9 Top Tips to improve your drawing skills
Soma 
If you're a beginner who wants to teach yourself how to draw accurate pictures, here are some tips to help you get started and bettering your skills.
“Being an artist is the same as being a wizard…only instead of a wand we use a pencil.”
~ Anonymous
For many who want to take up drawing as a hobby, the task of learning to draw seems intimidating and difficult at the same time. But the most common question I usually hear when I'm asked what is the best way to learn how to draw is – What or where should I start with? There are many ways to go about this, but this post provides some tips for beginners who want to teach themselves how to draw accurate pictures but fail to understand why their drawings look disproportionate or awkward.
- Observe the world around you
One of the most important things you can do when learning how to draw is to simply observe. Look at the subject matter you are trying to draw and really study it before putting pencil to paper. By observing first, you will be able to see the aspects that are critical to capturing an accurate version of the subject in front of you. I recommend taking note of shapes, profile, details such as defining marks and textures, light effects including shadows, and other unique features that capture the essence of the subject you wish to draw. Remember that the best way to get better is by practicing often and observing the world around you. With time and patience, you will develop the skills necessary to create beautiful drawings!
- Begin with construction lines
If you want to up your drawing game, one of the best things you can do is start using construction lines. Construction lines are lines that you draw to help you map out the composition of your drawing. They help you to place elements in your drawing accurately and to create a more balanced composition.
Construction lines can be drawn with any tool, but we recommend using a light pencil so that they're easy to erase later. Start by drawing a few basic shapes in the middle of your page. Then, start drawing construction lines from the edges of these shapes to help you place other elements in your drawing. Remember, you don't have to use all the construction lines you drew - just use the ones that help you create the composition you want.
Once you're happy with the composition of your drawing, you can start adding details and refining your lines so anything you want to retain till final stages remains.
- Use tonal values (shadows and highlights) for depth and define shape and form in your drawings
When you look at an object, you see different areas that are in shadow and others that are in light. These different values help to create the illusion of depth and make the object look three-dimensional.
You can create the same effect in your drawings by using values. Values are the different shades of gray (from black to white) that you see in a drawing. By using values, you can create the illusion of depth and define the shape and form of an object.
To create values, you will need to choose a technique that’s defined by your drawing tool. For example, if you use a charcoal, then begin by sketching out the object you want to draw. Once you have the basic shape down, start adding in the different values. Darken the areas that are in shadow and leave the areas in light blank. As you add more values, the object will start to take on more depth and definition. If you use drawing pencils, then you can darken the areas that are in shadow using techniques such as hatching or by layering those areas using the softest graphite such as a 6B or 8B pencil. You can choose to leave the brightest area bright or use an eraser to lift off or lighten any area as needed.
- Practice making drawings from reference photos and made by the masters
You can practice your drawing skills by looking at photos and drawings made by the masters and attempting to recreate them. They achieve two different objectives. Drawing from reference photos makes you stop to consider how to translate what you see into a drawing format. To do so you will need to consider how you would compose, draw, and represent every detail, gesture and essence as seen in the photograph so it's an accurate representation. Reproducing or copying old masters' works or even artists you admire will help you gain insight into how the experts have interpreted a subject and translated it. Because the difficult part has already been done, their drawings show you the variety of ways that a subject can be represented using only drawing techniques.
- Use a light touch when you start drawing
When you first start drawing, it's important to use a light touch. This will help you get a feel for the materials and the techniques. Also, if you make a mistake, it’s easier to erase pencil marks created with a light touch. Once you've mastered the basics, you can start to apply more pressure while experimenting with different materials and techniques.
- Use the correct materials
Buying the right drawing tools and materials is the most important and yet most ignored step by most beginners. When you use wrong drawing materials, you are setting yourself up for failure. Get the best you can afford. I am referring to a mismatch between materials. For instance, you will need bleed proof paper to use alcohol markers. Likewise, if you purchase pencils, buy ones that are specifically designed for drawing, rather than hard graphite pencils, which are commonly used in construction to mark woodwork. If you use either of them on unsuitable paper, you will damage it and feel frustrated.
- Practice makes perfect
The more you practice and have a go at trying out different subjects, the more your brain will start seeing what you should be seeing to draw better pictures. Expect failures and make a note on what didn't work. Use the lessons from every failed project to make the next one better. Different art tutors will recommend different points of getting started on drawings. But I suggest starting small with object drawing and still life as they are manageable subjects to draw where you simply need to capture sizes, proportions, textures/materiality, and tonal values for starters. You can then master each of these aspects as you move onto other subjects such as landscapes, flora, fauna, or portraiture.
- Draw what you love
Creating from a place of love is much easier than from a place of stress and worry. So, if you want to learn well, choose subjects that inspire you and make you want to pick up your tool and start drawing.
- Be patient with yourself and don't give up!
Everyone must start somewhere, and everyone makes mistakes. Just keep practicing and you'll improve in no time. Remember, even the most successful artists were once beginners!
Conclusion
That's all for our tips on drawing better. We hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and that it's helped you to hone your skills. Remember to practice, practice, practice! The more time you spend working on your drawings the better they will become (we promise). Until next time, happy drawing!
I’ll love you and leave you with this quote:
In art, as in life, the best way to remedy mistakes is to take advantage of them.
~ Darby Bannard
Stay Creative.
Warm regards
Soma M Datta
Founder of www.tranquilcanvas.com.au
Categories: : Beginners Guide, Drawing, Tips and techniques
