Drawing Naturally

Brenda Hoddinott

A09 BEGINNER: RESOURCES

In Lesson A08 Beginner: Youre a Natural, you discovered your natural hand movement for drawing straight lines. In this lesson, I show you how to find your natural hand movement for drawing curved lines and circular shapes (such as circles and ovals). Suggested drawing supplies include a sketchbook and a 2B grade of graphite pencil.

Recommended for artists of all ages, as well as students of home schooling, academic, and recreational fine art educators

4 PAGES 4 ILLUSTRATIONS

Published by Drawspace.com, Halifax, NS, Canada 2010

2 ArtSpeak
Clockwise is a direction or motion that follows the movement of the hands of a clock: from the top to the right, then down and to the left, and back up to the top. Counterclockwise (sometimes called anticlockwise) is a direction or motion that is opposite to the movement of the hands of a clock: from the top to the left, then down and to the right, and back up to the top. Single curved line (also called a simple curved line) is rendered in only one direction, either clockwise or counterclockwise (as in the letter C). Compound curved line is created when a curved line changes direction. In other words, a compound curved line curves in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions (such as in the letter S). Circular shape is entirely made up of curved lines.

Following the Outlines of Circles

Use a finger to follow the outline of the circle (Figure 901) in a clockwise motion. Then, follow the outline of the second circle (Figure 902) in a counterclockwise motion. Whichever feels most comfortable is your natural directional movement. For most left-handed people this movement is counterclockwise. Conversely, righthanded individuals are more likely to begin drawing curved lines in a clockwise direction. And, some people find both movements equally natural.
Figure 901 Figure 902

Following Curved Lines

Run your finger along each line in Figure 903 to get a sense of its clockwise and counterclockwise movements.
Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this document belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott. E-mail brenda@drawspace.com Web site http://www.drawspace.com

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Depending on which end you begin, each single curved line can curve in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. If your instinct is to begin at A, your natural hand movement is probably clockwise. Conversely, if you prefer to begin with B, more than likely, your natural hand movement is counterclockwise.
Figure 903

Compound curved lines curve in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Run a finger along each compound curve in Figure 904. Take note of the point where the direction changes from clockwise to counterclockwise (or counterclockwise to clockwise). For example, an arrow marks the point where the compound curved line in the upper right, begins to change direction. Draw a page of single and compound curved lines, and circular shapes in your sketchbook. Use your natural hand movement, and dont forget to rotate your drawing paper as you work (Lesson A08 Beginner: Youre a Natural). Remembering to always rotate your paper takes lots of practice. But, before you know it, you are rotating your paper all the time without even thinking.
Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this document belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott. E-mail brenda@drawspace.com Web site http://www.drawspace.com

Figure 904

BRENDA HODDINOTT
As a self-educated teacher, visual artist, portraitist, forensic artist (retired), and illustrator, Brenda Hoddinott utilizes diverse art media including her favorites: graphite and paint. Brenda is the author of Drawing for Dummies (Wiley Publishing, Inc., New York, NY) and The Complete Idiots Guide to Drawing People (Winner of the AlphaPenguin Book of the Year Award 2004, Alpha - Pearson Education Macmillan, Indianapolis, IN). She is currently writing two books on classical drawing.

My philosophy on teaching art is to focus primarily on the enjoyment aspects while gently introducing the technical and academic. Hence, in creating a passion for the subject matter, the quest for knowledge also becomes enjoyable.
>Brenda Hoddinott<

Born in St. Johns, Newfoundland, Brenda grew up in the small town of Corner Brook. She developed strong drawing and painting skills through self-directed learning. During her twenty-five year career as a self-educated civilian forensic artist, various criminal investigation departments have employed Brendas skills, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In 1992, Brenda was honored with a commendation from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and in 1994, she was awarded a Certificate of Membership from Forensic Artists International. In 2003, Brenda retired from her careers as a forensic artist and teacher to work full time writing books and developing her website (Drawspace.com). This site is respected as a resource for fine art educators, home schooling programs, and educational facilities throughout the world.

Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this document belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott. E-mail brenda@drawspace.com Web site http://www.drawspace.com