Pencil Drawing Tips And Tricks For Budding Artists

Before embarking on any design work, you must first gather the necessary materials for pencil drawing. HB and B type pencils of various grades will be essential. However, choosing the right paper is crucial as it can make or break your pencil design.

Materials:

If the paper is too smooth or too pale, it will not allow the pencil to deposit the proper amount of particles, making it difficult for the artist to apply the right pressure on the pencil tip. Initially, you can use standard photocopying paper. Place two or three sheets on a piece of cardboard to provide more flexibility when drawing lines and working on shading’s darker and lighter parts.

Drawing Live Subjects:

To improve your drawing skills, practice drawing from life. Live subjects are anything you see before your eyes. Observe an object nearby and capture its image in your mind. Attempt to transfer the mental image onto paper. Drawing live objects allows you to correct any deviations in shape.

Shading:

To show contrasts of light, skillful use of the pencil is necessary. In pencil design, shading is an aspect that brings out the best in an artist. Balanced shading can create an image as beautiful as those in other mediums like watercolor and oil. In pencil design, shading involves applying different tonal values, much like the varying tones of colors. By selecting an appropriate shade and applying it in different tonal values, an artist recreates their mental images on canvas or paper.

Developing Your Style:

While it’s great to study the work of master artists and learn from their techniques, it’s essential to develop your own style. Your artwork or drawing may not resemble Picasso or Renoir, and your colors may not be applied as skillfully as Van Gogh, but you have your own unique abilities and instincts. Embrace your individuality, as your style is as unique as your handwriting.

Application, Practice, and Practice:

If you ever have the opportunity to listen to or read an interview with a renowned artist, pay attention to their journey. One common factor is the hard work they put in to reach their position. Their advice to newcomers in the field of arts would often be the same: “Practice, practice, and practice.” Consistent dedication to drawing and painting will help you grow as an artist.