The biggest thing about learning to make your own clipart is first learning to draw, whether by hand or computer. For those who shrink back in ‘shock-horror’, don’t worry – with practice and over time the process becomes quicker – and dare I say it? – even FUN!
There are some fantastic free resources on the Internet about learning how to draw. A search will help you find some good starting spots. If there is a subject I want to learn about and need a quick overview to get me in to the swing of things, I go to the public library and head for the kid’s section. Doing things this way is non-threatening and eases you into your subject. I have been drawing for some time now, but still go back there and re-read old favourites.
Try to do a simple drawing every day and DATE and KEEP all the ones you do, filing them in order. That way you can look back and see your improvement. Sometimes a drawing you didn’t think much of at the time will seem pretty good a couple of months down the track. You will find that over time, you will develop your own style, just like how your handwriting is your own.
I keep a sketch book and some of the silly scribbles I did a while back look fairly good to me now and are starting points for adding to or refinement. If the thought of a sketch book is too ‘forward’ for now, go get a ream of typing paper and cut some pages into quarters. Get your pencil and begin drawing.
For the purposes of basic clipart, start with a simple, cartoon style. Don’t worry too much on mistakes. Keep any intimidating thoughts out of your mind, if you were an expert you wouldn’t be learning, and everyone has to start from the basics – for anything. Be kind to yourself and make it fun. Maybe you just want to do a series of doodles. That’s fine. It’s all practice.
Once you have a few drawings you feel quite happy with, it will be time to refine them, and getting them ready for digitizing.
Learn To Draw Books from Amazon
