Online Class: How To Draw 101

This course is designed for beginner artists who have an interest in learning how to draw or sketch -- or simply want to improve their skills. It covers the tools you'll need to draw and also provides plenty of exercises to practice drawing using different techniques and styles. It also covers drawing people, places, things, and even abstract concepts. You'll be able to share your amazing drawing creations with your fellow classmates and instructor and receive useful feedback.

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  • 15
    Lessons
  • 32
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 12,866
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 13
    Hours
    average time
  • 1.3
    CEUs
 
 

Course Description

This course is designed for beginner artists who have an interest in learning how to draw or sketch -- or simply want to improve their skills. It covers the tools you'll need to draw and also provide plenty of exercises to practice drawing using different techniques and styles. It will cover drawing people, places, things, and even abstract concepts. For best results, we highly recommended that you take your time going through this course.

It's easy to get excited and flip through the pages, just to see what we'll teach you to draw next.   However, you'll miss out on the overall purpose of this course if you do.   Learning to draw is a process, even if it is a fun one.   In this course, you're going to learn the processes and techniques that gave rise to some of the most talented artists in the world. What you're going to learn over the fifteen lessons will be in-depth, professional information.   It can be comparable to signing up for an art class at a large university. 

You're going to learn about:
 
·    The tools artists use to draw
 
·    Values
 
·    Shading
 
·    Textures and how to create them
 
·    Drawing flowers and trees
 
·    Drawing a still life
 
·    Drawing animals
 
·    Drawing people
 
·    And much, much more!

That said, don't expect to be a master artist after you finish this course.   Instead, expect to have the knowledge and training you need to continue to draw and learn to bring the scenes you see in your daily life to paper.   You'll be able to draw whatever you see, and you'll have the knowledge to perfect the image.   So, sit back and relax.   You're not going to be judged or graded on your skill.  The only grade you'll receive will be based upon your comprehension of the techniques and information we present.   Your skill is something that will improve over time, and you'll be able to refer to this course whenever you want in the future.

Course Motivation

What You Can Expect from This Course
 

This course is designed for beginner artists who have an interest in learning how to draw or sketch -- or simply want to improve their skills. It will cover the tools you'll need and also give you plenty of chances to practice drawing different things, from people, places, things, and then beyond. It's highly recommended that you take your time going through this course.

It's easy to get excited and flip through the pages, just to see what we'll teach you to draw next. However, you'll miss out on the overall purpose of this course if you do. Learning to draw is a process, even if it is a fun one. In this course, you're going to learn the processes and techniques that gave rise to some of the most talented artists in the world. What you're going to learn over the upcoming lessons will be in-depth, professional information. It can be comparable to signing up for an art class at a large university.

However, it's also important that you keep in mind that this course IS for beginners. This means that, even though you're going to learn a lot, you shouldn't expect to be the resident artist at a gallery any time soon (but please let us know if that does happen). The word "draw" is a verb. Remember that. It means "to draw." It also means that you must draw often and practice the skills you learn here if you want to improve.

That said, don't expect to be a master artist after you finish this course. Instead, expect to have the knowledge and training you need to continue to draw and learn to bring the scenes you see in your daily life to paper. Think of it this way. Practice doesn't always make perfect, but it always lends to improvement. So, sit back and relax. You're not going to be judged or graded on your skill. The only grade you'll receive will be based upon your comprehension of the techniques and information we present. Your skill is something that will improve over time, and you'll be able to refer to this course whenever you want in the future.
 
What You Need for This Course

This course doesn't require that you go out and purchase a ton of art supplies if you don't want to. A pencil and a piece of paper is all that is needed. In addition, you can complete this course by drawing, reading the lesson and answering the exercise questions at the end of each lesson because this proves to us that you've mastered the information presented in the lesson.

Learning HOW to draw is taught in this course. But it's up to you to actually learn to draw. It's advised, if you're serious about learning to draw, that you take the time to purchase the basic supplies listed in Lesson 2, then complete the drawing assignments throughout this course. The assignments are for practice because you can't get better at drawing if you don't keep practicing. How you put this course to work for you is your choice. We're here to teach you the basic skills that you'd learn in most college art classes. It's up to you to take the skills you learn and put them to use in actual drawings.


You CAN Draw -- and We'll Prove it to You

Almost everyone LIKES to sketch. Whether it's scribbles they put on paper or actual drawings that will be hung on a wall, there's not many that don't enjoy "doodling" on paper to create shapes, objects, and even pictures. But most people honestly believe that, aside from scribbling, they really can't draw. How many times have you said (or heard someone else say), "I can't draw a straight line!" Or "I love to doodle, but I couldn't draw a decent picture to save my life."

Well, here's the thing about all that. You don't have to be a renowned artist to be able to draw. If you can sit down and draw a square, a triangle, a circle... then you can learn to draw almost anything you see. No, your work may never hang in a gallery or museum, but you can be taught to draw things you see -- either in the world or in your mind -- and those things can be recognizable and even pleasing to anyone who sees them. All it takes is the willingness to learn.

That said, as we start to embark on this course, remember these three important things. They will be critical to how much you actually learn.

 

  1. You don't need to be able to draw well before starting this course. If you can't draw a straight line, that's fine.
  2. You don't have to have a "natural ability" to be good at drawing. Drawing is a natural ability that we all have. You had to learn to walk when you were a baby, didn't you? Now you're going to learn how to draw.
  3. Keep in mind that you're here to learn. Don't expect perfection the first time! If your first portrait looks like a space alien or if your first animal looks like a blob, that's okay. This is supposed to be fun, and it's supposed to be practice. If you get frustrated with yourself right out of the gate, you'll stop yourself from learning because your mind won't be open to it. Instead, have fun with it. Save the "awful" drawings, then continue to practice. You'll be able to pull those awful ones out a few months from now and see marked improvement.

 

 
 
Explore Your Possibilities

Drawing is fun! It can be a way to relax, but it can also be a way to express yourself. Rather than thinking of drawing as a task you have to learn and master, instead think of it as this:

  • A way to illustrate your perceptions of the world around you. You can show others what you see without speaking a word.
  • An activity that is both fun and exciting. It doesn't take many supplies to draw, and you can take pride in the art you create.
  • A way to add your personal touch to your surroundings. Frame some of your drawings and hang them in your home. You'll be surprised how much family and friends will love your drawings.
  • An activity that is relaxing, but at the same time stimulating and challenging. You CAN learn to draw, and you will improve as much as you want to by practice and with patience.
 

How to Practice Drawing

 

 

Throughout this course, we're going to teach you how to draw. But learning how to draw is not going to help you learn to do it. The only way you can learn to draw is to practice the techniques you learn here and keep improving.

You're going to get all the tools in this course that you need to start drawing. After you finish, however, it will be up to you to use those tools and practice those techniques as you explore the basics of drawing. Just remember that you can finish this course at your own pace, and you should also draw at your own pace. Don't ever let yourself feel rushed. Creativity is never rushed, first of all. And improving at drawing takes patience as much as it does practice.

Here are some tips for practicing:

  • Draw everything you see at every chance you get. Even if it's just a simple sketch on scrap paper, it will help your mind's eye start to really see your surroundings. It will also help you improve your skills.
  • If there's something you're not so great at (such as drawing circles), practice and practice some more. The more you sketch circles, the better you're going to get.
  • Pinpoint the most difficult part of each drawing you create, then recreate that section over and over. This will help you to perfect techniques that are giving you trouble.
  • Practice making lines, marks, and shading by just doodling and scribbling on scrap paper.
When you're happy with the results you're getting, and the results are consistent, you'll know you've practiced a technique or skill enough, and you're ready to move on.
 
Discovering Your Niche

There are all sorts of media that artists use to draw. Some prefer to use charcoal, some paints, and the list goes on. What's more, some like to simply draw landscapes. I'm sure you've watched the guy who is on public television and all the landscapes he paints. Landscapes are his niche, as is the paint that he uses to create them.

The point is, that the more you draw, you'll discover your drawing niche. You'll develop your own personal style, and that style will include the media that you use as well as the type of drawings that you do.

To find your niche:

  • Draw everything you see, as time permits. We said this in the last section, but it applies here too. In order to discover what you like drawing the best, draw everything at first.
  • Explore different media. Of course, you'll want to start out with a pencil because it affords the easiest way to erase and correct mistakes. But once you learn the basics of drawing, don't be afraid to branch out and try different things.
  • Try different drawing tools. We'll talk about those in this course. Although tools can mean pencils, paper, rulers, etc, it can also refer to things such as grids.
  • Try all the drawings presented in this course. Learn the basics of drawing, and challenge yourself to draw things presented to you. Don't limit yourself to the things you see around you. Challenge yourself with the optional drawing assignments in this course. Not only will the practice help you to improve, you might also find a type of subject that you enjoy drawing (and are very good at).
Finding Subjects to Draw
 
The question most new drawing students ask when they're told to draw anything they want -- and everything they see -- is "What should I draw first? Is there something easy? What should I do?"

It's a good question, isn't it? Look around you. Look at the hundreds of things that surround you just in your own home. This course will show you how different subjects are drawn, and perhaps you can use that as a starting point. After seeing how to draw a certain type of subject in this course, you can then start to draw those subjects as you see them in the real world.

Here are some examples of subjects:

  • People. Are you the type of person who likes to watch people? You'll learn the basics of drawing them in this course.
  • Animals . Drawing animals can be a lot of fun.
  • Mother Nature . Drawing trees and flowers can be fun, but it can also make beautiful wall art.
  • Things . Look around the room you're in. Maybe you could draw the phone, a bottle of ketchup, a bowl of fruit... the possibilities are endless. In this course, you'll learn how to capture these types of subjects.
This course will provide the skills for you to start to draw any of the types of subjects named above. From there, you can start to draw what you see. Deciding what to draw won't be so hard. Instead, the challenge will be in deciding what NOT to draw because this course will help to make the challenge of drawing a lot easier. You'll see. Just keep reading.
 
  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • Printable Lessons
  • Full HD Video  
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.4 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(3,862 votes)

Lesson 1: Introduction to Drawing

This course was designed for beginner artists who have an interest in learning how to draw or sketch -- or simply want to improve their skills. 38 Total Points
  • Lesson 1 Video A
  • Lesson 1 Video B
  • Lesson discussions: Drawing Skills; Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete Assignment: An Introduction
  • Complete: Lesson 1 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 1: Introduction to Drawing

Lesson 2: The Tools You'll Need -- and How to Use Them

With any task you undertake in life, you need certain supplies to get it done properly. Additional lesson topics: Draw a Stickman 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 2 Video A
  • Lesson 2 Video B
  • Lesson discussions: Drawing Tools
  • Complete: Lesson 2 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 2: The Tools You'll Need -- and How to Use Them

Lesson 3: Looking at Things You Can Draw

The easiest way to begin drawing is to begin with simple lines. Most likely, you drew simple lines as a child to make shapes and pictures. Additional lesson topics: How to Draw 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 3 Video A
  • Lesson 3 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 3: Looking at Things You Can Draw

Lesson 4: Seeing the World as an Artist

You may find this hard to believe, but drawing requires lots of brain power! 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 4 Video A
  • Lesson 4 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 4: Seeing the World as an Artist

Lesson 5: Drawing Lines

Most drawings that you look at are composed of lines. There are straight lines, curved lines, angular lines. Some are thin, some are thick. Some are bold, but some are subtle. Additional lesson topics: Contour Drawing 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 5 Video A
  • Lesson 5 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 5 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 5: Drawing Lines

Lesson 6: Lights and Shadows

You can draw something simple like the box below and then learn to draw things like the duck in a previous lesson, too. Yes, you can learn to draw these simple things, and you can also learn to be fairly good at drawing them. Additional lesson topics: A Theory of Light and Shadow 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 6 Video A
  • Lesson 6 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 6: Lights and Shadows

Lesson 7: Shading

The whole purpose of shading is to make your drawings more realistic and three dimensional. You can draw without learning to shade a thing, but your drawings won't be life-like. Instead, they'll be flat. 34 Total Points
  • Lesson 7 Video A
  • Lesson 7 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 7 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 7: Shading

Lesson 8: Texture

The texture of your drawing is what will reveal shine, fur, fabric, and whether the object is smooth, rough, or jagged. Just like shading, it makes your drawing more realistic. Additional lesson topics: How to Draw Texture 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 8 Video A
  • Lesson 8 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 8 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 8: Texture

Lesson 9: Perspectives

As we learned in a previous lesson, perspective is used in drawings to help give them a three-dimensional look. 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 9 Video A
  • Lesson 9 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 9 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 9: Perspectives

Lesson 10: Composition and Planning Drawings

A composition is defined as the way the objects and subjects that you're going to draw are arranged, organized, and combined. Later in this course, we'll learn to draw a still life. 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 10 Video A
  • Lesson 10 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 10 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 10: Composition and Planning Drawings

Lesson 11: Drawing Memories

Your memories are a beautiful thing. They are stored in your mind like a treasure, and you can revisit them whenever you want. 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 11 Video A
  • Lesson 11 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 11 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 11: Drawing Memories

Lesson 12: Drawing a Still Life

It's a safe bet to say that when you think of still art, you probably think of a bowl filled with fruit. But the truth is that you can draw any symmetrical or non symmetrical object for a still art drawing. 32 Total Points
  • Lesson 12 Video A
  • Lesson 12 Video B
  • Lesson discussions: Still Life
  • Complete: Lesson 12 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 12 Exercise

Lesson 13: Trees and Flowers

In this lesson, we're going to learn how to draw flowers and trees. When drawing flowers and even other objects, it's important to remember to see the basic shapes in the objects. 32 Total Points
  • Lesson 13 Video A
  • Lesson 13 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 13 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 13 Exercise

Lesson 14: Drawing Animals

The cave men started it. They drew animals on the walls of their caves. Of course, they did this to tell of their hunting, but the fact remains. 35 Total Points
  • Lesson 14 Video A
  • Lesson 14 Video B
  • Complete: Lesson 14 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 14 Exercise

Lesson 15: Drawing People

People are all different, and each person you draw will be different than the one before. It makes drawing a challenge, but it also makes it interesting. Think of how boring this world would be if we all looked alike! 79 Total Points
  • Lesson 15 Video A
  • Lesson 15 Video B
  • Lesson discussions: Drawing; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
  • Complete: Lesson 15 Assignment
  • Assessment: Lesson 15 Exercise
  • Assessment: The Final Exam
565
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Identify the tools you'll need -- and how to use them.
  • Identify things you can draw.
  • Demonstrate drawing lines.
  • Demonstrate drawing lights and shadows.
  • Demonstrate shading techniques.
  • Demonstrate texture use in drawing.
  • Demonstrate drawing perspectives.
  • Summarize composition and planning drawings.
  • Demonstrate drawing memories.
  • Demonstrate drawing a still life.
  • Demonstrate drawing trees, flowers, and animals.
  • Demonstrate drawing people.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: How To Draw 101
Course Number: 8900274
Lessons Rating: 4.4 / 5 Stars (3,862 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: This course is online and available in all 50 states including: California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Texas.
Last Updated: June 2023
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class
CEU Value: 1.3 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Instructor: Nancy Fillip
Syllabus: View Syllabus
Course Fee: $120.00 U.S. dollars

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Student Testimonials

  • "This course was great and helped me define my drawing skills. Also I learned so many things that I ignored such as the hatching and crosshatching, values, shadows, light, etc." -- Cecilia P.
  • "I enjoy this course very much ,it was very easy to understand and I felt that I was really face to face with the teacher. The videos were very useful to me as well as each lesson!" -- Alma rosa A.
  • "I have learned so much from this class, I can't think of anything that was missed." -- Joanna W.
  • "Both of the instructors were very helpful, clear and knowledgeable." -- Clare C.
  • "I'd like to extend my thanks to the instructor of Drawing 101, Nancy." -- Rukeiya I.
  • "Nancy was great. I liked her professional approach and the fact she graded the assignments quickly." -- Saima M.
  • "Great course instructor. Course is well organized. Assignments were clear." -- Lynne S.
  • "Nancy Fillip is a very skilled instructor. She encourages participants to jump in and try." -- Michele C.
  • "Great course, fun, thank you." -- Maria P.
  • "Great organization of information." -- Shelly H.
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