How to Draw 1
Drawing is a skill that many of us take for granted — after all, it’s a childhood pastime and a hobby that adults return to when looking for a creative outlet. But it takes practice and dedication to become good at it. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get started on your journey to becoming an expert artist.
Know Your Tools
One of the most important things to do when getting started in drawing is to familiarize yourself with the different tools you will be using. Knowing your pencils, brushes, and papers will help you get the most out of your artwork. Before you begin, pick up a pencil and paper and practice getting the feel for the material. This will help you become familiar with the way your materials respond to pressure, so you can be more intuitive in your drawing.
Begin With Basic Shapes
Now that you know your tools, it’s time to get started drawing – and the first step is to begin with basic shapes. Start off by drawing squares and circles, as they are the core of most drawings. Once you get the basics down, you can move on to more complicated shapes, such as ovals and triangles. When you draw your shapes, be sure to practice perfect proportions, since it will be much easier to develop your details this way.
Create Your Sketch
Now that you’ve got the basic shapes down, it’s time to create the outline of your drawing, commonly known as the sketch. As you do this, practice keeping your lines light and loose. This will make it easier to erase them later and make changes if necessary. Be sure to take your time and pay attention to details, as a good sketch will be the foundation of a successful drawing.
Go Through Your Shading
Once you’ve gotten your outline down, it’s time to move on to the next step – shading. This can be an intimidating part of drawing, but with a few simple techniques, you can be on your way to mastering it. Start off by experimenting with pressure and line weight to create a range of values. Then practice using hatching, cross hatching and stippling to add more depth. Finally, use blending and smudging to create seamless transitions between your values, and you’ll be on your way to a professionally shaded drawing.
Finishing Touches
The last step in creating a drawing is to add the final details. This is where you can work on perfecting proportions, fixing lines and adding small enhancements. You can also adjust your values, if you need to, to create more depth and dimension in your drawing. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can add a few finishing touches, like shadows or highlights, to give the drawing a professional look.
Explore Different Mediums
Once you’ve mastered the basics of drawing, it’s time to start exploring different mediums. Start off by trying out different types of pencils, like charcoal and colored pencils, to give your drawings more texture and depth. You can also try out inks, markers and pastels, to add more color and vibrancy to your work. As you experiment and explore, you will start to develop your own unique style.
Practice, Practice, Practice
The most important tip when it comes to artwork is to simply practice. While this may sound obvious, it’s important to remember that it takes time to become good at anything, and art is no different. Put in the time and effort, and you will see gradual improvement in your artwork. Dedicate yourself to study and practice and soon enough, you will become a master of your craft.
