It is actually quite easy to get a decent sound with the bow without too much effort. Just bow perpendicular to the string using moderate bow speed about half-way between the bridge and the end of the finger board. I often have beginning students experiment with the relationship of bowing and sound by setting the violin on a table and have them bow from the side standing over the violin.

The difficulty arises when they put the violin under their chins. It is extremely difficult to judge when the bow is perpendicular to the strings from that perspective.