How to Draw Perfect 25cm Straight Lines Without a Ruler

Before beginning this tutorial, I suggest you to refer to “Be a pro at dot-to-dot mastering straight lines”

HOW DO I DO 25 CM STRAIGHT LINES

long-line-checking-a

Turn the paper 45 to 60 degrees. Adjust it to your convenience.

Before drawing the line, simulate the gesture just above the paper*.

Draw using the movement of your whole arm and chest.

Draw parallel lines along the edges of the sheet, both widthwise and
lengthwise.

Check your lines carefully using the edge of another paper as a guide.

this step is called “ghost drawing”

long-line-checking-b

Flip your paper, and retrace the slanted line using the “ghost drawing”. Your line should be much better.

That movement may not seem natural to your arm (rotating by default). However, try to memorize and reproduce that same line covering the entire paper.

TIP

Breath out when you trace the line

After mastering A4 paper length, get ready for the A3 paper, 42cm in length !
Try it and let me know of your results in the below comment box.

3 comments

Leave a Reply to Kurigoku Cancel reply

How to Draw Straight Lines (No Ruler) – ✏️THE DESIGN SKETCHBOOK says:

May 5, 2025 at 11:07 am

[…] In the next article, we’ll talk about drawing straight lines of 25cm and more. […]

Reply
Kurigoku says:

October 4, 2015 at 9:55 pm

I really appreciate the tips! I will be doing them all until I become an expert :D

Reply
- Chou-Tac says:
  
  October 6, 2015 at 1:29 am
  
  Enjoy Kurigoku. That’s exactly the right mindset. Master it till it become a habit :)
  
  Reply

John Trant: “UK Teaching Design Looking for accessible tutorials to help train students” Sep 14, 17:32
Ummugulsun: “Hello, I’m Ummugulsum, 26 years old, and I am from Wales. I studied design 4 years ago but never went…” Sep 14, 06:46
Ummugulsun: “Hello, I’m Ummugulsum, I am from Wales. I studied design 4 years ago but never went back to it after…” Sep 14, 06:46
Hend Faiad: “I am from Egypt. I’m 30 years old. I want to learn to sketch to be able to demonstrate my…” Sep 14, 01:29
Kashvi: “I am kashvi from India. I am 19 year old. I am pursuing bachelor of design so I want to…” Sep 11, 12:05
Maria: “I am a 71years old woman from the Netherlands. I teach people how to draw. And I am staying curious…” Sep 10, 21:22
Nam Binh Trinh: “nothing beside learning to sketch” Sep 10, 21:01
Liana: “I’m from Canada. I have success with my drawing and watercolours but my perspectives are still really weak. You are…” Sep 9, 22:25
Irene Sharkey: “I am from Canada. I am in my 70s. The process intriques me. Scrolling I found a link. I want…” Sep 9, 21:41
Kit: “Challenge myself to sketch well” Sep 9, 15:31
Nasser: “Hi, im a data scientist from kuwait, im 44 , i used to be an artist back in the day…” Sep 9, 11:35
kunal singh: “Hello” Sep 8, 20:26
Sally Cespedes: “hello” Sep 8, 12:11
Shyam u tiwari: “I come from India” Sep 7, 14:39
nainsuk: “thank you!” Sep 7, 05:07
Aniket Dash: “I come from India. I am 25 years old. I want to sketch cars and consumer electronics. I discovered this…” Sep 5, 17:18
Georgia: “Alabama, USA… 43… I want a relaxing hobby and also to be able to sketch castle ruins when I visit…” Sep 5, 09:03
Z: “.” Sep 3, 08:28
Pamela: “Photography isn’t as satisfying as I thought. Looking at other peoples sketches lets me feel more connected to a place…” Sep 3, 02:13
Ale: “Mexico, 41 Love to draw, love art Finding ways to study Nicolaides, via Google ;)” Sep 2, 22:19
Federica: “Parma, Italy – 43 yrs old personal enjoyment i was serching for learning how to draw shadows” Sep 2, 14:38
Z: “*” Sep 2, 10:11
sunghun: “1) I live in Seoul, South Korea and I am 40 years old. 2) I want to express my ideas…” Sep 1, 16:39
Alicja K: “Such a thoughtful breakdown! I really like how you frame the pencil as a safe space for exploration and the…” Aug 31, 02:39
Alicja K: “What a beautiful read! I love how you highlight sketching not just as a tool but as an emotional language.…” Aug 31, 02:37