Let’s Start Drawing

Build a lifelong practice.

Book cover

Are you thinking “I can’t draw”?

Do you wish you had gone to art school but didn’t have access to that privilege? Here’s a glimpse of what I learned about drawing from years of studying art and teaching design to high school and college level students.

For years I have been planning, sifting, perceiving, composing and choosing the very best practices to build this simple but comprehensive visual guide for you. All of the images and words are my own. Writing the book I imagined what I would say to you if we were sitting together over our papers with pencils in hand to help you succeed. May you enjoy this gift, what I have brought together to share with you my student, my friend, my earlier self.

Precocious students of any age are invited to check out this comprehensive, sequential college level exploration. The text divided into a 10 unit curriculum, opens each with a rubric table of goals for self assessment. This tool allows individuals to synthesize deep thoughts on new ideas while studying independently.

Use pencil and paper (mostly) so no fancy supplies are needed to get started. Set aside your excuses as no previous skills are necessary. This instruction can be a refresher for strengthening hand eye skills and keeping the mind sharp or walk you forward from the very beginning of your visual education.

Playfulness is a key value of this practice.

Tune into the social opportunities for drawing with friends or honoring relatives. Share this information with a group of friends or maybe other students. Gain access playful games to strengthen visual perception while having fun. (Check out my previous post, dedicated to an e-book all about fun and games).

Draw because you can’t take a picture.

Dream can not be photographed, but what fun they are to document. Access the life of the mind with a drawing practice. Get started now. Begin with step instructions to build confidence. After completion, the final step is to build a portfolio to feature and show off your finished work.
Drawing Illuminated, Beyond Basic is a great tool to use independently or as the foundation of a drawing workshop or class.

Enjoy strengthening your creative practice. I look forward to hearing from you and seeing what you build along your journey.

Fall Drawing Classes

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On line drawing classes are forming now with instructor Rachel L. Philips MFA
e-mail Rp@raychil.com join the new ten week series based on the new text Drawing Illuminated.

Beyond Basic works from my book Drawing Illuminated. It meets Tuesday 12:30 am – 1:30 pm PST

Suggested Curriculum for ten weeks of instruction based on the book:

Drawing Illuminated Beyond Basic
by Rachel L. Philips MFA © 2020

Drawing Illuminated
Now available in paperback.


Contour Line, Linear topography p. 7-10, 17- 18
Line, Contour Drawing and blind contour p. 7-10, 11 -14, 23 -24
Line,  Bold Gestures p. 7-10, 15 – 16, 29 -30 
Shape, 2D and 3D forms  p. 19 -22
Balance p. 99 – 100
Value, positive negative space p. 31 -34, 35 – 38
Value, Mid tones,  Transparency  p.31 -34, 39 -40
Mass, gravity p.43 – 50
Texture, wet media (requires ink or black water color with brush)  pattern p. 51 – 58
Composition, Outdoor Studies – moved up for fall weather,  unit 10  p. 95 -102
Light & Shadow, shading techniques  p .59 – 62, 65 – 68
Rhythm & Motion p. 69 – 72, 75-76 – 77
Proportion and Scale p. 77 – 81 – 82
Space in 1 pt. perspective p. 25-26, 85 – 90
Space. Space in 2 pt. perspective p. 25-26, 91 – 92
Space point of view p. 25-26, 93-95
Light & Shadow, Tone, Proportion and Scale
 (a friend to model or a mirror is required) p. 63-64, 83-84 
Portfolio Creation p. 103-105
Review of completed work, Final session 

Share this practice live on Zoom or work independently from the 2020 release
Book Drawing Illuminated Beyond Basic