I'm a competely begginner in drawing. I watched sooo many videos on youtube that got me nothing but frustration and discouragement. Went thru lots of nonsense lessons that taught me nothing. Wasted so many days practicing stuff that didnt make much sense. It seems their videos are more for showing off rather than teach. I was thinking of giving up until I found your video. Just one video and I feel so confident and motivated to continue. You are an awesome instructor who actually shows you care that we understand and learn. Your explanations and instructions are the best. God bless your talent. Thanks for the enlightening tutorials!

I really respect your work for a number of reasons. One of the main reasons being that its genuine in its goal and purpose without the need to include the obvious. Id say 90% or more videos that are labeled "tutorials or how to's" are nothing more than an artist looking to self promote by showing their work without a single word of instruction or explanation of anything. Just a video of them drawing. I've been drawing all my life and have learned many things over many years, but never considered imitation or mimicking another persons style a reason to consider that individual a teacher. As kids we try to copy an image and our talents are noticed at an early age by doing so, and as we learn more about conforming to reality in our artwork we improve. These so called tutorials that are anything but end up doing more harm than good in ways. So anyhow, fantastic videos thanks for the work you put into helping others. Peace

For those who know some of the 7 basic lines and not all; 1. Horizontal Lines - 2:10 2. Vertical Lines - 9:00 3. Perpendicular Lines - 14:45 4. Parallel lines - 20:03 5. Parallel Flowing Lines - 25:24 6. Center Lines - 27:16 7. Line of Axis 35:35

You're honestly such a blessing for a beginner like me. I truly appreciate it. Thanks man

Can't tell you how much I appreciate this channel. Been drawing my whole life off and on, decided to pursue art as a tattoo artist. Even though I can draw ink paint color pencil marker digital etc. I still always find myself watching videos on fundamentals (they can never be too practiced) I just found this channel and no one explains things in the way you do for example the video on major and minor masses in shape/form being the dictator for how the shadows are supposed to be constructed. I can already use shadows for depth but that video completely shifted my mindset with it and improved my skill. Funny how the smallest perspective shift or slight increase in understanding at a deeper level can make you take leaps in skill.

I can not believe how much my drawings have improved since learning about structure lines and going from simple shapes and ending with detailed drawings I always dreamed of being able to draw like this and it's now reality thank you for sharing your gift to the world!!!

My 6 year old daughter has just discovered your videos.And she's already hooked on watching; and hearing you tell us how to draw. She's even asking me some of tge stuff what they mean when you say them.

I finished an illustration degree last year and they didn't teach us how to draw, much like a fine art degree. We learnt how to think, develop concepts which are definitely valuable. However, most of us lacked the skills to bring them to their full potential. I'm glad you pointed out the ego barrier of thinking we're beyond learning the basic construction skills, i myself have been guilty of this. I had a few commissions which took longer because i had to learn the basics. It's unfortunate that most art college's don't provide this type of education. I've spent the greater part of this year going back to basics and it's had a huge effect already. Just requires a lot of patience but is totally worth it. Cheers man

I bought your book a few months ago (wonderful btw) and come back to your videos from time to time. I know this video is old, but I’m hoping you might still see this. This video has single-handedly revolutionized how I approach drawing. As you said, it’s simple stuff, but not everyone talks about it because of how simple it is. This really helped me and I’m really grateful for all your content!

I know this is an older video , but I have to thank you for this. I feel a little foolish for not realizing this, but when drawing head and face in an angled position, I haven’t been maintaining a perpendicular relationship where the vertical and horizontal contour lines meet. I didn’t realize that regardless of the perspective, that 90 degree relationship is always maintained. It has been throwing off the placement of all the facial features. This really helped me. Thank you 🙏🏼

Fantastic teacher. I love these videos.

THE MOST informative on the whole KZfaq channel

Having you explain these lines together in one vid is "very important" to my art life. Thank you!

you´re the best, honestly. finding your videos is like finding holy grail for anyone trying to improve or even start from scratch on their own. thank you! I got asked to teach some friends how to draw, and didn´t have any idea how I would go about that, and then I discovered you. gonna recommend you to them asap.

Thank you so so much for this video! As a "self-taught" artist, I live and learn through artists' videos! I never knew construction using lines is a process people use! I don't usually comment but I just want to say 5 years later from your posting date - I find this super useful !

its amazing how much the horizon line makes everything sit in space - i was wondering for a long time why my objects didnt seem to be in the same space

I really wish a lot more people would see this. It would probably help a lot of beginners to realize what's stopping them from progressing. As always, top notch quality video Mr. Dunn!

Thank you so much sir! I've learn't so much through this tutorial, even though I've been trying to start drawing for weeks, with seemingly no motivation, watching this video has simplified and given me hope. You videos are much more explanatory, thank you for putting out this tutorial and please continue to do sir. Thanks so much!

I discovered your tutorials just recently, mid 2022, and you are such a good teacher. I love the way you show the basics. Thank you Alphonso!

This is the best drawing tutorial I’ve seen! I’m coming back to drawing after 30 years and your video has been a really thorough reintroduction to the lessons I learned in high school art class with much more detail and explanation. Just what I needed! I’ll definitely be watching more of your videos. Look forward to learning from you!

This video really helped clearing out this topic for me in a way any other tutorial ever has. Thank you, so, so much, oh my god. I've honestly been making the same mistakes you mentioned, over and over again for SO long and I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong, and this is the first time someone explained in a way that made sense to me and it all just clicked. And it was so refreshing that you made all the 7 lines into one dinamic video, instead of making a one hour long video on just one subject, to the point it gets tiring and you end up more confused than when you began watching it. It all flowed so well and with such consistency. This video really helped me, thank you sooooo much, I really appreciate the effort you put in your videos! :) You're a great artist and I'm more than thankful for your channel!

Thank you for this excellent tutorial!

Wow... I've watched so many videos & read so many "How to's " about drawing and yes I've seen quite alot about practicing & studying lines and contour drawing but this is absolutely the most explanatory and easily understood instruction on lines, what they are, what they do and why understanding them is so important. It's very well put together and so full of knowledge that any artist needs as a foundation. THANK YOU!!!!!!!

I would just like to say a word of thanks. I am going through a really rough patch in my life and you have shown me so much. Drawing has always been something special to me. That being said I have a hard time drawing without a....muse, for lack of a better term/word. Anyway I’d lost mine long ago at the beginning of this.....marriage. But thanks to you I have found it again. So after 13 yrs away I’m back and have you to thank for it😬 Please understand if I could get your book I would do so in a heartbeat. However I’m afraid it will have to wait until I find a place and get back on my feet but I must say from what I’ve seen of it it looks like you hit a home run! Stay cool and keep up the awesome work!!

I like the way you explain yourself and it's entertaining to watch you draw.

So well done! thanks so much you are very good at getting your point across. I've learnt more from this video than years of drawing myself. I will be buying your book for sure!

Saw another video by you and ordered your book. After watching this video I’m even more excited for it to come. This video alone has taught me so much

A very clear headed teacher and a thoroughly organised lecture. Could not stop until the end. Viewing and practicing regularly will bring out the best in any one.

hey alphonso i am a student of fine arts in greece at the last year of my studies,you made an amazing guide and found many information from your video that can improve my sketching ability.Thanks a lot i will surely follow you and share your videos with other students of my university .Keep up the amazing work.

HI Alphanso Dunn, I got the Book shipped to India, its amazing. Thank you.

The best class I've ever had on this subject. Thank you Master !!!!!

Got the book here in Germany. Dude, one of the best art instruction Books there are. No 1-2-3 step instructions, no long texts without examples, and an author who has mastery of what he is teaching.

videos are so good buying your book tomorrow!

Wow, just wow. I am learning how to draw for about 4 months and it was always a mystery how people are drawing the head in different positions and angles. Now I know how they do it! Thank you so much, Alphonso, for your videos and great books!

This has been one of the most helpful videos I have ever seen. I now realize what I have been missing. I'm trying to learn how to draw anatomy and it doesn't look terrible but realizing how the angles work on the face when it isn't straight on OMG my mind is blown. lol Thank you so so much for taking the time to create these videos. I really wish when you type in the search bar how to draw (anything) this would be the absolute first video that you HAVE to watch before being allowed to watch any other videos regarding drawing

Thank you, this has really helped me grasp some things that have felt so elusive in my art. Sometimes I was getting things right and sometimes not but I couldn't tell what needed correction. Looking forward to watching more of your videos.

7 Basic Lines Important to use them as a guide, as reference, in the sense of drawing them in the abstract phase of a drawing. Using basic lines helps your drawings be structurally sound, regardless of the position things are in. You can use all 7 lines together, so each serves as a reference for the other. It’s important to be aware of all the lines and how they relate to each other. 1. Horizontal line: Establish grounding Place the horizon Align elements Create reference 2. Vertical lines Use horizontal and vertical reference lines as training wheels, doesn’t matter if this means that your drawing gets messy. (Realize when things are tilted, always visualize these lines even after taking your training wheels off) 3. Perpendicular lines 4. Parallel lines Draw boxes in 0 point perspective to train parallel lines 5. Parallel curved lines Important to maintain the consistency 6. Centerlines The centerline is in the center of the surface of an object, however from different perspectives this shifts and the centerline goes off center, although it is still in the center in the absolute sense of the object. When a form rotates, the centerline rotates as well. Drawing centerlines helps you imagine the position of things easily. It helps correctly align objects. 7. Line of Axis The line of axis passes through the structural center. Helps to determine the orientation, direction and position of a form, plus the relationship of its surface forms.

Congratulations for your book! I'm a long time subscriber and looking forward to buy it! Keep it up Alph ;)

A cogent, structured account of basic principles with plenty of examples and explanation as to the what and why. Well done Alphonso.

Dude you are blowing me away. I'm a beginner at 73 so grasping things does not come easily as it did at 20. BUT; I'm persistent. I have and am still making the mistakes you outlined. It's only been a month so I am truly a newbie. I'm not going to be hard on myself for my lack of skill. This is an outstanding tutorial A+++. It will take quite awhile to digest and learn all this but; now I have a reference line. Absolutely the best tutorial I have seen so far and I have watched many, many. There are some great and generous artist on utube and I am thankful to you all.I will probably in next 6 months watch this 30 times at least. THANKS AGAIN

omg you are great. Feel like I'm back in class.

Really helpful video ! I will receive your book as a New Year present :) !!

You, Alphonso, are a gem. I'm grateful to have found you, and have learned much from you.

Just bought your book online and excited to practice along with you! Thanks!

Sir you are amazing Keep up the good work :)

This is a “Very Important” video for any beginner

This is awesome! Ive had problems before for lacking these basics lines. I took notes and drew a lot! I already see improvements. Thx! Cant wait to get your books

You're sucha good teacher! I've been away from drawing for at least 6-7 years and it's so intimidating to get back in there. This chill vibe and clear advice feel reassuring somehow, and makes me want to get back to my fundamentals, find my groove again. :') thanks for being here

Alphonso! I recently discovered your channel and I absolutely love it! You are incredibly didactic and I understand you perfectly well. Your urban sketching and figure drawing series have been incredibly helpful for me, specially when I am starting to make my own personal sketchbook. You gave me many new ideas and techniques that I will defintely apply when sketching my trip to South Africa in a bunch of weeks. Thank you, and keep up the amazing and talented work! I am getting your book delivered to Argentina soon :)

"If the knee bends backwards..." *trails off into the silent flashback of every skate-boarding accident watched on KZfaq"

What a revelation for me!! I can't thank you enough, but I will buy your books to express my gratitude and to learn as much as I can from you. I love that you are serious. Many KZfaq teachers seem to think their students want to be entertained. I love that you focus on the lesson throughout. Thank you so much🙏

I've been teaching myself how to draw for a decade nowadays besides a few books (well quite a few) I've learned everything I know from KZfaq. If you can't get real face to face instruction KZfaq is the best place to go. But over time I see the same topics covered again and again. Important topics, but the more advanced you get the more redundant some of the lessons become. Your lessons are some of the only ones that cover things I've never heard before. Every time I watch a video of yours it opens my eyes a little. This lesson, The Seven Basic Lines of Drawing, is one of those. I never thought of lines on this level and watching the video improved my artwork and how I place objects on the paper. You should almost patent the concept (no one owns art principles but the particular name and subject matter should belong to you). Thank you for showing your methods.

That book looks _excellent_. I've been a subscriber for a long while now, and I really wanna get that book. Hoe expensive is it?

you know what you could do? You should let us send you our drawings and then you'd make videos analysing the drawings and pointing out the mistakes and the solutions. Maybe redraw them with the correct technique. I'm certain lots of people would like to see you correct problems of proportion, perspective and light casting.

Magico! Ho imparato più da questo video che da tutte le lezioni al liceo

just bought your book, thank you a ton, its a treasure trove and thank you for all the free videos on youtube it is a serious blessing lol

Thanks for the tip im better at drawing now :)

"Use horizon lines to establish the edge of a table...!" Wow I must have read one half dozen architectural books while trying to understand how to establish a ground plane... Hours I spent reading... I watch this clip And I get it 5 seconds

this entire video blew my mind. every tip is sooo helpful in terms of establishing structure while drawing. thank you so much for making this; I have a feeling that I will be referring back to it many a time in the future.

Thanks a lot, Alphonso, for your dedication and generousness. Off to order your book!

you sir just earned another sub. I also just picked up your book. I'm very impressed

I can't thank you enough for these tutorials Mr. Dunn! Hands down the best art teacher of all on KZfaq! :D

You are a true teacher. Thanks for this amazing presentation.

Mr. Dunn. I not only bought one, but two of your books. I hope all who are watching your videos and tutorials will all try to get theirs too. Excellent piece of collection to have. I look forward to more books from you teacher Dunn.

I absolutely love your tutorials! Makes me improve both sketching and watercolour paintings!

You have made drawing a wonderful avocation for me again, you are a marvellous teacher and have a great empathy to the student

The only drawing channel I follow. Also bought your books. Keep it up!

Your instruction is GREAT! I've started painting watercolors but have the hardest time with drawing; I struggle every time. this makes things so much clearer for me and yes, I'll practice..a LOT! Thanks so much.

Literally just started a new sketchbook just for practicing these lines. Thanks for sharing your immense knowledge!

You teach so in depth! I love how you explain things to someone like me who knows NOTHING about drawing. I'm so glad I found your videos!

I just started to draw last week. And I ordered your other book today...the workbook. I look forward to developing my talent.

THANKS!!! Your tutorials ARE EXCELLENT!!!! While you talk, you ALSO DEMONSTRATE, in REAL TIME, and this IS SUPER Helpful, to see how quick, and proficient One must become, thru MUCH PRACTICE!!!! I think that One must soon desire to be DRAWING CONSTANTLY, and ENDLESSLY CHALLENGING One's mind's eye to Put the vision, onto paper!!!! I have thought of doing many basic "drills", such as drawing circles, of various sizes, first drawing in Clockwise directions, then in Counter-clockwise directions, starting and ending each circle at different points around the clock! = Start the first one at 1 o'clock, the second circle at 2 o'clock, the 3rd at 3 o'clock, etc. then quickly One breaks thru personal "preferences and habits, and becomes capable of drawing portions of arcs, starting and ending at different points around the circle. Soon, One can draw Ellipses, then other shapes, but circles, and ellipses ARE SO Important!

You are the best teacher we have ever met. You point out the important things and explain the connections in such a way that we understand them the first time. Regular practice becomes a pleasure because we can now understand the purpose of the techniques and see progress, because you give us the tools to recognize them. We have ordered your books. Greetings from Switzerland 🇨🇭

I love what you do it's nice and im actually learning something ! Might get your book !! Thanks

Love your book. I have so many books in my bookshelf and yours one of the best. Thank you!

Just wanted to thank you for sharing your skills your a great teacher im so glad i found your channel

I love ur videos. Just found ur book on Amazon India, ordered it and then traced your KZfaq channel. I am heartfelt thankful to you. I myself is a PhD in chemistry and now I am trying to learn Art coz I love it so much but never had that teacher who will teach me the basics. I can draw but I can just draw without understanding a thing. As I started following you I feel I am on the right path. Thank you so much 🙏🏻

Thank you for these basic principles. So important and helpful!

You’re so good at teaching to see, man. Teaching perspective. I’m blown away. Thank you so much for this content! Unbelievable.

Al, this is a brilliant video. ESSENTIAL!

Best drawing tutorial I have seen. Thank you!

I love your videos! You are thorough and precise with your instructions and explanations. Perfect for a beginner!

Very informative. I'm 71 years old, and this is the first time these methods have been explained to me. I'll save this video, and pass it on to my 10 year old granddaughter who is interested in drawing.

Alphonso Dunn I just found your videos. I’ve only watched three videos thus far, and realized I was making mistakes I was unaware of. You put so much into these videos, I can hardly believe they are free. I feel like I am in art school tuition free. So, I have ordered your book from Amazon. It is the least I can do for how much you have already helped me become better. I know I willlearn much more.

my dude i came back here and u never disapoint me ur just briliant teacher that i never had ... cuz in this world u have to fight by only yourself! thx dude!!!! very much!!!

Incredibly useful. Thanks so much for sharing your experience and skill

I just ordered your wonderful book. So excited to get it. It will be one of my personal treasures!

Your tutorials are SO AMAZING! Thank you so much for the time you spent on these videos. May God bless you. You mean SO much to me and I am in total awe of your great lessons. At LAST I understand!! Thank you Thank you!

I have to say Alfonso is explaining everything great,very good, every body can draw after his teachings

Thank you so much! Now I know that this shis is VERY IMPORTANT, so much content condensed in one single video! That's truly a masterclass I have no money now but I'll make sure to buy all your books!

You are a true master. I promise as soon as I save some money I'll buy your books. Thank you!

Thank you for this! It was incredibly helpful! Have never seen such a clear explanation of how to use the 7 lines! You are really generous to share this information at no cost!

The is a tremendous help! I've never heard it taught and demonstrated with such clarity! Can't wait to get back to my drawing board to start applying these techniques!

Thanks, Alphonso! Your videos are of great help.

I'm new to the drawing game, the way u explain is very detail and it help me grasp a better way of thinking about how to go by each step in drawing.

I have been practicing drawing on and off for 6 years. It has taken a lot of practice (and facing fear of failure), but I am seeing genuine improvement, and while I have watched many videos and many channels on drawing, yours is my go-to. I return to your videos over and over again to study the primary principles. In addition to being a very talented artist, you have a clear, straightforward, and detailed yet simple approach that takes the intimidation out of the process even when working with difficult aspects. Thank you so much. Also just bought your book.

hi Alphonso, my name is Paulo and I´m from Brazil. First of I would like to thank for your way to explain the things, it´s so fluid. and also I ordered from Amazon , the book and the workbook too. Man I carry these book everywhere with me . very helpful indeed. Live long and prosper.

I love your videos because you show not only how to do certain thing but the wrong way to do certain things and it gives so much context and direction.

learning to draw during this quarantine. this by far is the best tutorial. you really teach not show off. thank you

Thank you! Great tutorial, very clear and easy to understand.