• Try “portfolio”, “ink”, “branding” or a code like “PRS 101”.

IFA 101Illustration and Fine Arts

Seeing and Drawing: Observational Drawing Fundamentals

Learn to draw what you see: contour, measuring, negative space, basic forms and perspective, light and value, and a sustainable sketchbook habit.

In developmentDraft content

About this course

Drawing is mostly seeing. This foundation course trains observation through classic, proven exercises: contour and blind contour, sighting and measuring, negative space, construction from simple forms, observational perspective and value. Each module mixes short readings and demonstrations with timed drawing exercises, and the course builds a sketchbook habit you can keep. You need only pencils, an eraser and paper; no prior drawing experience is assumed.

Who it’s for: Complete beginners and returning artists who want reliable drawing skills from observation. Materials: graphite pencils (for example HB, 2B, 4B), an eraser and a sketchbook.

You will be able to

  • Draw objects from observation using sighting and measuring to check proportion.
  • Use contour and negative space to draw complex shapes accurately.
  • Construct objects from basic forms and place them convincingly in one- and two-point perspective.
  • Render form with a consistent light source using a range of values.
  • Maintain a sketchbook practice and critique your own drawings specifically.

Studio project

A tonal still life drawing from observation with consistent lighting, presented alongside a sketchbook record of the course.

To complete this course

  • Complete every required lesson.
  • Have the assignment “Observational drawing portfolio” accepted by an instructor.
  • Records of completion are issued only for courses whose content has passed instructor review.

Part of

Syllabus

Working titles: they may change as the course is written.

  1. Module 1: Learning to look

    Exercises that slow you down and replace assumptions with observation.

    1. 1.1Contour and blind contour drawingExercise · 40 min
    2. 1.2Sighting and measuring proportionsReading · 35 min
    3. 1.3Negative spaceExercise · 40 min

  2. Module 2: Form and structure

    Seeing objects as simple forms and placing them in space.

    1. 2.1Cubes, cylinders, spheres and conesReading · 35 min
    2. 2.2Perspective from observationReading · 40 min
    3. 2.3Studio: a constructed still lifeStudio · 60 min

  3. Module 3: Light and value

    Turning line drawings into convincing forms with light and shadow.

    1. 3.1Value scales and pencil controlExercise · 30 min
    2. 3.2Light logic: highlight, form shadow, cast shadow and reflected lightReading · 35 min
    3. 3.3Studio: rendering a still life in valueStudio · 75 min

  4. Module 4: Drawing practice

    Habits that keep you improving after the course.

    1. 4.1Sketchbook habitsReading · 20 min
    2. 4.2Drawing on locationExercise · 45 min
    3. 4.3Self-critique and next stepsReading · 20 min

Author: Ricketts University curriculum team (draft for founder review) · Not yet reviewed

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