Retro | Vintage Drawing Practice

It takes practice to draw what you intend to draw. A straight line parallel to another line, a curve left to right at the angle you wish, lines at different angles without turning your paper (yes, I know you do). My line control is much better since I started actively practicing. I didn't really consider it "practice" until I realized, a year later, that my line control & precision had vastly improved!

sketch the lines of a white kitchen

draw a teapot

design your own silverware

use old patterns to practice drawing lines

add detail to your favorite drawing patterns

draw the lines of the facade of a house (here's my attempt)

practice drawing fonts

learn to draw a fish, then draw fish with different patterns

design the cover of an imaginary or real book

At myinkblog, 48 Beautifully Designed Vintage Websites gives a taste of vintage design, describing the design elements incorporated in the style.

Thoughts on improving your skill:

1. Consider doing creative work freehand to build confidence, strengthen your arm, and improve the ability to control the pen.
2. Watch yourself. Is it easier to draw when sitting on the couch with the journal to your right, on your lap, on a table in front of you, standing and leaning on a counter?
3. When you are drawing and getting frustrated. STOP.
4. If your hand/arm is tired, take a few days off.

You'll find my sketch of the facade above at I Don't Draw Things, and other ideas for practicing your lines at Line Practice and all posts tagged drawing practice.

Read Retro | Vintage Drawing Practice, Part 2...

Comments

[Eden]

Tammy you are so right about practice! I have found that just coloring in my doodles has helped me
be a better "Pen controller" than before! I guess I've never thought much about the tiny little muscles
in my hand and also, these muscles help with having a "good eye". Off to practice.....

[gypsy]

I found a chart of the hand muscles: http://sparkcharts.sparknotes.com/health/generalanatomy/section15.php.