What are some techniques to help me learn how to sketch?
I have always had an intrest but I am really no good. Any ideas or opinions. And for it to be easy and a true talent does it have to be a "gift" like you were born with it or something. Thank you for your help
Some people are born with that gift, and others aren’t. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t draw or sketch well, it still takes a lot of time and practise either way.
People look at my drawings and say "omg, you’re so good!" and "that’s amazing" and all sorts of other stuff. But what they don’t really realize, or understand, is that I’ve practised for years, since I was about 5 years old (I’m in highschool now), probably earlier because I’ve practised for as long as I can remember.
As for what you can do… this is what I said to someone in a related situation. Perhaps it will help you
First, you should practise control with your utensil. This will help you in future drawings and sketches of any kind.
Draw about 8 – 10 of the following on your page:
-Horizontal Lines, drawn in succession, both directions
-Vertical Lines, draw in in succession, both directions
-Lots of different sizes of circles, drawn on top of each other. Draw both counterclock wise, and clockwise.
-Stars; draw them on top of each other, and draw different sizes. Do both counterclock wise and clockwise. This one is kinda difficult, but it’ll help you
-Practise shading: in sizes of varying section, shade from your darkest to your lightest and do it as smoothly as possible.
-Arks: Do them over top of each other, and in succession. Try to make them as even as possible.
-Draw squiggly lines. Okay, I know this one sounds ridiculous. But seriously, try it! It will really help your control. Draw ~~~~~~~~~~~ all connected, and try to make the waves as symmetrical as possible. Once you have that down, then draw the same squiggly lines in succession.. belive me, this is a lot harder than it looks.
-Draw a variety of different shapes; squares, triangles, rectangles.. especially pentagons and hexagons. Make them as even as possible, and be sure to do them in succession and on top of each other.
These are just a few drawing exercises. I would say do each exercise 8 -10 times in a row, at least twice per day. More if you can. As well, start sketching, even if you think you’re not good. Just the small things, start simple. Do quick sketches, and very clean, neat, precise final sketches. Both will help you immensly. And above all – enjoy it. Draw because you want to, not because you have to. And yes, the exercises may be a bit tedious at first. But once you get going, they can take no more than a few minutes. They’re also a great warm up!
Learning how to structure objects is also a great tool. It will help with your proportioning a lot. Try to see everything as broken down shapes when you’re drawing – a cube here, a rectangle there, a hexagon or rhombus there.
Sketching posture is also important too. Remember not to slouch, it could kill your drawing – it changes your view of the item, and thus, your drawing.
Do some research own how light works – how it bends and what not. Learning about shadows will help, and a foreshortening tutorial will save your life (practise drawing bananas, cubes, rectangles, pyramids, and other shapes at different angles.. it’s harder than it looks, but it’ll give you more practise and a better understanding of foreshortening and how it works). These are pretty easy to get a hold of – just google the terms.
Whew, that was a lot of info. If you need anything else, you can email me at:
flower.fox38@hotmail.com
Hope this helped ya!