Discover how to draw like autistic artist Richard Wawro with our step-by-step guide. Make a detailed landscape like him and create your own masterpiece!
How to Draw Like Autistic Artist Richard Wawro Art Lesson
Richard Wawro liked to make detailed landscape drawings, and one of his artworks included a tractor out in a field. That makes this lesson a wonderful way to introduce students to his style, and work in a subject matter similar to his.
Many students may have drawn vehicles before, but this tractor includes a bit more detail, and the cultivator will probably be something new for most of them to try. That extra detail gives students a chance to slow down, look carefully, and build their drawing step by step.
It’s also a great subject for practicing shadows, which can make the ground look more real and help the mountains stand out with more color and depth.
Altogether, it’s a fun way for students to try something new while building confidence with careful drawing.
The Artistic Legacy of Richard Wawro
Richard Wawro was a Scottish autistic savant artist who became known for his intricate crayon landscapes, their realism, and his beautiful use of light. He loved drawing everyday things, yet found ways to make them look extraordinary through careful detail and glowing color.
His story can be very inspiring for students, because he had many obstacles to overcome, including autism and poor eyesight. Even with those challenges, he went on to have a celebrated career and sold more than 1,000 paintings, including some to well-known people such as Margaret Thatcher and the Pope. His life is a wonderful reminder that artists can find success by seeing the world in their own unique way.
Join “The Daily Draw” above to get this tutorial!
Richard Wawro Inspired Coloring Page
Richard Wawro Drawing Lesson Materials List
Colored Pencils or Crayons
A larger pack will offer more color choices.
Sharpie Markers Black
A permanent marker will give you a dark black color.
Pencils
I like how this brand always makes nice dark lines.
Drawing Paper
This is the good stuff you can buy in bulk for a good price. Note: All of the links shared here are affiliate links.
How to Draw Like Richard Wawro Step-by-Step Instructions
Time needed: 1 hour
How to Draw like Richard Wawro
- Start the tractor.
- Add the wheels.
- Add more details in the tractor and wheels.
- Start the cultivator.
- Finish the cultivator.
- Draw the ground line.
- Add more ground lines to show the rows of dirt.
- Draw a background with mountains and clouds.
- Trace with a marker and color. Use extra pressure to make the dirt lines have shadows. Add dark green crayon on top of light green to make the mountains have shadows. Color the sky the heaviest at the top, to give it more space too.
