Drawing is the most basic form of art and the foundation of all art techniques. You need to be able to draw, paint, print or sculpt. This is because the brain translates images and thoughts through drawing.
You may be worried that your skills will never reach the levels of your favorite artists but remember that every artist was a beginner once, just like you. Fortunately, drawing is easier than it looks and is all about practice. Here is a helping guide to getting you started.
Developing Your Drawing Skills Is A Gradual Process
The only secret to drawing is practice. To attain advanced skills, you will need to exercise some patience as this is a gradual process. It is unrealistic to expect results with just a few tutorials and some sketches.
You should ideally journal your drawing journey. Keep a record of your sketches, even if they are silly doodles. When you look back on your progress, you will notice how far you have come. Remember that progress is measured in years, not months or weeks.
A useful tip is to practice different styles to find one that suits you the most. Additionally, try out other papers such as moleskin journals, index cards, watercolor paper, and even field notebooks.
22 Methods To Help You Start Drawing
Drawing may seem daunting for a beginner, but some helpful tips can ease you into the process and help you improve your weaknesses. Here we have compiled the most useful one:
1. Believe You Can Get There
The first step to starting any task is intention. If you lack the belief that you can complete your work, you are unlikely to see it through to the end and find satisfaction.
Although only some are indeed talented, everyone has potential. That is why the first skill to attain before drawing is the belief that you can do it.
2. Don’t Try To Be Perfect!
Creativity is the breath of life for art. To create something new, you need to think outside the box. You cannot make something unique by following rules. The most important thing you must remember when drawing is that there is no ‘correct’ way to draw.
3. Drawing Is About Learning To See
Drawing is a visual process. You can only draw once you learn to see all that is around you. This is known as observational drawing and is a crucial method to improve your skills.
4. Start With Tracing
This is how most beginners start their art journey. Tracing is drawing over an image to get clear lines. This method helps you understand line art and proportions better. That is why it is a good idea to read up on a tutorial on how to trace pictures so that you can utilize the technology more efficiently.
5. Work on Any Subject Matter
There is a massive pool of subject matter available to choose to draw from. You can derive inspiration from reality or your imagination. As a beginner, you can start by drawing things around you.
Focus on ordinary everyday things like glass or your favorite football, then sketch it roughly. Then you can jot down your thoughts about the drawing, your mood, and the weather. You can also add splashes of color.
6. Draw Circles
This simple shape is surprisingly hard to draw. Here is a neat trick, use different drawing tools and keep drawing multiple circles in succession without thinking about the results. Try various types of circles: overlapping ones, concentric circles, and different patterns.
7. Fill A Grid With Patterns, Marks & Symbols
If you are using field notes, then you can make grids and fill them with various patterns, doodles, symbols, and marks. This works as a great warm-up exercise and even a source of new drawing inspiration.
8. Practice Shading Techniques
Drawing is two-dimensional, so it is difficult to create the depth you can make up for through shading. There are many shading techniques that you can try out, such as hatching, stippling, blending, or a combination of them.
Each technique serves a different purpose so be sure to find the one most suited for you. For example, Blending can be used to create a smooth texture, whereas stippling is used for highly detailed drawings.
9. Copy Drawings And Paintings When You Are Learning To Draw
When you start, it is a good idea to understand the techniques and proportions used by your favorite artist. However, don’t just copy it; try to observe how the artist uses line art, shading, and shapes. This exercise your eye to tell apart art styles and find your own.
10. Take A Drawing Or Art Class
A class will help you be under the supervision of an experienced artist and fellow aspiring artists. This will help you exchange ideas and techniques as well as receive constructive criticisms to improve your art.
11. Make Drawing A Habit
If you want to improve your work, you have to make drawing a part of your daily routine. This does not mean spending several hours on drawing but rather using drawing as a creative outlet and not a hobby.
12. Experiment With Different Mediums
This means using different styles such as using pencil, ink, pastel, charcoal, and whatever you can mark with.
13. Understand the Value
Value refers to the darkness and lightness of an object and introduces depth to your drawing. The best way to practice value is by shading a sphere.
14. Understand The Power Of Color
The visual impact of color cannot be denied, and every artist must utilize that effect to capture the attention of an observer.
15. Edges Are Important
As you gain more experience with art, you should start studying edges. It can indicate the focus of the item in your piece, the distance between objects as well as the strength of a light source.
16. Practice Drawing Form
Another skill to master to indicate depth and volume to your pieces is through form. The form is the three-dimensional shape of an object and gives a realistic aspect to your drawings.
If you are drawing people, then gesture drawing is a great way to capture movement and posture. This involves sketching out the lines of a figure.
18. Practice Drawing Proportions
If you see no improvement even after practicing for a long time, the issue could lie with your proportions. This is the most common cause behind a drawing looking amateurish, yet the most challenging skill to master.
Proportions can be the difference between a good and childish drawing. Once you are confident with shapes, move on to getting the proportions of an object accurately.
19. Use A Photo Reference
If you are experiencing trouble gaining inspiration from real-life objects, then a photo reference can be a great guide for your drawing. This will give you a better idea about the details of an object as well as practice light and shading techniques.
20. Understand Perspective Drawing
As you progress to advanced drawing, another technique to master is perspective drawing. Like many techniques, perspective drawing allows you to add depth to your drawing to make it more realistic. One way to achieve this is through lines to indicate distance and relation between objects.
21. Use Drawing Exercises To Warm Up!
Drawing exercises act as warm-ups before you start working on your subject matter. Firstly, you can start by drawing stick figures or cartoons. Alternatively, you can also try drawing with your non-dominant hand. The purpose of these exercises is to make you comfortable marking on paper.
Additionally, it is a good idea to participate in art community challenges such as ‘ink to ber’ and ‘draw it in your style’. This also helps you compare art styles and drawing prompts.
22. Essential Drawing Materials To Start Drawing
The best thing about art is that you can work with anything you like. However, if you are just starting, work with essential tools and ease into items you prefer.
These include a sketchbook, an excellent metallic sharpener, a soft eraser, and three different pencil grades (HB, 2B, 6-8B). The H grade is ideal for starters trying line art.
Additional tools include a kneaded eraser, blending stumps, and a drawing board can also help you try out different styles.
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Start Drawing
Let’s discuss some FAQs that beginners have when they start.
- Can I teach myself to draw?
In this age of the internet, there is nothing that you cannot teach yourself. There are plenty of tutorials and references available based on your skill level that you can take advantage of.
- How do I begin to draw?
That depends on your skill level and preference. There is no rule to start, but for ease, start with ordinary objects and work your way up to more different complexes.
- What are the five basics of drawing?
Completed artwork is composed of 5 basics that you need to master to improve your work. These are spaces, edges, relationships, light and shadow, and the whole, or gestalt.
- How can a beginner start art?
That’s entirely up to you. You can take classes, find an art group, take a mentor’s help or just go the self-aught route. Nonetheless, the key is to keep practicing and monitor your progress. Art is about self-discovery, but there is no reason not to enjoy the process.
Conclusion
Drawing is an outlet for self-expression and a fun way to spend your time. Although drawing may seem tough if you have no prior experience, these tips will help you practice and improve your skills. Remember to have patience and keep practicing; you will gradually notice your progress and marvel at your achievements. So grab your art supplies and start sketching!
View Also –
12+ Best Mixed Media Sketchbook
15+ Best Best Watercolor Paper For Beginners to Professionals
Best Easel Stands For Beginners To Professional Artists
15+ Best Colored Pencils For Artists
