How Our Kids Have Learned to Draw

Anytime I share our kids' drawings, I'm asked the same question: 

How did they learn to draw?

The honest answer is simple: it's been a combination of interest and time. The best way to learn to draw is to draw. 

We haven't followed a formal art curriculum or online video program. Instead, drawing has become a consistent rhythm in our home, naturally woven into our days. 

During our Morning Time homeschool routine, while I (or my husband, Shawn) read aloud, the kids sit around the table with their sketchbooks. Together, they choose an image—sometimes a simple cartoon, sometimes a photograph—and begin to draw it. 

It's as simple as that! Over the years, the amount of time they've spent drawing has added up, and they've made amazing strides in their art.

How It Started

A few years ago, the kids started by copying cartoons with bold, clear lines. I would search Pinterest for "easy things to draw," then let them choose. Later, they moved on to more detailed line drawings. Now, they often work from photographs, translating real-life images into sketches.

Along the way, they've developed skills like adding texture, seeing and drawing shadows, creating depth and dimension, and noticing small details that make a drawing come alive. 

Liam (age 13), has fallen in love with pen and ink. He generally begins with a pencil drawing, adds details with pen, lets it dry completely, then erases the pencil underneath. 

A Few Simple Tips

If you're hoping to encourage drawing in your home, here are a few things that have helped us along the way: 

1. Start simple. Cartoons or basic line drawings are a great way to build confidence. Complexity can come later. If you're wanting step-by-step instructions for simple drawings, this book would be a helpful place to start! Also, for young beginners (ages 4-6), the Draw Write Now books are a good option. They combine simple drawing instruction with handwriting practice and focus on breaking images down into basic shapes.
2. Let interest lead the way. If your child wants to draw their favorite animals, cars, or cartoon characters, lean into that! Interest will fuel motivation.
3. Provide the right (basic) tools. A sketchbook, a set of pencils, a good eraser, and a fine-tip pen go a long way. 
4. Focus on observation, not perfection. It's important in these early stages for your child to see what they're drawing. Ask questions like, "What shapes do you notice?" or "Where is the shadow darkest?"
5. Use helpful resources, when needed. We haven't used much formal instruction, but one book we've come back to over the years is Art for Kids: Drawing by Kathryn Temple. I found it at a thrift store years ago, and all four of our kids have referenced it from time to time for ideas and simple technique exercises. For older students or even adults who want to grow in their drawing skills, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain by Betty Edwards is an excellent resource for learning how to truly see and draw what's in front of you. 
6. Encourage nature journaling. Nature journaling is one of the most natural ways to develop drawing skills. It's how many artists begin—not with a formal curriculum, but by observing and sketching the world around them.

Final Encouragement

If you're feeling intimidated by teaching art, know that you don't have to be an artist to raise one! You're simply in charge of creating space for your child to practice, explore, and grow. Skill comes with time and lots and lots of practice.

Start small, stay consistent, and trust the process. Happy drawing!