Drawing Complete Guide For Sketching, Landscapes, Portraits And Everything Else

Drawing: Best Techniques for Sketching, Landscapes, Portraits and Everything Else Drawing.

Table of Contents Introduction

Chapter 1: Getting Started With Sketching

Chapter 2: Getting Started With Some Basic Techniques

Chapter 3: Tips on How to Draw Landscapes For Beginners

Chapter 4: Tips On Drawing Portraits For Beginners

Chapter 5: What Every Beginner Needs To Know About Drawing

Conclusion

Introduction I want to thank you and congratulate you for downloading the book, “Drawing: Best Techniques for Sketching, Landscapes, Portraits and Everything Else Drawing”. This book contains proven steps and strategies on how to get better when it comes to drawing landscapes, portraits and just about any kind of subject you can think of. Get familiar with the basics and different techniques and apply what you've learned. You'll surely see a significant change in your drawings the next time you give it a try. Thanks again for downloading this book, I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 1: Getting Started With Sketching If you're new to drawing, one of the first things that you need to sort out would be the supplies you'll be using. Taking the art seriously requires more than your average pencil and piece of paper. What you need are the real basics, the tools that would actually compliment your abilities. To help you out, here's a quick list of what you'll need: − Three to five different pencils with varying grades. Drawing pencils come in a variety of grades which indicate how soft it is. Now, this softness pretty much influences just how dark the lines will be. The softer a pencil, the darker it would be since it leaves more graphite in comparison to a harder grade. Harder pencils are usually graded as H to 9H, the latter being the hardest of the lot. The softer ones are graded B to 9B with the latter, being the softest. If you want something that falls in the middle range, an HB pencil would be the safest bet. The best range to begin with if you're still a beginner? Try 2H, 2B and 4B. − Choosing the right eraser. Different erasers are meant to be used for different purposes so finding the right one is key. It is one of the most important tools you'll be buying, after all. Start with the basics. A vinyl erases, usually rectangular in shape, and a kneaded eraser are always good to have. The vinyl one is hard and is the best for erasing charcoal and graphite. The kneaded one, as the name suggests, is softer and moldable. This is great if you're trying to erase specific parts of your drawing and want to avoid disturbing the rest of your drawing. It can also be used for lightening certain areas as it isn't as rough on your paper as the vinyl variety. Of course, using a light hand on these tools is a must. − A plastic triangle and a ruler. A 12 to 18 inch ruler would be great for beginners and covers pretty much all the things you might want to use it for. For your triangle, a 10 to 12 inch with one right angle would be just right for the job. Both are useful if you need to draw straight lines or want to measure the distance between objects in your sketch. Having ones that are transparent are better too as you'll be able to see through them and check if everything is lining up properly. The plastic triangle is a useful guide if you were to draw right angles of any size. Until you're able to do these things without the guides, having them handy would certainly make drawing hassle free. − Paper. Since you're still practicing and familiarizing yourself with the different

techniques, you will be needing lots of paper. A sketchbook with at least 50 sheets is good to begin with. If you don't want to be too wasteful, using recycled paper for practicing is also a great idea. You might also want to familiarize yourself with different paper textures. This should help you find the one you're most comfortable with. If you're teaching yourself how to draw, there are certain mistakes that you will inevitably encounter especially since you don't have a teacher constantly checking what you're doing. However, don't let that deter you from continuing. When it comes to drawing, everything takes time and regular practice. There's no way you'll be able to pull of a landscape or a proper portrait in the first seating. In fact, a bit of frustration may begin to mount before you're able to make something you're satisfied with. Again, don't let that stop you. Just remember that with every obstacle you pass, you're progressing as an artist. With that said, there are a few learning curves that you can do without. To help you pass all of those and avoid any further hassles in your learning, here are some of the common beginner mistakes that you should avoid: − If you're copying from a picture, make sure that you take the time to study its details. Some people can get too excited when it comes to getting started that they completely overlook the details. − If you're drawing a portrait, measurements are important. Make sure that you take the time to get the proportions right as well before you get started. This will certainly make a difference when it comes to the final result. − Choose the right pencils for the project. It is likely that you'll need more than one in order to bring in some depth into your drawing. Always take the time to study this and plan out which pencils to use. This should help you avoid any hassles along the way and minimize potential mistakes. − Never rush anything and focus on what you're doing. Rushing can result in rough lines, uneven proportions and a whole lot of mistakes that might end up ruining the entire picture. Remember that sketching takes time and the more time you put into it, the better the picture would be. − Remember your layers. This is especially helpful if you're things such as hair, foliage or grass. Having layers and different shades can help bring it to life instead of making it look like a messy blob. Scribbling is tempting since it is the quicker route, but it is best avoid it at all costs. Giving thought and extra care

into adding these details will make a significant difference in the final result. − Be aware of lighting. This would make sure that your drawing has depth and wouldn't come out looking flat and one dimensional. This can be tricky for beginners but once you become more familiar with the process, it gets much easier. − Always plan out what you want to draw before you even get started. Also, don't expect it to come out looking fantastic, especially if it's your first time. Sketching is a process of trial and error. Just remember that with every mistake that you make, you are also learning something new which you can apply to the next drawing.

DeviantArt Attribution: chaosghidorah

Image shows great composition. Fine detail in foreground with larger objects at the back of the image, thus showing perspective.

Chapter 2: Getting Started With Some Basic Techniques There are a number of different drawing techniques and styles that you can study in order to develop your own. It can be hard if you're doing it by yourself but certainly not impossible to do. You will need quite a bit of patience, however. Being open is also important when it comes to this. Sometimes you have to look at another artist's work, study its details and the style that was used in order to get started with your own. Being able to do this would allow you to take what works for you, tweak it according to your preferences and needs and then apply it to your own art. To help you get started properly, here are a few basic techniques for sketching with pencils. − Line Variety and Outlines When you begin your sketch, it's always best to start with a pencil that's hard in order to create a lighter outline. A sketch would usually have two different layers of outlines. The first would be the lighter one and this is used as a guideline for you when creating basic shapes. In order to achieve this, remember to use very little pressure on your pencil as you draw; making sure that you create lines in a slow but fluid motion. Make your lines as light as possible while still keeping it visible. You will want to be able to erase these lines as your sketch progresses. Next, you would want to create your second layer which is a heavier outline than the first. This would be what defines the edges of your different elements. Start by retracing over your lighter outline, making sure to add a bit more pressure this time in order to create darker lines. However, do make sure that it doesn't become too dark as that would be very difficult to erase. At this stage of the process, you're developing your sketch's outlines and as such, you would want to be able to easily erase any mistakes that you make. Emphasize your edges more and make sure that the shapes are easier to see. This is where you'll be able to learn more about how you can use your pencil to create variety when it comes to your lines. If you use the side of your pencil, this would create a thicker line and is a technique that's typically used for creating a harder outline as well as for shading. Try different angles, this would help you get familiar with the effects that each one produces. − Hatching and Crosshatching

If you're looking to add a bit more depth to your drawings, hatching is a great technique to learn about. This is done by drawing small lines close together, adjusting the darkness according to your needs as you go. It is a style that's also typically used when it comes to shading certain areas of your drawing. Now, what you need to remember when hatching is to make sure that all of your lines go towards one direction. This would make it appear less messy and make it appear more defined. Crosshatching, on the other hand, are lines that crisscross each other. To make this appear neater, try and bring your lines tighter to each other. This would also make it appear more realistic for it minimizes the appearance of pencil strokes.

CROSS HATCHING

− Circular Technique Drawing circles as well as scribbles add contrasting texture to your drawing, especially of objects that are similar when it comes to value. In order to recreate this, begin by drawing small circles, smoothly moving your pencil in a swirling motion over the area you're working on. In order to keep it from looking like a mess of scribbles, try and keep the circles as tight as possible. This is also great if you're using the technique in order to blend your shading properly. You can also opt to create different grades of darkness by adjusting the pressure you place on your pencil. This would create variation, texture and depth once you have everything blended together properly. This particular technique can also be used when it comes to creating skin texture for portraits. The tighter your circles are, the more realistic it would be when it comes to adding a bit more contrast to the skin. The only thing is that it can be a bit tricky to master so do try and practice it a lot. In time, you'll learn what works and what doesn't for your style. − Smooth Shading Shading is, of course, an important technique to learn when it comes to drawing. This is one of the things that brings a sketch to life and gives it a realistic touch. The thing with shading is that it needs to be quite smooth, otherwise it might actually take the appeal of your drawing away. One way of achieving this is by using the side of your pencil as

opposed to its tip. Start with the hardest pencil that you have and create light lines before moving to darker shades as you go on. You can alternate with the both hard and soft pencils in order to create variety and more depth. Lastly, keep your lines as tight as possible to keep things looking nice and smooth. Another method that you can use for creating a smoother shading would be using the hatching technique then following up with a shading tool. You can also use a q-tip or even a piece of tissue in lieu of the tool; anything that would help you smudge the pencil strokes cleanly would work just fine. Make sure that you smooth out any of the individual hatch marks in order to create a continuous looking surface without any harsh lines.

SMOOTH SHADING

Look at shading behind the back area and to give the body its contours. This is a very effective way to add three dimension to your art.

Chapter 3: Tips On How To Draw Landscapes For Beginners For many beginners, the challenge of drawing their first landscape piece can be daunting. All that detail, texture and depth that's needed to make it look good can be overwhelming at first glance. However, once you begin to dissect all the little pieces and learn more about the techniques that was employed in creating the whole picture, the task doesn't seem as complicated anymore. To help you get started, here are a few simple steps and tips for drawing a simple landscape picture. − Begin with the standard shape that's often used for drawing landscapes. This is your basic rectangle and is also referred to as a picture plane. Once you get more familiar with how landscapes work, you can move on to other shapes such as: oval, vertical oblong, square or even something circular. Most landscapes are drawn using a horizontal rectangle as it creates a better perspective, especially when it comes to the wider landscape scenes. − The first thing you need to do is create a thumbnail sketch which would serve as a kind of rough guide for your finished work. This would enable you to figure out the proportions and find the right balance for both your background, and foreground. Getting your composition right early on will definitely save you a lot of trouble later on. − Mind where you draw your horizontal line that serves as your guide when it comes to your perspective. If you put it half way between your ground and the sky, it would make the picture appear static and lifeless. Instead, place your line one third of the distance from the ground or from your sky. This should be more appealing to the eye and draw the viewer in. − An important aspect of your landscape drawing would be the focal point. This is that part of your drawing where the viewer's eyes tend to focus on. A great drawing, regardless of the kind, would need one or more of these in order to appear interesting and eye-catching. The great thing about this is that, you have full control over where you want to divert their attention to. A focal point is also, typically, the biggest spot in your drawing. Just make sure it doesn't overwhelm the entire sketch or it might end up ruining the whole effect.

− How do you decide on a focal point? When it comes to composing a drawing, there is a golden rule that most (if not all) artists follow. Never make any of your two intervals identical or place them within the same distance apart from each other. Also avoid having them the same size because that ruins the perspective as well. This is where the rule of thirds enters the picture. Begin by taking your rectangle and divide it into thirds, horizontally and vertically. Where they cross over is a good spot for you to place your focal point (the biggest object in your drawing). − Keep balance in mind. If you want to create a composition that's pleasing to the eye then make sure that your picture is properly balanced. Creating one side that's cluttered with various objects or focal points can definitely unbalance a sketch. There's also the case of “static” balance wherein objects bearing the same size are lumped together in one side of the picture or on either side, like pillars. While this might seem neat, it can also lead to a very boring picture with nothing interesting to draw in the eye. Try playing around with positioning the different elements, this is how you'll figure out what works for your picture. − Varying degrees of light. Another important aspect of your picture that you must think about would be the light and dark areas. This is what would give your picture more life, texture and depth. It can also place emphasis on your focal points. Again, practice is what will help you perfect this particular technique. If you're copying from an actual photograph, just take what you see on it and apply it to your drawing. Which areas have the most light? Which ones are somewhat covered in shadow? Shading and blending would also come in handy when it comes to this particular step.

Image: Public Domain

A typical Cezanne using sketched outlines, followed by ink rendition.

Chapter 4: Tips On Drawing Portraits For Beginners Much like landscape drawing, most people tend to feel intimidated by the idea of creating a portrait. This is because it requires more realism than most types of drawing and in some ways, there's very little room for mistakes- as it would be too obvious otherwise. However, once you have an understanding of the basic drawing techniques, it would seem less complicated and more like a challenge to take on. Sure, you won't be able to produce a stellar piece during your first go but as with most art projects, every mistake you make is also a step towards becoming better at it. − So where does one begin? For realistic portraits, having a firm grasp on the different techniques of outlining and shading would be very beneficial. Choosing the right tools would also come into play and can actually make the process much easier. Pencils ranging from 2H to 7B would be great for beginners. − Next, you would want something to copy off of. A photograph would be the best option for beginners as a live model might produce subtle nuances that can throw you off. Find a simple photograph, preferably in black and white if you're not keen on using color just yet. Make sure that it doesn't appear too flat and that there are dimensions to the person's face. This would help familiarize you with creating shape and depth through the use of shading and shadows. − Once you have your photograph, you can start working on a basic outline. Just follow the edges, making sure that you only create light lines that can be easily erased later on. You can also use a grid for this step or do it freehand, whichever you're comfortable with. If you're quite keen on accuracy, using a grid is recommended. Remember that your outline need not resemble the person just yet. Take your time with it and make sure it matches up to your photograph just right. It is not uncommon for an artist to take hours when it comes to drawing up an outline. This is going to be your basis for everything else, after all. So take your time. − Working on drawing the hair. It is usually better to start working from top to bottom to avoid smudging areas that you're already done with. A great tip here is to take your time when sketching out the hair. Pay close attention to where the hair is flowing towards and do make sure that you keep your lines close together to achieve that smoothness. Don't forget to add light and dark areas for contrast, this would prevent your sketch from looking flat. Remember to darken the areas

around your highlights before you start fading it. Tones flow into each other; dark into a mid-tone and into light. Keep everything flowing into gradients. The effect might be subtle but it will lend some realism to your drawing. Broad pencil strokes are recommended. − The forehead area. The first thing you need to do is identify where the lightest spots of the sketch of would be. Once you have these plotted out, lightly outline their positions. Typically, highlights are found right on the tip of the nose, the forehead, cheeks, chin and the bottom lip. The rest of the face needs to be darker than these highlighted areas, of course. Lots of blending would be required for this step of your sketch, just make sure that you do it carefully too so you don't end up with something messy. Another area you should pay extra attention to would be the hairline. There will always be darker shading around the hairline, an effect produced by the hair casting shadows onto it. − Moving onto drawing the eyes. Eyes can be quite tricky to work on so do take your time when drawing it up. You will need a blending stump to get the shading just right but if you're more comfortable with using something else, such as a Qtip, you could go with that as well. Keep in mind that there will be brilliant highlights in the eyes, this is what gives it that appearance of being life-like. Place emphasis on these areas but making them slightly bigger than their actual size. This can always be adjusted later on after you've finished shading everything else. Do avoid making the “whites” of the eye exactly that color. It would be too much in contrast to the eye itself and make it seem unrealistic. Instead, shade this area lightly and pay close attention to the tones available to you in the reference photo. − Cheeks. Again, locate your lightest tone once more. Shade this area softly using a H graphite and blend it well with a Q-tip or a tissue paper. To add more depth and contrast, add some B graphite around your lights and blend it out once more. Create a gradient that will become darker as you approach the outer area of the face. Take your time when doing this and pay attention to the subtleties. − Working on the nose. This can be a bit of a struggle, especially for beginners. A tip here is to keep in mind that it's all about making use of different tones to build up depth and contour. Begin by taking an H graphite and working on shading the bridge of the nose. Mind that there are subtle highlights at the very tip so always leave space for that while you're working. To bring your shading to life, take a B pencil and shade around the bridge. Make it a tone or two darker than the bridge area. Remember that the separation between the two needs to be bridged with a

gradient so that there are no harsh lines. Blend it from the edges of the nose and fade it out onto the cheek. Working your gradient smoothly and seamlessly is key. Again, take your time when doing this as the simple process of shading can become tedious when you're trying to blend everything properly to create a seamless flow between the elements. −

Jawline area. Take your 3B pencil and pretty much follow the outline of the jawline. Again, be careful when drawing outlines and try to keep it as light as possible but still clear enough for you to see. If the photograph you're copying from features a person who's smiling, copy the small nuances as well such as the folds of the skin. There are shadows in these folds so don't forget to detail those as well. Next, move onto the upper lip. For this, some B graphite would be great. Depending on where the light source in the photograph is coming from, just follow where the light and shadows fall. Take the time to study these details and just copy them straight off of the photo and make minor adjustments as you go.

− Chin area. This is what will complete the entire face so take your time with it. Outline your lightest areas and start with some H graphite for subtle shading. Blend it out as you go. Next, add some B graphite around the highlights to create shadows and add emphasis to your lights. Remember to leave some space for adjustments later on. It's always better to have something too light than have it too dark for the latter is much harder to edit once you've realized the mistake. − Neck. The same idea applies when it comes to drawing the neck. Just follow the shadows and highlights that are being shown in the photograph. As a base, however, do start with an even layer of 3B graphite in the area with the most shadows. To make sure that you're not going too dark, just compare it with the tones that you've done in the face area and match it up. Remember that the shadows would get darker as you near the edge on either side. As for the hair, simply fade it out as you get to the very bottom. This should give you a cleaner and more realistic look. When you get to the chest area, just make sure your gradients and tones are seamless. Check if your highlights and shadows are matched in color as well. Note: Keep in mind that you don't have to finish every element of the picture in one go. You can set aside certain areas aside as you work on something else. Plan this out before you even begin and you'll be able to prevent unnecessary smudges which may come about as you move your drawing while you work.

attribution: Artfulcraner Very good detail on facial features showing shading and pencil detail to accentuate areas of the face and hair.

Chapter 5: What Every Beginner Needs To Know About Drawing When it comes to drawing or sketching, just about anyone can do it. It's just a matter of some people being more capable than others. However, it is a skill that can be honed in if a person wants it enough to invest some real effort in learning it. Desire, guidance, practice and time are just some of the factors that are needed in order to help a beginner improve his own abilities. To help you continue going further, here are a few more tips that should help you understand the process better. − Drawing is actually 50% observation. It is all about seeing and understanding the appearance of an object, scenery, or a person. Have you taken photographs without even looking at something? Did it come out good? Of course not. A lot of people tend to overlook this simple fact and end up disappointing themselves for not being able to draw properly. Learn how to observe keenly and how to really study an object. Absorb all that information before you even start sketching anything. Everything is there if you really look at it. The more you understand observation, the better your drawings would be. − Look for basic shapes. This is a great technique, especially for beginners since it can really help simplify even the most complicated of subjects. To begin, start by studying what you have to draw and pick out the basic shapes that make up the whole. These are the ones that would be easier to draw in terms of outlines. Use it as a guide before you begin layering in more detail. − Practice your pencil strokes before you start sketching. By doing this, you'll be able to better familiarize yourself with how dark or how light each pencil grade is. You'll also be able to avoid any big mistakes when you're drawing because you know exactly what you're going to get if you use a particular grade. − Always make sure your drawings have a full range of value. As we've pointed out earlier, “value” refers to the darkness and lightness of any given color. It is all about light and shadow, the very things that give your picture contrast and depth. Both are very important when it comes to lending some realism and life to your drawings. A scale value would be very useful to have around as it would allow you to check if you're adding a full range to your drawing. Familiarize

yourself with this element of sketching, it can really make a difference. − Make full use of line quality. Line quality refers to the thickness or thinness of the lines you use on your picture. If you're making a line drawing then this is an important aspect to consider. Having a variety of line quality can make a drawing more appealing and interesting to look at. Play around with it and practice. You should be able to find which ones work with your style better. − Speaking of style, it helps to be more consistent. Make sure that you start and finish your drawing using the same style. If you began with a drawing style that's a bit more loose and free-handed, keep it that way until you're finished. If you mix it with something tighter and more structured, you won't have any cohesiveness in the picture and it will certainly throw the viewer off. Much like your gradients, keep the style seamless and harmonious. Again, practicing a bit before you get started will certainly help you with this. − Understanding your medium. Before you even get started, make sure that you understand the proper way of using your medium as well as the different ways it could be utilized. It's about understanding the basics then experimenting and testing its limitations as well as how you can apply it to your own style. Practice makes perfect in this case. It is also important that you don't rush the process. Pay attention to everything you're doing, even the mistakes, because this is how you'll learn. − Loosen up. The way you hold your pencil can certainly impact the resulting lines and the entire picture itself. Think about it, if you hold it too tightly and start drawing, the lines can end up looking darker or harsher than intended. However, if you keep it loose and hold it comfortably between your fingers, your lines would appear smoother and flow on the paper better. Practice different ways of holding your tool and draw with your shoulder instead of your wrist. So there you have it, just a few simple tips to help you move along when it comes to developing your drawing skills. At the end of the day, it all comes down to how much effort you're willing to put into your art. Practice, as we've emphasized numerous times, is certainly the key to success.

Conclusion Thank you again for downloading Drawing: Best Techniques for Sketching, Landscapes, Portraits and Everything Else Drawing! I hope this book was able to help you to learn more techniques when it comes to drawing different subjects such as portraits and landscapes. There are many different styles to learn and plenty of room to develop your own as well. May this book help you achieve just that!

Free Bonus Video: How to Draw A Realistic Eye

Bonus video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ9Hpp8JygI