Drawing

Naturally
Brenda Hoddinott








A09 BEGINNER: RESOURCES
In Lesson A08 Beginner: Youre a Natural, you discovered your natural hand movement
for drawing straight lines. In this lesson, I show you how to find your natural hand
movement for drawing curved lines and circular shapes (such as circles and ovals).
Suggested drawing supplies include a sketchbook and a 2B grade of graphite pencil.

Recommended for artists of all ages, as well as students of home schooling, academic, and recreational fine art educators
4 PAGES 4 ILLUSTRATIONS




Published by Drawspace.com, Halifax, NS, Canada 2010



Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this document belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever
without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott. E-mail brenda@drawspace.comWeb site http://www.drawspace.com
2







Following the Outlines of Circles
Use a finger to follow the outline of the circle (Figure 901) in a clockwise motion. Then,
follow the outline of the second circle (Figure 902) in a counterclockwise motion.
Whichever feels most comfortable is your natural directional movement.
For most left-handed people this movement is counterclockwise. Conversely, right-
handed individuals are more likely to begin drawing curved lines in a clockwise
direction. And, some people find both movements equally natural.














Following Curved Lines
Run your finger along each line in Figure 903 to get a sense of its clockwise and
counterclockwise movements.
ArtSpeak
Clockwise is a direction or motion that follows the movement of the hands of a clock: from the top to the right,
then down and to the left, and back up to the top.
Counterclockwise (sometimes called anticlockwise) is a direction or motion that is opposite to the movement
of the hands of a clock: from the top to the left, then down and to the right, and back up to the top.
Single curved line (also called a simple curved line) is rendered in only one direction, either clockwise or
counterclockwise (as in the letter C).
Compound curved line is created when a curved line changes direction. In other words, a compound curved
line curves in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions (such as in the letter S).
Circular shape is entirely made up of curved lines.
Figure 902 Figure 901


Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this document belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever
without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott. E-mail brenda@drawspace.comWeb site http://www.drawspace.com
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Depending on which end you begin, each single curved line can curve in either a
clockwise or counterclockwise direction. If your instinct is to begin at A, your natural
hand movement is probably clockwise. Conversely, if you prefer to begin with B, more
than likely, your natural hand movement is counterclockwise.











Compound curved lines curve in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Run a
finger along each compound curve in Figure 904. Take note of the point where the
direction changes from clockwise to counterclockwise (or counterclockwise to
clockwise). For example, an arrow marks the point where the compound curved line in
the upper right, begins to change direction.
Draw a page of single
and compound
curved lines, and
circular shapes in
your sketchbook.
Use your natural hand
movement, and dont
forget to rotate your
drawing paper as you
work (Lesson A08
Beginner: Youre a
Natural).
Remembering to
always rotate your
paper takes lots of
practice. But, before
you know it, you are
rotating your paper all
the time without even
thinking.
Figure 903
Figure 904


Copyright to all articles, images, text, projects, lessons and exercises within this document belong to Brenda Hoddinott and may not be reproduced or used for any commercial purposes whatsoever
without the written permission of Brenda Hoddinott. E-mail brenda@drawspace.comWeb site http://www.drawspace.com
4

BRENDA HODDINOTT
As a self-educated teacher, visual artist, portraitist,
forensic artist (retired), and illustrator, Brenda Hoddinott
utilizes diverse art media including her favorites:
graphite and paint.
Brenda is the author of Drawing for Dummies (Wiley
Publishing, Inc., New York, NY) and The Complete
Idiots Guide to Drawing People (Winner of the Alpha-
Penguin Book of the Year Award 2004, Alpha - Pearson
Education Macmillan, Indianapolis, IN). She is
currently writing two books on classical drawing.
My philosophy on teaching art is to focus primarily on the enjoyment
aspects while gently introducing the technical and academic. Hence, in
creating a passion for the subject matter, the quest for knowledge also
becomes enjoyable.
>Brenda Hoddinott<
Born in St. J ohns, Newfoundland, Brenda grew up in the small town of Corner
Brook. She developed strong drawing and painting skills through self-directed
learning.
During her twenty-five year career as a self-educated civilian forensic artist,
various criminal investigation departments have employed Brendas skills,
including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In 1992, Brenda was honored with
a commendation from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and in 1994, she was
awarded a Certificate of Membership from Forensic Artists International.
In 2003, Brenda retired from her careers as a forensic artist and teacher to work
full time writing books and developing her website (Drawspace.com). This site is
respected as a resource for fine art educators, home schooling programs, and
educational facilities throughout the world.