How To Draw Semi Realistic
Aspiring artists who want to draw with a semi-realistic look may feel a bit intimidated. But with each stroke of your pencil, you can master the distinctive style of semi-realism. Here are some guidelines to help you confidently down that artistic path.
Start with Basics
You’ll only be able to unlock the doors of semi-realism if you’ve got the fundamentals down. Learn the basics of proportions, perspective and lighting, as well as core principles of drawing. From anatomical lines to perspective points, these are key elements to learn.They will help you to create a sense of depth, as well as a sense of realism.
Additionally, familiarize yourself with the tools of the trade. Pencils, colored pencils and other art supplies are your entryway into the world of semi-realistic art. Investing in quality materials will ensure basic success.
Learn from the Masters
Don’t be afraid to ask for instant help from the masters. Study the works of Picasso and Rembrandt; these artists have been long-respected for their pioneering approaches to semi-realism. Logging onto the art forums and YouTube channels of these and other terrific artists can help make sense of the methods of semi-realism.
Assimilate the various techniques that they demonstrate in the medium. Over time, you can apply these techniques to your own works of art, gradually furthering your own own artistic abilities and building a portfolio of work.
Understand Shapes and Systems
Creating a drawing has to do with more than just drawing what you see–you also have to understand shapes and objects interacting with each other. Familiarizing yourself with various geometric shapes, such as the trapezoid, ellipse, parallelogram and cone, can help your semi-realistic drawings appear more credible.
Remember, in the world of semi-realism, you use real-life scenes as inspiration, but still have enough artistic freedom to manipulate basic shapes. Most importantly, have fun experimenting with these shapes and their interactions in your works.
Find Your Own Voice
As you progress in your training in semi-realism, you’ll be able to break out of the standard rules of drawing and form your own style of hyper-realistic artwork. When you gain confidence in your own skills and vision you can abandon the rules and focus more on honing your creative voice.
Think of semi-realism in terms of the ideas rather than in detail. Color and shape become heightened, while contours are softened and there’s an overall vibe of dream-like quality. Focus on understanding rather mastering theory and techniques.
Constructive Criticism
Whenever possible, seek criticism – it’s how you grow as an artist. Participate in shows and galleries to get feedback, as well as listen to art critiques from reputable artists and instructors. Having an objective second pair of eyes is invaluable to help you hone your craft.
Insights about your drawings from both the friendly community at art shows and from esteemed critiques can help you set new goals, connect the dots and see on your talent from a new angle. As you make improvements, build on what already works.
Self-Expression Counts
When the basics are in hand and the critiques are heard, begin to tell your story with your artwork. Self-expression is an integral part of the semi-realistic process – it allows you to really connect in a deep, meaningful way with your creations. Learn to use the same methods of semi-realism, but still ask yourself questions about your composition such as: “What do I want to say, and why? What is my purpose?”
By intertwining your goals and experiences into your semi-realistic works, you’ll create incredibly personal and heartfelt pieces. Also, the process of creating your own inventive expressions will propel you forward and allow you to discover real talents about yourself and your work.
Regular Practice
The best way to strengthen your semi-realistic art is to practice as often as you can. Start by researching reference images; they will help you acquire skills quickly. When you practice with these photographs, you’ll be able to study realistic elements that you can later tinker with them in more creative ways.
Next, practice with hands-on exercises like copying the works of Picasso or Rembrandt. Finally, take on a sketching project where you build your own miniature pieces by piecing together reference samples into a single image. No matter what form of practice you try, make sure that you’re dedicating regular time to it.
Draw with Confidence
Don’t be discouraged by the perceived difficulty of semi-realism. As with all forms of art, the fundamentals stay the same. You have to know the basics of drawing and practice regularly before you can call yourself an excellent semi-realistic artist. With the right motivation and passion, mastering semi-realistic art can be incredibly fulfilling and rewarding.
