How To Draw Hard Stuff
Drawing can be one of the most rewarding, yet difficult forms of art out there. Some things may seem simple, while others can be intimidatingly complex. If you’re looking to push your drawing skills, or simply tackle something new, then mastering the art of drawing hard stuff is the way forward. Here’s how to get started.
First and foremost, perfect your basics. Drawing hard stuff may seem intimidating, but it’s all about having a strong foundation in the elements of traditional drawing. You should take your time to sharpen your basic skills: lines, shapes, tone, form, composition and the like. Doing a few practice sketches to reconnect with your drawing can be incredibly helpful.
Next, don’t let the challenge of hard stuff define you. Remember, even the most realistic-looking drawings are nothing more than lines put together in a particular way. Break down your subject as a series of more achievable aims, rather than one entire picture. This can be hugely beneficial in creating a feeling of accomplishment, while taking the intimidating edge off drawing hard stuff.
Then, draw in sections. Start off by blocking in the basic shapes of your subject. Breaking it down in to manageable sections can make the process of drawing hard stuff infinitely easier. Staying organized can help take the pressure off the process. As you get further into the drawing, remember that you’re never actually draw purely free-hand. Every mark you make is based on either a pre-existing basic shape, or a new shape based off of a previously made mark.
You should also take time to gather references. This can be especially helpful when drawing hard stuff like animals, vehicles, or people. Get to know the subject as much as possible, as this will help you to create a drawing that looks realistic and evoke a sense of depth. Carefully study different images of the subject and break them down into their underlying shapes.
Lastly, give yourself adequate time and space to create. When drawing hard stuff, it’s important to give yourself the space and the freedom to try out and make mistakes. Don’t be hard on yourself and take regular breaks. Take some time to distance yourself from your drawing and reassess, so you can observe it objectively.
Getting Creative with Hard Stuff
So, you know the basics, but you want to get more creative with your drawing? No problem! It starts with understanding the basics of composition – the placement of lines, shapes, and colours – and how this influences the overall visual impact of your art. Explore just how far you can take the fundamentals and, soon enough, you’ll be playing around with your hard stuff, creating bold, unique drawings.
It also helps to take inspiration from other sources. Who says a landscape has to be compromised of trees, mountains, and sky? Get creative and think outside the box! Adapt and adjust the traditional fundamentals of the world, playing with light and colour to give your drawing depth and expression.
Actively experimenting with your tools is also a great way to become more creative. Different brushes, pencils, and strokes act differently and can give your drawing a whole new air of flair. Try out different techniques, like layering, or stippling, or hatching. See what happens, and you’ll soon enough find your own unique style emerging.
Equally, take some time to practice drawing from your imagination. We all have original ideas and it can be so rewarding to bring those to life through art. Draw what you feel; the more time you give yourself for this, the easier it will become. Keep up your practice, and let the ideas and the drawings come to you – before you know it, you’ll be delving deeper into the possibilities of hard stuff.
Don’t worry if what you create isn’t perfect – allow yourself to also be inspired by the mistakes, and how these can come together to create something far greater and more individual than you could’ve imagined.
Getting Ready For Hard Stuff
So, you’re ready to take on some hard stuff? Great! Time to get your materials together. Firstly, make sure you have the right quality of paper. Invest in a good-quality drawing paper to make sure that your drawing can take whatever comes.
Equally, think about your set up. Get yourself a well-lit area, with a comfortable chair and somewhere for your materials. Drawing for long periods of time means you need to look after yourself. Make sure you’re getting enough rest and time away from your drawing, to keep the ideas and creativity flowing.
Once your station is prepared, you can take some time to think about what to draw. Pick a subject that interests you and break it down into achievable chunks. It may take some practice to get further into the details of your hard stuff, so don’t be too hard on yourself at first.
With the right materials, attitude, and environment, you’ll be ready to tackle the challenge of hard stuff. Just remember that drawing hard stuff really is all about small steps: getting into the basics, playing around with composition, trying different techniques, and experimenting with ideas.
Experimenting With Hard Stuff
One of the key things to remember when it comes to drawing hard stuff is to be open to experimenting. Trying out different approaches and ideas, and trusting where your art takes you. Drawing from references, as well as from your heart and imagination, can be extremely helpful when creating something new and taking on the challenge of hard stuff.
As you progress, chances are you’ll find yourself experimenting more and more. Listen to the ideas that are coming to mind, and to those little voice inside you, asking you to test out new techniques and approaches to your drawing. You may find that one way works better than another, or that an entirely new direction starts to take shape.
Be adaptable to where your art takes you. Of course, take your time and give yourself the space to create, make mistakes and be inspired by the results. Find a balance between how you feel and how you think – don’t be afraid to mix up the traditional and the abstract.
Equally, if you’re feeling inspired you can take it even further and explore just how far you can push what you create. Work on both the imagined and the detailed aspects of your work, and practice all the techniques you’re learning, slowly building up the layers of your drawing.
Be bold, have fun and enjoy the process. You have to kind of trust that you’ll find your style, and with enough practice, you’ll find yourself achieving wonders with even the hardest of stuff.
Taking On Hard Stuff
So, you’ve followed all the steps and you’re now feeling ready to take on hard stuff? Congratulations! There’s no doubt you’ve put in a lot of time and effort, taking the time to learn basic skills and practice the art of drawing.
You’ve stepped up and experimented with your art, playing and exploring with it in surprising new ways. As you start to tackle your hard stuff, believe in yourself and your ideas – you’ve come so far! Try and take a step back and let the drawing come together in its own unique way.
Challenge yourself to be creative and draw from different perspectives: your imagination, like we said before, or from a reference or from memory. And finally, take the time to enjoy and be proud of your finished artwork – you’re one step further down the road of mastering drawing hard stuff!
Making the Most of Hard Stuff
Drawing hard stuff can mean a lot more than just practicing the basics. Spend some time engaging with the subject, be it an animal, a landscape, a vehicle – and try to find the beauty in it. Find the unique elements and the moments that make it, that bring it to life.
Put a little of your heart into the art – this can often be all it takes to bring that spark to your hard stuff. Play around and get creative: use blurriness, contrast, and depth to create a more atmospheric feeling and bring something alive.
Let yourself be inspired by the world around you and by your own ideas. Be creative, be bold and be yourself. Drawing hard stuff is about finding your style and truly making the art your own.
Above all, be open to learning and growing. Before you know it, you’ll have developed an understanding of the fundamentals and an appreciation for taking on challenges. And you’ll have created something truly unique as a result.
