Enhancing Pencil Drawing
A Beginner's Guide
Introduction
Pencil drawing is one of the most accessible and rewarding artistic processes, allowing anyone to express their creativity, whether through simple sketches or by creating true works of art.
With this in mind, it doesn't matter if you are a complete beginner or just someone looking to improve your existing skills; in this guide, you will find essential tips and techniques to start your pencil drawing journey or enhance what you already know.
We will cover everything from basic materials to practical exercises that will help you develop a solid foundation and/or improve your strokes.
So, let's get started!
Essential Materials to Begin
Let's move on to the first point. What are the basic, minimum necessary drawing materials you need to take your first steps in drawing? Although there are countless options for pencils and papers on the market, you don't need to go crazy and buy everything you see, especially if you are a beginner.
This is because just a few basic materials are enough for you to start your learning and development journey in drawing.
Like any artistic technique, you will always find low, medium, and high-quality materials.
Drawing, without a doubt, is one of the few techniques where the investment is low to medium, even with good quality materials. I'm talking about quality materials, which is not the same as talking about material that sometimes only has a high price due to fashion, okay?
Cute materials or special sketchbooks often aren't worth the price if your goal is to learn or improve your drawing.
Pencils for Beginners
For beginners, choosing pencils can seem complex due to the vast range of available options. However, it is not necessary to acquire a complete set of professional pencils immediately.
You can opt for mechanical pencils or graphite pencils. If you choose a mechanical pencil, select a 0.5 lead, which offers practicality and eliminates the need for sharpeners, for example. I personally prefer graphite pencils.
As you become more comfortable and wish to explore different tones and textures, you can expand your collection and acquire other mechanical pencils, such as 0.7 or 0.3.
In the case of pencils, they are classified by letters and numbers that indicate their hardness and opacity. Pencils with the letter 'H' (Hard) are harder and produce lighter strokes, ideal for sketching and fine lines. Pencils with the letter 'B' (Black) are softer and produce darker, more intense strokes, perfect for shading and filling.
A basic set with a variety of hardnesses (e.g., 2H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B) is a good investment to explore the possibilities of pencil drawing. In this case, you can start with HB, B, and 2B. Later, you can expand your collection. You can start with the Faber-Castell set of 6 pencils, for example.
Choosing Sketchbooks or Paper
For me, the type of paper you choose has greater importance in the drawing process. This is because if you opt for a poor type of paper that is too thin and of low quality, the probability of it tearing or getting stained is much higher.
If you usually use an eraser, no matter how good it is, it is very likely that on bad paper it will create smudges, making your drawing look dirty, thus compromising the final quality of your drawing.
Besides the handling of the paper itself. There are techniques you use to prevent your hand from coming into contact with the drawn area, thus spreading the graphite across the paper and smudging everything.
Normally, papers with a grammage above 120g are recommended. A paper with 180g or 200g, for example, is excellent for drawing, as it has a slightly textured surface, which favors good graphite adhesion, allowing for easier layering.
You can also opt for sketchbooks. You will also find a wide variety, such as the Premium Sketchbook or the Strathmore 400 Sketchbook (for those who prefer an off-white tone). Choose the type of paper or sketchbook that best suits your budget.
Other Useful Materials
In addition to pencils and paper, some other materials can be very useful to enhance your pencil drawing:
• Eraser: Although many teachers recommend avoiding using an eraser in the drawing process, it doesn't mean it's forbidden. The eraser has a function that is not just to erase or correct small errors; it can also be used to create effects, such as light, for example.
Therefore, opt for a good eraser. You have options like kneaded erasers or putty erasers that help remove excess graphite without causing any damage to the paper, allowing you to continue your drawing without problems or to reduce the intensity of the graphite so you can go over it with a pen without the pencil being too visible.
Another option is vinyl erasers. This type of eraser is great for erasing a line, stroke, or area of your drawing without damaging the paper or with minimal damage. Avoid those erasers that crumble. They will cause more mess and a feeling of dirt during the process.
• Sharpener/Utility Knife: Try to keep your pencils always well-sharpened to ensure precise and consistent strokes. You can choose either a good sharpener that prevents the lead from breaking, or a utility knife to sharpen the pencil.
Many artists prefer a utility knife because they can shape the tip however they want, as well as choose how much lead is exposed, something a sharpener doesn't allow.
• Blending Stump: A blending stump is a stick made of pressed paper. Its purpose is to blend graphite, which allows for creating smooth transitions between different tones, for example. It is also widely used to create shadow effects.
It's a good tool, but you can also use, for example, cotton or a cotton swab, or even try to create your own blending stump. My recommendation: test it. A blending stump kit is not expensive and has good durability.
• Fixative: This is an extra material tip. A fixative will help you keep your drawings protected from smudges and smears, especially if you use a lot of B or 2B pencils, as they release a lot of graphite. This way, you can have a fixative spray to apply when you finish your work, thus creating a protective layer on your work.
With these basic materials in hand, you will be ready to start exploring the world of pencil drawing and developing your artistic skills.
Useful Tips to Improve Your Pencil Drawing Skills
With the materials in hand, it's time to dive into practice and techniques that will help you improve your pencil drawing skills. Remember that consistent practice and patience are key to success.
Start with Basic Shapes
To build a solid foundation in drawing, start by practicing basic shapes. Circles, rectangles, squares, and triangles are excellent starting points. The initial goal is not perfection, but rather to develop hand-eye coordination and loosen your stroke. Use shorter, irregular lines to create the general shape. This approach allows you to familiarize yourself with hand movement and pencil pressure.
Once you feel comfortable with 2D shapes, move on to creating a 3D effect. For this, it is crucial to understand the light source in your drawing. Light and shadow are fundamental elements to give volume and depth to objects. By identifying where the light falls, you can decide where to shade and where to highlight, giving a realistic three-dimensional aspect to your drawing.
Practice with Still Life
Practicing with still life is an effective way to improve your observation and representation skills. Choose simple everyday objects, such as fruits, cups, or bottles, and draw them.
Start by capturing the general shape using the basic forms you practiced, and gradually add details. Avoid getting caught up in complexities at first; the focus is to train your eye to accurately translate what you see onto paper.
This exercise not only improves your observation skills but also helps you understand how light interacts with different surfaces and textures. Try varying the objects and lighting to challenge yourself.
Therefore, your initial focus is to practice to understand form and proportions.
Create Your Own Drawings
Take your skills to the next level by setting up your own scenes. This exercise will introduce the principles of composition, balance, and value. Experiment with different objects, arrangements, and lighting conditions to create visually interesting drawings.
If you are interested in portraits, practice with reference photos or sculptures, such as the famous statue of David. This will help you develop a deeper understanding of anatomy and proportions.
Study Anatomy
Anatomy is crucial for drawing human figures. Understanding the underlying structure of the human body allows you to draw figures accurately and confidently.
Start by studying the skeleton to understand how the body moves and maintains balance. Then, explore muscles and movement, observing how the shape of muscles changes with movement. This knowledge will empower you to draw figures from your imagination without relying on references.
Many resources are available to assist in the study of anatomy. Books like "Anatomy for the Artist" by Sarah Simblet are highly recommended, offering valuable insights into the structure and function of the human body. The following image shows examples of anatomical studies that can be useful.
Embrace Practice and Knowledge
To become proficient in pencil drawing, a combination of practice and knowledge is required. Dedicate about 80% of your time to practice and 20% to learning the theory behind drawing techniques. Participate in regular drawing sessions, exploring different subjects, styles, and techniques. Experiment with various pencil strokes, shading techniques, and textures to expand your artistic repertoire.
While practice is essential, it is equally important to deepen your understanding of artistic principles and techniques. Explore online resources, attend workshops, and read books on drawing to increase your knowledge. By combining consistent practice with a solid foundation of artistic knowledge, you will see significant improvements in your pencil drawing skills.
Conclusion
Pencil drawing is a continuous journey of learning and improvement. By following the tips and techniques presented in this guide, you, as a beginner, will be well-equipped to develop your skills and create impressive pencil drawings. Remember that practice is fundamental, and patience is essential.
With dedication and persistence, you will be able to transform your observations and imagination into beautiful works of art that capture the essence of the world around you. Grab your pencils, choose your subject, and start drawing – the world of art is waiting for you!
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