Sketching Short Course by Chris Mattson

OBJECTIVE: Learn to how to turn hand sketching into a powerful design tool.
FORMAT: Free, Self-guided.
WHAT TO EXPECT: Four Learn to Sketch articles with images and daily exercises.
TIME COMMITMENT: 10 minutes per day for 8 weeks.

LESSONS

Lesson 1: Sketching Basics

You’ll walk away from this lesson being able to sketch cubes, cylinders, cones, and spheres. You’ll gain an appreciation for basic shapes including lines, circles, and ellipses. You’ll be given an exercise routine that is designed to help you practice on the essentials.

ASSIGNMENT: Read the article (10 minutes), and begin the exercises (10 minutes per day for 2 weeks).

TIPS: Begin practicing every where. Sketch simple lines, boxes, cubes on scratch paper, meeting agendas, or in notebooks. Do spend 10 serious minutes a day practicing and don’t underestimate the value of warming up with just making lines.

Lesson 2: Perspective (3/4) Views

In this lesson you’ll learn a three-step approach to sketching, and techniques for sketching in perspective view. You’ll practice by sketching various mobile phones, washing machines, and hand drills.

ASSIGNMENT: Read the article (10 minutes), and begin the exercises (10 minutes per day for 2 weeks).

TIPS: Learn to see objects as the collection of cuboids and cones (cylinders). Don’t give up on practicing. 10 minutes a day will produce results if you stick with it.

Lesson 3: Cross-section and Exploded Views

In this lesson you’ll begin sketching familiar objects in precise ways — focusing on correct proportions. You’ll practice by sketching a hex nut (the fastener), a LEGO brick, and a USB stick. You’ll further learn how to make cross sections, and exploded views.

ASSIGNMENT: Read the article (10 minutes), and begin the exercises (10 minutes per day for 2 weeks).

TIPS: Start with something simple then build up complexity. First, make a cross section of a drinking glass, then try the cross section of a LEGO, then the cross section of a tape dispenser. Do the same with exploded views. Be ok sketching and object multiple times knowing that each time you’ll learn more about how to do it accurately.

Lesson 4: Arrows and Lettering

After completing this lesson, you will have learned how to add arrows, text, and dimensions to your sketches. These embellishments will make your sketches more dynamic and understandable to other people.

ASSIGNMENT: Read the article (10 minutes), and begin the exercises (10 minutes per day for 2 weeks).

TIPS: Try adding arrows to all your sketches. Try making a sketch of just arrows (perhaps this is flow chart or a collection of thoughts written on arrows. When trying the lettering, slow down! If you imagine lettering as a geometry, slowing down will allow you two create readable work.

More Information on Sketching & Visualization

Shading and Shadowing Objects

Learn how to add shading and shadows to your sketches. Read the article, then try to reproduce the images.

Shading Cylinders

Learn how to shade cylinders, then try to shade the cylinders in the exercises.

Visualization Activity

Enjoy a challenging visualization activity.