The same crayon can make different lines. Press gently and the line is thin and light. Press harder and the line is thick and dark. A fat marker makes thicker lines than a sharp pencil.
Key idea
Gentle pressing makes light, thin lines. Harder pressing makes dark, thick lines.
Why it works
Artists start with light lines because light lines are easy to erase. When the drawing looks right, they go over the best lines to make them darker.
Worked example: Let's look
Mia wants to draw a house she might change later. Should she start with light lines or dark lines?
- She might want to change it.
- Light lines are easy to erase.
Answer: Light lines.
Common mistake
Pressing hard on every line makes every line look the same, and the lines are hard to erase. Start light; press harder only at the end.
For the grown-up. Hand your child a pencil and ask for the lightest line they can make, then the darkest. Make a little row from light to dark together.