Draw a large rectangle or square for the map area
Sketch the outline of the contiguous United States
Add the northwest corner for Washington and Oregon
Shape the California coastline with a long curve
Draw the southern border from California to Texas
Form the Texas outline with its angled edges
Continue the border through the Gulf states
Add the Appalachian and Atlantic coastline curves
Draw the Great Lakes above the central states
Sketch Alaska separately to the lower left
Draw Hawaii as a small island chain to the lower left
Refine the state borders if needed
Darken the final outline
Erase the guide lines