2. The Humble Line

In geometry, a line is defined as one dimensional with undefined thickness (weight) or length. A line can overlap, run parallel to itself, and with a dash of experimentation, it can form shapes that are sometimes abstract—although most of the time, they represent something the sketcher has experienced, felt, or wished for. For those wishing to sketch, it starts with a blank page. For those who are not regular doodlers, this can be daunting—but it doesn’t have to be. Forget still-life sessions at school or being asked to draw your own hand. Here, anything goes! This chapter presents simple exemplar galleries and warm-up activities—sketching from the very beginning. Most books that look at sketching in science subjects do not cover the very basics; this chapter gives any student a comfortable starting point to begin their sketching journey. We focus on dispelling the fear of the blank page, getting comfortable with tools, mark making, and letting go of convention. By the end of this chapter, the student should be comfortable with applying pen to paper and be ready to start experimenting with more controlled lines and imagery.