Learn about Drawing Theory

Become a better artist with these drawing theory tutorials. By mastering the fundamentals, you'll soon see the results as you create more successful drawings.

All Drawing Theory content:

  1. Drawing for Kids: Draw a Cute Baby Fox

    Drawing for Kids: Draw a Cute Baby Fox

    Tutorial Beginner

    When we really want to draw well, we often forget to have fun. In this tutorial we'll come back to basics, to learn very simple things while drawing a cute...

  2. Geometric Design: A Celtic Grid

    Geometric Design: A Celtic Grid

    Tutorial Intermediate

    In this tutorial we'll use circles, circles and more circles to create motifs different from anything we've done so far.

  3. "Can I Draw?"—How to Tell If You're Good Enough

    "Can I Draw?"—How to Tell If You're Good Enough

    Tutorial Beginner

    The most popular reason not to draw is "I'm not good enough". But how is it that you can be not good at many other things and be fine with it? Why does...

  4. Think With Forms, Not Lines: Take Your Drawing to the Next Level

    Think With Forms, Not Lines: Take Your Drawing to the Next Level

    Tutorial Beginner

    Although we associate drawing with lines, they should be the end product of the process, not the base of it. The base of every well-drawn object is the...

  5. Introduction to Traditional Media: Oil Paints

    Introduction to Traditional Media: Oil Paints

    Tutorial Beginner

    In this article, I will introduce you to the basics of oil paints; where to start and what to buy, allowing you to experiment and develop your own style.

  6. Geometric Design: The North Rose Window in Chartres

    Geometric Design: The North Rose Window in Chartres

    Tutorial Advanced

    This lesson's project gives us an insight into the wonderful Gothic rose windows, where the work starts large and then the scale shifts to ever smaller details.

  7. Why You Shouldn't Get a Graphics Tablet

    Why You Shouldn't Get a Graphics Tablet

    Tutorial Beginner

    Do you love drawing, but you feel you'll never be good without a graphics tablet? Do you feel limited by your pencil? Do you struggle to create digital art...

  8. Introduction to Traditional Media: Chalk Pastels

    Introduction to Traditional Media: Chalk Pastels

    Tutorial Beginner

    In this tutorial I will introduce you to chalk pastels, what they are, and how to use them, setting you on the path to bright and colourful work that never...

  9. Drawing From the Shoulder vs. Drawing From the Wrist: Pros and Cons

    Drawing From the Shoulder vs. Drawing From the Wrist: Pros and Cons

    Tutorial Beginner

    Have you ever been told that drawing "from the wrist" is unprofessional, and that it's not what real artists do? What do you think, what's the reason for it?...

  10. dGeometric Design: Two Variations on an Islamic Tiling Pattern

    dGeometric Design: Two Variations on an Islamic Tiling Pattern

    Tutorial Intermediate

    Today we construct an impressive, classic Islamic pattern with great creative potential, using first a square then a rectangular grid.

  11. Introduction to Traditional Media: Pencils, Charcoal, Erasers and More

    Introduction to Traditional Media: Pencils, Charcoal, Erasers and More

    Tutorial Beginner

    In this tutorial I will introduce you to the types of drawing materials you can use to set you on the path to sketching and doodling, wherever and whenever...

  12. Geometric Design: Knots and Weaves

    Geometric Design: Knots and Weaves

    Tutorial Intermediate

    In this tutorial you'll learn how to give an interlaced appearance to motifs and patterns created on paper, a method that can also be used to turn separating...