Drawing for Beginners: Learn to Draw Online

Learning drawing for beginners is the first step to opening up a world of self-expression and giving you a new outlet for creativity. It’s also an incredibly meditative activity while still providing enough challenge to stimulate your mind.

With the help of online drawing for beginners courses, you don’t have to apply for admission into a prestigious art school to learn this timeless skill.

Instead, you can enroll in online courses to practice at your own pace and eventually expand your horizons into painting, sculpting, and beyond!

Skip ahead to:

What should I start drawing as a beginner?
What are basic drawing skills?
How can I teach myself to draw?
Our List of Drawing for Beginners Ideas for You
- Drawing for Beginners
- Drawing Basics
- Procreate for Beginners
- Princeton University Art Museum Online Drawing Classes
- Basics of Drawing and Sketching for Beginners
- The Complete Beginners Drawing and Shading Course
- Drawing for Beginners Level 1
What Tools Do I Need to Learn Drawing for Beginners?
Final Thoughts
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What should I start drawing as a beginner?

If you’re just getting into the skill of drawing for beginners, start with simple, everyday objects. Try sketching a still life of a few different things to practice proportion and perspective.

Not only does sketching from your environment help you practice regularly, but it also encourages you to notice simple shapes and patterns in your everyday life.

What are basic drawing skills?

The basic drawing skills are shapes, edges, proportion, shading, and perspective.

How can I teach myself to draw?

You can teach yourself to draw by practicing and using the right resources to learn the fundamentals. While advice from teachers can get you started, you’ll need to spend time daily doodling, sketching, and experimenting to get comfortable working with your pencil.

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Learning drawing for beginners is the first step to opening up a world of self-expression and giving you a new outlet for creativity.

Our List of Drawing for Beginners Courses for You

Learn how to express yourself through your art with these seven drawings for beginners courses!

1. Drawing for Beginners

In Drawing for Beginners, Godswill Augustine shows learners the basics of sketching simple objects and shading using a few basic materials. He’ll also discuss how the light source affects the angle of shadows on the objects.

All you’ll need to get started with this class is a piece of paper, graphite pencils, and a makeup brush for blending, making it an accessible course for those not ready to invest in more expensive supplies.

2. Drawing Basics

YouTuber Proko welcomes new artists to learn everything from how to hold your pencil correctly to gesture drawing in his Drawing Basics Course. Proko also takes viewers through the process of adding structure to your art so it looks 3D.

Along the way, he points out common mistakes to help you critique your work and recommends drawing supplies he enjoys using.

You might also like: 151 Drawing Ideas with Examples for Inspiration

3. Procreate for Beginners

If you’d prefer to draw digitally, Procreate for Beginners shows you the five core skills you’ll need to start creating sellable artwork. The instructor, Cat Coquillette, also shares tips and tricks for starting your online art business.

It’s also a project-based course, so you’ll have five new drawings in your digital art gallery by the end of the lessons.

4. Princeton University Art Museum Online Drawing Classes

A partnership between the Princeton University Art Museum and the Arts Council of Princeton hosts many online drawing for beginners courses taught by artist Barbara DiLorenzo.

This class is exciting because you’ll use pieces from the museum’s collection as inspiration, including lighting techniques based on Claude Monet’s Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge and rendering clothing and drapery from the Greek Statuette of Nike.

5. Basics of Drawing and Sketching for Beginners

In Basics of Drawing and Sketching for Beginners, Victor Gombawai welcomes absolute beginners to work on object and idea sketching in a group setting.

He also encourages participants to share their work via webcam so that he can provide personalized tips and feedback to help them improve.

6. The Complete Beginners Drawing and Shading Course

For new artists dedicated to moving from beginner to advanced, the Complete Beginners Drawing and Shading Course takes you through 97 short lectures. You’ll start with basic shapes before transitioning into pencil techniques, shading, and complex portraiture.

There are many practice exercises for you to work on along the way, including several bonus projects if you want to hone your skills even more.

7. Drawing for Beginners Level 1

Colombian artist Puno’s Drawing for Beginners Level 1 course is ideal for learners who want to dive right into drawing exercises without focusing too long on technique. Once you cover a few simple concepts, you’ll jump right into filling your sketchbook with fun activities.

What Tools Do I Need to Learn Drawing for Beginners?

One of the best aspects of picking up drawing is that you don’t need expensive supplies to get started. With these essential drawing tools, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art:

Sketchbook
Basic pencil set that includes HB, 2B, 4B, and 6B hardness ratings to handle all your shading needs
Art gum or kneaded eraser
Pencil sharpener
Ruler and compass for creating precise shapes
Colored pencils for adding a splash of color to your work

Final Thoughts

Learning a new skill can be intimidating, but remember that art is about expression, not perfection. Just being willing to pick up a pencil shows courage!

It’s also helpful when you have pros to guide you along the way, and drawing for beginners courses offer precisely that. Soon enough, you’ll be a prodigy of perspective and an edge expert.