PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER AN EXCELLENT PIECE OF ART SHOULD APPEAR EFFORTLESS. THINK OF A TOP ICE SKATER performing complex jumps and spins. The skater practiced each step diligently and repeti- tively for years to reach a level of skill that makes those complex moves look easy. All the skater's work culminates in one moment, when she performs before her audience. We are captivated by the grace and beauty of the skating, not by the years of effort that went into it. It's the same way with art. Viewers respond to pleasing arrangements of shapes, colors, highlights and shadows without thinking about the hours of work the piece represents. This chapter will guide you through all the steps I use to create one of my drawings, from initial concept to setup to the actual rendering.