Welcome to the beginner's guide to sketching techniques! Whether you're picking up a pencil for the first time or looking to improve your skills, this guide will provide you with some essential tips and tricks.
Getting Started
Basic Materials
- Pencil: A good quality pencil is essential. Start with a 2H pencil for light sketching.
- Eraser: A kneaded eraser is great for blending and removing pencil marks.
- Sketchbook: A sketchbook with a variety of paper types will help you experiment and find what works best for you.
Basic Techniques
- Observation: Take the time to observe your subject. Look at the shapes, shadows, and proportions.
- Blocking in: Start by sketching the basic shapes and forms of your subject.
- Detailing: Once the basic forms are in place, add details to bring your sketch to life.
Practice
Drawing from Life
Drawing from life is a great way to practice your skills. Find a subject, such as a still life or a person, and draw it from observation.
Practice Sheets
There are many online resources and practice sheets available that can help you improve your sketching skills. Try to practice a bit every day.
Inspiration
For further reading, check out our Advanced Sketching Techniques guide.
Here's a little inspiration to keep you going: