They say that it takes about 10,000 hours to master a particular skill. Is this thesis works for drawing? Where to start learning? And how to learn to draw faster? All tips on beginning to draw you will find below.
Where to Start Learning Drawing?
- Define a goal. If you want to enter the university and work as an artist or designer, you should take your studies seriously: make a curriculum, and practice regularly. If you would like to be able to draw as a hobby, then the approach can be more spontaneous and individual. Nevertheless, the first thing you should start with is sketching and academic drawing.
- To understand how to learn to draw, exercise the simplest spatial shapes: a circle, a square, a triangle. Those are easy enough for the beginning. Moreover, they will lay the foundation of your drawing skill. Also, most of what is drawn are based on them. It's crucial to learn to draw those forms really well, so do not stop practicing until you're happy with the result. What's more, such a beginning strengthens your motivation. By drawing circle after circle, you will see how it becomes more and more perfect. Once you master the outlines of the figures, you can move on to trying to reflect the play of light and shadow on them, making them voluminous.
- Begin to draw shadows and penumbra on the circle, turning it into a three-dimensional figure. Then try to draw on paper a sphere that stands on the surface, then add a shadow that it casts on the surface. So, that is the time for a still-life drawing. If possible, use live props instead of photos or other people's sketches. Vegetables, fruits, and berries are the easiest forms to begin drawing sketches with. Looking at a tomato, carrot, or grape and trying to recreate its position on the table on paper can train your eye to see shadows and highlights better.
- At the next stage, you will become almost like Leonardo because you will be able to master the perspective in painting. It was the aerial perspective, that once made the Mona Lisa a revolutionary canvas. To master this advanced drawing technique, use photos and draw from nature indoors and outdoors. Do not be afraid of mistakes, and do not get hung up on trifles. Try again and again - and at some point, you will definitely succeed. That could be boring a bit. However, by doing it, you pave your way to the easier drawing future.
Read more: How to Create a 3D Drawing
After you manage to master the first and basic level of drawing, you find yourself on the road. Then you already have a choice between drawing techniques, ways of further learning, and various complications of the skill. You can either continue to study drawing on your own or seek help from specialists: at an art school, on courses, or from a tutor.
All options are good enough. When choosing self-education, you should understand that by saving money, you spend more time studying. And attending courses or art school, you have to follow the program strictly and keep up with the group.
For those who want to combine all the advantages of mentorship, one-to-one classes with a tutor are the best choice. Together, you will create a training program based on your goals and move on at your pace. The learning process will not require you to complete large projects in a short time or pass special exams. A tutor for drawing you can find on the UpSkillsTutor.
Learning To Draw: Basic Tools For Beginners
- Stock up on paper. Even plain paper from a notebook is suitable enough for the start.
- Buy drawing tools. Experts recommend buying three types of pencils: hard, soft, and medium soft. You can pick up the right ones in any art shop.
- Eraser and ruler are needless. At the beginning of your drawing journey, you need to do everything by your hand. If the line is not straight enough, make a new try. Your hands will manage this over time, believe me.
- Take care of the correct lighting. With paper, you should find a place near a window or sit next to a fluorescent lamp. Proper lighting is crucial for you to see all the shades and colors clearly.
How To Learn To Draw Faster: Tips For Beginners
- Try to draw those shapes you learned already in different techniques. Using different hatching methods, you add dynamics to your sketches, as well as train your hand.
- Sketch regularly from life when you watch movies or travel. It develops your spatial vision, and also makes your hand more exercised.
- While learning to draw, it is much better to make as many sketches as possible as to correct one endlessly. The more times you draw the shape, the better your hand will cope with it. You will improve the details and bring your drawing to perfection, but that is for later.
- Watch videos and guides on YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, or TikTok about how one or another object is drawn, and try to repeat moves. Step-by-step drawing is unlikely to become an alternative to academic drawing and develop a true artist's view. However, it works effectively as an additional tool that strengthens the base.
