Everybody Draws Academy - rough sketches in observing how light and shadow inform shape and form. Charcoal drawings of a tea cup observed at different angles.
Level 1 - 20 views drawing exercise of coffee cup. Observational line drawings or sketches of 20 views of a coffee cup.

Train your eye to see before you draw.

  • Ways of seeing #001: How to draw a pencil sharpener and see the potential in it

    Who’s this for? Image-makers, artists, illustrators, architectural students, beginner drawing artist, creative hobbyists and designers (2-D, 3-D, motion). An exercise in seeing Drawing doesn’t begin with a pencil. It begins with looking. Before we draw something, we usually decide what it is. A pencil sharpener is a pencil sharpener. A screw is a screw. A…

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  • Drawing From Photos – The Photo Is Lying to You (And That’s Not Entirely Its Fault)

    On the difference between drawing from life and drawing from a photograph — and why both have a seat at the table. I’m going to be upfront with you: I draw from my iPad. I can take it anywhere, set it on the kitchen table, prop it against a coffee cup in a café, and…

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  • 20 Simple Drawing Exercises Using a Coffee Cup (That Actually Improve Your Skills)

    You don’t need complex subjects to improve your drawing. These 20 simple drawing exercises will show you how. In fact, one simple object can teach you everything you need to know. The coffee cup is one of the best tools for learning: Here’s how to use it. ⸻ Why the Coffee Cup Works So Well…

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  • Why Your Drawings Look Flat (And How to Fix It)

    If your drawings feel flat, lifeless, or “off,” you’re not alone. This is one of the most common beginner frustrations. The good news? It’s not about talent — it’s about understanding form and depth. ⸻ The Real Reason Drawings Look Flat Flat drawings usually come from one issue: 👉 seeing objects as outlines instead of…

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  • How to Train Your Eye to See Like an Artist (Beginner Guide)

    Most beginners think drawing is about controlling their hand. It’s not. Drawing is about training your eye to see clearly before you ever touch the page. If your drawings feel off, flat, or inaccurate — the issue usually isn’t your skill. It’s how you’re observing. In this guide, you’ll learn how to start seeing like…

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