At the Raminfard School of Arts, we believe every great painting begins with a strong foundation in drawing. Whether you’re a beginner picking up a pencil for the first time or a seasoned artist refining your skills, mastering the basics will unlock your creativity and give you confidence in every medium.

Here are three timeless fundamentals to guide your practice:

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1. See in Shapes, Not Objects

 

When you look at a subject, try to break it down into simple shapes — circles, squares, triangles. A coffee mug is a cylinder, a tree is a cone with a sphere on top. By training your eye to see shapes first, you’ll simplify complex subjects and build drawings that feel solid and balanced.

👉 Exercise: Choose a simple object (like an apple or a chair). Sketch it using only geometric shapes before adding details.

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2. Focus on Values, Not Lines

 

Lines outline, but values (light and dark) create form. Squint your eyes to blur out details and notice where the darkest and lightest areas fall. Shading with confidence will make your drawings look three-dimensional and lifelike.

👉 Exercise: Take a simple object, place it near a lamp, and draw it using only three values: light, medium, and dark.

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3. Gesture Before Detail

 

A common mistake is starting with details too soon. Instead, begin with a quick, loose sketch — a gesture drawing — to capture movement, energy, and proportion. Details can always be added later, but the gesture gives your drawing life.

👉 Exercise: Set a timer for 30 seconds and sketch a standing figure, a pet, or even a plant. Repeat several times, focusing on flow rather than accuracy.

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✨ Remember

 

Drawing is not about perfection — it’s about observation, practice, and joy in the process. Every master artist, from Leonardo da Vinci to John Singer Sargent, began with these same fundamentals.

If you’d like to deepen your skills, check out our upcoming workshops. And don’t forget — when you sign up for 3 or more workshops, you’ll receive a special discount!

 

Happy drawing,

The Raminfard Team

Founder, Raminfard School of Arts