Learning to draw can be a creative way to express your interests. Many artists choose subjects that they personally enjoy, such as nature, animals, or machines like motorcycles. While not everyone has the natural skill needed to create an artful masterpiece, anyone can learn to draw if they take the time to practice.Also, there are many online tutorials that offer step by step instruction for new artists. http://www.dragoart.com/tuts/4569/1/1/how-to-draw-a-harley-davidson.htm For motorcycle enthusiasts or admirers of the machine, learning how to draw motorcycles may be an interest, both as a hobby and as a way to express their love for the two wheel vehicle.

The first motorcycle was invented in 1885 when Gottlieb Daimler developed the gas powered engine that combined the freedom of a bicycle, with the power of a motorcycle. This invention led to one of the world's leading motorcycle manufacturers, the Harley Davidson Company, established by William Harley and the Davidson brothers in 1903. http://inventors.about.com/od/mstartinventions/a/motorcycle.htm Since then, the motorcycle has captured attention from free spirited souls aching to grace the highways on board one of the many varieties of motorcycles we see on the road today. From custom choppers to street bikes, motorcycles have taken on a whole different audience. That audience includes artists. Many artists have become renowned by their depiction of motorcycles, both in drawings and paintings.http://www.harmonmotorcycleart.com/

Artists such as Paul Harmon, David Mann, Chris Kallas and many others have showcased their work in galleries and custom motorcycle shops throughout the country. http://www.davidmannifest.com/

Before starting any project, it's important to have the right tools for the job. When drawing, there are many different styles and techniques that can be used. Therefore, each will have its own tools that are needed to create the drawing. The type of paper you use can greatly effect the outcome of your work. Whether using a coarse thick paper, or a thinner sheet such as transparent paper, choosing drawing mediums is equally important. http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/arts/drawings/DrawingMaterials/BasicDrawingL1/BasicDrawingL1.htm

1. Pencils. The most common drawing technique is that using basic pencils. However, pencils come in varying forms such as charcoal, carbon, graphite and of course, lead. When choosing pencils, keep in mind that they come in an array of intensities. The softest and darkest shade is the 6B pencil, and the lightest and hardest is 9H. There are also many shades and textures in between. Be sure to experiment to find out which best suits your needs. Advantages to using pencil are obvious, such as being able to erase mistakes. However, erasers can sometimes damage the paper, making it difficult to move past the initial mistake. When using an eraser for a drawing project, it is advice to use a soft or gum eraser.
2. Charcoal. Charcoal is another medium that artist use. This can be purchase in pencils or sticks that are either natural or compressed. Because of its “messy” reputation, charcoal can be a challenge for new artists. While smudging is used for shading, it can also be a cause of mistakes.
3. Chalk. Similar to charcoal in texture, chalk comes in a variety of colors.
4. Wax Crayons. These crayons combine with other mediums very well. Also available in a variety of color, different effects can be achieved by using each side and point of the crayon.
5. Pen or Ink. The technique of using pen is similar to that of pencil with one exception. Erasing is impossible. Shading can also prove challenging as ink produces thinner lines.

• Choosing your subject may involve several factors. First, you'll need to decide what type of motorcycle you are interested in drawing. There are many varying designs to choose from such as off road bikes, chopper style cycles and the classic Harley Davidson style. You may need to do a little research to see what sparks your interest. Take a trip to your local motorcycle shop, browse online, or thumb through a magazine to get an idea for your drawing. If you are attempting to draw a specific subject or motorcycle, then it would be wise to have a picture of it handy so that you can refer back to it for details. While many experienced artists can draw from memory, those that cannot would benefit greatly from having a visual reminder. http://motorcycles.about.com/od/galleries/ig/Bike-Types/

• Choose a background. This is not a necessary component of your drawing, but it certainly is an option. You can draw a highway scene around your street bike, a country scene behind your cruiser, or a depiction of a garage with a few choppers on the lot. No matter which idea you have, it's important to establish a general picture of what you'd like you finished drawing to resemble.

• Begin with a rough sketch. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/rough+drawing This is a very rough sketch of your drawing. Your lines will be light and general. This is the best way to layout your drawing, taking perception and begin to arrange all the components before adding detail. Your lines only need to be guides for the finished drawing, not exact or perfect. In your rough sketch, be sure to include the background, again nothing substantial, perhaps the horizon, buildings, or natural objects such as mountains or skyline. By creating a rough sketch, you are allowing for the possibility that you may need or want to change something once you begin drawing. This way, you can arrange the drawing to your liking, with a visual collage of what it will look like. Also remember when drawing a motorcycle, you need to be aware of the perspective. For example, if you are facing the front of the bike, the rear of the cycle will appear smaller and should be drawn accordingly.

• For those of you that do not have first hand knowledge of motorcycles and their components, you may want to study the handles, engine area and other details that will make your motorcycle drawing closer more like to real thing. By knowing where essential parts are, you'll be sure to capture the details that will bring your drawing to life. http://motorcycleviews.com/pictures/sporty03sl.jpg

• Draw in steps.http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-draw-a-motorcycle1.htm First create the general outline. For example the skeleton of the motorcycle would consist of tires, frame, handles, seat. Then move on to adding fenders, shifters and brake handles, and other details. After you have finished your rough sketch, go back and continue to add detail. Slowly turning a paper filled with light square lines, into one that is becoming a detailed motorcycle drawing.http://www.dragoart.com/tuts/167/1/1/how-to-draw-a-chopper-motorcycle.htm

When you have completed your rough sketch, it's time to add detailed lines and objects. For example, you created a rough sketch of the fender or gas tank, but now is the time to add details such as the design on the fender or the gas cap on the tank. Take a look at your engine component, are there additional details that could be added to make it more true to life? When taking your rough sketch to a finished drawing, you can begin to create darker, smoother lines and eliminating those sketch lines that are unnecessary.

This is also the time when you'll need to decide whether your drawing will remain in black and white, or if you will be adding color. If it will remain in black and white, then now is the time when you would begin shading. Shading within a drawing can help to give the effect of light, shape and perception. When shading for light, dark shading is placed on an object where the least amount of light is, where as no shading is required on areas of the object that have an intense amount of light. There are different ways to shading an object. You can shade just with lines, commonly found in pen and ink drawings, this only gives a very rough shade and is commonly used in cartoon drawings or abstract drawings. Rubbing is another form of shading. This is created when the artist draws lines in areas where shading is desired, then uses their finger or shading tool to distribute the pencil markings creating a blurred or shaded effect. http://learn-to-draw.com/members/drawing-basics/0119.htm

Coloring can be a fun way to brighten up the drawing and presents a challenge as well. When adding color to a drawing it's important to use many different shades and colors to present a real effect to the drawing. For example, when coloring motorcycle tires, using all black would give a false appearance, whereas using gray to highlight shading and reflection from the sheen of the rubber presents a truer effect. Also when coloring fenders and other polished areas, adding the “gleam” using white or other light colors will give it the shiny appearance.

After shading and color have all been done, you are now ready for the final step in the process, proudly displaying your motorcycle drawing. Choose a picture frame to avoid dust and dirt from collecting on the paper and ruining your artwork.