52: Confidence in Quicker Lines
An exploration of line drawings and two in-person workshops in DUMBO, Brooklyn!
I often tell my students that what makes a good drawing is confidence in the line—but it has taken me a long time to feel confident in my own. I fell in love with the effortless, expressive lines of artists like Egon Schiele, Henri Matisse, and David Hockney while writing Draw Your Day. When I returned to drawing after a long break, it was the beauty of a simple ink or pencil line that kept me coming back to the page. Over time, I’ve learned to embrace the balance between capturing a feeling quickly and letting go of perfection—a mix of impatience and the magic of an authentic, unpolished and continuous line.
I read that Egon Schiele studied his subjects so closely he barely looked at his paper. His drawings, full of continuous and wonky lines—not quite blind contour but with a touch of that spirit—feel alive to me. His approach reminds me that imperfections and spontaneity often lead to the most compelling work. There’s a certain magic in the push and pull of line—the way it can feel deliberate and hesitant at the same time. A confident line doesn’t have to be perfect; it just needs to hold the energy of the moment. I write all about this in the beginning exercises in Draw Your World (pages 32-37). I have been fascinated by line drawings for years!
I’ve noticed that when I spend too much time on a drawing, it loses some of its spark. There’s something powerful about imperfect lines—the planning, the thicks and thins, the wobbles, the mistakes, and all. These quirks bring charm and life to a piece in a way that polished precision can’t. Sometimes, I even prefer the raw energy of sketches or quick ink drawings over the “finished” ones. For me, a drawing can feel complete at any stage, but the sketch stage is where I feel most at home. I can be quick and keep moving my pencil all over the page.
Line drawings seem to be quicker and easier for me to evoke a feeling and a memory. Memories are often tied to sensory details, and for me, they’re fleeting and jumbled. Working quickly allows me to capture those impressions before they slip away. It feels like note-taking, a way to capture the textures and sensations of a moment. Sketching isn’t just about preserving a memory—it’s about experiencing it fully, if only for a brief, beautiful moment. The more I draw, the faster I’m able to capture feelings through images. I think of the pencil and ink as the thinking and feeling stage, and my sketchbook pages can then be painted whenever I am ready because the thoughts are down.
As a comparison, here are a few sketchbook pages from this past weekend. I worked on them in stages while visiting my son in Savannah, GA, and photographed them before I painted them.
What do you prefer? And do you have any thoughts about the sketch and line-making stages of your own work?
Prompt: Pick a moment that feels vivid in your memory—it could be a place you’ve visited, a meal you’ve had, or even a quiet moment at home. Try to capture it with a simple continuous line drawing. Focus on the feeling and energy of the moment rather than the details. What does the line say about how it felt to be there? You can write about your feelings as well.
Two In-Person Workshops in DUMBO, Brooklyn!
I am so excited to share that my friend and super talented artist Ohn Mar Win is coming back to Brooklyn to join me in teaching two full-day workshops this coming May! Ohn Mar came to the US in 2022 and we hosted similar events, and they were a huge success.
Draw & Paint Brooklyn with Samantha Dion Baker and Ohn Mar Win
Date and time:
You can choose from either Thursday, May 8th, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM OR Friday, May 9th, 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Location:
Creatively Wild Art Studios in DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY—98 Water Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Join me and Ohn Mar in the heart of DUMBO, Brooklyn, for a day of immersive sketching and painting. This workshop is perfect for artists of all levels who want to capture the charm and character of urban landscapes in their sketchbooks.
We’ll explore a range of subject matter, from sweeping cityscapes and cobblestone streets to iconic street signs and the quintessential view of the Empire State Building framed by the Manhattan Bridge’s arches. You’ll also learn how to incorporate storytelling into your sketches, focusing on capturing small, meaningful urban moments that bring your artwork to life.
We suggest booking as soon as possible to ensure you have a spot.
Here’s what we’ll dive into:
Sweeping cityscapes: The Manhattan Bridge, cobblestone streets, and the iconic Empire State Building framed perfectly.
Storytelling through art: Learn to capture those small, meaningful urban moments that make your sketches truly come alive.
Techniques: Foundational skills like perspective, simplifying shapes, adding texture, color, and finishing touches to tell a cohesive story on your page.
We can’t wait to meet you!
Ohn Mar will be joining me next Tuesday for the next Draw Your World Meetup! Link to register is being sent via the chat to all paid tier subscribers.
Blackwing sent this link via email, and I found it to be a great roundup of resources to help those affected by the fires in LA. And this Go Fund Me link that shares all of the various people you can help.
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Love your sketches ! Also love the cat 🐈
I’m in UK and wanting to come see my family in NJ and NYC and would so love to attend a workshop . I’ll look into that, thank you
I can't decide! I like both. I too am looking to make these confident lines, but I like color a lot. But then, I worry I'll ruin it with color. What's the answer?! lol