Sally sells seashells sitting on the seashore. We can see Sally and her seashells, but where’s the seashore?
Has the tide gone out taking it with it?
In this article we’re going to create some simple outdoor backgrounds using simple lines.
The settings we’re going to feature are:
The sea and seashore
The countryside
A country roadside
Take a moment and imagine what a really simple seashore would look like.
Even better, copy and paste the above picture and draw on in.
You may have drawn something like this:
As you can see, wavy lines are a widely recognized symbol for waves.
For simple line backgrounds you only have to provide enough detail to set the context, we fill in the rest with our experiences and imagination. A simple wavy line is enough to represent the sea, as we have seen that symbol to represent the sea many times before.
Sally Sketches The Skyline Standing In The Surf
Let’s think about what other simple lines could represent background features.
How could you show a row of trees?
Now try drawing three different rows of trees.
Schnauzer Splashs Sally In A Scenic Spot
Here Sally is doing a spot of dog walking in the country.
Without looking at any reference images, what would you draw to show the countryside?
Try to add the following using simple lines:
-A hedge row
-A row of Trees
-Some rolling hills
Now find some reference images and repeat the exercise.
I’ll show you my examples at the bottom of the page. Try it for yourself myself first before scrolling down. If you haven’t time to draw, at least imagine what it might look like.
Sally Steers A Speedster Skillfully
Now Sally is taking a spin accompanied by Dash the Spaniel.
Without looking at any reference images, what would you draw to show the countryside?
Try to add the following using simple lines:
-A hedge row
-A row of Trees
-Some rolling hills
Now find some reference images and repeat the exercise.
I’ll show you my examples at the bottom of the page. Try it for yourself myself first before scrolling down. If you haven’t time to draw, at least imagine what it might look like.
Over To You
Feel free to play around with adding backgrounds to the following images.
Here are two other articles on drawing backgrounds that you might find useful:
Summary
If you can draw straight, wavy or squiggly lines, then you can draw simple backgrounds - and sometimes a simple background is all you need.
For more cartooning tips, fill in the orange box at the bottom.
My Example Backgounds
Schnauzer Splashes Sally
Sally Steers The Speedster
For more cartooning tips, fill in the orange box below.