Topic One (1.1): Warm-up exercises

Topics Icon.png Objective

In this topic you will be studying the different elements of drawing which are the following:

  • Line                     
  • Structure, shape and form
  • Shading and tone       
  • Composition


Get Creative Icon.jpg Equipment required


Interact Icon.png Topic 1.1a: Drawing warm-up exercises

  • A line can have many different qualities.
  • You can change the direction of a line.
  • You can change the weight of a line - thick or thin, by adjusting the pressure.
  • You can also express emotion and meaning in a line, by the way it is drawn.

Watch the video carefully and practise the techniques that are demonstrated.

WATCH - Video 1.1A Download WATCH - Video 1.1APlay media comment.

  • After watching the video, spend time practising the circle warm-ups.
  • It is very important to use these exercises to improve your hand muscle memory and control your weight of lines. Do these exercises regularly.
  • Relax your hand and keep your pencil flowing lightly over the page.
  • Experiment with different pencils and by pressing harder and more lightly with your hand. You can also experiment with different shapes.
  • Keep going until you have completely filled the whole page of your smaller sketch pad.
  • Try turning your page upside down and draw from different angles.

[M01.1] Examples.PNG

[M01.1] Examples 2.PNG


Interact Icon.png Topic 1.1b: Drawing more warm-up exercises

  • Watch the video and spend time practising the square and rectangle warm-ups.

WATCH - Video 1.1B Download WATCH - Video 1.1BPlay media comment.

  • It is very important to use these exercises to improve your hand muscle memory and control your lines.
  • You can also experiment with different shapes as shown in these examples:

[M01.1b] Example.jpg

[M01.1b] Example 2.jpg


Review Icon.png Reflecting

Let’s review your learning. How confident are you now with the following?

  • Line
  • Structure, shape and form
  • Shading and tone
  • Composition

Consolidate Icon.png Consolidating

  • Go back through your sketch pad.
  • Have you filled up all the spaces in your pages?
  • Could you add some more drawings to the pages?
  • Have you photographed and recorded your work?
  • You can also add comments or thoughts in your sketch pad.
  • Take time to make your sketch pad look great, but remember to show your mistakes as well.
  • If you have worked on paper, stick them into your sketch pad.