How to Master the Etch a Sketch

Hold the Etch a Sketch very steady. In order to maintain the integrity of the picture you are working on, the Etch a Sketch needs to remain very still. If you have trouble holding the Etch a Sketch steady, set it on a solid, flat surface.

Learn to retrace your lines. When drawing with an Etch a Sketch, it is impossible to have a break in the lines. In order to master the Etch a Sketch, you must practice retracing the lines you previously made without creating a new line.

Learn to make diagonal lines. If you want to make high left to low right diagonal lines you will need to turn both of the knobs toward each other at the same speed. If you turn the left knob to the right, you will need to turn the right knob to the left to have the diagonal line move down, and vice versa.

Learn to make circles--a difficult thing to master. First, turn both knobs together to the right, then turn the knobs toward each other. Next, turn both knobs to the left, and then turn both knobs away from each other. Continue in this order until the circle is complete.

Learn to correct your mistakes. If you make a mistake on an Etch a Sketch, your first impulse is usually to scrap the entire drawing. If you want to become an Etch a Sketch master, you will need to learn to correct your mistakes by making the mistake seem like it belongs in your drawing.

Start with something simple. Learn to write your name and then move to simple pictures. After you have become proficient with the knobs, you can move to more complex drawings.

Be creative. Try new things to make an Etch a Sketch drawing your unique creation.