30-Minute Drawing for Beginners: Easy Step-by-Step Lessons and Techniques for Landscapes, Still Lifes, Figures, and More

by Jordan DeWilde

Overview

Unlock your drawing potential with lessons you can do on your lunch break

No drawing experience? No time for classes? No problem! 30-Minute Drawing for Beginners can teach you a new drawing technique in the time it takes to fold the laundry or grab a coffee. Broken into bite-sized lessons on how to draw, this entry-level drawing book for adults of all ages gives you a strong foundation in the fundamentals, like shading, perspective, composition, and more.

Grow your drawing skills and confidence with:

• Easy-to-follow instructions—Build your abilities with illustrated, step-by-step directions designed to help you progress from sketching simple forms to detailed landscapes and self-portraits.

• Essential techniques—Learn the key elements you'll need to improve your drawing, such as shape, texture, and form, and then practice what you've learned with bonus challenges.

• Lessons you'll want to practice—With some exercises as short as 10 minutes, it's easy to fit lessons from 30-Minute Drawing for Beginners into even the busiest schedule.

Start learning to draw in minutes with this fun and encouraging guide to drawing for beginners.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781647391232
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	06/17/2025
Series:	30-Minute Drawing for Beginners
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	84
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

JORDAN DEWILDE has taught art for more than nine years and was awarded the Illinois Elementary Art Educator of the Year award in 2018. He writes regularly for The Art of Education University magazine on topics pertaining to contemporary art, social justice, and art education. Follow Jordan @mrdewildeart.

Table of Contents

Learn How to Dare? Yes, You Can! vii

Chapter 1 Get Started 1

Chapter 2 Sketching, Guides, and Shapes 5

Exercise 1 Contour Line of Your Hand 6

Exercise 2 Contour Line of a Shoe 7

Exercise 3 Contour Line of a Chair 8

Exercise 4 Still Life 9

Exercise 5 Sketch a Single Object with Detail 10

Exercise 6 Sketch a Moving Figure 11

Chapter 3 Dimensions and forms 15

Exercise 1 Draw a Cube 16

Exercise 2 Draw a Cylinder 17

Exercise 3 Draw a Sphere 18

Exercise 4 Draw a Cone 19

Exercise 5 Draw a Pyramid 20

Exercise 6 Draw a Castle 22

Chapter 4 Proportions, Space, and Composition 25

Exercise 1 Create an Illusion of Space 26

Exercise 2 Draw a Landscape 28

Exercise 3 Draw a Portrait in Proportion 30

Exercise 4 The Human Figure in Proportion 32

Exercise 5 Symmetrical Composition with Abstract Shapes 34

Exercise 6 An Asymmetrical Still Life 36

Chapter 5 Perspective and Angles 39

Exercise 1 One-Point Perspective 40

Exercise 2 Two-Point Perspective 42

Exercise 3 Draw Your Living Room in One-Point Perspective 44

Exercise 4 A City in Two-Point Perspective 46

Chapter 6 Shading and Light 49

Exercise 1 Shading Value Scale 50

Exercise 2 Shading a Sphere 52

Exercise 3 Hatching and Crosshatching Value Scale 53

Exercise 4 Draw a Cylinder Using Hatching and Crosshatching 55

Exercise 5 Draw an Eye with Shading and Light 56

Exercise 6 Draw a Vase Using Hatching and Crosshatching 58

Chapter 7 Texture and Detail 61

Exercise 1 Actual vs. Implied Texture 62

Exercise 2 Soft Texture 63

Exercise 3 Rough Texture 64

Exercise 4 Details with Pattern 65

Exercise 5 Draw Details from Nature 66

Exercise 6 Draw a Self-Portrait 68

Closing Words 71

Glossary 72

Editorial Reviews

"As an art educator, Jordan knows how to encourage creativity and confidence. With his approachable step-by-step and timed exercises, anyone can learn or improve their drawing skills. Even for the most reluctant learner, this book makes drawing approachable and possible. So, grab a pencil and start drawing!" —Megan Dehner, Senior Editor, The Art of Education University Magazine

"When I was a young and aspiring artist, I often looked to drawing tutorial books to build my skills, yet, those step-by-step tutorials only got me so far in my creative abilities. What sets 30-Minute Drawing for Beginners apart from those earlier references is that it provides equal parts guidance and creative freedom. It builds both skills and confidence in the emerging artist." —Sarah Ackermann, Executive Director of Teaching Innovation at Ball State University

"This book is excellent for going over basics and is built upon drawing fundamentals using a step-by-step process that all beginners can understand. Each and every lesson is easily understandable, methodical in building upon earlier lessons, and does not overcomplicate the process." —Susan Czechowski, Art Professor at Western Illinois University

"30-Minute Drawing for Beginners lays out a variety of exercises in simple, concise, easy-to-follow steps. Jordan DeWilde's experience teaching and his own skills as an artist are evident in the thoughtful presentation of the exercises in this book. If you have ever wanted to learn to draw or want to escape from the stresses of today's world and can find 30 minutes to explore another way of thinking, this book will help you on your way." —Dr. Edward O. Stewart, Retired Art Professor at Illinois State University

From the Publisher