In the past, it has been a puzzle to me how it is possible to paint if you can't draw.

As a rule, drawing leads to painting but it's a known fact that some painters admit to not being able to draw.

In preparation for an experiment with watercolor pencils, I have been browsing through some books and magazines looking for simple starter tips.

Anyway, bit by bit, I have begun to understand the process a non-drawer might use.

First, a rough outline is sketched onto the paper to make sure the subject fits and to place main elements. If it's a landscape, this outline helps to decide the position of the horizon.

Paint is then applied to the applicable areas according to reference and the color of the subject. Then, observation is relied upon to complete the painting.

With painting, I guess you really only need to discern shapes and colors. Obviously, there must be some basic knowledge of drawing but we've got that, haven't we?

Paintings can be roughly done and still look great without all the fuss and bother of attention to detail.

So now I understand a bit more about the process and how artists can paint without a good knowledge of drawing. I'm not saying I am right by any means, but it is possible to do it this way.

If you have ever felt daunted by the thought of painting, now you can throw caution to the wind and just have a go.

I should remind you that whenever you read about a medium other than pencil, stay alert for important tips that you can use for pencil drawing. It's so easy to glide over these hidden gems that seem to spring up from nowhere.

What's New at AllAboutDrawings.com

Tip of the Month