Practice choosing a composition by looking through a small card window before making the first mark on paper. Gather a stiff card rectangle, scissors, a pencil, and a sketchbook.
Set it up
Fold the card lightly and cut a rectangular opening from its center, leaving a sturdy border around every side. Mark the top edge so you can return to the same orientation between sketches.
Put the idea to work
Hold the card comfortably in front of a still life and move it until the shapes form a pleasing arrangement.
Finish and keep it useful
Sketch only what appears inside the opening, beginning with the largest shapes rather than the smallest details. Do not aim your viewfinder at the sun or use it while walking through a busy place.
What familiar scene changes when you look at only a small part of it?
This practical article was drafted with AI assistance for Little Days. It is not a submitted reader story or a claim of firsthand experience. The image is illustrative; its source is listed in Photo credits.
