EXERCISE ONE

MICRO LANDSCAPES

For the exercises here you will need paper and pencils – soft if possible (Bs to HB). Charcoal and pens can be used too. If you have colour – pastels etc, you can use those too, when required.

For these little landscapes I would recommend you work at a scale of about 3in or 4in squares or rectangles, quickly and with freedom. You can do these anywhere – it only requires pencil and paper; a sketchbook is ideal

▲ Now produce a sheet of mini landscapes. Work on any size paper you like. Start anywhere on the page and roughly draw a small box.

Draw several more similar size shapes, fit as many on the page as possible. Try to keep the shapes random and be experimental; do some long ones, squarer ones and taller ones.

Now, using photos from your camera, computer, magazines or books, find examples of landscapes to sketch from. Try to find a variety of landscapes and don’t just stick to one type. When you have chosen your first image you can start drawing. Look for simple shapes to draw within your frame. The key to this process is to work quickly, loosely. Don’t use a ruler and resist rubbing out.

Be prepared to edit your box as you go – if you start working in a square box, and you change your mind, expand or shrink the box to suit.

Once you have done one, move to the next box and so on until you have a full sheet. Now sit back and admire your work and choose your favourite micro landscape, one that ‘feels’ good, one you might like to expand and work on more. If you don’t like any of them, try some more. Each drawing may take a few seconds to a minute to do.