No matter where you are in your life as an artist, it's quite safe to assume that the pairing of pencil and paper was instrumental to your development. You started drawing from life and imagination with these two instrumental objects.
More than choosing the best pencil for your drawing style, it is important to pay attention to the different fundamentals of pencil drawing, which we will elaborate in great detail here in our article.
More than choosing the best pencil for your drawing style, it is important to pay attention to the different fundamentals of pencil drawing, which we will elaborate in great detail here in our article.
#1 Pencil grip
How you grip your pencil is very critical to the outcome of your drawing. How do you hold your pencil when drawing?
When drawing, it is best not to use the tip of your pencil, but the side of the lead. This way, you can maximize the utility and life of your pencil and you don't need to sharpen it every so often.
When covering large areas, shade your drawing such that your pencil is perpendicular to the line you are drawing. In this manner, you get to cover wide areas and employ very soft lines while you're at it.
When adding the fine details of your drawing, hold your pencil parallel to the lines to get very sharp and narrow marks. The only time it is best to use the tip of pencil is when you're working on highly intricate details.
When drawing, it is best not to use the tip of your pencil, but the side of the lead. This way, you can maximize the utility and life of your pencil and you don't need to sharpen it every so often.
When covering large areas, shade your drawing such that your pencil is perpendicular to the line you are drawing. In this manner, you get to cover wide areas and employ very soft lines while you're at it.
When adding the fine details of your drawing, hold your pencil parallel to the lines to get very sharp and narrow marks. The only time it is best to use the tip of pencil is when you're working on highly intricate details.
#2 Shading basics
How do you shade your drawings?
There is no definite rule when it comes to shading especially since adding depth and volume is subjective to artists. However, try these two tips out the next time you do shade your drawings.
First, shade where all of your lines go in the same direction. This shading technique gives a sense of cohesion and organization to your drawing. If you want the details of your drawing pop, try this shading technique.
Second, shade in patches. This technique helps define shape as it is intended to go around the form, keeping things in proper perspective. If you want to shade your backgrounds or give an illusion of texture to your masterpiece, try doing your shading work in patches.
There is no definite rule when it comes to shading especially since adding depth and volume is subjective to artists. However, try these two tips out the next time you do shade your drawings.
First, shade where all of your lines go in the same direction. This shading technique gives a sense of cohesion and organization to your drawing. If you want the details of your drawing pop, try this shading technique.
Second, shade in patches. This technique helps define shape as it is intended to go around the form, keeping things in proper perspective. If you want to shade your backgrounds or give an illusion of texture to your masterpiece, try doing your shading work in patches.
#3 Line weight
Line weight is the visual lightness or heaviness of a line within your drawing. Once you have great control over line weight, you can greatly separate your drawing's subjects from one another and emphasize their shadows too.
Mastering line weight also helps in conveying the three-dimensionality of your drawings. Thicker lines can fade and disappear into the background while lighter and finer lines stand out at the forefront of your drawing.
As an added tip to line weights, try your best to avoid outlining your subjects as it can make your drawing look flat as opposed to three dimensional.
Mastering line weight also helps in conveying the three-dimensionality of your drawings. Thicker lines can fade and disappear into the background while lighter and finer lines stand out at the forefront of your drawing.
As an added tip to line weights, try your best to avoid outlining your subjects as it can make your drawing look flat as opposed to three dimensional.
#4 Practice sketch language
The beauty of sketching is it lays down the groundwork of your drawing. In short, these are not final and gives you the liberty to plan and explore your drawing using loose lines. It also saves you from making hard and dark lines early on in your work.
Practicing the language of sketching allows you to progress with your drawing one step at a time and prevents you from overdrawing on one area far too long. Always start with light outlines. Check and recheck your work and only start darkening your lines and adding details only at the end.
Practicing the language of sketching allows you to progress with your drawing one step at a time and prevents you from overdrawing on one area far too long. Always start with light outlines. Check and recheck your work and only start darkening your lines and adding details only at the end.
#5 Always check and recheck
As your goal is to always have a detailed drawing, checking and re-checking your work is an important final step before calling it a day.
Is your drawing symmetrical?
Is it conveying the right volume and intensity?
Does my drawing feel right?
Are my lines strong and hard enough?
Avoid second guessing your work and go back when necessary in improving the details of your drawing. Trust your gut feel and immediately put your pencil and hand back at work.
Is your drawing symmetrical?
Is it conveying the right volume and intensity?
Does my drawing feel right?
Are my lines strong and hard enough?
Avoid second guessing your work and go back when necessary in improving the details of your drawing. Trust your gut feel and immediately put your pencil and hand back at work.
Practice, practice, practice!
You will only perfect your ability to draw through practice. Keep practicing your drawing techniques and expand your medium from pencil to charcoal, pens, and more. Warm up like in the video below and pretty soon, you'll be drawing like it's second nature to you!
Cultivate your drawing skills at Art Smart
As a preparatory art school, we like to be a part of your development in becoming an artist and pursuing a Fine Arts degree in college. We'll guide you master the art of pencil drawing and equip you with even more skills necessary to grow.
Kindly check out our schedule or art classes below for 2017 and once you're ready to book your slots, call us at 0917-8784766 / 02 -6160305 / 0915-5948191 / 0995-260 8927. See you all in any of our studios!
Kindly check out our schedule or art classes below for 2017 and once you're ready to book your slots, call us at 0917-8784766 / 02 -6160305 / 0915-5948191 / 0995-260 8927. See you all in any of our studios!
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