How To Sketch

How To Sketch

To keep these classes free please leave a donation for the teacher here. https://customclothingboutique.com/products/donat-to-motley-muse

  1. Know your pencils

There's a big difference between 4B and 4H.


Having the right pencil to begin drawing your pencil sketch is essential. The hardness of the graphite is indicated on the side of the pencil: 'B' pencils are softer, 'H' are harder, and 'HB' sits in the middle – there's a big difference between a 4H and a 4B. I recommend starting somewhere on the H scale as a foundation and then finishing with the darker B scale.

Motley Muse


When you're learning how to draw, it's also worth considering using mechanical pencils alongside traditional ones. Mechanical pencils are usually better suited for precision, while traditional pencils are great for laying down large areas of texture. Keep in mind that most mechanical pencils come with HB pre-inserted, which gives you only the middle range to work with.

 

 

Motley Muse



  1. Take control of your pencil

If you position your hand closer to the end of the pencil, you have more control and precision, but heavier strokes (darker markings). Gripping further up the pencil will give you less control and precision, but lighter strokes (lighter markings).


  1. Try different mark-making methods

There are plenty of sketching techniques to help you achieve different styles and effects. Above are some examples demonstrating different ways to create form and depth. It’s important to experiment and find what works best for you, to not only complement but enhance your style. While I prefer smoother value transitions with the pencil strokes blending in against a thin outline, you may be more partial to cross-hatching against a bold outline.


  1. Vary your lines

Shifts in the width and darkness of your lines will create interest.


Use varied lines. Not all lines are equal. Subtle shifts in the width and darkness of your lines will create a dynamic, visually interesting drawing. Controlling the kind of mark you put down can be tricky in the beginning, but with practice you will be able to create a variety of marks that work together to make a cohesive image. Experiment with different pencil grades (from 3H to 6B) and with holding the pencil at different angles."


  1. Avoid smudging

Use an extra piece of paper under your hand to avoid smudging your work.


This will minimise the amount your hand smudges your pencil lines. If you're right-handed, start shading from left to right; if you're left-handed, start at the right and move to the left.


There's nothing more frustrating than trying to make a clean-looking drawing that loses its brilliance and value thanks to smudging. Instead, use smudging to your advantage every now and then to smooth out shading. You can do this with several tools. I use a simple piece of tissue paper to get the job done.


  1. Control your edges

Create interest by combining different types of edges.


Use four different sketching techniques to define object edges: thin, hard, lost and undefined. A thin and hard edges give objects solid borders. Lost edges occur when the object and background values start to blend together, so the edge is implied rather than defined. Undefined edges need to be deciphered by the viewer themselves. Explore all four types, and combining them to create interest within your work.


  1. Use a blending stick for smooth shading

Create subtle shading by smudging large areas of soft charcoal.

It is possible to create smooth, blended effects using pencils – for example, to capture a sky. Sometimes it's preferable for your shading to be less sketchy and more smooth and subtle. Pencil lines don't blend perfectly unless you're very careful.


To avoid your initial scribbles showing through use spare paper to doodle a big swatch of soft graphite or charcoal pencil, then use a large blending stick to pick up the soft dust to use for your image. Keep using the blending stick and adding more scribbles as you need more graphite. You can then build up darker areas to create definition.


  1. Apply the 70/30 rule

Keep your main focal point within around 30 per cent of the image.


Less can be more! The 70/30 rule helps you create effective compositions. The idea is that 30 per cent of your sketch is filled with the main focus and detail, and the remaining 70 per cent is filler. This less interesting area helps direct attention towards the main subject of your artwork.


  1. Make it (almost) symmetrical

Keep a nice contrast going between a finished look and a more of a sketchy feel.


I like symmetrical drawings, but they often look boring all too quickly. A good way to prevent this is to add some subtle changes and only keep the general lines symmetrical instead of mirroring every small part. Keeping some elements asymmetrical helps to avoid boring repetition.


  1. Differentiate different textures

Consider if the material is rough or smooth, and if it absorbs or reflects light.


To show different textures within your sketch, you need to adjust your technique. You wouldn’t want to shade skin the same way you shade metallics or fur. They each have unique properties and capturing that will elevate your drawings because of the accuracy depicted.


A good starting point is to consider if the texture is rough or smooth, and then if it absorb or reflects light. A reflecting and smooth texture, such as chrome, usually has higher contrasts and prominent highlights, while an absorbing and rough texture like cotton has low contrasts and little to no highlight present.


  1. Master realism, then try something more stylised

Once you've mastered realism, it's easy to find a style that works for you


Sketches don't have to be realistic. However,  it's vital to focus on creating realistic sketches first – considering elements such as lighting, values, proportions and anatomy – before trying something more stylised. 


Once you understand how to recreate something realistically, it becomes incredibly easy to then create a stylised version of the same object, especially for creatures and characters. Over time you’ll make seemingly small, personal preference choices on the actual execution of a piece (often straying from realism) and that’s what will help you to gradually build up your own style.


  1. Make characters readable as silhouettes

Contrast can occur in hue, shape, texture and more


Character design is a whole discipline in itself, but this helpful sketching technique is a good place to start. Have you ever noticed that every important character in an animation movie is recognisable from their shadow alone? This magic has a name: the silhouette. The purpose of finding a strong and interesting silhouette is to create an easily recognisable character that will remain clear in the visual memory of the viewer.  To see if your characters are recognisable in silhouette form, place a piece of tracing paper on your sketch and trace around your character, filling it in with solid colour. Then show a friend or colleague, and ask what they see.


  1. Create contrast

Areas of lower contrast encourage the eye to wander


Contrast helps direct the viewer's eye within a sketch. When people talk about contrast they're usually referring to a difference in value, where light and dark areas are juxtaposed. However, you can also create contrast in hue, saturation, shape, texture, edges, proportion and so on. 


Heavy contrast will demand attention. II recommend placing the highest value contrast in your area of intent focus. You can also add contrast to separate forms and distinguish different subject matter.


  1. … but not everywhere

Areas of lower contrast encourage the eye to wander


Contrast is a powerful tool – but don't be tempted to create high contrast everywhere in your drawing.  Subtle shading can be just as effective when it comes to showcasing form and detail.


  1. Flip your image with tracing paper

Flipping the image can help highlight any problems.


If you've spent a long time looking at a drawing, it can be difficult to see where the errors are. A benefit of tracing paper is that you can flip it over to see how your drawing looks from the reverse angle. This can help reveal errors in proportion. As you work, take advantage of this in order to arrive at a more successful drawing.


  1. Make gradients work for you

Gradients influence where the viewer will look


They are visually pleasant to the eye and can direct the viewer’s attention to an area of focus, The scope of the gradient is important as well. A gradient that covers most of the drawing or subject matter will influence where the viewers look, and smaller gradients can add a pop of detail and contrast. If you feel your piece is looking flat or has lost focus, try adding a subtle gradient.


  1. Explore abstract backgrounds

Add interest to your backgrounds with abstract strokes


The use of irregular lines when shading adds a lot of dynamism to your sketch. If you want to create a fresh and unique portrait, architecture sketch, or piece of concept art, you should definitely try this technique. Uses it to add interest to flat backgrounds.


  1. Add imperfections

Make your objects distinctive, not just recognisable


Instead of just looking at what makes an object recognisable you should also consider how to make this object distinctive. Quirks and imperfections add character to your sketch, and can suggest a story for the viewer to mentally explore. 


  1. Rejoice in the details

Hidden details are a treat for those who look long enough to find them


An artist's heart and soul is revealed in a sketch's details. The additional time put into adding elements that may go unnoticed are like treats for viewers who take the time to look for them. Putting extra care into the details can also teach you patience. Great art should be nurtured, not manufactured. Don’t overlook those details or let time be a deterrent, embrace them.


  1. Trust your intuition

People respond more to work that feels authentic 


Creating art takes courage. To fully express who you are, what you’re interested in, how you’re feeling and what you stand for can be daunting. Too many artists play it safe. They find an appealing and marketable comfort zone, and then only create from that space. From experience, work that feels authentic will resonate more with people. When you’re in your creative zone, trust your gut feelings and be expressive with your preliminary sketches. Don’t worry about the reaction. Create without the fear of whether it will be 'good' or not.

Challenge: Keeping these ideas in mind sketch something amazing. The more you practice the better you'll get.

For more fun here is a link to a page on my website that has links to all my different social media accounts.

https://customclothingboutique.com/pages/social-media-links

 

 

For more free classes click here.

 

返回博客

发表评论