A Beginner’s Guide To Drawing: How To Improve Your Skills

Being inspired to draw and bringing items to life through the medium of drawing might have been something that you have wanted to do for a while. When you are a beginner it can feel very frustrating, trying to improve your skills and improve how things look, especially if you are self-taught and do not know where to begin. So, just where should you start, and what should you be looking at doing first? Drawing can leave you feeling content, relaxed, and at peace, so why wouldn’t you want to improve your drawing skills and get better?

Get All The Correct Equipment

Having the right paper, the right drawing pencils, and suitable lighting is important. If you try to use the incorrect equipment, or if you try and draw with substandard equipment then you will never get the results you desire, and you will never improve your drawing ability. So, do not hesitate to purchase the correct equipment. Making an investment in the equipment you use is making an investment in yourself and your hobby, and this is an investment that will pay off.

Start With Flat Shapes

When you are practicing drawing and you are improving your drawing skills it can be tempting to try and draw in 3D, or in a more life-like structure or form, however, this is not highly recommended, simply because it is easier to master flat shapes than try and add dimension and depth too early on within your drawings. Working with flat shapes and flat items first and foremost will allow you to master the basics. Once you have mastered the basics you can then move onto advanced structures and forms which will of course bring life and realism to everything that you draw moving forwards. 

Look At Structures And Forms

After you have mastered drawing flat shapes, and you have built up your confidence, it is then time to move onto structures and forms. When you look at most objects you are wanting to draw they have a structure or form of some sort, and mastering this is half of your battle. For example, if you want to draw a mushroom you may start with the stem and then draw the top (or head) of the mushroom, giving it a structure and form. It can be hard drawing structures when you are a beginner, but if you break items up into smaller more manageable sections you should find the whole process a lot easier.

Don’t Forget The Details

Now that you have the shape and the form correctly drawn, you need to make your drawing look more lifelike and realistic. To make a piece more lifelike you need to start focusing on the details. All of the details make a big difference, so do not underestimate how important they are. Of course, you can clutter a drawing by adding too many details, so knowing when to stop is just as important as knowing how many details to include. When it comes to adding realistic details it is always useful if you have several images or pictures to refer to for reference.

Use Your Imagination

Following guidance and advice for drawing for beginners is good, and it is something that you should be doing. However, you must also learn to use, and trust your imagination. Bringing your ideas to life is made easier when you use your imagination. So, do not be afraid to tap into your imagination, and draw out the creative energy and juices that are locked up.

Take Your Time As Patience Is Required

Some objects and items are easier to draw than others and this is something that you should accept. Having time and patience is essential. Rushing through a drawing is no good, and it is not going to be beneficial for your confidence or ability to draw what you want to. It takes both time and patience to draw how you want to so never rush the process or else you will end up with less than perfect or desirable;e results, and this will ultimately leave you feeling frustrated and annoyed.

Don’t be afraid to get it wrong as everyone makes mistakes no matter how long they have been drawing and you will be no different. Making mistakes will help you learn, and help you brush up on your skill and ability. If you are afraid of getting things wrong, or of making mistakes then you will not learn, and ultimately you will stay stagnant with your drawing ability. So, be open to learning, embrace making mistakes and move forwards from them in a positive manner.