Yes, you CAN draw!

Deborah DeLue • July 1, 2022

The Art of Applied Visual Thinking

The official newsletter of Applied Visual Thinking SUPERHEROES. Vol. 3 No. 13 July 1, 2022

Yes, you CAN Draw!

How many of you have told yourself I can't draw? Unfortunately, it's a common misconception that drawing

is reserved for those people who have "TALENT."

The truth is drawing

is a SKILL!

Drawing can be cultivated like any other skill, such as cooking, gardening, or playing an instrument. If you can write, you can draw. Heck, you can draw even if you can't write. Most little kids draw long before they learn the alphabet and how to write.

The best part is you can start right away. No need to purchase anything new. No need to learn any new technology or software. No need to set aside a big block of time. All you need is something to draw with, something to draw on, 5 minutes, and a few simple shapes.

This week we have six quick tips to help get

you started.

Scroll to the bottom to download a free copy of the handout.

Tip #1: Practice drawing the seven simple shapes of Dan Roam's Visual Alphabet for a minute or two every day.

Tip #2: When drawing geometric shapes or anything with straight lines. Place your pen on the paper, look where you want the line to end, and shoot your pen across quickly.

Tip #3: When drawing circles. Hold your pen just above your paper and draw a few circles in the air, then touch your pen down to the paper and draw your circle.

Tip #4: Spend 5 minutes a day building your visual vocabulary based on simple shapes.

Tip #5: Shortcut for drawing in 3D.

Draw a simple shape.
Draw a part of the shape slightly above or below and to one side.
Connect the corners.

Tip #6: Drawing something complex? Start with the largest shape and build your drawing one shape at a time.

Practicing just 5 minutes a day will go a long way to building your drawing skills. Don't have 5 minutes? Draw one thing while your coffee or tea is brewing or waiting for your next call, meeting, or appointment to start. The more you draw, the faster you'll build your drawing skills, and the sooner you'll be tackling more complex drawings.

Ready for more? Sign up for our Applied Visual Thinking FOUNDATIONS course, where you'll

Learn the building blocks of a visual alphabet and visual vocabulary so you can draw anything
Master applying color, hierarchy, lettering styles, and basic diagrams to organize information
Gain hands-on experience using the foundational tools
Apply the visual power tools to visualize data quickly and clearly
Learn to Apply Visual Thinking as your next SUPERPOWER