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The Complete Online Drawing Course

Learn to Draw without wasting precious time

If you’ve always dreamed of learning to draw, or if you’ve been drawing for a while and know you need to master the basic fundamentals, then you’re in exactly the right place.

No more wasting precious time searching around the internet looking for random tutorials. No more wondering if you’re learning the right thing. This is a structured step-by-step course that works.

This course (and so much more) is included in Cindy's Drawing Club membership.
Click here to discover Cindy's Club

Get started Immediately!

All you need to begin this course today is…

  • Pencil
  • Pencil sharpener
  • Paper or sketchpad
  • Plastic eraser

Note: A computer printer is also helpful if you want to print project booklets. As you travel through the course you’ll add to your supplies along the way.

Picture of Cindy Wider on Ipad with drawing pad and pencils

“Now drawing is the enjoyable, peaceful, fulfilling, therapeutic, energizing activity that I knew all along it should be. Gone are the feelings of frustration, defeat, and disappointment. Thank you Cindy for creating this course!”

Holly Watson - USA

“I love the way it is written – small chunks of tasks that you can do as much or as little of as you’ve time for. Much better than any book I’ve seen.”

Sarah Pascoe - UK

Your 6 Step Plan to Creating Your Own Original Drawings

Step 1: Start out nice and easy…

Basic shapes and construction drawing: All the fundamentals. Master these and you’ll feel your confidence growing already. Lots of fun introductory projects like ‘Peppie the Pup’ build your skills step-by-step.

Drawing course founder Cindy Wider presents a construction drawing project

Step 2: Wow! It looks so realistic!

Shading and Form: Those skills you’ve admired in other artists for so long are now becoming your skills too. Projects like ‘The Shoe Well Travelled’ will challenge you (by this stage you’re up to the task!) Your drawing will almost ‘pop’ off the page, amazing yourself and those around you.

Drawing course author Cindy Wider demonstrates a shading project

Step 3: Commission-worthy drawings

Portraiture: Capturing a likeness is one of the most admirable skills in art. It’s so satisfying. By the end of this section you’ll be well on your way to pencil and charcoal portraiture mastery. Some students even begin taking commissions at this point. (Yes, the portraits shown here are created by DrawPj students and they were all absolute beginners when they first started with us.)

Portraits created by DrawPj Drawing Course Students

Step 4: Look at the world in a new way

Perspective and Proportion: How can you realistically represent the three-dimensional world on a flat piece of paper? How do things we see change as they get closer, further away or turn towards us? These questions are all answered with perspective. Your eyes are now open to a whole new way of seeing and drawing.

Artist Cindy Wider demonstrates a perspective drawing project

Step 5: Fall in love with Colour

Coloured Pencil Techniques: It’s time to break out. Move beyond shading and into the wonderful world of colour. If you’ve ever wondered how professional coloured pencil artists can create artworks that are so rich, vibrant and with such painterly detail then wonder no more. You’re about to discover the secret.

Cindy Wider demonstrates coloured pencil drawing techniques

Step 6: Original Art. Made by You.

Composition: Your ultimate goal. An original drawing that is completely yours. We’ll show you the way, but everything you’ve learnt so far in the course has prepared you for this moment. You’ll have all the skills to create beautiful artworks, each one as unique as you are. (Yes, again the drawings shown here are all by DrawPj students who were beginners once.)

Original drawings created by DrawPj Drawing Course students

About the Course Author

Cindy Wider

Artist, Author and Co-founder of DrawPj.com

Cindy is a professional artist, author and art instructor with over 25 years of experience sharing her passion for art with her students.

As one of the internet’s most experienced instructors teaching on-line since 2008 she is the co-founder of DrawPj.com.

Her unique method of teaching is known as ‘The Cindy Wider Method’. The course which is based upon Cindy’s method is The Complete Online Drawing Course.

Cindy is an official ambassador for Derwent Products

Derwent and St Cuthberts Mill Logos

Cindy’s Featured Students

Here are a selection of artworks created by DrawPj Students…

Max Cuddleecat Wall of Fame!

Max Cuddleecat Wall of Fame!

We’ve had a celebration for the the launch of ‘Coloring for Happiness – Max Cuddleecat’. Here are some of the wonderful Max’s my students have created! Well done everybody!

A Stunning Pencil Portrait

A Stunning Pencil Portrait

Just a short time ago Robert was only just learning to draw with me in the Complete Online Drawing Course. Its always so exciting for me to see yet another student spread his wings and fly.

A Spectacular Snowy Landscape Drawing

A Spectacular Snowy Landscape Drawing

This spectacular snowy landscape drawing was created by my student Noah Nolywaika. For the past year I have been carefully nurturing Noah’s natural ability to refine his skills. The development in Noah’s work is spectacular!

A Delightful Collection of Teddy Bear Drawings

A Delightful Collection of Teddy Bear Drawings

Teddy Bear Pencil Drawing by Mateus Vitor Borges Oh how adorable! Check out this cute little Tallulah Ted. Created by Mateus Vitor Borges. In this creative version of Tallulah, Mateus has added so much detail and personal expression! What an adorable little bear. Well...

A Beautiful Portrait Drawing in Pencil

A Beautiful Portrait Drawing in Pencil

This beautiful portrait drawing in graphite pencil is by my mentored student Robert Wenzel. In this artwork Robert has captured an outstanding likeness.

Adorable Coloured Pencil Dog Drawings

Adorable Coloured Pencil Dog Drawings

These adorable dogs were created by Linda Elliott who is one of my mentored students. With all four of these beautiful dogs Linda has really captured their soul and that isn’t easy to do.

A Precious Moment In Time

A Precious Moment In Time

Check out this stunning drawing by one of my self-teach studying students Juan Carlos Ortega Varela who is slowly developing his own stylisation.

Another Award Winner!

Another Award Winner!

A huge congratulations to DrawPj.com Mentored student Deepti Mohile on winning another award, this time for her graphite pencil drawing of a cute little bird titled ‘A Short Layover.’

A Beautiful Blue Eye

A Beautiful Blue Eye

This beautiful blue eye was drawn by Susanne Norling our DrawPj Mentored student from our coloured pencil section of the course as an optional extra practice.

The Complete Course Curriculum

Want to know everything that’s in the course? Here’s the complete list.

Introduction and Orientation
IWelcome to the DrawPj Academy
ICreate a Pre-Instruction Drawing
hThe Beginner Drawing Family Facebook Group
hRecommended Art Supplies
hStudying with a DrawPj Mentor
hStudy Blocks for DrawPj Mentored Students

Construction Drawing (pencil)

Essential Skills
ISketching
IHalving Lines
IDrawing Angles
IIntroduction to Scribble Gesture
IIntroduction to Basic Shapes
IDrawing Rectangles
IDrawing Triangles
IDrawing Circles
IDrawing Ellipses
IDrawing Bell Shapes
IConstruction Drawing Examples
Essential Skills: Downloadable Booklets
hEssential Skills Summary
Essential Skills - Projects
IIntroduction to Projects
Peppie the Pup: Downloadable Project Booklets
IPeppie the Pup – Part A: Construction Drawing
IPeppie the Pup – Part B: Outline Drawing
Tallulah Ted: Downloadable Project Booklets
ITallulah Ted: Part A: Construction Drawing
ITallulah Ted: Part B: Outline Drawing
Major Project - Fred the Sausage Dog
Fred the Sausage Dog Project Booklet
IFred the Sausage Dog Outline Drawing
IFred the Sausage Dog Construction Drawing
Drawing 3D Solid Shapes
I3D Solid Shapes – Cube
I3D Solid Shapes – Sphere
I3D Solid Shapes – Cylinder
I3D Solid Shapes – Cone and Pyramid
Essential Skills - Bonus Project Booklets
Learn to See Shapes in Objects
Simple Man-made Objects
Marmalade the Rabbit Project
Oscar the Cat Project
Cyril the Squirrel Project
Cuddly Cat Bobby Project
Pencil Techniques - Six Pencil Techniques
hSix Pencil Techniques Introduction
IIntroduction and Smooth Shading Technique
IBroad Stroke Technique
IChisel Point Technique
IFine Lines Technique
ICross Hatching Technique
ICross Hatching Technique
IErasing Techniques
Major Project: The Old Hay Shed
Project Booklet
IIntroduction and the Graphite Transfer Method
IPencil Stroke Placement and Shadow Areas
ITrees and Leaves
IBackground Elements
IThe Roof Area
ICompleting the Foreground
Pencil Techniques - Bonus Project Booklets
Tulips in a Tub Project
Giant Cherry Cupcake Project
Happy Campers Project
Happy Campers Project
Shining Lighthouse Project
Quiz
RConstruction Drawing Quiz
Bonus Section: Extra Reading
The Artist’s Language and Your Four Natural Abilities
Bonus Section: Draw People and Characters
IHow to Draw Cute! (Part A) – live webinar recording
IHow to Draw Cute! (Part B) – live webinar recording
Draw People and Cute Characters
Draw Characters Worksheet
IPractical Application of Fundamental Techniques – ‘Baking for Mummy’

Shading and Form (pencil)

Shading Techniques
Shading Techniques Introduction and Booklet
ICreate a Value Scale
IShaded Curves
ITwo Smooth Shading Techniques
IGradation
ISoft Edge
IHard Edge
hShading Techniques Summary
The Theory of Light and Shade
IIntroduction to the Theory of Light and Shade
Theory of Light and Shade Booklet
IShade a Cube
IShade a Sphere
IShade a Cone
IShade a Cylinder
hTheory of Light and Shade Summary
Shading - Bonus Project Booklets
Bob the Boat Project
Puddles the Boot Project
Frangipani Dreams Project
The Holiday Project
A Variety of Subjects
Shading - Clothing and Folds
Introduction to Five Folds (essential reading)
IShaded Drawing of a Column Fold (tutorial)
IShaded Drawing of a Column Fold (speed drawing)
Major Project: Silver Kettle
Silver Kettle Project Booklet
ISilver Kettle Tutorial
ISilver Kettle Speed Drawing
Major Project: A Shoe Well Travelled
‘A Shoe Well Travelled’: Introduction and Booklet
IPart a: Introduction, first layer and sole stitching
IPart b: Impressing technique in shoe folds
IPart c: Laces and leather stitching
IPart d: Rubber sole and summary
Bonus Project: The Little Urn
Little Urn Resources
IShaded Drawing of the Little Urn (Tutorial)
IShaded Drawing of the Little Urn (speed drawing)
Quiz
RShading and Form Quiz

Portraiture (pencil & charcoal)

Pencil Portraiture
Facial Features Introduction and Resources
IShaded Drawing of the Human Eye (intro and tutorial)
IShaded Drawing of the Human Eye (speed drawing)
IShaded Drawing of the Human Nose (tutorial)
IShaded Drawing of the Human Nose (speed drawing)
IShaded Drawing of Human Lips (tutorial)
IShaded Drawing of Human Lips (speed drawing)
IShaded Drawing of the Human Ear (tutorial)
IShaded Drawing of the Human Ear (speed drawing)
IMark the Positions of the Individual Features on a Face
Project: Isha (Child Portrait)
Child Portrait – Introduction and Resources
IPortrait of Isha part a – construction drawing and outline
IPortrait of Isha part b – hair
IPortrait of Isha part c – face and jumper
IPortrait of Isha (speed drawing)
Charcoal Portraiture - Twelve Charcoal Techniques
hIntroduction to Charcoal Portraiture
IArt Materials Video (part 1)
IArt Materials Video (part 2)
ICovering Large Areas with Willow Charcoal
ICovering Medium Sized Areas with Willow Charcoal
ICovering Small Areas with Willow Charcoal
IDrawing Fine Lines with Willow Charcoal
IDrawing Fine Lines with Charcoal Pencil
ICreating Gradations with Blending
ICreating Soft Edges with Blending
ICreating Hard Edges
IHatching Lines with Willow Charcoal and Charcoal Pencil
ILines with Variations in Widths
IErasing Techniques
IWhite Conte and White Charcoal Techniques
Project: Long Hair
Long Hair Project Booklet
ILong Hair: Step 1
ILong Hair: Step 2
ILong Hair: Step 3 (part a)
ILong Hair: Step 3 (part b)
ILong Hair: Step 4 (part a)
ILong Hair: Step 4 (part b)
Project: Short Hair
Short Hair Project Booklet
IShort Hair: Steps 1 and 2
IShort Hair: Step 3
IShort Hair: Step 4
Bonus Project: Curly Hair
Curly Hair Project Booklet
ICurly Hair: Steps 1,2 and 3
ICurly Hair: Step 4
ICurly Hair: Steps 5 and 6
ICurly Hair: Step 7
ICurly Hair: Step 8
Major Project: Self Portrait
Introduction and Resources
IInitial Guidelines
IBasic Outlines
IThe Final Outline (part a)
IThe Final Outline (part b)
IShading Eyes
IShading Eyes (continued) and Forehead
IShading the Nose
IShading the Nose (continued)
IShading around the face
IDrawing Lips / Shading Cheek and Neck
IShading Lips, Cheeks and Neck
IHair (part a)
IHair (part b)
INeck and Clothes
IHighlights
Bonus Projects
Draw Clothing
Child Portrait of Sumaya
Quiz
RPortraiture Foundations Quiz

Perspective and Proportion (pencil)

Perspective
IIntroduction to Perspective
IDraw Wooden Floorboards
IDraw a Simple Interior with Floor Tiles
IDraw Simple Rectangle Shapes
IDraw a Bookcase
IDraw a Fence
IDraw a Ellipse in One Point Perspective
IDraw an Opening Door
IDraw some Steps
IDraw the Outline of an Interior Room
IDraw a Chair in One Point Perspective
IUsing a Scaling Stick to Draw Objects in Proportion
IProject: Draw a Simple House in 3 point Perspective
Perspective
IIntroduction to Perspective
IDraw Wooden Floorboards
IDraw a Simple Interior with Floor Tiles
IDraw Simple Rectangle Shapes
IDraw a Bookcase
IDraw a Fence
IDraw a Ellipse in One Point Perspective
IDraw an Opening Door
IDraw some Steps
IDraw the Outline of an Interior Room
IDraw a Chair in One Point Perspective
IUsing a Scaling Stick to Draw Objects in Proportion
IProject: Draw a Simple House in 3 point Perspective
Bonus Project Booklets
Cosy Cottage
Animal Frenzy
Major Project: House in English Countryside
Little House in the English Countryside – Introduction and Project Booklet
ILittle House in the English Countryside (part a)
ILittle House in the English Countryside (part b)
ILittle House in the English Countryside (part c)
ILittle House in the English Countryside (part d)
Quiz
RPerspective and Proportion Quiz
Bonus Section: Grid Method
Grid Method Introduction and Project Booklet
IGrid Method: Copy a Pattern (part a)
IGrid Method: Copy a Pattern (part b)
IGrid Method Project: Prepare your Grid (part a)
IGrid Method Project: Create your Drawing (part b)

Coloured Pencil

12 Coloured Pencil Techniques
hIntroduction
Coloured Pencil Conversion Charts
ISharp Point
IDull Point
IGradation
IBlending
IScumbling
IHatching
ICross Hatching
IStriking Strokes
IImpressing
IPointillism
ILayering
IErasing
Bonus Pencil Technique Project Booklets
Crazy Fluff Balls
My Colourful Kingdom
Secret Winter Wonderland
Country Cottage
Theory
Colour Theory Project Booklets
IIntroduction to the Colour Wheel
IThe Colour Swatch
ISix Colour Schemes
ISeeing Colour as Tone
Project: African Daisy
African Daisy Project Booklet
IIntroduction
IStep 1
IStep 2
IStep 3
IStep 4
IStep 5
IStep 6
IStep 7
Major Project: Apple
Juicy Apple Project Project Booklet
IStep 1
IStep 2
IStep 3
IStep 4
IStep 5
IStep 6
IStep 7
IStep 8
IStep 9
IStep 10
Bonus Projects and Booklets
Double Hearted Rose Project booklet
Luscious Strawberry Project Booklet
IStep 1
IStep 2
IStep 3
IStep 4
IStep 5
IStep 6
IStep 7a
IStep 7b
IStep 8
IStep 9
Quiz
RColoured Pencil Quiz

Composition

Composition Principles
Composition Downloadable Resources
IHow I Compose Original Art: Three Stage Process
IThe Planning Stage: Ten Principles of Composition
IAnalysis of an Artwork using the Ten Principles of Composition
IComposition Structures
ICreating Thumbnail Sketches using Composition Structures and Principles
Art Style and Inspiration
IThree Drawing Styles and the Development of Cindy’s Style
ICindy’s Art Style: Short film (for ABC OPEN)
Artist Style Case Study: Richard Klekociuk
IBotanical Gardens Art Inspiration with Richard Klekociuk
Art Style Case Study: Jandamarra Cadd
IJandamarra Cadd: Bridging the Divide with Colours and Dots (for ABC Open)
ISeven Tips to Find your Art Style
IExample Outline Drawing: “Waiting for the Next Meal”
IExample Thumbnail Colour Planning: “Waiting for Next Meal”
ISpeed Drawing: “Waiting for the Next Meal”
Colour a Hard Edge Drawing
Final Project: Compose an Original Drawing
Quiz
RComposition Quiz

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need any drawing experience to enroll?

This is for complete beginners and anyone who feels they need fundamental drawing skills. No experience necessary. 

What ages is this suitable for?

This is suitable for adults no matter what age you are. It’s never too late to learn to draw. 

How long does the course take to complete?

If you study for 2 hours per week most students would take approximately 12 months to complete the entire course.

What art supplies do I need?

To get started right away with the first part of the course all you need is: a pencil, sharpener, paper or sketchpad, Plastic eraser.

A computer printer is also useful if you want to print project booklets.

As you move through the course you will need to add more items to your supplies. For a shopping list see Recommended Art Supplies.

I am pleased that this course is so well designed; content broken into workable lessons with specific guidance, each lesson building on the prior one, and many examples for how the work should look.

Marilyn Martin - USA

This is a wonderful course with a real insight into the amazing techniques needed to create beautiful works of art, it’s helped me tremendously already I’m seeing a real change to my work.

Vicki Biggins

This course (and so much more) is included in Cindy's Drawing Club membership.
Click here to discover Cindy's Club

Still have questions?

If so, we’re more than happy to help you