AF painting challenge: Learn how to draw Messi in 5 easy steps with cartoonist

Ever fancied drawing your idol such as Lionel Messi? Well, here's your chance. Feel free to show your work in the comment area & join the painting challenge!

Thanks to legendary sport cartoonist Paul Trevillion, you can sketch the Barcelona legend with these quick and easy tips.

We have three for you to do - including a portrait, an action drawing, as well as one of the Argie ace performing a skill.

It's the perfect way to ease boredom during the coronavirus lockdown, so you have no excuse to pick up a pencil!

HOW TO DRAW A MESSI PORTRAIT

An oval for the head, then a line from the top of the oval to the bottom slightly to the left because Messi is looking in that direction.

Then lines indicating the hair, the eyes, the nose and the mouth.

By following the step-by-step progression you will discover you have drawn Messi's portrait.

DRAWING MESSI IN ACTION

Here's the essential elements, with no previous experience required - just guidelines and practice.

An oval for the head, then lines indicating the spine, shoulders, hips, arms and legs.

By following the step by step progressions you will discover how the figure develops into the final stage.

Even those picking up a pencil for the first time will be able to draw a figure and perform a skill they never realised they had.

DRAW AND LEARN A MESSI SKILL

Watch how Messi when in possession and moving at top speed employs a much shorter stride than when racing to receive the ball.

The short stride that Messi employs when dribbling at speed affords him perfect balance.

That allows him to move straight at the defender committing him to tackle and tackle fast reducing the defender's margin of error by forcing him to react quickly in this way.