Description
Build hand control and confidence by drawing neat, straight lines without tools. This is the most important warm-up in sketching – it trains the shoulder-driven action that makes every future stroke more decisive.
Steps
- Draw horizontal lines across a complete page — try for evenly spaced, parallel strokes
- Repeat with vertical lines top to bottom
- Add diagonal lines in both directions, filling the page
- Place two dots far apart and join them with one crisp, continuous stroke
- Repeat step 4 at different angles and distances
Tips
- Draw from your shoulder, not your wrist — your whole arm should move
- Prioritise confidence over precision
- Avoid sloppy repetitive strokes; each line is one committed movement
- Work swiftly; the warm-up should feel energized, not meticulous