Lux Blox STEM and STEAM Build Anything Toy

Free Online Drawing Lessons for Kids With Video Instructions

Posted by Mike Acerra on

Written by Mike Acerra 

Now is a fantastic time to learn drawing. The Doodle Method was created to teach kids a natural and fun way to draw the world.

Before my wife Heather and I created a construction toy to get kids building using nature’s design principles, we had an art school in our home.  

We created what we called the Doodle Method. It is based on using the lines that are already natural for our hands to form.  Children old enough for handwriting lessons are of the appropriate skill level for these lessons. 

This method will help your child to: 

  • Build hand-eye coordination
  • Learn about art history
  • Build confidence through skill mastery
  • Gain the skills that form the foundation for handwriting

Connecting children to nature through drawing and other hands-on activities is a rewarding exercise with long-lasting benefits.  It builds foundational skills and knowledge to enhance understanding of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) subjects through awareness of the patterns found in nature and mathematical relationships. 

An Example From History

Greek ceramicists painted decorative patterns on vessels such as the one shown on this 2700-year-old ceramic pot to make them more attractive and easier to sell in ancient marketplaces.  This type of doodle art was used on ceramics in civilizations throughout the world. 

Start with Baby Steps

Like learning to walk, it is best to take small steps at first when learning to draw. It is important to understand the true power of the doodle and the scribble. When people scribble and doodle they are usually very relaxed and their mind is often occupied with other things. They are merely making lines that are easy and pleasurable for their hands and images that are simple and pleasant to their eyes. This is a very natural state of “art play”.

In this video series, you will learn fundamental drawing skills by doodling with letters.

The Lux Blox Daily Doodle #1

The S-Rule  

In the first video, we learn the S-rule.  The S-rule is a powerful technique for drawing and design because it creates the illusion of three dimensions- what I call “punching the form” with the S.  The S traces the curviness of natural things, which tricks the eyes into believing that what it is looking at is three dimensional. The S is a very natural line to draw and the more comfortable you become making S’s the more fun drawing will be.

 

The Lux Blox Daily Doodle #2

The S and C Rules: The Overlapping Perspective


In the Daily Doodle #2, we continue exploring the S rule and the C rule as a way to learn the illusion of overlapping perspective.  In this video, I show you how we can use the S and C rule to create plants, animals, and even the human face using the visual shorthand developed in the Italian Renaissance.

The Lux Blox Daily Doodle #3

Mandalas using the Z-Rule!

The Z-Rule is another powerful technique to help you make mandalas and the illusion of knots using simple natural lines. This Z or zigzag rule has been used by artisans for thousands of years. It's an effective means of creating the illusion of three dimensions from one simple line. In this video, I also explore other doodling techniques like creating rosettes and geometric spirals. 

The Lux Blox Daily Doodle #4 

Spirals are a Gift from the Universe 
Your hand was built to make beautiful spiral lines!

Nature gave us a wonderful gift - it builds itself with spirals!  Learn how the S-rule and the C-rule, when combined with the speed and power of the spiral, works to bring three dimensions into view. 

Take your time. Remember, this is just doodling!  Make your own designs with the S-rule. Make mistakes and have fun! And if you want to learn it faster, teach someone else what you just learned!

Want to learn more? Continue on to lesson 2 by clicking here.

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  • i love drawing

    morgan on

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