Starting Off
Drawing is a fundamental form of expression. It’s a method of conveying emotions, without needing ever to say a word. How do you start drawing though? How do you become good at it?
It’s good to begin with the basics; mastering drawing techniques will enhance your skills and creativity!
Line Art
Lines are the foundation of any drawing. Practicing how you draw lines, and exploring different types of lines–straight, curved, thick, thin—helps create depth and movement. Contour drawing, which involves outlining objects without lifting the pencil, is a great way to develop hand-eye coordination.
Shading and Blending
Shading gives drawings a three-dimensional effect. Techniques like hatching, cross-hatching, stippling, and smooth blending can add texture and realism. Using a blending stump or tissue can help soften transitions between light and dark areas.
Shaded egg. Created by author.
Perspective and Proportion
Understanding perspective is key to creating realistic drawings. Techniques like One-point, two-point, and three-point perspective help convey depth. Similarly, maintaining proper proportions ensures accuracy, especially in figure and portrait drawing.
Gesture Drawing
Gesture drawing captures the essence and movement of a subject with quick, expressive strokes. This technique is useful for sketching people and animals in dynamic poses.
Textures and Patterns
Incorporating textures and patterns enhances the visual interest of a drawing. Observing and replicating different surfaces, such as fur, wood grain, or fabric, can make an artwork more detailed and engaging.
Muscular Anatomy of the Human hand. Created by Desmaretz, Sébastien – Provided by Europeana; Image Courtesy of Unsplash.
Practice, Practice, Practice
While learning from others is valuable, experimenting with different techniques and subjects will help you find your artistic voice. Regular practice is essential, as drawing improves with consistent effort, so setting aside time each day to sketch!
Use references, such as real-life objects, photographs, and artworks, to refine observation skills and accuracy. Experimenting various tools, including pencils, pens, charcoal, and digital media, to discover what best suits your style. Additionally, working on light and shadows enhances shading and realism by understanding how different light sources affect objects.
You got this!
Walking You Through a Drawing
Now that you have all the basic techniques down, it’s time to start drawing! First, what do you want to draw? A person? A place? An animal? Having an idea about what you want to draw can help the creative juices start to flow, however, if you can’t think of anything, just starting to sketch random shapes can help as well.
I decided to draw a picture of myself!
Now that you know what you want to draw, sketch out a rough image of what you’re drawing, keeping in mind the proportions and perspective of the subject. The sketch doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should hold some accuracy to the subject!
Sketch of author. Created by author.
Line art of author. Created by author.
Next comes line art! You want to ensure your lines are smooth and steady as you add in details that weren’t included in the sketch. As you add these details, always keep proportions in mind.
When drawing faces, using guiding lines to divide and mark different parts of the face is essential for achieving accurate proportions. The forehead typically occupies a large portion of the face, while the eyes are positioned just above the nose. The mouth is located below the nose, but it’s important to leave enough space for the chin. By carefully mapping out these features and practicing drawing them on their own, you can create balanced and realistic facial drawings!
Drawing of the author. Created by author.
After drawing your line art, it’s time to start adding colour. Looking at reference photos when colouring can help you to create a more realistic, depth-filled drawing.
Drawing of the author. Created by author
Continue to colour in your drawing, and add highlights and shading to your picture! It’s important to know what type of shading you willuse. Are you going to cross thatch? Stipple? Cell shading? Value shading? Or are you maybe going to use a mix of all of these techniques? The possibilities are endless!
Drawing of the author. Created by author
Now you can include the small details, as you give your drawing its final touch-ups! I added in an earring and ring.
Drawing of the author. Created by author
Finally, add your signature. No piece is complete without it!
Drawing is a versatile and rewarding skill anyone can develop with patience and dedication. By mastering various techniques and following helpful tips, artists can enhance their abilities and create stunning works of art. Keep practicing, stay inspired, and enjoy the journey of artistic growth!
Featured Image taken by Kobu Agency; Image Courtesy of Unsplash.
