Try This - Tea Strainer 1 (Full Shapes)

Updated July 2009

First, please read my post, "Anybody Can Draw," if you haven't already. And please don't copy my drawing - but do feel free to use it to inspire your own.

If you're looking for the "try this" version with partial shapes, see the "Anybody Can Draw" post.

For this drawing, use the full 8.5 x 11" page. Select one or two objects with interesting shapes to trace - my tea strainer is just an example. Maybe a pair of scissors, a serving fork with a fancy shaped handle, a pair of eyeglasses folded up, a kitchen gadget, or a child's toy. Also select another, plainer object, such as an oval or diamond shape.

Position your first interesting-shaped object off-center, diagonally on your paper. Trace completely around it, including any holes like the scissors handles. Move it to a different location, different angle, perhaps overlapping the first tracing. Trace around it again. It's up to you whether to stop at the overlap (putting the second tracing "behind" the first) or to continue tracing (as if the first tracing is transparent).

Repeat with your second interesting-shaped object, if desired. Mine was a spoon handle, traced inside the left-hand tea strainer.

Now for your "plainer" object. Position it so it will connect or extend the other objects. Trace it, except where it overlaps (keep it "behind" the other objects). Repeat a few times.

Add free-form curved or straight lines to echo or continue some of your traced lines, to make a new shape, or to criss-cross some blank areas. Consider drawing a small picture inside a space, like I did with my window frame.

Color (but feel free to leave some white space). Enjoy.

For more drawings to try, click on "try this" just below, or in the menu bar in my blog header, or in the label list on the right.