Best Way to Draw Sketches for Beginners
Sketches are a great way to capture an idea in a quick and flowing way, especially if you’re not very good at drawing. They’re much quicker than penning out a full illustration, allowing you to show your idea without spending time drawing skills.
What is a Sketch?
A sketch is a quick, loose drawing usually done in pencil. Sketches can be of anything – a person, a place, an object, etc. They are often used to capture an idea or initial impression before developing it further. For beginners, sketches can be a great way to practice observation and develop your drawing skills. Here are some tips on how to sketch:
- Start by finding something to draw. It can be anything – a still life arrangement, a person, or even a scene from nature. Just make sure it’s something that you can see clearly and that you’re interested in.
- Take your time. There’s no need to rush – Sketching is all about capturing an initial impression or idea. So take your time, look at your subject carefully, and try to understand what you want to capture in your drawing.
- Use light, loose strokes. This will help keep your sketch from becoming overly detailed or too tight. Remember, sketches are meant to be quick and loose – so don’t worry about making mistakes or getting things perfect.
- Add details as you go along. Once you’re finished with your outline, you can begin to add details and shading to your sketch. Remember, this is an extra step you can take if you feel like it, but it’s unnecessary.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. Sketching isn’t about getting everything right or being perfect – exploring the possibilities and learning how to draw what you see effectively and from memory. So, relax, have fun with it, and don’t worry about making mistakes.
The Rules of Shadowing
- Not all shadows are the same strength. The closer a shadow is to its source, the darker it will be. Likewise, the further a shadow is from its source, the lighter it will be.
- A shadow’s darkest value is usually at its farthest point away from its source and gradually gets lighter as it nears its source. This holds whether that source is an object casting a shadow or if it’s a light emitting said shadow on another surface.
- Shadows can sometimes appear much darker than their actual value because of their surroundings (i.e., the surface on which they fall). If you have ever sat outside in the shade and noticed how dark your skin looks compared to the rest of your body, that’s because its surface absorbs much of the light and reflects it at you as a darker shade. Conversely, if you have ever sat underneath a tree in the bright sunlight and noticed how much lighter your skin looks than your face, that’s because the leaves above are scattering much of the light and causing it to reflect at you as a lighter shade. Likewise, if you have ever observed how a flower pot or an object becomes darker or lighter depending on which side it faces – directly against a window or facing away from one – that’s because its surface is either absorbing or scattering more/less light.
- When drawing shadows on an object, it’s a good idea to remember that shadow color is not always black – shadows tend to be darker than the object itself, so shadows are probably a dark gray or brown
- When drawing objects with lots of highlights, you can often duplicate the effect by first making an outline in white, then going over it with another layer colored in a lighter shade and blending away the edges. Alternatively, you can create highlights simply by applying a thin outline and coloring it over top of that with your desired color.
What are Some Sketching Materials?
There are a variety of sketching materials available to artists, each with its benefits and drawbacks. Some of the most popular materials include:
- Graphite pencils: These pencils are easy to find and relatively inexpensive. They also offer a wide range of darknesses, from very light to very dark. However, graphite pencils can be difficult to erase and smudge easily.
- Charcoal: Charcoal offers a rich, deep blackness that is perfect for creating shadows and depth in a drawing. It can be messy to work with, however, and it can be challenging to control.
- Colored pencils: Colored pencils are great for adding vibrancy and life to a drawing. You can use them to create a wide range of colors, from bright and bold to more subtle shades. Colored pencils can be more expensive than other types of pencils, however.
- Ink: Ink is perfect for creating crisp lines and detailed drawings. It can be tricky to work with, though, as it can bleed through paper and is difficult to erase.
How to Draw a Face Sketch
When sketching faces, there are a few key things to remember:
- Start by drawing the basic outline of the face.
- Add the features like the eyes, nose, and mouth. Once you have the basic shape of the face down, you can start to flesh out the details.
- Don’t forget to add any hair or accessories that you want!
How to Draw People and Animals Sketches
Assuming you want tips for drawing sketches of people and animals:
When sketching people, one of the best things you can do is find a reference photo to work from. This will help you to capture the correct proportions of the person’s face and body. Once you have your reference photo, start by sketching out the basic shape of the head and neck. Then, add the details of the face, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth. Don’t forget to add hair! Start with a stick figure for the body to get the basic proportions down. Then, add details such as clothing and features like hands and feet.
For animals, again, finding a reference photo is a great place to start. Begin by sketching out the animal’s overall shape. Then, add in its features, such as the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. For furrier animals, be sure to sketch in the direction of the fur. You may also want to add some background elements to your sketches, such as trees or grass.
How to Use Shading in Your Sketches
Adding shading is one of the best ways to make your sketches look more realistic. Shading can give your drawings dimension and make them look more polished. Here are some tips on how to use shading in your sketches:
To start, you’ll need a few supplies: a pencil, paper, and an eraser. You may also want to use a lightbox or tracing paper to help you see the shading better.
When you’re ready to start shading, begin by drawing a light sketch of your subject. Next, start adding value by using different pencil strokes. For example, hatching (short, parallel lines) or stippling (small dots) to create different shades.
Experiment with different pencil pressures to create different values. The harder you press, the darker the shade will be. You can also create different values by blending two colors.
Once you’ve added the shading, take a step back and look at your drawing. Ensure the values are balanced and there’s enough contrast between the light and dark areas. You may need to adjust the placement of your lines or add more pressure in certain areas to achieve the desired effect.
With practice, you’ll be able to create a drawing with realistic values in no time. Keep these tips in mind, and soon you’ll have the confidence to tackle any subject!
Tips for beginners
If you’re new to sketching, it can be daunting to know where to start. But don’t worry – we’ve covered you with some essential beginner tips.
First, practice observation. Take a look around you and find something interesting to sketch. It could be a person, an object, or even a scene. Once you’ve found your subject, take your time to look at it. Study the shapes, shadows, and proportions. Then, start sketching!
Use light strokes at first to help get the basic shape of your subject down on paper. Once you’re happy with the overall composition, start adding more details. Be sure to vary your line thickness to create interest and depth in your drawing.
Finally, add some shading to give your drawing more dimension. Experiment with hatching, stippling, and cross-hatching techniques to see what works best for you. And don’t forget the highlights! Adding light and dark areas can bring your sketch to life.
With these tips in mind, grab a pencil and try sketching!