The Art of One-Line Drawing: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Beautiful Continuous Line Drawings

Introduction

I learned about one-line art as an adult. Growing up I took countless art lessons where I tried to master watercolors, painting with acrylics, and even anime. Unfortunately, all these art styles had some things in common that made it impossible for me to stick to them: They required time and resources. As I grew older, I was able to buy better paints and brushes, but finding time to be creative or to practice was harder than ever.

MY CREATIVITY WAS practically nonexistent at some point. Trying to get it back, I encountered one-line art in a book about short creative exercises for artistic confidence. The very first exercise was one about making a drawing without lifting the pencil from the paper: a one-line art challenge. My first attempt was far from art, but I could not stop myself from trying over and over. I felt something that day that I will never forget, I felt creative and satisfied with what I drew. Every single time.

One-line art was not only easy, it was convenient, too. Soon I was doing it in my agenda while on a call, on napkins while waiting for dinner, or on the back of receipts found in the depths of my purse. In my obsession I discovered that one-line art felt a lot like writing in cursive. It was a series of loops and lines that flowed together to gain meaning. Fast forward six years, over 10,000 students worldwide, and a one-line art illustrator reputation later, I can say with certainty that one-line art changed my life.

If you, like me, are on that quest for creativity, one-line art is a perfect way to start. I might have had some art training under my belt, but most of my students have zero background. They were just looking to find their artistic groove, whatever that looked like. Most of them wanted to learn one-line art because it is simple. Simple to learn, simple to practice, and simple to understand. Whether you’ve got an art degree or are picking up a pencil for the first time, one-line art meets you where you are, offering a friendly gateway into the world of creativity.

This book will teach you a comprehensive range of one-line art techniques, covering everything from the simplest form of freehand abstract one-line art to creating realistic depictions from references or muscle memory. Whether you prefer to work with traditional tools like pen and paper or explore the digital realm with apps like Procreate, you’ll find guidance tailored to your preferences and level. Each section is packed with exercises carefully designed to help you master specific one-line art skills, providing a structured approach to your one-line art journey. So, whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your existing skills, this book has something valuable to offer at every step of the way.

If you know how to write, you already hold an advantage in your one-line art journey. One-line art, like writing, requires you to do penmanship-like drills that will get your hand used to the shapes and movements of the objects or subjects you desire to draw. Like writing, one-line art does not require fancy equipment or paper. So go ahead and dive into this book, after all you already possess the starting skills. If you can write, you can draw.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

MY 14 YEARS of teaching have taught me that people learn better by doing. Learning one-line art was of course no exception to that rule. The more I did it, the better my muscle memory became. Therefore, I’ve set out to make this book a workbook. It’s not just about flipping pages and absorbing information passively. Instead, it’s designed for active engagement, with hands-on exercises that will immerse you in the world of one-line art. Each chapter presents a new opportunity for you to roll up your sleeves and put pencil to paper.

You’ll learn by doing exercises in each chapter. Rather than drowning you in theory or complex explanations, this book will go for a hands-on approach. Each exercise is carefully made to teach you a specific aspect of one-line art, whether it’s mastering the steadiness of your line, line crossing and turning, or muscle memory.

All exercises are expected to be completed more than once, and on iteration as a cycle. Mastery doesn’t happen overnight, and neither does mastering one’s one-line art style. That’s why these exercises are meant to be revisited, refined, and repeated. Each repetition brings you closer to perfection, honing your skills and deepening your understanding of this unique art form.

At the end of each skill-specific chapter, you’ll find a Chapter Recap section. This serves as a quick way to refresh key points covered throughout the chapter. These recaps act as handy reference tools, allowing you to quickly locate important information or concepts without the need to search through the entire book. Additionally, they aid in self-assessing your work when practicing the exercises provided.

I suggest you do exercises in the order they appear in the book because they all lay the foundation for the exercises that will appear next. Think of it like building a house—you wouldn’t start by putting up walls before laying the foundation. Similarly, each exercise in this book builds upon the previous one, providing a solid framework for your artistic journey.

All exercises can be done regardless of your level of expertise, as they all are made to fit into the abilities you have at the moment you do them. Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned artist, there’s something for everyone in these pages. The exercises are designed to be adaptable, allowing you to progress at your own pace and tailor the learning experience to your current skill level.

There are also QR codes placed in certain sections of the digital online chapter of this book so that you can experience the exercises on an iPad in video form. In addition to the step-by-step instructions provided in the book, these QR codes offer another dimension to your learning experience. Simply scan the code with your smartphone or tablet, and you’ll be able to watch video demonstrations of each exercise, providing even more guidance and support as you embark on your artistic journey.

MATERIALS

ONE OF THE most attractive features of one-line art is that the materials you use can vary greatly. The scope of materials you can use for this art style can range from a