Learn How To Draw Using The Posi Formula

By Author: R. Schmidt
Total Articles: 35
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Among the most important things to learn when learning to draw is realizing the process nearly every artist uses to fill a white sheet with more and more lines until she finished the drawing. Although apparently complicated this process consists of several separate and simple tasks.

Most artists follow intuitively these individual tasks stepwise in the right order. Unluckily while starting to learn drawing, you maylack the experience to follow this strategy intuitively. But instead of waiting for the essential experience, you can use this shortcut.

I created a system around this formula most artists understand and stick with by instinct. It consists of four steps: Placement, Outlines, Shapes, Illumination. These four steps are quite simple and follow the proven process to create a drawing. I abbreviated this system P-O-S-I - a POSItive way to learn drawing.

So let's get going:

1. Placing the objects in your drawing

This is the first step. Have a look at the whole scene, identify the particular objects in the scene and seek to understand the scene. Focus on the particular ...
... objects' locations and their location in relation to each other. Finally if you think your apprehension of the scene is adequate enough, mark on your paper wherever you would like to place the particular objects.
Seek out to be as accurate as possible unless you have already some competence in the art of pictorial composing. Advanced artists know how to modify the scene for a stronger impression without hurting realism.

2. Drawing Outlines of the particular objects

Now you know where to place the objects it's time to sketch them as mere outlines. Look carefully at every part of the scene and attempt to realize its outline and shape. Then depict its outline - only the silhouette - in a couple of faint lines. Limit yourself to the external lines of each element. Replicat this step for every object in the scene. Ideally you start with objects in the background and move on to the foreground areas.
After finishing the outline of the whole scene this way, it's time to have a concluding judging look (but not overly judging although!). In this stage it's still easy to shift any object or to correct one or another line. Only don't be too critical and keep in mind: every great drawing lives thanks to minor deviations from reality.

3. Draw the Shape of the particular objects

Now it's time to focus our attention to the objects' anatomies. Begin to add the inner structures of the scene's parts with few and fine lines. Place the strokes in the proper directions to travel along and form the form of the components of every object.
For arced objects use curving lines and in flat sections use straight lines. But still limit you to few and faint lines. Just attempt to get the contours properly. As there are still only fine and faint lines on the paper you have still the chance to correct some lines.
In the end your picture has gained a more substantial perspective and depth impression. Time to fill the blanks and complete your drawing!

4. Illuminate your Drawing

Until now we merely worked on arraying the scene utilizing faint lines. Forming the outlines and contours of all objects in the scene we produced a line drawing that depicts the scenes outlook faithfully.
But for creating real naturalism something is missing: texture, light and shadow. In that last step we will fill in these elements that generate volume and depth to our drawing and ultimately make it seem realistic. So in this step our chances for creating a outstanding picture are great but also is the risk of damaging it beyond repair.
What to do? Again look carefully at every section of the scene. Notice how light, shadow and surfaces are forming the shapes and what the colors look like. Most crucial is the surface - because even if a surface is completely one-colored, its structure and texture creates different nuances.
The same goes to shadows. Look how the objects cast dark areas on themselves and on objects around them. Add these shadows by first sketching their countour, adjusting and honing it and then filling it with dark shades.
While adding all the shades and textures to your picture always seek to draw from the background to the foreground. While doing this travel from lighter tones and light contrasts in the background to strong tones and contrasts in the foreground. This creates a more substantial volume and depth.

After this final step you finished your drawing. Go one step back and enjoy the result. But keep in mind: when the petty critic in you comes to life, put your drawing away, the more you'll enjoy it in a few months!
This is another part of the 6 element series about drawing and how to learn drawing. Visit the next part of the learn drawing series. Here you can also get more drawing instructions.