Every object you can draw can be constructed from the four basic forms: box, sphere, pyramid, cylinder This drawing shows them in two dimensions, then three dimensions, then rendered with shadow in three dimensions

You can use these forms to "build" objects you want to draw, aka drawing via construction A simple camera is an elongated box and a squat cylinder, for example

Of course, most things you want to draw aren't made up of perfect boxes, spheres, pyramids, or cylinders But you can consider any other form a manipulation of those four basic forms For example, a bowl is either a semisphere that is scooped out or a tapered cylinder

Objects you draw will not always be facing the camera, so you have to learn how to rotate the basic forms in 3D space This is an example of a cylinder rotating in every direction You can do this with any shape or object

You want to convey a sense of depth, so think like the human eye: generally speaking larger objects perceived as closer whereas smaller objects are perceived as further away This is not always true, but the next tip helps further..

Objects that overlap other objects are perceived as "in front" as this is how it works IRL You can't see something that another thing is blocking as no light from it is reaching your eye You can use overlap to create a sense of depth

Because everything we see IRL is just a light reflection, it's the most important thing in drawing too You have to consider the light source(s) and then consider how the object would fall into light and shadow, then draw it accordingly

This is where value comes into play, or the lightness or darkness of a color or form In this example, light is coming from the left so that face of the box is the lightest, the top is the second lightest, the right side is the darkest, and the shadow of course is dark

Things that are straight in real life don't actually appear straight to our eyes, like a road vanishing into the distance This example is called 1 point perspective where everything converges on one "vanishing point" Perspective is a big part of what makes a drawing look real

Form is another. A contour is basically the outline of an object, in this case an apple and a pitcher More helpful is a cross-contour, which gives the illusion of three dimensionality and helps you understand how to "apply" light and texture to an object

Let's use these principles to draw a teapot. In version 1, we just use 2D shapes to construct the basic shape

In version 2 we refine the shape into a contour or outline, but still pretty boring as it's not 3D and viewed straight on

In version 3 we suggest a bit of three dimensionality with overlapping lines and some perspective We are now looking "down" at it a bit, which you know because we can see "in" to the spout which wouldn't be possible unless our eyeline was above it

In version 4 we pick a light direction and apply shading and values to the teapot, giving it a much stronger sense of three dimensionality

Using these principles (+ a lot of practice) you can go from knowing nothing about drawing to being able to draw stuff like this beetle in a relatively short time period I've learned much more over these 78 days but these were my most important understandings Follow along :)

I'll admit this is not even close to everything I've learned, but it makes for a better hook. I'll do more posts on gear, learning resources, etc. What else would you want to know?

Here is the full lesson page if you want it

@KevinEspiritu Oh wow thats stellar drawing ability. Well under 100 days of training already showing masterful skill with many techniques and drawings. Great job. Dont forget to sign n date your sketches. Its all part of history now. And if you're looking for a bit of upgraded art pens,

@ricolalal11 Thank you for the rec!

@KevinEspiritu This is such an awesome thread. It’s got the “Hey you can do this, too” theme to it. Like crazy inspiring for me, because it’s not the art but the structure of the post that is powerful. It’s the core of the Martha Stewart engine. It’s so good that I’m going to use this format,

@ErikKaiser Can't wait to read it

@KevinEspiritu Dude you are getting so good. Now if you make a TikTok where you say “how to draw a ___” and then show how to draw something, you will grow very fast. That’s what I did and got to 700k+ followers, but you could do way better!

@MattPRD Man the creator in me wants to but I got a biz to run 💀💀💀

@KevinEspiritu Thank you for this Kevin

@Molson_Hart 🤝

@KevinEspiritu u did not draw this final fantasy character only after 70 days of practice???

@Alex343 Yup

@KevinEspiritu Have you considered what you would achieve if you invested $6,000 in something Hormozi is not selling

@adamislucky I realize my timing is poor in this probably seems like a sub tweet but I actually didn't know it was going on today 😂