"The artist''s first step in creating a painting is to sketch out a rough drawing on his canvas. This drawing gives the painting its structural base, indicating the picture''s layout, the correct proportions of each element, and the distribution of the details that combine to make up the picture''s overall composition. [This title] shows you how to make these basic drawings, and then guides you through the various stages toward completion of your painting"--P. 4 of cover.