By: Rebecca Frank
If you want to learn how to draw, you should start off by learning some basic techniques. No matter what your skill level is, these tips will make your drawings look more polished and professional.
Keeping it Clean
- If you're using a graphite pencil, be careful not to touch the paper. The oils from your hands will leave marks with graphite over them.
- If you're right handed, work from left to right and top to bottom to avoid resting your hand over finished parts of a drawing. Left-handed artists should do the opposite.
Tracing and Free Drawing
- Although the word "trace" is frowned upon by most artists, tracing is a useful skill. Tracing work from other artists (or even your own) will really call attention to each detail of the drawing.
- Every now and then, sit down with a blank sheet of paper and draw without purpose. Start off by drawing an obscure shape and then try to make it into something. This will get your creative juices flowing and get you into an artistic frame of mind.
Shading and Highlighting
- Remember that shading is gradual. There are grey tones in between the dark and light tones.
- To highlight a certain part of the drawing, make the surrounding area darker with shading.
- Tissues are great tools for smudge-free blending.
- Focus can make a drawing look more realistic. When drawing people or animals, making them sharp in the foreground with a blurry background will add depth to the scene.
Reviewing Your Art
- Look at your drawing in the mirror every now and then. It will help you pick up on any overlooked mistakes.
- Learn to critique art and be able to accept criticism from others. Seeing your art through others' eyes will be educational every time.
The most important drawing tip is to draw as much as possible. The more you practice, the more experience you will have. Drawing often will help you to hone your skills and develop your own unique style.
