So you've decided to take up drawing — a delightful choice, indeed! But where to start? Don't fret, because in this guide we will cover the basics of drawing in six simple steps. This guide is perfect for absolute beginners who have never held a drawing pencil before. So let's get started.
Step 1: Gather your materials
Before you start, you'll need some essential tools. Here's a list of basic drawing materials you'll need:
- Drawing pencils
- A good quality eraser
- A sketchbook
- A sharpener
Each of these tools plays an important role in drawing. So, make sure you have all of them before you start.
Step 2: Learn to hold your pencil
The first step in learning to draw is learning how to hold your pencil. There are different ways to hold your pencil when drawing, like the writing position, the tripod grip, or the extended grip. Experiment with each one and choose the one that feels the most comfortable to you.
Step 3: Start with basic shapes
Everything around us can be broken down into basic shapes. So, start by drawing simple forms like circles, squares, and triangles. Practice drawing these shapes repeatedly until you're comfortable with them. This exercise will improve your line control and hand-eye coordination.
Step 4: Learn about perspective
Perspective is what gives your drawing a three-dimensional look. There are different types of perspective, like one-point perspective, two-point perspective, and three-point perspective. Start by learning and practicing one-point perspective.
Step 5: Start shading
Shading adds depth to your drawing. It's what makes your drawing look realistic. Practice shading simple forms, like spheres and cubes. Experiment with different shading techniques like hatching, cross-hatching, and stippling.
Step 6: Practice, practice, practice
The most important step in learning to draw is practice. Draw as much as you can. The more you draw, the better you'll get. So keep your sketchbook with you at all times and draw whenever you get the chance. And remember, it's okay to make mistakes. That's how we learn.
By following these six simple steps, you'll be able to draw basic shapes and objects, understand perspective, add depth through shading, and most importantly, enjoy the process of creating art. So, what are you waiting for?
