How To Draw With Pencils: An Introduction
Drawing with pencils is an art form, a creative outlet, and a skill to be nurtured and developed. While the theory behind pencil technique can seem intimidating, with a few tips and lots of practice, you can use pencils to create beautiful portraits, landscapes, and abstract works of art. Before you start, it’s important to have the right tools. High-quality drawing pencils, paper, erasers and sharpeners will make the process easier.
Tips to Draw With Pencils
Start with basic shapes. When drawing faces and figures, begin by sketching the basics, such as circles for eyes, triangles for noses and curved lines for mouths. Break down everything you’re drawing into simplified shapes. This will make it easier to sketch, as well as enable you to mix and match features quickly.
Making use of light and darkness is essential. To draw with pencils, it’s important to understand the concept of light, shadows and highlights. Start with a light outline and gradually build up to darker shades. If you think of the pencil as a brush, it will be easier to understand how to create subtle changes in tone.
Be mindful of where your pencil marks lie. You can manipulate the directions of your pencil marks to create form. Always remember to keep the light source in mind and adjust the direction of your pencil lines accordingly. In short, by paying attention to the light and dark tones and the direction of your pencil strokes, you can give your drawings depth and fluidity.
Pencil Technique Step-by-Step
Let’s use the above tips to sharpen your drawing skill!
Tip #1 – Start with basic shapes. This can be especially helpful when starting out. Sketch basic shapes using a soft pencil before adding detail.
Tip #2 – Make use of light and darkness. Increase the pressure when shading to give your drawings depth. Work on layers, gradually adding shadows and highlights to create shade and form.
Tip #3 – Be mindful of where your pencil marks lie. Vary the direction of your pencil strokes to create a sense of form. Consider the light source and adjust your pencil lines accordingly.
Choosing the Right Pencil
Let’s talk about pencils! You can use a wide variety of pencils to draw, from softer “B” graphite pencils to harder “H” graphite pencils. Choose a “B” graphite pencil for sketching, blending and erasing. It’s great for creating soft and gentle shading. Harder “H” graphite pencils are ideal for details and darker shading.
It’s also important to experiment with broader pencils. “HB” pencils are perfect for outlining and general sketching and “2B” pencils are great for shadows and shading. The type of paper you’re using is also important. Smooth, high-quality paper makes light pencil marks easier to erase.
Adding Finishing Touches
Now that you have your pencils and you know how to use them, it’s time to put the finishing touches on your artwork. To achieve smooth, professional-looking artwork, take a break between stages of shading, highlights and details. This will give you a chance to look at the artwork with fresh eyes and make any necessary adjustments.
If you’re aiming for an ink-like look, you can fix any unwanted pencil lines with a kneaded eraser. This type of eraser can be kneaded and shaped to achieve different results. It can also help you blend, lighten and smooth out hard and glossy paper surfaces.
Maintaining Your Pencils
It’s important to maintain your pencils properly if you want to get the best result. Always sharpen them at the beginning of the drawing session and keep a tidy work area. Make sure to keep the sharpener and eraser clean by wiping off excess graphite from the surface before and after every use.
This also helps keep your fingers from getting too smudgy! By looking after your pencils and work space, you will be able to focus on improving your technique and draw more professionally.
More Drawing Tips
It takes time to become an expert at drawing with pencils. However, don’t get discouraged if your drawings don’t look great right away. It takes practice and patience to master the art of shading, highlights and blending.
To help you become a better pencil artist, study the artwork of other artists and see what techniques they are using. When you draw, take time to observe your subject in detail and try to recreate that in your artwork. Finally, make sure to follow the basics, such as being mindful of light and dark tones, making use of basic shapes and keeping your pencils and work space clean. With lots of practice and dedication, you’ll eventually become the pencil pro you’ve always dreamed of being.
