tell you exactly where things should go. Think of it as your GPS for drawing. So, when you’re building your drawing “house,” make sure everything is in the right place first, just like laying out the walls and doors in a real house.
Step 2: Double-check placement
Alright, remember how we talked about building that drawing “house” and getting the placement just right? Well, now it’s time to put on your inspector’s hat and double-check your work.
Think of it like this: when you build a house, you don’t just trust that everything is perfect from the get-go. You bring in an expert to make sure the walls are straight, the doors open smoothly, and the windows are in the right spots. Drawing is no different. You have to have solid framing before you add the sheetrock.
So, after you’ve outlined where everything should go, it’s time to become your own expert and go back for a second look. Don’t be surprised if you spot a few things that aren’t quite where they should be. It’s totally normal! Remember, even the best builders sometimes need to make adjustments. I love using these art worksheets, because students can refer to the rubric to help them check their work and remember what to focus on.
Now, here’s the kicker: don’t let those little errors discourage you. In fact, expect that you might have some things slightly off. It’s all part of the learning process, just like a builder might find a crooked nail or a slightly uneven wall. FINDING THEM IS A WIN AND A CRITICAL STEP MOST PEOPLE FORGET. This mindset is definitely one of the most challenging things to get used to.
The most important thing at this stage is to make sure your placement is as accurate as possible. It’s like fine-tuning the blueprint of your drawing “house” so that when you start adding the decorations (details), everything fits perfectly. So, put on your inspector’s hat, keep an eye out for any wonky bits, and don’t be discouraged if you find some. You’re on the path to an awesome drawing!
Step 3: Refine and adjust
Alright, you’ve done an awesome job with the placement – your drawing “house” has a solid foundation, and everything is in the right spot. Now, it’s time for the fun part: adding the finishing touches!
Think of it like this: you’ve got your house’s blueprint all set, and now it’s time to add the paint, decorations, and all the little details that make it special.
But here’s the secret sauce: you’re only going to start focusing on the finer details, like getting the curtains just right or adding that cool pattern on the wall, when everything’s in its proper place.
This means you should take a closer look at the scales (how big or small things are) and shapes of the smaller areas in your drawing. You’ll measure stuff and compare elements to make sure they’re playing nicely together. And if something’s not quite right, don’t fret! You can make adjustments as needed.
Here’s a tip: use those trusty grid lines we talked about earlier. They’re like your guiding stars, helping you keep everything in order.
Now, here’s the most important thing to remember: your drawing will not look perfect at this stage, and that’s perfectly okay. It’s all part of the process. Think of it like adding those first strokes of paint to your house – it’s still a work in progress, and it’s meant to look a little rough and simplified.
So, grab your virtual paintbrush and start jazzing up your drawing, knowing that it’s all coming together, step by step. Your masterpiece is taking shape!
The Art of Making Mistakes
Let’s have a heart-to-heart about something super important: making mistakes. Yep, you heard me right. Making mistakes is not only okay, it’s actually a super important part of your drawing journey. It’s like trying to ride a bike for the first time – you might wobble and tumble a bit, but that’s how you learn to balance and pedal like a pro.
So, when you’re in those early stages of your drawing, please, please don’t be hard on yourself if things aren’t looking picture-perfect right away. Perfection isn’t the goal at the start; it’s something that comes later in the process, like the finishing touch on a masterpiece. Your goal at first is only perfect placement, not perfect detail.
Think of it like this: when you’re baking cookies, the first batch might come out a little overdone or undercooked. But does that mean you’re a terrible baker? Of course not! You adjust your recipe, your timing, and the next batch turns out just right. The same goes for drawing.
Making mistakes is like your drawing “recipe” – it’s how you figure out what works and what doesn’t. It’s how you grow as an artist. And guess what? Even the most famous artists you’ve heard of made mistakes, lots of them! Using art worksheets as a tool for learning new skills for any project is so helpful for this reason. You won’t get as upset when you first make mistakes because it isn’t the final project. The art worksheet is kind of like training wheels or the test batch of cookies.
So, embrace those oopsies, those wobbles, and those tumbles as part of the process. Don’t let frustration steal your creative joy. You’re on the right path, and with each “mistake,” you’re getting better and better.
Final Thoughts on Practicing with These Art Worksheets or Simple Images
Alright, my budding artists, let’s wrap things up and summarize the golden rules for your drawing adventure:
1. Prioritize Placement: Think of it like building a house – start with the big stuff and get their placements spot-on. It’s all about creating the right framework for your masterpiece.
2. Double-Check: Be your own inspector and go back to fix any placement blunders without letting frustration take over. Every adjustment is a step toward perfection.
3. Refine and Adjust: Once your placement is rock-solid, it’s time to add those cool details and shapes, just like decorating your house. But remember, it’s a work in progress, and it’s okay if it looks a little rough at this stage.
And here’s a secret: don’t forget that making mistakes along the way is not just okay; it’s essential for your growth as an artist. Mistakes are like little stepping stones on your creative journey and small simple images or easy art worksheets as practice can really help you get over the I must be perfect at first mentality.
By following these steps and embracing the idea that mistakes are part of the learning process, you’re well on your way to becoming a skilled artist. Trust me, you’ve got this!
And hey, mark your calendar because next week, we’re diving headfirst into the thrilling world of layering markers and colored pencils to make your drawings pop off the page. Until then, keep practicing, keep creating, and remember, art is a journey, not a destination. Happy drawing, my friends!
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