What you’ll practice
30–90 second gestures, then structural shapes, then a clean contour pass that picks the winning lines—no scribble soup.
Gear
- Soft pencil/pen, sketchbook, big eraser; timer app.
- Optional: brush pen for a bold final pass.
Method
- Capture action first (gesture), then clarify with boxes/cylinders.
- Only then choose a few confident lines for your final contour.
Step-by-step
1
Gesture (30–60s)
One continuous line for the action—no details.
2
Structure (60–90s)
Boxes, cylinders, and simple perspective to lock volumes.
3
Clean contour
Pick the best lines; vary thickness at overlaps and shadows.
4
Accent & shade (optional)
One shadow family and a few accents to focus attention.
Tips
- Use your shoulder for long lines; keep strokes straight and confident.
- Limit erasing during gesture—move forward and iterate.
- Set a timer; pace matters more than perfection.
Troubleshooting
- Scribbly mess: Too many passes—commit to a few lines.
- Stiff figures: Start with gesture, not details.
- Flat forms: Add simple boxes/cylinders and a cast shadow.