Sometimes when I’ve had enough of spending hours on an artwork I like to speed up the process and work more spontaneously. Continuous line drawings do have structure but the marks you make can surprise you and remain fresh (especially if you don’t over-work them!). This self-portrait took me probably 10 minutes if that. I also did a couple of ‘warm-up’ sketches before this where the proportions went a bit haywire and I was able to re-train my eye and focus (something I’d recommend you do before each drawing session). ‘Warm-up’ drawing is great to do in the classroom and it builds confidence in a group by taking the pressure off during the first task.

By Emma Such