The class project is to join me for five days, each day we will use the three-step approach and draw a different type of bird.

1. Watch the video lesson for Day 1.

2. Download the reference images from the Class Resources section and save them onto your ipad or phone.

3. Pick an image from the folder and have a go at blind contour drawing (step 1). Remember, there’s no such thing as a bad blind-contour drawing! Try very (very, very!) hard not to look at your page. If it’s a total mess, you’re a winner!

4. Pick another image and have a go at semi-blind contour (step 2). Remember: keep your eyes 95% on the subject matter. Only look at your page to find your reference point. If it looks terrible, THAT’S OH-KAY. Don’t get discouraged. Do another one! (The image below shows step 1 and 2 of Ibises).

5. Pick another image and do step 3: Go with the Flow. Just go for it. Draw however you like. The more you can look at the subject matter, the better. Again, if it doesn’t look great, don’t worry! Line drawing takes practise. You’ll get there.

6. Take a quick photo of your day’s work and upload it to the Projects section of the class (easiest to do this on a desktop computer). Please please pleeeez share any thoughts you have about the process. You’re part of the community, we value your insights!

7. Do a little victory dance. You: 1. Fear: 0. Oh yes.

By practising for five days and completing the project, you will…

be on your way to developing a daily practise;
have an easy way to start any creative session – no room for fear in here, thank you very much;
have had five days of dedicated me-time – that’s good for your soul;
have joined our creative community of lovely humans, you may even make some new connections.

There is a zipped folder in the Class Resources section containing all the source images you will need for the five days. Simply download it to your ipad and go!

Your finished project should look something like this:

Step 1: Some strange, messy drawings composed of lines on paper.

Step 2: Some slightly less strange but still messy drawings that begin to resemble birds.

Step 3: Some fun, awkward, surprising, amusing, messy, tangled, out-of-wack drawings in your own developing/fantastic/incredible style.

Doesn’t matter how they end up – it’s about practising. Line drawing, by its nature, is UNFORGIVING, therefore self-judgement MUST be forgiving. I probably should have said that more in the class. Got it? Don’t be scared to share! To share is to SQUELCH all over the fear.

Ganna Raichel

Ukrainian pattern designer, illustrator

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