Quick Sketch! – Your Best Christmas Gifts to Make Now!

Alright, it’s been a tight year financially, but Santa still has to put something under the Christmas tree. Good thing he learned to draw and will have more than enough gifts to go around! In the time it takes to drive to the Mall and park, you too can be putting the finishing touches on your next sketch.

Just pick up a #2 pencil and start on unlined 8" x 10" paper, and get a picture from a magazine or newspaper circular.

Using the following "3 Art Secrets" which I developed from my art classes, you too will have gifts aplenty when the big day comes. I’ve also added some helpful hints at the end to extend your drawing. So sharpen your pencil and let’s go!

QUICK SKETCH PEAR & "3 DRAWING SECRETS"

#1. LOOK AT THE WHOLE SHAPE

Draw a very light cross, or fold the pear picture to form a simple grid, as if you were looking at it through the crosshairs on a telescope. Draw the grid again, very lightly, on your paper. Now, look at the picture, add/subtract on your picture the bumps and smooth lines you see, again lightly, to match the picture.

#2. SHADE THE SHAPE

Squint your eyes. Some areas are lighter than others. Use the side of your pencil with less or more pressure, making the shading all one way, to give the picture mass and depth on the page. Now blend the side strokes to create a whole with a tissue. Use your eraser to smudge out a few highlights.

#3. ADD DETAILS

Look at the pear picture. The stem, bruises, leaf and dots give it real life character. Put them in with the point of your pencil. Sign and date it. Voila!

HELPFUL HINTS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR DRAWING

If you have colored pencils, take them out and try them. But, first, you may want to use this black and white picture several ways:

a. You can have fun all over again by xeroxing it several times in black and white, then making it a blue pear with yellow stem and small orange leaf, etc. Vary the colors and have fun! They can be individual gifts, or matted together.

b. You can color the original black and white drawing and make color xeroxes. You can also enlarge the drawing for 11" x 14", or make it smaller, 5" x 7" and have fun with that size.

c. Art stores stock special xerox paper, available in smooth and watercolor texture. It gives a nice finish to your drawing because it looks like an original.

d. Set your drawing off with a mat to coordinate; a simple box frame is an inexpensive final touch.

Your gift is a unique creation, will be treasured like nothing you could buy at the mall, and your budget will thank you.

Congratulations on your first drawing! Now what are you going to try next?