One of the most crucial things to learn once learning to draw is realizing the formula almost every artist uses to fill a blank sheet of paper with more and more lines till she completed the drawing. Although apparently complicated this formula consists of several separate and simple tasks.
Many artists follow intuitively these separate tasks stepwise in the proper order. Unfortunately when starting to learn drawing, you lack the experience to adopt this strategy by instinct. But instead of waiting for the necessary experience, you should use the following shortcut.
I created a system close to this process most creative persons understand and stick with intuitively. It consists of four steps: Placement, Outlines, Shapes, Illumination. These four steps are rather simple and follow the common forumla to make a drawing. I abbreviated this formula P-O-S-I - a POSItive way to learn drawing.
So let's get started:
1. Placement of the objects in your drawing
This is the opening move. Have a look at the complete scenery, distinguish the particular objects in the scenery and try to understand it. Focus on the particular objects' locations and their position relative to one another. Finally if you believe your understanding of the scenery is adequate enough, mark on your sheet where you want to place the particular objects.
Seek out to be as accurate as possible unless you possess already some experience in the art of pictorial composing. Experienced artists know how to modify the scenery for a stronger expression without disturbing realism.
2. Drafting Outlines of the particular objects
Now you know where to place the objects it is time to outline them as simple outlines. Look cautiously at each part of the scenery and try to understand its outline and form. Then draw its outline - only the silhouette - in a few faint lines. Limit yourself to the outer lines of each element. Replicat this step for every object in the scenery. Ideally you start with objects in the background and continue to the foreground parts.
After completing the sketch of the whole scenery this way, it is time to have a final judging look (but not overly judging though!). In this stage it is still easy to shift any object or to adjust some lines. But do not be overly critical and keep in mind: every outstanding drawing lives thanks to minor deviations.
3. Draw the Shape of the particular objects
Now it is time to turn our attention to the objects' shapes. Begin to add the internal structures of the scenery's parts with few and faint lines. Place strokes in the right directions to follow and build the shape of the parts of every object.
For curved objects use curving lines and in flat parts use straight lines. But still limit you to few and faint lines. Just try to catch the contours decently. As there are still only thin lines on the sheet you have still the opportunity to adjust a line here and there.
Finally your picture will have gained a stronger perspective and depth impression. Time to fill out the blanks and perfect your drawing!

4. Illuminate your Drawing
Thus far we merely worked on laying out the scenery utilizing faint lines. Sketching the outlines and contours of all objects in the scenery we created a line drawing that depicts the scenerys lookout reliably.
But for producing realism something is missing: texture, light and shadow. In this final step we will fill out these elements that generate volume and depth to our drawing and finally make it seem naturalistic. So in this last step our opportunities for completing a great picture are great but also is the risk of damaging it beyond fix.
What to do? Once again look cautiously at each section of the scenery. Notice how light, shadow and surfaces are forming the textures and what the colors are looking like. Most important is the surface - as even if a surface is completely one-colored, its structure and texture creates different nuances.
The same applies to shadows. Look how the objects cast shadows on themselves and on objects close to them. Add these darker areas by first drawing their outline, correcting and honing it and then filling it with darker tones.
While adding all the shadows and textures to your picture all of the time try to work from the background to the foreground. While doing this travel from brighter tones and weak contrasts in the background to strong tones and sharp contrasts in the foreground. This creates a stronger three-dimensionality.
Congratulations! After this terminal step you completed your drawing. Make one step back and enjoy. But keep in mind: if the little critic in you awakes, put your drawing away, the more you'll love it in a few months!

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