When I was around eight or nine years old, I learned that tracing was not the same as drawing. I would always trace pictures and then people would ask me if I drew them and I would nod proudly and say yes with my chest puffed. When I learned that drawing was a completely different thing, I understood why they were so impressed that my picture looked exactly like whatever I was drawing. So one night, I asked my older brother to teach me how to draw. This was the quickest tutorial of my life. He took the pencil out of my hand, looked at the picture I was trying to draw, and said, "Start with the smallest thing on the picture and go outward." He drew an eye on my blank sheet of paper and then walked off and told me to finish it. This left me confused and a little irritated because all the drawing classes I took had to teach me about lines and things first and I did not know where to start and where to finish. So, I started with drawing the other eye and soon my picture was starting to come to life. I realized my brother was right, and over time I have learned some more easy steps to learning how to draw.

1. The smallest thing.

On a picture there are always parts that are smaller than others. If you start with the smallest part, you create the balance and size for the rest of your picture. For instance, when I draw people I always begin with the features of their face because it makes it easier to go on to the head. Starting with smaller parts also helps with the symmetry of the picture. Start with the small parts and eventually you will get to the entire picture.

2. Loosen Up.

In my opinion, trying to get perfect anything can cause drawing to become a long, heinous process. Sometimes it is those imperfect lines, shapes and marks that make for the perfect drawing. Unless you are doing a piece that requires everything to be perfectly straight and even. I tell people all the time freehand drawing does not require a ruler. You draw simply based on your eye and how things complement each other.

3. Slow paced.

Take your time while creating your picture. Too fast paced and you could make more mistakes than intended. You could also overlook a mistake that would actually make your picture look better. When you take your time there is more room for ideas to flow as you get started on the picture and soon your picture might look ten times better than how it would have looked with solely your first idea.

4. What is your interest?

People find learning how to draw better when they are learning to draw things they like. For instance, I like to up my drawing techniques by drawing people. The more you practice, the better you become. Easiest things to draw are objects and landscapes. When you are more comfortable drawing something you are more comfortable with exploring different techniques, textures, and pictures. Always stick with what you feel most comfortable with.

These are just some tips for while you are learning how to draw. It is true when people say anyone can draw. All drawing takes is focus and patience. My brother gave me the only art lesson I needed in one second. That is just for drawing. If you are really into artm you start to learn techniques like the different types of shading, blending and coloring. There are so many art tools like paint, pastels and graphite. Art is a complex skill that becomes easy once you learn it. Next time you say you wish you could draw, just think of these tips.