Have you ever wanted to learn how to make whimsical illustrations? Click to learn about a course that taught me how to make these flower illustrations. It was so much fun (and really easy too!)

Line Drawing for the Rest of Us

If you’re a regular reader of Little Girl Designs, you know I love to sketch. That being said, I know I have a lot to learn when it comes to line drawing. I am always on the lookout for courses and books that teach drawing in a way that regular people can relate to. I’ve written about some of my favorite drawing books for children and adults in a previous post. Those books passed the test because they were written in a way where the reader could have instant success. Take out a piece of paper and a pen, copy the author’s instructions, and ta-da!—you have a drawing.

A couple of weeks ago, I signed up for a free trial at Creativebug for two reasons. One, I’ve been wanting to try their classes for a while now, and two, I wanted to let you know about them if they passed the Little Girl Designs easy-win test. 🙂 (Spoiler alert: They passed!)

The first class I took was Lisa Congdon’s “Basics of Line Drawing” course. I’ve been a fan of Lisa’s work for a while now, and I’m sure many of you are too even if you don’t know it yet. Her illustrated books are everywhere. Visit her Etsy shop, and you’ll probably recognize her work. But back to the class.

In this one-hour class, she talks about how to draw from a picture, from real life, and from your imagination. She also explains how to compose the picture as you draw. I pulled out my sketchbook and had a great time learning from her teaching. My drawing for this post was from her class, and it was really fun to sit down and learn some new techniques.

The videos are edited in such a way that if you try to follow along exactly, Lisa will finish her drawing before you, if that makes sense. In other words, she’ll draw part of a leaf and begin filling it in. Then the camera will jump to her finishing the leaf. I didn’t find this to be a problem because I could always press pause if I wanted to go at a slower pace. Her drawings are also simple enough that I didn’t feel left behind and frustrated during the class.

I like Lisa’s thoughtful approach and her encouragement that line drawings don’t have to be perfect and exact. Each person’s interpretation of a leaf and a flower will look slightly different, and that’s perfectly okay. At one point, she shows the differences in her own drawings as she drew the same subject several times.

If you’d like to try this line drawing course or another Creativebug class, you can try their classes for free for 30 days when you click this link. After the success of this class, I want to try a watercolor course and one of Kata Golda’s whimsical classes. If you’re a homeschooling parent, these classes are great for older students. I can imagine they would help pass some of those hot summer afternoon hours in a creative way as well!

Have you ever tried a Creativebug class? Which one would you like to try?


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18 responses to “Line Drawing for the Rest of Us”

  1. Sue Anne Dunlevie Avatar
    Sue Anne Dunlevie

    I’m going to head over and check this course out, Jennie! I love the illustration you made for this post.

    Thanks for the info,
    Sue

    1. Jennie Avatar
      Jennie

      Thanks so much, Sue! I think you’ll like the course. It was kind of therapeutic to watch Lisa draw and to follow along in my sketchbook. Now I’m thinking it would be fun to make line drawings and then color them in. 🙂 Have a great weekend!

      1. Sue Anne Dunlevie Avatar
        Sue Anne Dunlevie

        I just signed up for the trial (thanks!) and am taking the Art Journaling class. Have always wanted to try that out. The second class is all about coloring, my personal fav.

        Thanks again!
        Sue

        1. Jennie Avatar
          Jennie

          Yay! I didn’t realize they had a coloring class…goodness, I need a few more hours in the day so I can take more Creativebug classes. 🙂

          1. Sue Anne Dunlevie Avatar
            Sue Anne Dunlevie

            I was just thinking the same thing!

            Sue

  2. Melinda Avatar
    Melinda

    I’d love to learn how to draw. This sounds perfect for me.

    1. Jennie Avatar
      Jennie

      I think you’d like it. 🙂 It is very simple line drawing so it isn’t an overwhelming class. This particular class was about an hour long and divided in segments so you can watch little bits at a time. I just wish I had more time to take these classes! 🙂

  3. Nicole Avatar
    Nicole

    I love this! I have never tried any Creativebug classes but this one looks like one I would really like. I’ll be pinning for the next chance I get to put some time into learning something new! Thank you for sharing at our #HomeMattersParty with us. Hope to see you again this Friday!

    1. Jennie Avatar
      Jennie

      I think you would really like it, Nicole. 🙂 I want to take the beginning watercolor class next! 🙂 (Now for some more hours in the day to take all of these fun classes…;)) Have a great day!

  4. Angela Rosseau Avatar
    Angela Rosseau

    I’m always looking for ways to improve my drawing, also – this is definitely something I’ll check out! I’m a graphic designer, but my pencil & paper skills are lacking and I know the more I can improve my drawing, the better I’ll be as a designer. Thanks for the resource! And I love your illustration in this post!

    1. Jennie Avatar
      Jennie

      Thanks so much for your comment, Angela! I think you’ll really benefit from the line drawing class. I took Heather Ross’s Drawing and Illustration Basics class yesterday and loved it so you might want to check that one out too! 🙂

  5. Christine | Where The Smiles Have Been Avatar
    Christine | Where The Smiles Have Been

    I have never heard of Creativebug….but now I so want to take a class! I would LOVE to improve my sketching. I loved doing it growing up but haven’t given it a try in years. Ohhhhh, to find the time to do all the creative things I’d like to…. 😉 Thanks for the inspiration and for sharing this with us at Merry Monday!

    1. Jennie Avatar
      Jennie

      It’s really a fun class! And super simple too. I wish my nieces lived closer because it would be fun to sit down together and take it with them (they’re 9 and 7). :)And I know! I wish I had more time for more creative stuff! Too many ideas! 🙂

  6. Jocelyn McGaffic Avatar
    Jocelyn McGaffic

    I have never heard of these classes, but will check them out! Thank you for sharing at Pin Worthy Wednesday!

    1. Jennie Avatar
      Jennie

      I think you’ll love them! Have a great day! 🙂

  7. Susan Fleming Avatar
    Susan Fleming

    I knew who inspired your drawings right away — love Lisa Congdon’s classes on Creative Bug, and eagerly await each new one. Thanks for taking it to the next level!

    1. Jennie Avatar
      Jennie

      Thanks, Susan! Aren’t her classes great? 🙂 I’ve learned so much. Have a great day. 🙂

  8. Kim Avatar
    Kim

    Hi Jennie!
    I am so glad you have found Creative Bug! They have soooo many classes on a variety of diffetent things. After the two-week free trial it only costs $4.95 a month. Each month you earn a point to pick a class to addto your library. I love the drawing classes. Sorry for the book here. Lol

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