Most little children love to draw. You can see this ‘phenomenon’ for yourself. Go into any family restaurant and notice how a box of crayons, and a piece of paper will keep restless children happy.
So later, why do so many aspiring artists and even seasoned painters abandon drawing? The fundamentals for both drawing and painting are the same. Yet, the most important factor in drawing and painting is the ability to see.
After careful observation, the artist must translate the scene, and then record it on paper or canvas. This practice is simplified with crayons, markers, and pencils because they are easier to control than paint and a brush.
I myself, was born with a pencil in hand. But over the years, I have been guilty of slacking-off on my drawing skills.
Recently, I was reminded that artists should draw more, not less!
Plein air painting & sketch by Lori McNee
This point was reiterated to me while painting in Maine with landscape artist, T. Allen Lawson. Lawson is a master painter who begins every painting with a sketch and sometimes a detailed drawing.
Whether you choose to draw by quickly sketching the scene before you, or you methodically render a finished work on paper. Whether you are a studio painter or plein air painter, drawing will improve your art.
10 reasons why artists should draw more:
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To learn to see.
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To inspire the design.
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To record the geometric shapes and patterns of the composition
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To organize the composition into 4 values or less for a strong design.
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To problem solve and analyze. Fixing the problems with a pencil is easier than with paint.
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To save time and spend more time painting and less time problem solving.
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To improve your art - build stronger skills and better paintings.
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To help build an agenda for executing your painting.
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To learn artistic dexterity and eye-hand coordination.
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To help your memory. Drawing helps with short-term memory and ideas that might otherwise be forgotten.
Below you see a sketch and a drawing from Tim Allen Lawson’s personal sketchbook along with notes that will assist him back in the studio. Please notice the tree in the upper right-hand corner of the thumbnail sketch. The detailed tree drawing below was made to further aid Tim when it comes time to compose the information into a studio painting.
And remember… 
A #2 pencil and a dream can take you anywhere. ~ Joyce A. Myers
Happy drawing! ~Lori
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About Lori McNee
you encourage me to learn drawing and draw more and more whenever I can, thank you so much.
You are welcome! Yes, drawing the so important to our artistic growth…
Lori
Right you are, and I’m guilty of not drawing regularly. The odd thing is I love to draw. Good idea to do a little thumb nail sketch in values and composition before starting a painting.
Glad to motivate you Mary!
Happy drawing,
Lori
Thank you for sharing this blog with us, I really like reading your blogs, your word’s are wise and I love to follow you, I am drawing more and more now day’s and it is helping with my paintings and also my memory.
Great post – good to see that most fundamental of things that is drawing being encouraged. I think whatever your discipline is, it will be informed by continually returning to drawing. I carry a sketchbook everywhere and when I’m asked what advice I’d give to any visual artist, it’s to do just that. Also loving your Painting-a-day posts.
Lori,
I’m a little late to this discussion but I wholeheartedly agree! In fact I wrote a blog post about the (tongue in cheek) value of drawing called, “drawing improves your golf game, I swear!
If you like, read it here: http://dorothylorenzepainting.blogspot.com/2012/07/drawing-improves-your-golf-game-i-swear.html
Hi Dorothy,
It’s never too late! Thanks for sharing your comment. You are welcome to repurpose your post as a guest post here on Fine Art Tips. Let me know…http://www.finearttips.com/contact-me/submit-your-guest-article/
I agree – artists should never be discouraged; nay! they should be encouraged. Their eyes see more then the non-artist. We feel the texture with our pencils, or brushes. We reveal to the world what our eyes have laid site upon. As an artist for over 30 years, I teach other subjects such as electronics, math, history, martial arts and the basis for all the classes that I teach evolve around and totally circulate around ART.
Thank you for pointing out the importance of art in the school curriculum. Yes, ART is everything! I enjoyed your sentiments!
Happy drawing!
Lori