Creative Arts: Introduction to Drawing

Have you ever wanted to learn to draw, or wished you could build more confidence in the skills you already have? The course, Introduction to Drawing for Beginners, is designed for learners of all ages, including complete beginners. No previous drawing experience is required. Through clear instruction and step-by-step practice, students will learn the foundational techniques needed to begin drawing with greater skill, confidence, and enjoyment. With time, patience, and a willingness to learn, anyone can develop as an artist.

You will begin with the basics and gradually build your drawing skills one step at a time. Each lesson is designed to help you understand and practice a new skill before moving on to the next. The learning experience includes both written content and instructor-led videos, allowing you to read, watch, and follow along at your own pace. During the drawing portions of each lesson, the instructor demonstrates the technique or exercise using downloadable worksheets that you can print and complete as you learn. You may pause, replay, and review the videos as often as needed, giving you the flexibility to practice until you feel comfortable and confident.

There are no set times to log in.  We recommend one module per week to allow for practice and review in between modules, but it is entirely up to you the rate at which you progress through the course.

Cost $99.00 | Six Months Course Access
For more information and to register for this self-paced online class, click "enroll now!"

Once you enroll, you will receive a Welcome Letter email with instructions on how to log into your course. 

Course questions? Contact Howard Silar 717-855-7846
Registration questions? Contact Nancy Pratt at n.pratt@csuohio.edu

Objectives

After completing this course, you should be able to:

• Understand the fundamentals of drawing
• Implement those fundamentals into drawings you are proud of
• Understand the anatomy of a drawing
• Recognize the various types of lines
• Have greater hand control when drawing
• Understand light direction
• Know what shading and blending are
• Complete two drawings step by step

• Understand what to do upon completion of the course to grow your skill level

  ---

  Course Outline

  Module 1 (Week 1)
  Drawing Fundamentals

  Introduction

• LESSON 1: What is Drawing Really?
• LESSON 2: Reasons for Drawing
• LESSON 3: What We Draw With
• LESSON 4: Paper Types
• LESSON 5: Anatomy of a Drawing
• LESSON 6: How to Hold a Pencil
• LESSON 7: How to Sharpen and Dull Your Pencil
• LESSON 8: Basic Exercises
• WEEKLY HOMEWORK: Re-do lessons 6-8
  
  Module 2 (Week 2)
  Understanding Lines
   
• LESSON 1: Anatomy of a Drawing (Review)
• LESSON 2: Pencil Sharpness (Module 1, Lesson 7 review)
• LESSON 3: Introduction to Straight Lines
• LESSON 4: Introduction to Curved Lines
• LESSON 5: Introduction to Thin Lines
• LESSON 6: Introduction to Thick lines
• LESSON 7: Tracing
• WEEKLY HOMEWORK: Re-do lessons 3-6
  
  Module 3 (Week 3)
  From Lines to Drawings
   
• LESSON 1: Hand Control
• LESSON 2: Overlapping Lines (Control)
• LESSON 3: Line Exercises
• LESSON 4: Light Direction
• LESSON 5: What is Shading?
• LESSON 6: Drawing a Shading a Cube
• LESSON 7: Drawing and Shading a Circle
• WEEKLY HOMEWORK: Re-do lessons 5-7
  
  Module 4 (Week 4)
  Shading and Blending
   
• LESSON 1: More About Shading
• LESSON 2: What is Blending?
• LESSON 3: Drawing and Shading a Tree Trunk
• LESSON 4: Drawing and Shading a Bush
• WEEKLY HOMEWORK: Re-do lessons 3-4
   
  Module 5 (Week 5)
  Putting It All Together
   
• LESSON 1: Review of What We've Learned So Far
• LESSON 2: Drawing Two Pieces Step by Step
• LESSON 3: Where to Go From Here
   
  Optional Lessons:
   
• Adding color with colored pencils and markers.
• Making darks darker (using a numbered drawing pencil)

• Adding pen to drawings

  ---

Meet Your Instructor

Howard “Pete” Silar has been an artist for more than 45 years. As a young child, he began drawing the world around him, including cartoons and images from magazines and books. In high school, that interest expanded to drawing album covers and animals for friends. Over time, he developed a preference for detailed photographic renderings, including animals, farm scenes, and other subjects. His drawings and wooden signs have been featured in local stores over the years.

His experience and expertise make his teaching especially effective for beginners. His approach is thorough and well planned, guiding students through the basics before moving on to more advanced skills. Howard believes anyone can learn to draw when they are taught with patience, structure, and the proper techniques.