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Monday morning: time to start thinking about another week of drawing. If that feels daunting, take it day by day - and I’m going to apply the same logic to today’s piece of drawing advice. Which is, when faced with a complex subject, break it down into simple shapes.

Imagine, for example, trying to draw someone on a bicycle. What with having to think about the figure, the fact that that figure is actually in quite an unusual position, plus the bike, with all its various bars and spokes and pedals - and then the fact that the rider and the bike have to meet at the relevant places, ie, handlebars, pedals and saddle - well, it’s quite a task.

But! If you can look at the complicated picture and see the main shapes in it, you’ve got a very good basis with which to begin. Obviously, there are the two circles for the wheels. Then the inverted triangle the bicycle makes between them. I’ve talked before about the basic shapes of the body. Start with shapes a kindergarten child would know the names of, and you’re away. You might even want to stop when you’ve drawn just those shapes - simple but effective - but if you don’t, you’ve got an excellent framework on which to build.

Today’s task: Choose a complicated subject, and look for the shapes. This would work well for a cityscape, an interior, and any piece of machinery.

As you can see, I had a go above. Hmm. Sunday evening drawing, suffering from my having had a glass of wine, I think. But it is a start.

And now, an announcement for Londoners, or those within travelling distance of that city, who love to draw:

The Campaign for Drawing is looking for people to join its enthusiastic team of
volunteers to support two important events in the 2007 Big Draw calendar:

THE BIG DRAW EAST, 10.30am - 5pm SUNDAY 30 SEPTEMBER (the national launch of the Big Draw season of drawing events across the UK)

COVENT GARDEN BIG DRAW, 12 - 6pm SATURDAY 13 & SUNDAY 14 OCTOBER

Both occasions promise to further the Campaign’s aim of bringing together practitioners of art, cartooning, design, engineering and science to demonstrate the importance of drawing.

WHERE & WHEN?

THE BIG DRAW EAST, Sunday 30 September
Drawing events and workshops at over 20 venues across Hackney and Tower Hamlets
as part of the national launch of The Big Draw 2007. Volunteers may be assisting with activities at Bishops Square, V&A Museum of Childhood, Museum Gardens, St. John on Bethnal Green, Hothouse, SPACE, York Hall and many more venues.
Volunteers are needed from 9.30am - 2pm or 1.30 - 6pm, or a full day for the very
keen!

COVENT GARDEN BIG DRAW, Saturday 13 October - Sunday 14 October
A weekend of family friendly drawing workshops and activities which celebrate Covent Garden’s rich heritage. Volunteers needed from 11.00am - 6.30pm on either day.

WHAT WILL THE ROLE INVOLVE?
We have creative and facilitator volunteer roles, and tasks may include:
* Encouraging visitors of all ages to take part in drawing activities
* Assisting workshop leaders
* Demonstrating drawing activities
* Staffing information points
* Distributing drawing materials
* Event documentation

BENEFITS
Experience of public events, good for the CV and, above all, a rewarding and fun day! Plus a free Big Draw t-shirt and sandwich lunch.

CONTACT
For full information and a volunteer registration form please contact Georgina
Davey, Campaign for Drawing at georgina@campaignfordrawing.org or tel 0797 417 8194.