We’ve all heard it before. “I could never be an artist- I can’t even draw a straight line!” Lines, hands, and circles are a bit of a meme in the art community as being impossible, especially for beginners.
But drawing straight, confident lines isn’t a matter of talent. Drawing is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned with practice.
Whether your line work feels shaky, or your pencil doesn’t seem to follow your commands, these tips and exercises will get you on the right track.
Today, we’re going to focus on the foundation of all great art: confident lines.
Supplies You’ll Need:
Let’s keep things simple. You don’t need fancy tools to get started—just a few basics:
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Notepad: A simple one-dollar notepad works great for tracing lines.
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Pencil: Any pencil or drawing tool you’re comfortable with will do. Don’t overthink it!
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Sketchbook: Choose a spiral-bound sketchbook because it lays flat on the table. Glued sketchbooks can be frustrating since they tend to pop up, making it harder to focus on your drawing.
Gather these items, and you’re ready to start practicing.
Step 1: Shift Your Mindset
One of the most common barriers to drawing is the belief that you "just can’t draw." Many people assume that artists are born with an innate ability, but that’s simply not true.
Drawing, like writing, is a learned skill. If you can write the alphabet, you’re already familiar with straight lines, curves, and angles—you just need to expand those skills.
Take a moment to notice the lines you use in everyday writing. Letters like "I," "L," and "T" are made up of straight lines, while "O" and "C" rely on curves. These shapes might seem simple, but they form the foundation for more complex drawings.
Step 2: Learn to Use Your Shoulder
Most people instinctively use their fingers and wrists when drawing. This is fine for short lines or small details, but it limits your range of motion.
I show you the exact position in this video!
1: Hold your hand and wrist steady.
2: Focus on moving your arm from the shoulder to guide the pencil.
Remember: You’re not ‘flicking’ your wrist like you would for shirt lines, instead dragging your entire arm & shoulder from one side of the paper to the other.
It might feel awkward at first, but this method allows you to create smooth, flowing lines without the stops and starts that come from wrist movements. Try it a few times and see how much easier it becomes with practice.
Step 3: Find Your Speed
Speed is another factor that can make or break your line work. Many beginner artists slow down, thinking it will give them more control, but this often leads to wobbly or uneven lines. On the other hand, rushing can cause inaccuracies.
The key is to find a comfortable middle ground. Experiment with drawing lines at different speeds!
Start slower than you think you should. Then, gradually increase your speed until you find the pace that feels natural.
This process is about discovery. There’s no "perfect" speed—it varies from person to person. The important thing is to find what works best for you!
Step 4: Control Your Pressure
Pressure is a subtle yet important aspect of drawing. Many beginners press too hard, creating friction that makes the pencil drag awkwardly across the paper. Instead, focus on drawing lightly.
Light pressure allows your pencil to glide smoothly and makes it easier to adjust your lines as you go, and can always be layered to create thicker, darker lines.
To practice transitioning between light and heavy pressure, start with a faint line, then gradually press harder. Then, reverse the process, going from dark to light.
This exercise will help you control the intensity of your lines and develop a more nuanced touch.
Remember, if you draw lightly, you can always go back and darken your lines later. Heavy lines, however, are much harder to erase or adjust.
I've got plenty of free, downloadable practice control sheets available on my Freebie page. Check them out!
Building Muscle Memory
Everything we’ve covered so far is about one thing: muscle memory. The more you practice, the less you’ll have to focus on how you’re holding the pencil or moving your arm. Drawing should eventually feel as effortless as writing.
Don’t be afraid to fill pages with lines and shapes—it’s all part of the process. Over time, these small, repetitive actions will transform into confident, intuitive movements.
What Comes Next
Ready to take your skills to the next level? My Drawing With Confident Lines Workbook is packed with guided exercises, tips, and techniques to help you master the fundamentals of confident line work.
I'll show you everything I used to go from shaky, irradic outlines, to drawing with confidence. You'll guide learn how to feel comfy with drawing with pencil exercises so that you learn how to control your drawing tool. What you're doing is building muscle memory so you don't have to think about each line you put down, but on your images as a whole.
