Guide to Sketching

Wanna be a pencil sketch artist? Are you curious about how to draw a Pencil Sketch Portrait? Well, we have come to your rescue and make you learn how to draw pencil drawings step by step keeping in mind every beginner’s confusion and curiosity. it is a beginner guide to sketching

The art of making a perfect Pencil sketch requires the ability to depict people expertly, places and things via the use of pencils, charcoal or pastels. Sketching from imagination is the most fulfilling and the most relaxing thing a person could do. It is mainly done by the use of graphite pencil, as its slightest pressure could make a mark. Drawing a portrait reflects the creativity within the person. The best part about being creative is you can use it in any age group.

So beginners are you ready to level up your Pencil sketching skills step by step and become a Pro pencil sketch Artist in just a week?

Pencil sketching is nothing but the creation of shadow without light

TOOLS REQUIRED:

You cannot create quality artwork with inadequate material. So here are the things you need to create an impressive piece of Pencil Sketch:

Tools for pencil sketching

1. PENCILS

Obviously! But in the world of art and artisans, there are more options to choose from that of those conventional pencils. Pencils are graded by both “Pencil by numbers” and letters, with “H” and “B” being softer and harder. So the pencils available for a graphite sketch are like 2B, 4B, and 6B. Within each category, there are numbers denoting degrees of hardness or softness; the higher the number, the softer the pencil and vice-versa.

The pencil is mightiest now!

2. ERASER

Erasers aren’t just for do-over and clean-ups. They can also be used for shading and special effects. Even if your pencil has an eraser on end, it will be worn down in no time, A soft gum eraser will be suitable and low cost for a perfect professional pencil sketch.

I am Mr. Eraser, Dad of backspace!

3. PAPER

To start as a beginner obviously, you won’t invest in an expensive paper. Instead invest in two types of documents sketch paper, which is cheap and ideal for testing and experimenting with our ideas and refining. The second paper is archival drawing paper, which is thicker and has a gentle “tooth” that is ideal for graphite.

4. RULER

A ruler will help you to measure and graph your drawings. A ruler is used to draw a line, the dimensions of your sketch and to draw a proper layout to something that is too geometrical or needs systematic sketching.

Ruler does not make the rules, it follows

5. SHARPENER

You will need good sharper. An excellent choice for pencil sketch artist is a manual pencil sharpener with two openings. Each will sharpen the pencil into a different type of tip, so this will give you a lot of drawing versatility.

I have got a sharp tooth 🙂

6. REFERENCE PHOTOS

If you are getting started, a photograph is a great reference Choice because it won’t move or change as you work. Try to go with something basic like a flower, tables, etc.
Warning: don’t copy-paste the exact image; just use the models for practice.

 

Now we are sure enough of what all tools are required to make a Pencil sketch, but now we need to know how to make the first mark.

So here are the steps which will lead you to a successful Pencil Sketch:

 

1. USE A REFERENCE PICTURE

If you are just getting started, a reference picture is a must because it will help you to draw correctly and from that, you will gain the knowledge of how objects a sketched. You can take reference pictures from the internet, newspapers or magazines.

2. DRAW AN OUTLINE

Draw the basic shape of the object, but don’t worry about the realism or perfection here, just go with the flow of the pencil. It’s okay to make mistakes on this step.

3. BLENDING GRAPHITE

Now, this is an essential step as while doing this, and you need to keep in mind a lot of things to reach the desired outcome. Blending graphite is not as easy as it looks, but with practice, you can master this technique. The following examples show how blending should and should not look like.

It is essential to place your pencil lines slowly and evenly at the very beginning. If your pencil lines are put down in a rush, the scribble-like application will come up, then no amount of blending will make then look smooth.

(Pro tip: slow and steady wins the blending race!)

So here are the tips to do the blending thing correctly:

-> DON’T SCRIBBLE

It is essential to place your pencil lines slowly and evenly at the very beginning. If your pencil lines are put down in a rush, the scribble-like application will come up, then no amount of blending will make then look smooth.

(Pro tip: slow and steady wins the blending race!)

-> SMOOTH LINES FROM DARK TO LIGHT

Work from dark to light, going up and down and back forth at the same time will make it look more smooth and blended. This is how the lines should look like:

-> A LIGHT TOUCH FOR BLENDING

Use the same up and down, back and forth technique but do remember, not to press down hard as you blend because This will make the paper look rough and choppy. The lighter your touch, the smoother the blend will be.

(Pro tip: when blending, always hold your pencil at the right angle to get the best results or smooth finish)

WORKING WITH TONES AND SHADING

This is the heart and soul of the pencil sketch. Without these a sketch is incomplete. They make the drawing look more realistic. Learn this and you will be one step closer to becoming the pro Pencil sketch artist

1. TONES
This includes:

• CONTRAST

Don’t be afraid to get dark on the shadows. Contrast is significant for creating a look of realism.

• APPLICATION OF TONE

Always apply your pencil lines according to the contours of the subject. Blend using long vertical strokes, lightening the touch when you get into the light and similarly darkening the touch when a denser look is needed.

 2. EDGES

Anytime you have to use a line to describe the shape of something; you must get rid of the look of outlining. The darkness of a drawn line belongs to one drawing surface or another. Fade the dark out into the smooth surface it belongs to and creates a look of an edge, not an outline.

3. UNEVEN TONE

Correct uneven tones using an eraser. From the eraser gently draw the irregularity out. Use a very light touch. This is called drawing in reverse.

(Pro tip: you can also crisp the edges using the reverse drawing technique)

4. SHADING

To create realism in your sketch, you must first understand how lighting-effects are formed. There are 5 elements of shading essential of depicting an object more realistic. Without the solid foundation of these elements, everything will look flat. Your subject will look 3 dimensional only when the effects of light and shadow are appropriately placed.

Each of the 5 elements of shading can be seen in the sphere below:

 

1. CAST SHADOW

It is often the darkest part of the drawing because there is where the light is completely blocked. This should be drawn is close to the black as possible. As it comes off the dark, it will start to appear lighter as shown in the picture

2. SHADOW EDGE

Also referred to as the turning shadow. It is not the edge of the object, instead of the shadow on the object the shows it’s a rounded surface. This is a dark grey tone that corresponds in the picture above.

3. HALFTONE

This is the exact color of the object, unaffected by the light. It has no shadow.

4. REFLECTED LIGHT

Look at the sphere above; you will see the rim of light along the edge reflecting on the shadow side. That is the reflected light 

5. FULL LIGHT

There is a part of the object they receive the most light. It is in the picture where the tones fade gently into the white sheet of paper

Well, so these are the detailed steps through which a person can master a graphite sketch. But make sure you don’t forget to practice as “practice makes a man perfect.” soon you will be able to get all those facial features, eyes, nose, lips, etc captured successfully.

 

The day is not too far when you’ll be mastering the art of drawing a Pencil Sketch and will be a renowned Pencil sketch artist. Good luck and keep practicing!