The Complete Drawing Masterclass: From Beginner to Advanced

In this video, I introduce this online drawing course to you and explain its structure.

In this short video, I explain why it is important to learn how to draw, regardless of whether you are an artist or designer, or if you work in another field. Drawing can help people in the fields of graphic design, logo design, advertising design, illustration, and, of course, if you plan to go into art full-time or part-time or just for fun. But drawing can also help anyone who works in a field in which visual communication is used, including architecture, public speaking, marketing, education, and more. Drawing is a fundamental, beneficial skill, and this course will help you learn how to draw effectively.

In this short video, I explain why I am qualified to teach this online course, and therefore, why the course will be informative and helpful to you.

1. I have professional experience in the field, producing illustrations and art for various magazines and businesses, as well as making commissioned art, and having art featured in prominent galleries across the United States.

2. I also have formal education in the field, including a BFA from Memphis College of Art and Design, an MFA from the New York Academy of Art, and I attended Water Street Atelier, now called Grand Central Atelier.

3. I also have experience teaching the subject. This is important because not only do I have the information and know how to apply it, from my education and professional experience, but I have spent years explaining how to effectively draw to university students and others in workshops.

In this lesson, I explain how to succeed in this course, so you can draw effectively. This online drawing course can help you become better at drawing, and these tips will help you accomplish that goal.

In this text lecture, we include the link to the Facebook group Drawing Club so you can post your drawings there for feedback and critique.

I explain the considerations to take into account when drawing from photographic reference vs. drawing a subject or scene from real life.

I explain the differences between drawing on a table vs. drawing on an easel. Either is fine for this course, but I include a few considerations in this lesson.

In this text lecture, we explain a few aspects of the course, so you can succeed at drawing.

In this video, I introduce this section, and how I will explain the various uses of assorted drawing materials.

In this video, I describe the various drawing tools and materials and their uses, including vine and compressed charcoal, conté, and more.

I describe the uses of graphite pencils in this drawing lesson.

In this text lecture, I list the various types of drawing materials and brands I suggest. We have also attached a PDF handout that can be downloaded and optionally printed, for handy reference.

In this video, I explain various ways of mark making in drawing, as well as methods of erasing and blending and the tools we use for that.

In this video, I explain how to sharpen drawing tools effectively, so they can be used for broad areas of value or thin lines, for example.

In this text lecture, I list the various types of paper and brands I suggest. We have also attached a PDF handout that can be downloaded and optionally printed, for handy reference.

In this video, I explain how to try out different types of paper, in order to assess what kinds of paper you prefer to work with.

In this video, I introduce this section, which is focused on gesture drawing.

We include the support files in this gesture drawing section, including photos of subjects to draw, in case you want to draw from photographic reference instead of a subject. We also list the drawing materials Jonathan uses, but you can use just a pencil and paper if you do not have access to those materials listed. Instructions for the gesture drawing projects in this section are also included, as you follow-along with Jonathan or draw later after watching the process and listening to the tips.

In this short video tutorial, I demonstrate gesture drawing of an object. Follow along and post your drawing for feedback and/or so that you can compare it to your drawings later in the course and track your improvement.

In this drawing tutorial, I show how to use vine charcoal to produce a gesture drawing of a soft object. Make sure to set a specific time limit for your gesture drawing, so you focus on the forms and "gesture" of the subject and do not add too much detail yet.

In this video, I use a charcoal pencil to produce a gesture drawing of an object. You can use a graphite pencil if you don't have a charcoal pencil. Remember to work quickly and don't worry about detail yet.

In this drawing tutorial, you will learn from another gesture drawing demonstration. I use conté in this lesson, but you can use a pencil if you want.

In this drawing tutorial, you will learn from another example of gesture drawing, and this example focuses on organic objects in a still life drawing.

In this gesture drawing demonstration, you will learn how to draw moving animals with gesture drawing. This is part one of three.

In this gesture drawing demonstration, you will learn how to draw moving animals with gesture drawing. I include some basics of structural drawing, although that is addressed in more detail in another section. This is part two of three.

In this gesture drawing demonstration, you will learn how to draw moving animals with gesture drawing. This is part three of three.

In this landscape drawing tutorial, you will learn how to draw a landscape using gesture drawing.

In this video, you will learn how to draw a cityscape in yet another gesture drawing demonstration. I start to move a little more into sketching in this lesson, compared to the other gesture drawings, although it can still be considered a gesture drawing. This is part one.

In this video, you will learn how to draw a cityscape in yet another gesture drawing demonstration. I start to move a little more into sketching in this lesson, compared to the other gesture drawings, although it can still be considered a gesture drawing. This is part two.

In this introduction to the line and contour drawing section, I will explain the various exercises you will follow along with, in order to learn line and contour drawing.

We include the support files in this line and contour drawing section, including photos of subjects to draw, in case you want to draw from photographic reference instead of a subject. We also list the drawing materials Jonathan uses, but you can use just a pencil and paper if you do not have access to those materials listed. Instructions for the line and contour drawing projects in this section are also included, as you follow-along with Jonathan or draw later after watching the process and listening to the tips.

In this line drawing tutorial, I will show you how to draw an object using simple line drawing methods.

In this drawing tutorial, you will learn how to use effective line drawing to produce a drawing of a still life, using organic objects. This is part one of the drawing tutorial.

In this drawing tutorial, you will learn how to use effective line drawing to produce a drawing of a still life, using organic objects. This is part two of the drawing tutorial.

In this video, you will learn how to use the broken line blind contour drawing method to practice line drawing.

In this video, you will learn how to use the continuous line blind contour drawing method to practice line drawing.

In this video, you will learn how to use the semi-blind contour drawing method to practice line drawing.

In this video, you will learn how to use the contour line drawing method to practice line drawing. This is part one.

In this video, you will learn how to use the contour line drawing method to practice line drawing. This is part two.

In this cross contour line drawing tutorial, you will learn how to use the cross contour line drawing method to practice line drawing. This is part one.

In this cross contour line drawing tutorial, you will learn how to use the cross contour line drawing method to practice line drawing. This is part two.

In this introduction to the structural drawing section, I explain the types of drawings you will produce in this section, including structural drawings of a cylinder, cone, and cube, as well as organic objects in still life drawings. The basic shapes can be used later to produce more complicated drawings of inorganic and organic objects, scenes, and people.

We include the support files in this structural drawing section, including photos of subjects to draw, in case you want to draw from photographic reference instead of a subject. We also list the drawing materials Jonathan uses, but you can use just a pencil and paper if you do not have access to those materials listed. Instructions for the structural drawing projects in this section are also included, as you follow-along with Jonathan or draw later after watching the process and listening to the tips.

In this structural drawing tutorial, you will learn how to draw a cylinder, using accurate form and lines. The sides are parallel while the ends are ovals. This is the first part of the structural drawing of a cylinder video tutorial. This method can be used to draw more complicated and detailed objects, people, and scenes, by using the basic shapes as building blocks early on in the drawing.

In this structural drawing tutorial, you will learn how to draw a cylinder, using accurate form and lines. This is the second part of the structural drawing of a cylinder video tutorial. This method can be used to draw more complicated and detailed objects, people, and scenes, by using the basic shapes as building blocks early on in the drawing.

In this drawing tutorial, I show you how to draw accurate ellipses, as part of drawing a cylinder.

In this video, I explain some common problems that students encounter when trying to draw accurate ellipses, and how to avoid those problems.

In this video tutorial, you will learn how to draw an accurate cone, using structural drawing methods. The cone can be used as part of more complicated drawings later, in combination with other shapes, such as the cylinder and cube.

In this drawing tutorial, you will learn how to draw an accurate cube. Specific considerations are included, so that you can draw an effective cube, which can be used to build more complicated drawings later. This is part one of drawing a cube tutorial.

In this video tutorial, you will continue to learn how to draw an accurate cube, by drawing another example cube. Cubes can be used with other basic shapes, such as cylinders and cones, to build more complicated drawings later, including drawings of automobiles, people, buildings, and still life drawings.

In this structural drawing tutorial, you will learn how to draw organic objects using structural drawing. You will draw a still life drawing, in this first example of structural drawing.

In this structural drawing tutorial, you will learn how to draw organic objects using structural drawing. You will draw a still life drawing, in this second example of structural drawing.

In this introduction to the section, I explain how you will learn various ways to add tone or value in drawings, including the reductive or wipe out method, hatching, and cross-hatching. We will also go over adding shadows in structural drawing as well as various lighting and shadow terms in this section, which will help you understand light and how it is conveyed in drawing.

In this lesson, I explain some key concepts and terms of lighting in drawing.

We include the support files in this tone or value section, including photos of subjects to draw, in case you want to draw from photographic reference instead of a subject. We also list the drawing materials Jonathan uses, but you can use just a pencil and paper if you do not have access to those materials listed. Instructions for the tone or value projects in this section are also included, as you follow-along with Jonathan or draw later after watching the process and listening to the tips.

In this drawing tutorial video, you will learn how to add a light source and shading in a structural drawing of a cylinder.

In this drawing tutorial video, you will learn how to add a light source and shading in a structural drawing of a cone.

In this lesson, you will learn how to draw with the hatching method, using a still life as the subject. The hatching method is one way to add tone or value in a drawing, to portray depth and form.

In this lesson, you will learn how to draw with the cross-hatching method, using a still life as the subject. The cross-hatching method is one way to add tone or value in a drawing, to portray depth and form.

In this drawing tutorial, you will learn how to add and remove tone or value using the reductive method, or wipe out method, by drawing a globe, in order to show depth and form. This is part one of reductive drawing method tutorial.

In this drawing tutorial, you will learn how to adjust tone or value in a drawing by using the reductive method, or wipe out method, by drawing a globe, in order to show depth and form. This is the second part of the reductive drawing method tutorial.

In this drawing tutorial on the reductive method or wipe out method, I will show you how to draw a still life. This is part one of the reductive drawing method still life tutorial.

In this drawing tutorial on the reductive method or wipe out method, I will show you how to draw a still life. This is part two of the reductive drawing method still life tutorial.

In this introduction to the section, I explain that we will go over drawing in perspective, including one-point, two-point, and three-point perspective. You will also learn various ways to show to depth in this section.

In this text lesson, we go over a few more well-known examples of drawing in perspective, as well as an overview of drawing in perspective, to help explain this drawing method.

We include the support files in this perspective drawing section, including photos of subjects to draw, in case you want to draw from photographic reference instead of a subject. We also list the drawing materials Jonathan uses, but you can use just a pencil and paper if you do not have access to those materials listed. Instructions for the perspective drawing projects in this section are also included, as you follow-along with Jonathan or draw later after watching the process and listening to the tips.

In this short video tutorial, I show how to add depth to a drawing by using scale or size. Follow along with the exercise, or watch and draw later.

In this short video tutorial, I show how to add depth to a drawing by using overlapping forms. Follow along with the exercise, or watch and draw later.

In this short video tutorial, I show how to add depth to a drawing by using linear perspective. Follow along with the exercise or watch and draw later. We go over drawing in perspective in more detail in this section, when we draw in one-point, two-point, and three-point perspective.

In this short video tutorial, I show how to add depth to a drawing by using the chiaroscuro technique. Follow along with the exercise or watch and draw later.

In this short video tutorial, I show how to add depth to a drawing by using different levels of tone or value. Follow along with the exercise or watch and draw later.

In this short video tutorial, I show how to add depth to a drawing by using atmospheric perspective. Follow along with the exercise or watch and draw later.

In this short video tutorial, I show how to add depth to a drawing by using a horizon line. Follow along with the exercise or watch and draw later. We use many of the various techniques together, such as using variable scale as well as overlapping forms, while we apply new techniques for adding depth.

In this short video tutorial, I show how to add depth to a drawing by using lost and found edges. Some objects are sharped or more "in focus" and others are softer or "out of focus" and this simulates depth in a drawing. Compare this to taking a photo with a specific depth of field. Follow along with the exercise or watch and draw later.

In this one-point perspective tutorial, I show you how to draw in one-point perspective. Drawing in one-point perspective enables us to draw with realistic perspective. We use one vanishing point in one-point perspective. You can use a pencil and ruler with paper in this tutorial, or any of the drawing tools, such as compressed charcoal pencil.

In this tutorial, we add a light source and shadows in a perspective drawing.

In this follow-along lesson, we use one-point perspective to draw a rural scene.

We draw in two-point perspective by using two vanishing points on the horizon line, instead of one, like in one-point perspective. In this video tutorial, we draw in two-point perspective.

in this two-point perspective tutorial, we draw a cityscape using two-point perspective.

In this video tutorial, we reverse engineer a drawing drawn using three-point perspective. This is an effective teaching and learning technique. In three-point perspective, we add a third vanishing point that is either above or below the horizon line, instead of on the horizon line like the first two vanishing points.

This is another example of three-point perspective, but we are looking at the cityscape from higher up.