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Among the most important things to learn when learning to draw is understanding the formula almost every artist uses to fill a blank sheet of paper with more and more lines until she completed the drawing. Although apparently complicated this formula consists of several separate and simple tasks.

Most artists follow intuitively these individual tasks stepwise in the right order. Unluckily while beginning to learn drawing, you lack the experience to follow this strategy by instinct. But rather than waiting for the necessary experience, you should use this shortcut.

I created a scheme around this formula most creative persons understand and follow intuitively. It is composed of four steps: Placement, Outlines, Shapes, Illumination. These four steps are rather simple and follow the proven process to make a drawing. I abbreviated this formula P-O-S-I - a POSItive way to learn drawing.

So let's get started:

1. Placement of the objects in your drawing

This is the first step. Have a look at the complete scene, identify the different objects in the scene and seek to understand the scene. Focus on the different objects' positions and their location in relation to one another. Finally if you believe your apprehension of the scene is adequate enough, mark on your paper where you would like to place the different objects.
Seek out to be as precise as possible unless you have some experience in the art of pictorial composing. Experienced artists know how to modify the scene for a stronger impression without disturbing realism.

2. Drawing Outlines of the different objects

Now you know where to lay out the objects it is time to sketch them as mere outlines. Look carefully at every part of the scene and try to understand its outline and form. Then depict its outline - only the silhouette - in a few faint lines. Limit yourself to the external lines of each element. Replicat this step for every element in the scene. Ideally you begin on objects in the background and continue to the foreground areas.
After finishing the sketch of the whole scene this way, it is time to have a concluding judging look (but not too judging though!). In this stage it is still easy to reposition any element or to correct some lines. Only don't be excessively critical and keep in mind: every great drawing lives thanks to minor deviations.

3. Draw the Shape of the different objects

Now it is time to turn our attention to the objects' anatomies. Begin to add the internal structures of the scene's parts with few and fine lines. Place strokes in the proper directions to travel along and build the shape of the components of every element.
For arced objects use curved lines and in flat parts use straight lines. But still limit you to few and faint lines. Just try to catch the contours properly. As there are still exclusively thin lines on the paper you still have the chance to correct a line here and there.
In the end your drawing has gained a stronger perspective and depth appearance. Time to fill out the white spaces and perfect your drawing!

4. Illuminate your Drawing

Until now we merely worked on laying out the scene using faint lines. Forming the outlines and contours of all objects in the scene we produced a line drawing that portrays the scenes outlook faithfully.
But for producing realism something is missing: texture, light and shadow. In that last step we will fill in these elements that give volume and depth to our drawing and finally make it seem naturalistic. So in this step our opportunities for completing a great drawing are great but as well is the risk of damaging it beyond fix.
What to do? Once again look carefully at every part of the scene. Notice how light, shadow and the different surfaces are forming the shapes and what the colors are looking like. Most important is the surface - as even if a surface is all one color, its structure and texture creates different shades.
The same goes to shadows. Look how the objects cast dark areas on themselves and on objects close to them. Add these darker areas by first drawing their countour, adjusting and perfecting it and then filling it with darker tones.
While adding all the shadows and textures to your drawing all of the time seek to work from the background to the foreground. While following this strategy go from brighter tones and light contrasts in the background to dark tones and sharp contrasts in the foreground. This creates a stronger volume and depth.

Congratulations! With this terminal step you finished your drawing. Make one step back and enjoy. But keep in mind: if the petty critic in you comes to life, put your drawing away, the more you will love it in a few months!

This is another part of the 6 part series about drawing and how to learn drawing. Read the upcoming part of the http://drawingsecrets.com/learning-to-draw/how-to-learn-to-draw/learn-how-to-draw-part-4-of-6---these-practices-improve-your-drawing-skills.html

About the author

I'm a writer passionately pursuing my hobbies drawing and watercolor painting. On my website http://DrawingSecrets.com I'm sharing my thoughts and experiences in these fields. Your chance to get new insights through one of my free online courses and books or by purchasing one of my drawing products.

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