Drawing Basics by Stan Prokopenko (0-105)

In this course, you will learn the fundamental concepts of drawing, which can be applied to any form of visual art. The course is designed to be engaging, informative, and easy to follow. You will learn how to use the visual language of drawing to communicate with pictures and how to draw from both imagination and reference. The course is divided into different sections, each focusing on a specific aspect of drawing, such as line quality, shape, perspective, form, light and shading. The course also includes projects tailored to beginners and intermediate artists, allowing you to go through the course twice, once as a beginner and once as an intermediate artist. This course will help you build a solid foundation of skills that will be useful for any specialty, whether you are interested in becoming a fine art painter, concept artist, or comic artist.

This course is designed to teach anyone, regardless of experience level, how to draw effectively using visual language. You will learn the most important foundational concepts for drawing anything and will be able to create pictures from both imagination and reference. The course is structured to keep you engaged and motivated, focusing on information, practical exercises, and projects.

The course is divided into two levels: for beginners and those looking to review and improve their foundational skills. This means you can go through the system twice – once as a beginner and again as an intermediate artist.

We will start by building good drawing habits and line quality, then move on to shape and form, learning how to construct 3D shapes intuitively without complex math and grids. We’ll also learn about perspective and how to add light and shading to our drawings by controlling values and edges.

By committing to this course and following along with the projects, you will improve your drawing skills and have a solid foundation that can be applied to any specialty, whether fine art, concept art or comic art. This course is a prerequisite for anyone pursuing a career in the visual arts.

What you will learn

1. Materials: Learn how to set up with all the right paper, pencils, erasers, pens, and markers. You don’t need anything fancy for this course (just pencil and paper), but the instructor will teach you about the different options available.
2. Lines: Discover how to create tapered strokes and confident lines, vary your line weight, and more to improve your drawing skills.
3. Shapes: Understand how to break subjects into simpler shapes and make your forms more dynamic and exciting.
4. Perspective: Learn the basics of perspective to understand how to draw a box, cylinder, or any simple primitive in 1-point, 2-point, or 3-point perspective.
5. Intuitive Perspective: Instead of learning math and grids, you will do exercises to get comfortable with drawing freehand perspective intuitively, allowing you to construct any 3D object from your imagination.
6. Values: Learn how to correctly see and understand values, which is the first step in learning how to shade. Build up your ability to organize the values in your drawing to represent clear light on form.
7. Edges: Understand the importance of edges and learn how to transition between shapes and values to make your drawings feel three-dimensional and exciting.

Curriculum

Getting Started

Learning How to Draw
Drawing is a form of visual communication that can be mastered with proper guidance and practice, just like any other language.
7:16

Intro to Drawing Basics
In this video, we’ll delve into the content covered in my Drawing Basics course.
9:31

Project – Get Your Tools and Start Playing
Before we begin, let’s go over the necessary tools. I’ve provided a comprehensive list of materials, including paper, pencils, markers, erasers, and sharpeners.
6:12

Ultimate Guide to Sketchbooks and Paper
A beginner-friendly guide to selecting the right sketchbook and paper. We’ll cover paper types, texture, weight, archivability, and common mistakes to avoid.
14:04

Ultimate Guide to Pencils and Erasers
A beginner-friendly guide to choosing the right pencils and erasers. We’ll cover the various types of pencils and erasers available.
16:47

Sharpening 6 Types of Drawing Pencils
Learn how to sharpen six different types of drawing pencils, including wooded and woodless graphite pencils, 2.0 and 5.6mm mechanical pencils, charcoal pencils, and eraser pencils.
18:58

Project – Simplify from Observation
The first project in the Drawing Basics course is to simplify the shapes, edges, and values of a pear or portrait from observation.
5:36

Demo – Simplify Pear from Observation
In this step-by-step demo, I’ll show you how to properly complete the first assignment for level 1 students.
24:58

Demo – Simplify Portrait from Observation
In this step-by-step demo, I’ll show you how to properly complete the first assignment for level 2 students.
48:45

Critique – Simplify Pear from Observation
In our first critique session, I’ll review submissions of the simplified pear and offer feedback on common mistakes.
9:30

Critique – Simplify Portrait from Observation
I’ll be reviewing submissions of the simplified portrait and providing tips and advice on how to overcome common mistakes.
9:56

Mushroom Warmups
This fun warmup exercise will help you practice drawing ellipses.
10:50

Lines

Intro to Lines
As an artist, you have countless opportunities to use lines in your work. Let’s dive into the fundamentals.
9:36

2 Week Drawing Challenge
Take on the challenge of drawing daily for two weeks! See if you can establish a daily drawing routine.
1:02

Project – Simplify to CSI
This project is designed to help you refine your lines and eliminate “chicken scratch.” We’ll simplify our drawings to use C curves, S curves, and straight lines.
4:37

Demo – Simplify Snail and Boots to CSI
In this demonstration, I will show you my approach to creating level 1 CSl drawings, by simplifying the Snail and Boots images into the basic shapes and forms.
40:52

Demo – Simplify Camel and Skull to CSI
In this demo, I’ll guide you through my process of simplifying more complex images, such as the Camel and Skull, into the essential shapes and forms needed for level 2 CSl drawings.
28:29

Critique – Simplify to CSI
This session focuses on reviewing and evaluating your submissions for the “Simplify to CSI” task.
52:15

How to Draw Confident Lines – The Tapered Stroke
Learn how to create confident, dynamic lines in your sketches by mastering the tapered stroke technique. I’ll show you how to construct complex shapes and add energy to your loose sketches.
5:19

Project – Learning to Sketch from Observation
In this project, we’ll start with simple loose lines and practice sketching from observation, gradually building our skills and confidence.
3:44

Project – Learning to Sketch from Imagination
This project is the first step in developing your ability to draw from imagination. We’ll explore techniques for creating original, imaginative sketches.
1:21

Searching Lines: 3 Levels of Looseness
Explore the importance of drawing from imagination for artists, when to start, and how to overcome the emotional challenges that can arise.
7:24

Drawing from Imagination Cramps
Why drawing from imagination is important for artists, when to start, and overcoming the emotional challenges.
9:53

Demo – Learning to Sketch from Observation
In this lesson, I will walk you through my process for sketching all three of the “Learning to Sketch from Observation” reference images, providing tips and insights along the way.
50:48

Demo – Learning to Sketch from Imagination
Watch me demonstrate the sketching from imagination project, from studying the reference material to exploring different ideas and creating a final sketch.
26:28

Critique – Learning to Sketch from Observation
In this lesson, I’ll look over your sketches from observation and address the common mistakes.
11:05

Critique – Learning to Sketch from Imagination
Reviewing the common mistakes and standout assignments from the “Learning to Sketch from Imagination” projects.
50:30

Warmups to Improve Line Quality
In this lesson, I show you 5 line quality warm-ups that you can practice to improve your line control.
7:35

6 Habits for Good Line Quality
Master line quality with 6 key habits: avoid common mistakes, find a comfortable speed, follow-through, ghosting, rotate the paper, and use simple strokes.
9:20

How to Draw with Line Weight
In this lesson, we’ll learn about the importance of line weight when creating engaging and interesting art.
9:40

Project – Organizing Line Weight
For this project, we’re going to design our line quality to be more interesting by practicing organizing the line weight.
3:38

Demo – Hierarchy of Importance Line Weight
In this demo, I show the “hierarchy of importance” method for organizing line weight.
31:05

Demo – Light and Shadow Line Weight
In this demo, I show the “light & shadow” method for organizing line weight.
22:27

Demo – Different Ways to Use Line Weight
Before starting my line weight drawing of shoes, I did some small sketches exploring all the options.
10:12

Demo – Depth and Form Line Weight
In this demo, I show you how to approach the Depth and Form method.
34:16

Critique – Organizing Line Weight
Let’s take a look at all your “Organizing Line Weight” projects.
48:02

Combining Line Weight
In this bonus demo, I’ll attempt to use ALL 3 line weight methods in the same drawing and show how you can be creative in the way you combine them.
18:00

Project – Line Master Studies
In this new project, you’ll practice to improve your line quality by doing master studies!
4:37

Demo – Line Master Studies – Jeff Watts
In this demo, I do a master study of a skull drawing from my instructor Jeff Watts.
40:07

Demo – Line Master Studies – Roberto De La Torre
In this demo, I do a couple master studies from one of my favorite inkers, Roberto De La Torre.
34:14

Critique – Line Master Studies
In this critique, I’ll look through your master study assignments and give some advice on how to improve your studies of lines.
35:24

Jeff Watts on Line Quality
In this bonus lesson, we get some great insight on how to effectively use lines from my instructor, Jeff Watts.
27:57

7 Ways Simple Shapes Can Improve Your Drawings
Learn about shape language, using simple shapes to design and construct, and adding complexity to your simple shapes.
14:05

Project – Simple Animal Portraits
Time for another Project! In this one, we’ll be constructing animal portraits using basic shapes.
5:21

Simplifying Shape Design Livestream
Join me for a LIVE drawing basics demo! I’ll be simplifying and stylizing animal portraits with simple shapes.
2:03:55

Warmup – Circles
Let’s add another warmup exercise to the list… Circles!
3:42

Demo – Simple Animal Portraits – Level 1
In this lesson, I’ll demonstrate simplifying animal portraits into simple shapes.
26:00

Demo – Simple Animal Portraits – Level 2
Let’s take my simple animal portraits from the level 1 project and play with the shapes and proportions to give the animals different personalities.
50:43

Critique – Simple Animal Portraits
Critiquing your “Simple Animal Portraits” projects level 1 and 2.
45:37

How Animators Use Basic Shapes with Aaron Blaise
In this bonus demo, Disney animator Aaron Blaise stops by to teach us a bit more about breaking animals down into simple shapes.
11:19

How to Draw Accurate Proportions
Learn how to practice to draw with accurate proportions by eyeballing, using various measuring methods, and self-critiquing for a fast feedback loop.
11:32

Project – Measure Proportions
Develop your accuracy skills, practice measuring proportions with a portrait.
24:46

Demo – Measuring Proportions
In this lesson, I’ll demonstrate a portrait drawing with a focus on measuring accurate proportions.
7:57

Critique – Measure Proportions
Let’s review your “Measure Proportions” submissions and talk about some of the ways to improve your measuring approaches.
1:11:36

Demo – Eyeballing Proportions
In this bonus measuring demo, I’m going to rely mostly on my eyeballs instead of measuring.
42:22

How to Draw Interesting Shapes
Learn how to make shapes interesting and dynamic using concepts like gesture, variety, contrast, complexity, symmetry, tension, and balance.
30:40

Project – Dynamic Shapes
This project will help you identify the gesture of your subject and then design dynamic and interesting shapes that support that gesture.
12:28

Demo – Dynamic Shapes from Reference
In this demo, I show my process for finding the gesture of a subject and then designing dynamic and interesting shapes that support that gesture.
44:08

Demo – Dynamic Shapes from Memory
In this demo, I’ll get ques from my memory of my level 1 sketches, while inventing new poses and pushing the shapes to make them more interesting.
23:09

Critique – Dynamic Shapes
Let’s take a look at your “Dynamic Shapes” project submissions.
1:09:39

Shape Emotion with Mike Mattesi
In this lesson, Mike Mattesi joins us to share his thoughts on shape emotion.
5:59

Shape Composition with Mike Mattesi
Mike Mattesi shows us how the shapes we choose to use in our composition will effect how our audience feels.
11:53

Dead vs Live Shapes with Mike Mattesi
In this lesson, he shows us the difference between “dead” and “live” shapes and how it relates to The FORCE Method of drawing.
12:09

Draw Any Pose From Any Angle – Rhythms
Introducing Rhythms! A method to help you capture the action of any pose from any angle.
31:20

Project – Rhythms
It’s time to draw the figure! This project is all about capturing the action of a pose through rhythms.
21:02

Demo – Rhythms – Level 1
In this level 1 demo, I show you my process for finding rhythms with quick figure sketches.
48:49

Demo – Rhythms – Level 2
It’s time for the level 2 rhythms demos! I’ll be doing more quick figure sketches but this time I’ll be taking them a little bit further.
11:17

Critique – Rhythms
I’ll be looking through your rhythm quick sketches and giving some advice on how you can use rhythms more effectively to get more dynamic drawings.
58:24

How Perspective Works
Thinking in 3D
In this lesson, I’ll give you a roadmap of what we’ll be learning about perspective in this course and introduce a few key concepts.
5:11

6 Ways to Create Depth
You’ll learn 6 simple yet powerful principles to create the illusion of depth in your drawings.
5:47

One-Point Perspective
Let’s learn how one-point perspective works and draw some boxes.
13:56

Warmup – One-Point Boxes
Here’s a simple exercise to get you started with one-point perspective.
1:03

Project – Build a 1-Point Room – Level 1
For this project, we’re going to work on our 1-point perspective by drawing a room.
35:49

Project – Build a 1-Point Room – Level 2
Challenge yourself a bit more with an arcade room or other complex shapes extruding into 1-point perspective.
5:33

Critique – Build a 1-Point Room – Level 1
In this level 1 critique, I take a look through your 1-point room submissions and give feedback on some of the common mistakes.
46:50

Critique – Build a 1-Point Room – Level 2
In this level 2 critique, I take a look through your 1-point arcade room submissions and give feedback on some of the common mistakes.
37:14

Two-Point Perspective
In this lesson you’ll learn about the basics of two-point perspective.
13:34

Warmup – Two-Point Boxes
Follow along as I warm up with boxes in 2-point perspective.
15:43

Project – Portraits in Perspective
In this project we’ll be constructing 3D heads by imagining them as boxes.
6:04

Demo – Portraits in Perspective – Level 1
In this demo, I’ll show you how to draw heads as boxes in 2-point perspective.
25:04

Demo – Portraits in Perspective – Level 2
In this demo, I’ll construct portraits in perspective using boxes as a map.
52:23

Critique – Portraits in Perspective
Alright, let’s check out your “Portraits in Perspective” project submissions.
1:01:11

The X and X-Ray Tricks
Use the ‘X’ and ‘X-ray’ perspective drawing techniques to improve accuracy, alignment, and proportions in your drawings.
22:03

Three-Point Perspective – The Y Trick
Three-point perspective offers complete freedom to rotate objects in any direction. I’ll show you the Y Trick to make it easier.
25:36

Warmup – Three-Point Boxes
In this warmup we’ll be tumbling 3-point boxes.
7:08

Project – Mannequin Hands
Practice drawing 3-point perspective boxes by constructing the 16 segments of hands from photos and imagination.
9:13

Demo – Mannequin Hands – Level 1
In this demo, I’ll show you how to draw mannequin hands to practice tumbling boxes.
41:27

Demo – Mannequin Hands – Level 2
In this level 2 demo, I’ll show you how I would draw one of the hand poses from an imagined angle.
15:13

Perspective: Invention or Discovery?
Perspective, a mix of invention and discovery, simplifies our view of the curved world onto flat surfaces using one, two, and three-point methods.
18:23

Critique – Mannequin Hands
Critiques for both level 1 and level 2 Mannequin Hand submissions.
38:04

How to Draw Cylinders and Ellipses
In this lesson you’ll learn how to draw cylinders and ellipses in perspective.
14:36

Project – Wheels on Vehicles
For this project, we’re going to draw wheels on vehicles from various angles.
3:36

Demo – Wheels on Vehicles – Level 1
In this level 1 demo, I’ll show you how I would approach the Wheels on Vehicles project.
27:22

Demo – Wheels on Vehicles – Level 2
In this level 2 demo, I’ll show you how I would approach the Wheels on Vehicles project.
23:59

Critique – Wheels on Vehicles
Let’s take a look at both level 1 and 2 project submissions and give advice on how to fix some of the common cylinder and ellipse mistakes.
49:32

Intuitive Perspective

Project – Blob to Box
If you struggle imagining boxes and drawing the angles correctly, it might help you to start with a blob!
12:39

UPDATE

Project – Blob to Box
If you struggle imagining boxes and drawing the angles correctly, it might help you to start with a blob!
10:10

Demo – Blob to Box
In this demo, I’ll show you a few examples of how to turn your blobs into boxes.
12:20

Critique – Blob to Box
Let’s take a look at the level 1 and level 2 Blob to Box project submissions!
55:41

How to Draw Cross Contour on 3D Forms
Cross contours can help you visualize and construct forms better. They’ll even come in handy when we start shading.
25:20

Project – Cross Contour on Organic Forms
Let’s practice showing form using cross contour lines by drawing blobs, ginger, sea lions, lobsters, and other creatures.
23:31

Project – Cross Contour on Ginger Root People
In this level 2 project, we’re going to turn up the difficulty by taking our ginger root blobs and turning them into humanoid characters.
37:18