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  • Drawing:

    Best Techniques for Sketching, Landscapes, Portraits and Everything Else Drawing.

  • Table of Contents

    Introduction

    Chapter 1: Getting Started With Sketching

    Chapter 2: Getting Started With Some Basic Techniques

    Chapter 3: Tips on How to Draw Landscapes For Beginners

    Chapter 4: Tips On Drawing Portraits For Beginners

    Chapter 5: What Every Beginner Needs To Know About Drawing

    Conclusion

  • Introduction

    I want to thank you and congratulate you for downloading the book, Drawing: BestTechniques for Sketching, Landscapes, Portraits and Everything Else Drawing.

    This book contains proven steps and strategies on how to get better when it comes todrawing landscapes, portraits and just about any kind of subject you can think of. Getfamiliar with the basics and different techniques and apply what you've learned. You'llsurely see a significant change in your drawings the next time you give it a try.

    Thanks again for downloading this book, I hope you enjoy it!

  • Chapter 1: Getting Started With Sketching If you're new to drawing, one of the first things that you need to sort out would be thesupplies you'll be using. Taking the art seriously requires more than your average penciland piece of paper. What you need are the real basics, the tools that would actuallycompliment your abilities. To help you out, here's a quick list of what you'll need:

    Three to five different pencils with varying grades. Drawing pencils come in avariety of grades which indicate how soft it is. Now, this softness pretty muchinfluences just how dark the lines will be. The softer a pencil, the darker itwould be since it leaves more graphite in comparison to a harder grade. Harderpencils are usually graded as H to 9H, the latter being the hardest of the lot. Thesofter ones are graded B to 9B with the latter, being the softest. If you wantsomething that falls in the middle range, an HB pencil would be the safest bet.The best range to begin with if you're still a beginner? Try 2H, 2B and 4B.

    Choosing the right eraser. Different erasers are meant to be used for differentpurposes so finding the right one is key. It is one of the most important toolsyou'll be buying, after all. Start with the basics. A vinyl erases, usuallyrectangular in shape, and a kneaded eraser are always good to have. The vinylone is hard and is the best for erasing charcoal and graphite. The kneaded one, asthe name suggests, is softer and moldable. This is great if you're trying to erasespecific parts of your drawing and want to avoid disturbing the rest of yourdrawing. It can also be used for lightening certain areas as it isn't as rough onyour paper as the vinyl variety. Of course, using a light hand on these tools is amust.

    A plastic triangle and a ruler. A 12 to 18 inch ruler would be great for beginnersand covers pretty much all the things you might want to use it for. For yourtriangle, a 10 to 12 inch with one right angle would be just right for the job. Bothare useful if you need to draw straight lines or want to measure the distancebetween objects in your sketch. Having ones that are transparent are better too asyou'll be able to see through them and check if everything is lining up properly.The plastic triangle is a useful guide if you were to draw right angles of any size.Until you're able to do these things without the guides, having them handy wouldcertainly make drawing hassle free.

    Paper. Since you're still practicing and familiarizing yourself with the different

  • techniques, you will be needing lots of paper. A sketchbook with at least 50sheets is good to begin with. If you don't want to be too wasteful, using recycledpaper for practicing is also a great idea. You might also want to familiarizeyourself with different paper textures. This should help you find the one you'remost comfortable with.

    If you're teaching yourself how to draw, there are certain mistakes that you willinevitably encounter especially since you don't have a teacher constantly checking whatyou're doing. However, don't let that deter you from continuing. When it comes todrawing, everything takes time and regular practice. There's no way you'll be able topull of a landscape or a proper portrait in the first seating. In fact, a bit of frustrationmay begin to mount before you're able to make something you're satisfied with. Again,don't let that stop you. Just remember that with every obstacle you pass, you'reprogressing as an artist.

    With that said, there are a few learning curves that you can do without. To help you passall of those and avoid any further hassles in your learning, here are some of the commonbeginner mistakes that you should avoid:

    If you're copying from a picture, make sure that you take the time to study itsdetails. Some people can get too excited when it comes to getting started thatthey completely overlook the details.

    If you're drawing a portrait, measurements are important. Make sure that you takethe time to get the proportions right as well before you get started. This willcertainly make a difference when it comes to the final result.

    Choose the right pencils for the project. It is likely that you'll need more than onein order to bring in some depth into your drawing. Always take the time to studythis and plan out which pencils to use. This should help you avoid any hasslesalong the way and minimize potential mistakes.

    Never rush anything and focus on what you're doing. Rushing can result in roughlines, uneven proportions and a whole lot of mistakes that might end up ruiningthe entire picture. Remember that sketching takes time and the more time you putinto it, the better the picture would be.

    Remember your layers. This is especially helpful if you're things such as hair,foliage or grass. Having layers and different shades can help bring it to lifeinstead of making it look like a messy blob. Scribbling is tempting since it is thequicker route, but it is best avoid it at all costs. Giving thought and extra care

  • into adding these details will make a significant difference in the final result.

    Be aware of lighting. This would make sure that your drawing has depth andwouldn't come out looking flat and one dimensional. This can be tricky forbeginners but once you become more familiar with the process, it gets mucheasier.

    Always plan out what you want to draw before you even get started. Also, don'texpect it to come out looking fantastic, especially if it's your first time. Sketchingis a process of trial and error. Just remember that with every mistake that youmake, you are also learning something new which you can apply to the nextdrawing.

  • DeviantArt Attribution: chaosghidorah

    Image shows great composition. Fine detail in foreground with larger objects at the back of the image, thus showing perspective.

  • Chapter 2: Getting Started With Some Basic Techniques There are a number of different drawing techniques and styles that you can study inorder to develop your own. It can be hard if you're doing it by yourself but certainly notimpossible to do. You will need quite a bit of patience, however. Being open is alsoimportant when it comes to this. Sometimes you have to look at another artist's work,study its details and the style that was used in order to get started with your own. Beingable to do this would allow you to take what works for you, tweak it according to yourpreferences and needs and then apply it to your own art.

    To help you get started properly, here are a few basic techniques for sketching withpencils.

    Line Variety and Outlines

    When you begin your sketch, it's always best to start with a pencil that's hard in order tocreate a lighter outline. A sketch would usually have two different layers of outlines.The first would be the lighter one and this is used as a guideline for you when creatingbasic shapes. In order to achieve this, remember to use very little pressure on yourpencil as you draw; making sure that you create lines in a slow but fluid motion. Makeyour lines as light as possible while still keeping it visible. You will want to be able toerase these lines as your sketch progresses.

    Next, you would want to create your second layer which is a heavier outline than thefirst. This would be what defines the edges of your different elements. Start by retracingover your lighter outline, making sure to add a bit more pressure this time in order tocreate darker lines. However, do make sure that it doesn't become too dark as thatwould be very difficult to erase. At this stage of the process, you're developing yoursketch's outlines and as such, you would want to be able to easily erase any mistakesthat you make. Emphasize your edges more and make sure that the shapes are easier tosee.

    This is where you'll be able to learn more about how you can use your pencil to createvariety when it comes to your lines. If you use the side of your pencil, this would createa thicker line and is a technique that's typically used for creating a harder outline aswell as for shading. Try different angles, this would help you get familiar with theeffects that each one produces.

    Hatching and Crosshatching

  • If you're looking to add a bit more depth to your drawings, hatching is a great techniqueto learn about. This is done by drawing small lines close together, adjusting thedarkness according to your needs as you go. It is a style that's also typically used whenit comes to shading certain areas of your drawing. Now, what you need to rememberwhen hatching is to make sure that all of your lines go towards one direction. Thiswould make it appear less messy and make it appear more defined. Crosshatching, onthe other hand, are lines that crisscross each other. To make this appear neater, try andbring your lines tighter to each other. This would also make it appear more realistic forit minimizes the appearance of pencil strokes.

  • CROSS HATCHING

    Circular Technique

    Drawing circles as well as scribbles add contrasting texture to your drawing, especiallyof objects that are similar when it comes to value. In order to recreate this, begin bydrawing small circles, smoothly moving your pencil in a swirling motion over the areayou're working on. In order to keep it from looking like a mess of scribbles, try andkeep the circles as tight as possible. This is also great if you're using the technique inorder to blend your shading properly. You can also opt to create different grades ofdarkness by adjusting the pressure you place on your pencil. This would createvariation, texture and depth once you have everything blended together properly.

    This particular technique can also be used when it comes to creating skin texture forportraits. The tighter your circles are, the more realistic it would be when it comes toadding a bit more contrast to the skin. The only thing is that it can be a bit tricky tomaster so do try and practice it a lot. In time, you'll learn what works and what doesn'tfor your style.

    Smooth Shading

    Shading is, of course, an important technique to learn when it comes to drawing. This isone of the things that brings a sketch to life and gives it a realistic touch. The thing withshading is that it needs to be quite smooth, otherwise it might actually take the appeal ofyour drawing away. One way of achieving this is by using the side of your pencil as

  • opposed to its tip. Start with the hardest pencil that you have and create light linesbefore moving to darker shades as you go on. You can alternate with the both hard andsoft pencils in order to create variety and more depth. Lastly, keep your lines as tight aspossible to keep things looking nice and smooth.

    Another method that you can use for creating a smoother shading would be using thehatching technique then following up with a shading tool. You can also use a q-tip oreven a piece of tissue in lieu of the tool; anything that would help you smudge the pencilstrokes cleanly would work just fine. Make sure that you smooth out any of theindividual hatch marks in order to create a continuous looking surface without any harshlines.

    SMOOTH SHADING

  • Look at shading behind the back area and to give the body its contours. This is a very effective way to add three dimension to your art.

  • Chapter 3: Tips On How To Draw Landscapes For Beginners For many beginners, the challenge of drawing their first landscape piece can bedaunting. All that detail, texture and depth that's needed to make it look good can beoverwhelming at first glance. However, once you begin to dissect all the little piecesand learn more about the techniques that was employed in creating the whole picture,the task doesn't seem as complicated anymore.

    To help you get started, here are a few simple steps and tips for drawing a simplelandscape picture.

    Begin with the standard shape that's often used for drawing landscapes. This isyour basic rectangle and is also referred to as a picture plane. Once you get morefamiliar with how landscapes work, you can move on to other shapes such as:oval, vertical oblong, square or even something circular. Most landscapes aredrawn using a horizontal rectangle as it creates a better perspective, especiallywhen it comes to the wider landscape scenes.

    The first thing you need to do is create a thumbnail sketch which would serve asa kind of rough guide for your finished work. This would enable you to figure outthe proportions and find the right balance for both your background, andforeground. Getting your composition right early on will definitely save you a lotof trouble later on.

    Mind where you draw your horizontal line that serves as your guide when itcomes to your perspective. If you put it half way between your ground and thesky, it would make the picture appear static and lifeless. Instead, place your lineone third of the distance from the ground or from your sky. This should be moreappealing to the eye and draw the viewer in.

    An important aspect of your landscape drawing would be the focal point. This isthat part of your drawing where the viewer's eyes tend to focus on. A greatdrawing, regardless of the kind, would need one or more of these in order toappear interesting and eye-catching. The great thing about this is that, you havefull control over where you want to divert their attention to. A focal point isalso, typically, the biggest spot in your drawing. Just make sure it doesn'toverwhelm the entire sketch or it might end up ruining the whole effect.

  • How do you decide on a focal point? When it comes to composing a drawing,there is a golden rule that most (if not all) artists follow. Never make any of yourtwo intervals identical or place them within the same distance apart from eachother. Also avoid having them the same size because that ruins the perspective aswell. This is where the rule of thirds enters the picture. Begin by taking yourrectangle and divide it into thirds, horizontally and vertically. Where they crossover is a good spot for you to place your focal point (the biggest object in yourdrawing).

    Keep balance in mind. If you want to create a composition that's pleasing to theeye then make sure that your picture is properly balanced. Creating one sidethat's cluttered with various objects or focal points can definitely unbalance asketch. There's also the case of static balance wherein objects bearing thesame size are lumped together in one side of the picture or on either side, likepillars. While this might seem neat, it can also lead to a very boring picture withnothing interesting to draw in the eye. Try playing around with positioning thedifferent elements, this is how you'll figure out what works for your picture.

    Varying degrees of light. Another important aspect of your picture that you mustthink about would be the light and dark areas. This is what would give yourpicture more life, texture and depth. It can also place emphasis on your focalpoints. Again, practice is what will help you perfect this particular technique. Ifyou're copying from an actual photograph, just take what you see on it and applyit to your drawing. Which areas have the most light? Which ones are somewhatcovered in shadow? Shading and blending would also come in handy when itcomes to this particular step.

  • Image: Public Domain

    A typical Cezanne using sketched outlines, followed by ink rendition.

  • Chapter 4: Tips On Drawing Portraits For Beginners Much like landscape drawing, most people tend to feel intimidated by the idea ofcreating a portrait. This is because it requires more realism than most types of drawingand in some ways, there's very little room for mistakes- as it would be too obviousotherwise. However, once you have an understanding of the basic drawing techniques, itwould seem less complicated and more like a challenge to take on. Sure, you won't beable to produce a stellar piece during your first go but as with most art projects, everymistake you make is also a step towards becoming better at it.

    So where does one begin? For realistic portraits, having a firm grasp on thedifferent techniques of outlining and shading would be very beneficial. Choosingthe right tools would also come into play and can actually make the processmuch easier. Pencils ranging from 2H to 7B would be great for beginners.

    Next, you would want something to copy off of. A photograph would be the bestoption for beginners as a live model might produce subtle nuances that can throwyou off. Find a simple photograph, preferably in black and white if you're notkeen on using color just yet. Make sure that it doesn't appear too flat and thatthere are dimensions to the person's face. This would help familiarize you withcreating shape and depth through the use of shading and shadows.

    Once you have your photograph, you can start working on a basic outline. Justfollow the edges, making sure that you only create light lines that can be easilyerased later on. You can also use a grid for this step or do it freehand, whicheveryou're comfortable with. If you're quite keen on accuracy, using a grid isrecommended. Remember that your outline need not resemble the person just yet.Take your time with it and make sure it matches up to your photograph just right.It is not uncommon for an artist to take hours when it comes to drawing up anoutline. This is going to be your basis for everything else, after all. So take yourtime.

    Working on drawing the hair. It is usually better to start working from top tobottom to avoid smudging areas that you're already done with. A great tip here isto take your time when sketching out the hair. Pay close attention to where thehair is flowing towards and do make sure that you keep your lines close togetherto achieve that smoothness. Don't forget to add light and dark areas for contrast,this would prevent your sketch from looking flat. Remember to darken the areas

  • around your highlights before you start fading it. Tones flow into each other; darkinto a mid-tone and into light. Keep everything flowing into gradients. The effectmight be subtle but it will lend some realism to your drawing. Broad pencilstrokes are recommended.

    The forehead area. The first thing you need to do is identify where the lightestspots of the sketch of would be. Once you have these plotted out, lightly outlinetheir positions. Typically, highlights are found right on the tip of the nose, theforehead, cheeks, chin and the bottom lip. The rest of the face needs to be darkerthan these highlighted areas, of course. Lots of blending would be required forthis step of your sketch, just make sure that you do it carefully too so you don'tend up with something messy. Another area you should pay extra attention towould be the hairline. There will always be darker shading around the hairline,an effect produced by the hair casting shadows onto it.

    Moving onto drawing the eyes. Eyes can be quite tricky to work on so do takeyour time when drawing it up. You will need a blending stump to get the shadingjust right but if you're more comfortable with using something else, such as a Q-tip, you could go with that as well. Keep in mind that there will be brillianthighlights in the eyes, this is what gives it that appearance of being life-like.Place emphasis on these areas but making them slightly bigger than their actualsize. This can always be adjusted later on after you've finished shadingeverything else. Do avoid making the whites of the eye exactly that color. Itwould be too much in contrast to the eye itself and make it seem unrealistic.Instead, shade this area lightly and pay close attention to the tones available toyou in the reference photo.

    Cheeks. Again, locate your lightest tone once more. Shade this area softly using aH graphite and blend it well with a Q-tip or a tissue paper. To add more depthand contrast, add some B graphite around your lights and blend it out once more.Create a gradient that will become darker as you approach the outer area of theface. Take your time when doing this and pay attention to the subtleties.

    Working on the nose. This can be a bit of a struggle, especially for beginners. Atip here is to keep in mind that it's all about making use of different tones to buildup depth and contour. Begin by taking an H graphite and working on shading thebridge of the nose. Mind that there are subtle highlights at the very tip so alwaysleave space for that while you're working. To bring your shading to life, take a Bpencil and shade around the bridge. Make it a tone or two darker than the bridgearea. Remember that the separation between the two needs to be bridged with a

  • gradient so that there are no harsh lines. Blend it from the edges of the nose andfade it out onto the cheek. Working your gradient smoothly and seamlessly is key.Again, take your time when doing this as the simple process of shading canbecome tedious when you're trying to blend everything properly to create aseamless flow between the elements.

    Jawline area. Take your 3B pencil and pretty much follow the outline of thejawline. Again, be careful when drawing outlines and try to keep it as light aspossible but still clear enough for you to see. If the photograph you're copyingfrom features a person who's smiling, copy the small nuances as well such as thefolds of the skin. There are shadows in these folds so don't forget to detail thoseas well. Next, move onto the upper lip. For this, some B graphite would be great.Depending on where the light source in the photograph is coming from, justfollow where the light and shadows fall. Take the time to study these details andjust copy them straight off of the photo and make minor adjustments as you go.

    Chin area. This is what will complete the entire face so take your time with it.Outline your lightest areas and start with some H graphite for subtle shading.Blend it out as you go. Next, add some B graphite around the highlights to createshadows and add emphasis to your lights. Remember to leave some space foradjustments later on. It's always better to have something too light than have ittoo dark for the latter is much harder to edit once you've realized the mistake.

    Neck. The same idea applies when it comes to drawing the neck. Just follow theshadows and highlights that are being shown in the photograph. As a base,however, do start with an even layer of 3B graphite in the area with the mostshadows. To make sure that you're not going too dark, just compare it with thetones that you've done in the face area and match it up. Remember that theshadows would get darker as you near the edge on either side. As for the hair,simply fade it out as you get to the very bottom. This should give you a cleanerand more realistic look. When you get to the chest area, just make sure yourgradients and tones are seamless. Check if your highlights and shadows arematched in color as well.

    Note: Keep in mind that you don't have to finish every element of the picture in one go.You can set aside certain areas aside as you work on something else. Plan this outbefore you even begin and you'll be able to prevent unnecessary smudges which maycome about as you move your drawing while you work.

  • attribution: Artfulcraner

    Very good detail on facial features showing shading and pencil detail to accentuate areas of the face and hair.

  • Chapter 5: What Every Beginner Needs To Know About Drawing When it comes to drawing or sketching, just about anyone can do it. It's just a matter ofsome people being more capable than others. However, it is a skill that can be honed inif a person wants it enough to invest some real effort in learning it. Desire, guidance,practice and time are just some of the factors that are needed in order to help a beginnerimprove his own abilities.

    To help you continue going further, here are a few more tips that should help youunderstand the process better.

    Drawing is actually 50% observation. It is all about seeing and understanding theappearance of an object, scenery, or a person. Have you taken photographswithout even looking at something? Did it come out good? Of course not. A lot ofpeople tend to overlook this simple fact and end up disappointing themselves fornot being able to draw properly. Learn how to observe keenly and how to reallystudy an object. Absorb all that information before you even start sketchinganything. Everything is there if you really look at it. The more you understandobservation, the better your drawings would be.

    Look for basic shapes. This is a great technique, especially for beginners since itcan really help simplify even the most complicated of subjects. To begin, start bystudying what you have to draw and pick out the basic shapes that make up thewhole. These are the ones that would be easier to draw in terms of outlines. Useit as a guide before you begin layering in more detail.

    Practice your pencil strokes before you start sketching. By doing this, you'll beable to better familiarize yourself with how dark or how light each pencil gradeis. You'll also be able to avoid any big mistakes when you're drawing becauseyou know exactly what you're going to get if you use a particular grade.

    Always make sure your drawings have a full range of value. As we've pointedout earlier, value refers to the darkness and lightness of any given color. It isall about light and shadow, the very things that give your picture contrast anddepth. Both are very important when it comes to lending some realism and life toyour drawings. A scale value would be very useful to have around as it wouldallow you to check if you're adding a full range to your drawing. Familiarize

  • yourself with this element of sketching, it can really make a difference.

    Make full use of line quality. Line quality refers to the thickness or thinness of thelines you use on your picture. If you're making a line drawing then this is animportant aspect to consider. Having a variety of line quality can make adrawing more appealing and interesting to look at. Play around with it andpractice. You should be able to find which ones work with your style better.

    Speaking of style, it helps to be more consistent. Make sure that you start andfinish your drawing using the same style. If you began with a drawing style that'sa bit more loose and free-handed, keep it that way until you're finished. If youmix it with something tighter and more structured, you won't have anycohesiveness in the picture and it will certainly throw the viewer off. Much likeyour gradients, keep the style seamless and harmonious. Again, practicing a bitbefore you get started will certainly help you with this.

    Understanding your medium. Before you even get started, make sure that youunderstand the proper way of using your medium as well as the different ways itcould be utilized. It's about understanding the basics then experimenting andtesting its limitations as well as how you can apply it to your own style. Practicemakes perfect in this case. It is also important that you don't rush the process.Pay attention to everything you're doing, even the mistakes, because this is howyou'll learn.

    Loosen up. The way you hold your pencil can certainly impact the resulting linesand the entire picture itself. Think about it, if you hold it too tightly and startdrawing, the lines can end up looking darker or harsher than intended. However,if you keep it loose and hold it comfortably between your fingers, your lineswould appear smoother and flow on the paper better. Practice different ways ofholding your tool and draw with your shoulder instead of your wrist.

    So there you have it, just a few simple tips to help you move along when it comes todeveloping your drawing skills. At the end of the day, it all comes down to how mucheffort you're willing to put into your art. Practice, as we've emphasized numerous times,is certainly the key to success.

  • Conclusion Thank you again for downloading Drawing: Best Techniques for Sketching,Landscapes, Portraits and Everything Else Drawing!

    I hope this book was able to help you to learn more techniques when it comes todrawing different subjects such as portraits and landscapes. There are many differentstyles to learn and plenty of room to develop your own as well. May this book help youachieve just that!

    Free Bonus Video: How to Draw A Realistic Eye

    Bonus video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ9Hpp8JygI

    IntroductionChapter 1: Getting Started With SketchingChapter 2: Getting Started With Some Basic TechniquesChapter 3: Tips On How To Draw Landscapes For BeginnersChapter 4: Tips On Drawing Portraits For BeginnersChapter 5: What Every Beginner Needs To Know About DrawingConclusion