Are you ready to improve at drawing? Whether you want to try sketching or looking to refine your craft, we’re here to help out. Let’s go over some practical techniques and strategies to boost your confidence so you’re making masterpieces ASAP! Grab your sketchbook and let's go on a creative adventure together!
1. Drawing basics
Let's start by laying a solid foundation. Learning fundamental drawing techniques is a MUST when it comes to building your skills. Begin by practicing basic shapes such as circles, squares, and triangles to improve your hand-eye coordination. Focus accurate proportions and angles – these basics will be the bedrock for more complex drawings down the line.
Once you feel comfy with flat shapes, why not try creating prisms? Explore different shading techniques like hatching, stippling, and even scribbling to see what textures they create. We’ve got a big list of sketching basics in our 26 Drawing Techniques blog – take a look and try them out to get started!
2. Grid drawing
Getting proportions right and accurately copying a reference pic can be tricky. Enter: grids! Start by dividing your reference image and drawing paper into grids of equal size. It works best if your pic is the same size as your paper so you can keep the grid measurements identical. Work square-by-square to redraw all the details from your reference in each corresponding grid on your paper. This breaks down tough subject matter into manageable bits, making it easier to tackle the nitty gritty details and keep proportions bang-on.
You don’t need to do this technique forever, but it’s a great way to practice drawing from a reference when you’re starting out. It teaches you where to look and how to approach your picture bit-by-bit so you don’t get overwhelmed before you even begin!
3. Observation drawing
Try out drawing in real-time with an IRL (in real life) reference! Escape outdoors, set up a fruit bowl, or rope your friend into posing for a sketch. The key here is to capture the essence of your surroundings – from natural landscapes to bustling cityscapes. Pay close attention to the source and direction of light, as well as the shadows it creates. What are the main textures at play and what negative space can you see? Drawing from life not only improves your observational skills but also helps give your artwork authenticity and energy.
This process in itself is a skill to master, but it’s okay if you don’t nail it first go. It’s all about capturing the feeling and atmosphere of your subject matter, not necessarily perfecting the details. Think about the greats like Van Gogh and Monet and what made their works seem so lively.
4. Different art mediums
Expand your horizons by experimenting with all sorts of drawing mediums. Whether you’re drawn to graphite pencils, pastels, charcoal, ink, or coloured pencils, each medium gives you unique features and challenges to explore. Whether you just practice on a spare bit of paper or create a full-blown masterpiece with each new medium, the point is to try new things.
You may surprise yourself with which tool becomes your fave – we all have different taste here at Mont Marte! You can also try mixing your mediums to get loads of effects in one artwork. Open up a world of artistic possibilities and be ready to grow as an artist!
5. Drawing lessons
Dive headfirst into the realm of theory and online tutorials to kick start your upskilling journey. Off the top of our head, we know one spot that has stacks of handy how-tos, lessons, and informative videos… right here at Mont Marte Create! We cover fundamentals like shading and linework, as well as delving into skills like drawing perspective, texture, reflective surfaces, and more!
We’ve got loads of articles on different mediums, talented artists, iconic styles, and nifty tips. For bigger projects, there’s a step-by-step written guide in addition to the how-to video, so you can follow along to learn our secrets. Immerse yourself in the theory that underpins drawing by reading up on composition, contrast, and tonal values.
The point is, learning new things will help you to improve your skills. You’ll gain valuable insights and discover new ways to create alongside our team (who are always here to help and answer questions on our socials!).
6. Drawing practice
No doubt you were expecting this one! Practice and consistency are the most important things when improving at anything arty. Dedicate regular time to get sketching, whether it's through daily drawing sessions or focused technical exercises. Be kind to yourself and embrace any mistakes as opportunities for growth – just think, you’ll know what to do differently next time! Keep your creativity flowing and allow time in your schedule to wind down by sketching without intention. You'll steadily build confidence and notice your skills sharpening by the day!
7. Find an art critic
Invite feedback from your mates, fellow creators, mentors, or even an online audience to get a fresh perspective and constructive criticism about your work. Separate yourself from your art and just listen to the thoughts and opinions of others – you don’t have to act on anything they say if you don’t want to! It’s always interesting to see how other people interpret your art, and what stories they gather from your sketches.
You may discover valuable insights into areas for improvement or find guidance when overcoming an artistic hurdle. Surround yourself with a supportive community who inspire and challenge you to push the boundaries of your creativity! You have the power to take on board whatever advice is offered but it’s nice to see the world through others’ eyes from time to time.
If our guide has inspired you to get sketching, tag us on Instagram or Facebook @montmarteart or use #montmarteart to show us what you draw. Looking for more lessons and techniques? Explore our Tips & Techniques collection, or else browse Projects for your next big idea. Or why not stock up on Pencils, Sketching Pads, or Drawing Sets to get creating sooner?
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