Harold George

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How To Start Drawing?

Some people think drawing is easy. They think that putting down an image from your head comes as effortless as blinking. They think that there is no reason why others can't do the same. I'm one of those people.

Unfortunately, my belief is not universal. Everyone has a gift. Fortunate are those who find out what it is in time to make it their life or their hobby. More fortunate are those who have guidance and develop their craft to maturity. I had some guidance growing up from family and school and I want to show you what I was taught at a very young age.

I don't have the drawings from when I first started, but I do remember when it was. I was no more than six years old when I began to put a pencil down to create something. My cousin, who was about 15 years old then, used to make small caricatures for me. Most of them were superheroes like Batman, Aquaman, and Superman Oh yeah, the little caricatures...well, my cousin used to cut them out after he drew them. They were no bigger than my index finger is now. Back then it was more like three index fingers. After he cut them out, he would reinforce them with the cardboard from one of those composition notebooks. I used to role-play with them and be entertained for hours on end. I was very simple to please; still am. I wish I would have kept them, but with moving from one country to another, it's kind of hard to keep all those childhood goodies with you. That was over 225 dog years ago, but I do remember how he did it.

What you'll need

Newspaper comics, composition notebook, scissors, pencil, sharpener, pen (optional).


Let’s Go!

1. Choose a cartoon from your favorite newspaper funnies. (My assistant chose this lady, and I chose Dennis The Menace.

2. Place a white regular paper over the image.

3. Using a lead pencil, scratch the paper where you think the image is. Apply lots of pressure on the pencil as you scratch.

4. When you turn the white paper over, you should see the image on the other side.

5. Use your pencil to darken any part of the image that isn't visible.

6. Cut around the image leaving a small gap of white outline around your art.

7. Cut a small piece of the cardboard of a zebra notebook matching the size of your art.

8. Using glue, adhere the image to the cardboard and let dry.

9. When dry, cut around the outer parts of the white border you left on the art.

10. Fold the bottom of the cardboard so you can stand your new artwork.

That's pretty much it. That's all I remember. It took us about 15 minutes to finish, mostly because I was rusty in remembering the steps. If you get to try this, share it with me so I can share it with the rest of the art community.

Until next time, have fun with your art.

-Haro