1. Shading three-dimensional objects
So how do you start drawing for beginners?
In my personal opinion, you should start with easy pencil sketches for beginners that focus on drawing and shading simple 3D shapes.
Let's start by drawing a simple sphere:
- Draw a circle on your paper. Don't bother trying to make it look perfectly round.
- Identify a light source. In the example below, I've chosen to place the light source in the upper left corner. Since the light will shine on the top left side of the sphere, you'll keep that area well lit. And since most of the light won't shine on the bottom right corner, you'll shade that part of the sphere.
- Begin by exerting medium pressure on the pencil. Then slowly change to a lighter shade the closer you get to the light source. Keep a small section completely white as this will be the highlight. To add dimension, draw your lines in a curved fashion to follow the contours of the circle.
- Repeat step 4 as many times as necessary, each time increasing the shadows until the desired darkness is reached. But be sure to leave some white space near the bottom right corner of the sphere. This will represent reflected light.
- Once you've created a nice smooth gradient, it's time to add the drop shadow. This is the dark shadow cast on the surface on which the sphere sits. Shade the area until dark. The shape of the shadow should be flat and somewhat flat.
- When you're done, try this drawing exercise a few times. With each new sketch, choose a different 3D shape and move the light source around for more variety in terms of light source positions.
Mover: When you learn to draw and shade simple 3D shapes, you focus on learning the basics of shape, light, and shadow. Check this article to seeThe best pencils for drawing and sketching.
2. Easy Apple Drawing
Assuming you've already practiced drawing the spheres from the first drawing exercise, you're now ready to try something similar but a little more challenging.
This second exercise is excellent when you are
Now, you are going to draw an apple. It is spherical in shape, although the natural depressions and textures of the skin give it a much more organic appearance than a simple sphere.
To start drawing an apple, this is what you need to do:
- Check out the reference photo below, or take a real apple and place it at the front of your sketchbook. This will be your reference.
- Notice the silhouette of the apple. Replicate this silhouette in your sketchbook using your pen or pencil. Draw gently by applying light pressure. Remember, you want to draw from the shoulder, not the wrist, to create loose lines.
- After sketching out the general shape, sculpt the silhouette, making it more defined. Apples aren't perfect spheres, so it's okay to add the natural dips and grooves in the apple. Don't forget to draw the stem as well.
- Identify the light source. Keep the area closest to the light source white, while the opposite side of the subject will receive the shadows.
- Using small circular motions, start shading the apple. Leave a small gap at the bottom for reflected light. Do not press too hard the first time you put in the lead or colored pencil. It is easier to work in layers to increase the opacity.
- Then shade the gradient from light to dark to increase the intensity. You can also pass the block as many times as you need. Take note to follow the outline of the apple so that your pencil strokes are not straight and stiff.
- You won't be adding a drop shadow this time, so finish up the details and you're done.
Mover:By shading an apple, you are learning to transform a two-dimensional outline into a three-dimensional object. Try this with graphite, colored pencils, and watercolor pencils.
3. Sketches of simple leaves
Easy sketches for beginners usually start with simple objects like leaves and flowers.
Leaves are really great for drawing because they come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Plus, they have a lot of fluidity and movement, which means they're perfect for helping you learn to relax your sketches. Here's how to get started:
Mover:Drawing leaves is a great way to practice sketching loose lines with a natural flow. Check out this article for more tips forDevelop your skills as a self-taught artist..
4. Simple Landscape Sketch
Last but not least, it's time to learn how to draw simple landscapes.
In the 2 examples below, you'll notice that neither landscape is very detailed. When drawing a landscape, you want to focus on the overall composition rather than obsessing over the small details.
As such, you'll want to focus on where theskylineis (this is the line where heaven and earth meet) and using different tonal values to suggest depth and distance.
Let's start:
- Choose 1 of the reference photos below. You will be replicating this landscape in your sketchbook.
- Draw an X in the middle of the paper. You can see the X drawn slightly in the reference photos below. Use these lines as guides to help you lay out your composition.
- Identify the horizon line and lightly draw it on your paper. If the line is further up the page, the focus of the landscape is on the land. If the line is further down the page, the focus is on the sky.
- Observe the landscape and begin to identify the main shapes. They can be rectangles, triangles, etc. Freely draw them on paper and keep the guidelines in mind to make sure you draw the proportions correctly.
- Chisel out the shapes, making the edges more defined. Remember that you are drawing from nature, so the lines should remain loose and organic rather than blocky and straight.
- Once the hills and mountains have been outlined, it's time to shade the objects. Begin shading the areas with the darkest shade, preserving the white of the paper for the areas that receive the most sunlight.
- When you're done shading the different tonal values to suggest depth and distance, start adding the finer details, including the trees and grass.
- Note that our goal is not photorealism, so drawing simple trees and blades of grass is perfectly fine. Add them to the landscape sketch, but don't overdo it.
- Look at your sketch and add darker values if you feel the part needs more contrast. When you're happy with the end result, stop and pat yourself on the back. You do!
Mover: When drawing, do not focus on realism and details. It's more important to focus on the right composition, draw precise shapes, and capture the right tonal values to create depth and distance.
Bonus: Easier Drawings for Beginners
Now that you've gone over 4 easy sketching ideas for beginners, I'll leave you with a free list of easy and creative sketching instructions to help you out.find inspiration for different things to draw.
It is divided into 8 different categories with descriptive sketch ideas to jumpstart your creative engine.
So if you're interested in downloading this free file, just click the link below and it's all yours!
How to start drawing for beginners.
To improve your drawing and sketching skills, it is important to look at some methods and techniques that I recommend you learn as a beginner.
Because?
Because these skills are essential. They will help youDevelop your artistic skills fasterthan artists who ignore them.
After all, at some point in your artistic journey, you will be forced to go back to learn them later.
So do yourself a favor and learn the basics now.
Since I want to set you up for success from the start, I've created a short list of drawing skills you should focus on to improve not only your skills but also the quality of your sketches.
Related: For more tips onskills to incorporate into your daily art routineCheck out this popular article.
Draw freely from the shoulder
Don't pull the wrist!
When you draw on your wrist, you're more likely to hold the pencil too tightly. Remember, you are learning to draw.
So don't grip the pencil tightly as if you were writing. This causes you to keep your fingers very close to the tip of the pencil.
As a result, you develop a certain stiffness that can make your sketches seem too stiff and mechanical.
So my best advice is to draw from the shoulder.
When drawing, move your shoulder in long, fast strokes. By drawing from the shoulder, your pencil strokes will appear looser and freer.
Thus, your drawings will have much more life and personality when the lines seem loose and flowing.
Look for shapes and general shapes.
As long as you're following easy drawing tutorials for beginners, it's best to look at the general shape of the object before you start drawing it.
Looking at the silhouette of the object, he evaluates the shapes he will need to draw. With these shapes in mind, you can break them into smaller components, which will simplify the drawing process for you.
For example, if you're drawing a house, you might divide the sketch as follows:
- Identify a rectangular shape for the body of the house.
- Identify a pyramid for the roof.
- Identify squares for windows and a rectangle for the door.
- Identify curved or circular lines in the bushes throughout the house.
- Identify patterns in the texture of the house, such as wood or brick.
Once you've divided an object into its smallest components, you can sketch the entire basic structure of the house to determine the precise proportions.
You can then add details to each section, one step at a time.
The sketching process will be much easier to handle because it will be more streamlined and manageable. This strategy should helpartists who struggle with perfectionism.
Focus on the interpretation, not the copy
When you are first learning to draw or sketch something, you will need references to help you understand the shapes of objects.
That being said, it is good practice not to copy a reference line by line and dash by dash.
Why, you might ask?
Because interpretation is an important part of art. You can reference an object, but unless you're drawing photorealism, you have to exercise the creative part of your brain to interpret what your eyes are seeing.
By doing this, you are learning to build an object in your own way. As such, you will be learningHow to develop your artistic style..
But if all you do is copy directly from a reference without experimenting and interpreting it yourself, you'll quickly realize that you can't draw anything without a reference.
And that, my friend, means that you will always need a crutch to lean on.
So do yourself a favor and use references as a guide, but be sure to change your shading, light source, textures, etc., to interpret those references in ways that resonate with you.
Light and shadow study
Many budding artists miss out on learning the basics of art because they are itching to start creating masterpieces.
Unfortunately, skipping the fundamentals will set you up for failure and setbacks when you advance to a certain skill level.
Therefore, you need to learn about light sources early on. After all, light touches all material objects that exist.
As we've already discussed, start by drawing simple 3D shapes. Once you're comfortable with these simple sketches, move on to more complex shapes.
For example, you can study light and shadow in any of these more advanced drawings:
- A realistic tree to study how light and shadow appear in the detailed texture of the bark and wood.
- A glass jar to observe how light and shadow are projected on smooth and shiny surfaces.
- A human face to study the ways in which light and shadow are projected on the different parts of the body of the face.
- Long wavy hair to see how light and shadow are cast in shapes that have many folds and curves.
If you need more beginner instructions on how to study light, check this outlight and shadow guideby Drawpaintcademy. with.
Conclusion
Now that you've reached the end of this easy drawing tutorial for beginners, I hope you've developed a greater understanding of drawing fundamentals.
Remember, however, that it takes time and patience to develop the skills you've learned in this article.
The most important lesson is that in order to develop your outline, you need to spend time practicing the foundational skills we've discussed today.
that means learninghow to draw when you're not in the mood.
Over time, your drawing skills will hone and you can move on to more advanced drawing.
Just be patient, keep practicing and sooner or later your sketches will look amazing!
What kind of subject do you like to draw? Share your preferences in the comments below!
MIRANDA BALOGHshe is an artist who loves to teach her audience to paint confidently with watercolors. As a former ESL teacher, she uses online education to inspire artists to harness their skills in an increasingly visual and digital world. follow hernon-youtube art channelmiInstagramfor more art content.
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