The skill of drawing is something you can practice constantly. Also, in the field of drawing, you will always find room to continuously improve your skills. If you intend to sharpen this skill, there are three main areas you can focus on. The first is the construction or building of the subject. Randomly sketching constructions on paper is an important habit that can save time and provide consistency when you want to draw the same object in different poses. Another area is simplification, or breaking down a subject into its most basic elements. Lastly, you should focus on expressing volume and weight through light areas and shadow areas. Improving your drawing skills will take time and hard work, but by following the tips below, you can definitely do it.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using Construction
Step 1. Make a sketch of arbitrary experimental lines
Use a light pencil and erase the lines when you're done drawing. This way, you can sketch lots of thin test lines until you get the lines right, without getting the paper dirty.
- Alternatively, use a blue pencil that won't be visible when scanned and photocopied.
- Many artists use Col-Erase blue pencils.
Step 2. Study the model sheet to see how the characters are constructed
The model sheet has multiple sketches of a single animated character in various poses and expressions. This sheet is used to standardize the appearance of characters when several animators work on the project together. Looking at the model sheet can help you understand that each character has a specific construction order that serves as a basis.
Many model sheets are readily available on the internet
Step 3. Use anatomy books as a reference for human and animal subjects
Grey's Anatomy series, for example, is a TV show that can help you learn more about the construction of the human body. After watching it, you can apply this knowledge to pictures in various poses.
Method 2 of 3: Simplify and Reduce
Step 1. Ignore details when you start sketching
Take a little time to analyze and break it down into its basic parts. Learn to see through the clutter and cut out the unimportant elements. Draw only the important parts. Once you've practiced this method, you'll be able to draw anything.
Step 2. Draw upside down
Drawing in reverse will help get rid of what you “think” you see, and include what you “really” see. The easiest way to draw upside down is to draw from a photo, just flip the photo over and start drawing.
Alternatively, if you are working from a reference sketch, you can reverse the reference sketch
Step 3. Create a 30 second sketch
This will help because you don't have to think about the details. Sketch as many as possible.
Practice quick sketching when you're out and about (to the zoo, on the bus, at the park, etc.). This method can train you to draw the most basic elements of objects and make use of reference material that can be developed later
Step 4. Look around and ask, “How do you draw that object?
“Get in the habit of visually analyzing your surroundings, even if you're not holding a pencil and paper. Imagine that you are breaking something down into its most basic form. You may be able to see the world in a whole new way.
Method 3 of 3: Volume Up
Step 1. Practice drawing shadow areas and light areas
Every object has a volume and a weight, which when light hits it creates shadow areas and bright areas. Instead of drawing the outline of the object, start by sketching a balanced separation between the light and shadow areas.
- Shadow areas are generally used on flat shapes and graphics. Some parts may be darker than others, but any shadow areas should still have a minimum of contrast and texture. Use the side of the charcoal pencil to draw shadow shapes, instead of scribbling lines.
- Make the transition from shadows to light areas with the middle colors. In this section, create a contrast gradation by drawing dark colors from the shadow areas and light colors from the light areas.
- Bright areas may have texture, depending on the object being drawn. There can also be areas that have no texture.
Step 2. When you use lines to draw, show volume by varying the weights of the lines
Hold a charcoal pencil like you would a brush. Use the sharp end of the pencil to create thin lines, and the edges to make softer, thicker lines. You can also make line transitions from thick to thin for a pointed feel (great for lines that go from shadow to light).
Step 3. Pay attention to the direction of the light source and see how the shadow falls
If you're drawing in person, walk around the model or object and observe it from different angles.
Step 4. Create the subject print
If you're having trouble pinpointing the light and shadow areas, create a basic model of the subject with a clay mold. It doesn't have to be perfect. In essence, these prints serve to help you see how light bounces off shapes and creates areas of light and shadow.
Step 5. Practice drawing negative space
Negative space is the entire space that exists between objects. Observing negative space can help you understand volume, as well as measure the distance between objects.
As an exercise, you can draw only the negative space (instead of the object). This method is especially effective when you are working with a more difficult medium, such as charcoal
Step 6. Use dramatic lighting
This is a trick you can use to make an image stand out: dramatic lighting brings out contrast and creates shadows that often give the illusion of being real.
