Step-by-Step Guide for Drawing a Drawing
1. Gather your Supplies
The first step to creating any good drawing is to get the right materials. There are two key types of supplies you need: drawing paper and something to draw with. As far as paper goes, a simple tissue paper will do the trick; if you need something thicker and heavier, then you can use cartridge paper or Bristol board. As for your drawing tool, you can go classic with a pencil or go modern with a digital drawing tablet and stylus. In any case, make sure to have the right kind of colors and leads on hand.
2. Get Your Idea Down on Paper
Now that you have your materials in order, it’s time to conjure up your drawing in your head. Before you start looking at your paper, take a few moments to fully envision what you’re about to create. You could even use a sketchbook or your tablet to quickly draw out your idea. But don’t get stuck there for too long– get your rough sketch down and move on.
3. Outline and Refine
Now you’re ready to start drawing your idea on paper. Before committing any pencil to paper, start mentally sketching out the general form, shapes and direction of your drawing. Now you can start to use your pencil to make your drawing come into focus. Refine as you go and take your time.
4. Add Color and Expression
Now that you’ve got your drawing looking the way you want it, it’s time to add the final touches. Use your colored pencils or crayons to add vibrancy and expression to your work. Just be careful not to overwork it; remember that more detail doesn’t always mean better.
Shading Techniques
1. Cross-Hatching
Cross-hatching is a quick way to show deeper levels of shadow on your work. When you’re cross-hatching, you’re essentially adding layers of ‘crossing’ lines on top of each other. Experiment with soft and hard edges to create different effects.
2. Gradient Shading
When it comes to adding shadows and shaping the objects in your drawing, the old fade technique works wonders. Gradient shading is an invaluable tool for creating 3D effects. Start with a light shade of pencil and gradually move your way up to darker tones.
3. Cast Shadows and Highlights
Cast shadows, otherwise known as shading, are a great way to make your drawing look more 3-dimensional. You can shade using a single pencil or pair different tones of graphite together. Highlighting is another effective tool for creating defined shapes in your drawing. To highlight, use the tip of your pencil to draw fuzzy lines that aren’t too dark.
Adding the Finishing Touches
1. Erasing Mistakes
Now that you have your drawing finished, you may discover a few mistakes. While it’s important to take your time to avoid mistakes in the first place, you don’t have to live with an imperfect drawing. Erasers are a great tool for getting rid of unwanted lines while preserving the underlying drawing beneath it.
2. Clean Up Your Work
Once you’re happy with the final version of your artwork, it’s time to give it a final once-over. Take a few moments to brush away smudges and smears, and use a pencil or pen for fine details like adding details or sharpening your lines.
3. Hang it Up and Admire
Finally, you’re ready to show off to the world. What better way to display your masterpiece than framing and hanging it up? Take a step back and admire your work– you’ve just created an amazing piece of artwork from scratch!
Branching Out and Exploring New Styles
1. Start Playing with Different Mediums
Now that you’ve got the basics of drawing down, it’s time to explore different mediums and techniques. Try experimenting with different mediums: watercolor, colored pencils, paint, marker. There’s a wide variety of mediums to explore, so find which one(s) work best for you and your style.
2. Push Your Creativity with Abstraction
If you want to challenge yourself, exploring abstraction is a great way to do so. Abstraction allows you to break away from concrete ideas and start experimenting with abstract concepts. Think of Zen drawings, surrealism, or abstract expressionism– the possibilities are endless.
3. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
Finally, the ultimate way for any artist to improve is to expand their horizons. Step outside of your artistic comfort zone and try drawing something completely different from what you normally do. It can be anything from a detailed portrait to a thrilling landscape or a raucous nightscape– the only limit is your imagination!
Develop Your Own Unique Style
1. Observe the Masters
Drawing can take years to master, but it is definitely worth the effort. To get better, one of the best tactics is to study the masterpieces of renowned draftsmen and painters. Try to dissect the way they approach their work, how they apply their strokes and how they use light and textures in their art.
2. Experiment and Educate Yourself
Educating yourself is vital when it comes to honing your craft. Try to pick up drawing books, attend drawing courses and dive into online tutorials to learn new techniques. But don’t forget to experiment– don’t be afraid to experiment and make mistakes along the way. The greatest masterpieces are often born from making mistakes.
3. Get Inspired
Everyone can get stuck in a creative rut from time to time. If this happens, it’s important to get out and gain some new inspiration. Take a walk in nature, listen to music, read a book, or just spend some time people-watching. You never know what inspiring moments may come your way.
4. Find Your Own Voice
Finally, if you want to make your mark as an artist, you need to find your own style and voice. Play around with the techniques and mediums you know, combine them in interesting ways, and break away from the ‘norms’. There are no rules in art, so it’s up to you to create your own!
