This article was taken from the December 2011 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
You try to sketch out an idea on paper for a colleague or friend, only for it to result in something not even your parents would stick on the fridge. Trevor Flynn, founder of Drawing at Work, advises: "People have very high expectations, and are very low on forgiveness. But once you can recognise that drawing is a lot about trial and error, that gives you the freedom to play."
Draw the 2D faces
"Visualise it first as a 2D drawing," says Flynn. Instead of drawing one big sketch, stock your mind's eye with simple images: "One end, the other end, the top, the sides." 3D will then come more easily.
Scale it up
"You can make a drawing of a bee seem the size of a car by drawing people in silhouette nearby," explains Flynn. "Or cut out a person -- collage is important -- and stick it near your object."
Avoid stick men
"I advise people not to draw stick men", Flynn says. "It draws attention to the fact you're visually sub-literate." Draw a mummy -- that indicates a figure and has some connection to a human.
Performance
"Drawing is performance, like acting. You must rehearse," says Flynn. Use the whole gesture of your arm: "Create a good stance and breathe well, or your shoulders hunch and you can't draw."
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
