by Sri Sruthi D
When I started sketching, I faced some problems for which I wish someone helped me in the beginning. So I wanted to share the solutions for the same and help those who just started to sketch. When we take up a new hobby, it's obvious to face problems---it is up for you to fix them and shine.
Usually, when I start something new, I skip the learning step and go to the practicing step. Remember that learning is a cardinal step to excel at anything. Learn tips and hacks, and watch some tutorials before you jump into sketching--It'll make your progress easy to grow faster.
While I'm drawing something and if it turns out pretty bad in half-way, I'll stop the sketch and go to another one, and I will never come back to it again. But if we do so, we'll never get to fix the flaws we have. "Perfection has no place in the modern world as beauty is found in imperfections." So don't look for perfection in the beginning, finish the sketch and you can always go back and improve it if you aren't satisfied.
I've started to sketch when I was eight years old. I've gone to a few competitions, and it's mandatory to use thick drawing sheets. But I always hated how my drawing looks on those thick and rough sheets. So after a long break, when I started to sketch again in the last year, I used notebook pages. I didn't like them either, as you can see the impressions in the following pages but had to compromise for the finished look. Recently, I've come to know that sketching sheets which are different from the drawing sheets, have a medium thickness and preferrable for practicing rather than finished work. Since then, I've been using sketching sheets, and they turned out pretty good.
3. Art supplies
Until recently, I only used a sheet, a pencil, an eraser, and a sharpener for my sketches. I often used to think that most of the art supplies are just hype. Even now I don't have many art supplies, but I've found some of them very helpful and at times necessary--white paint markers/glitters, kneaded erasers, tortillons.
White paint markers are best at highlighting in small areas and also give a shiny look. You can also use white glitters or pencils for that purpose, but with less effect. I didn't buy kneaded erasers and tortillons, because I thought they are ridiculous (I usually use Clic eraser, and my finger instead of a kneaded eraser and tortillons respectively). But then I've made them by watching youtube tutorials here and here, and I found them pretty useful.
I'm very timid to color my drawings. It's because I always ruin my pretty good sketches after coloring (be it crayons, pastels, acrylic paint, or even color pencils). I've taken some glass painting classes when I was younger, to overcome that fear. But nothing worked--I was very terrible at coloring. But one day I've decided to work on that flaw, now I can at least paint if not spectacularly, so don't give up anything easily. If you're not getting what you've expected, try changing the drawing sheets, or brand (my favorite is Faber Castle), or color-water consistency, and just practice--because in the end, you'll succeed.
5. Shading
I thought I know how to shade, until one day when I happened to search bout that. There are many techniques in shading: cross-hatching, parallel-hatching, contour lines, scribbles, blending, rendering, stripling, entangles, and patterns. Analysis of light (light illusion) plays a vital role in shading. To draw shadows, you've to be familiar with the source position, and the effect of reflected light on the object. I found this video very helpful--you can find many sites and youtube tutorials to master shading. Also, art supplies like shading-pencils and tortillons come handy in these situations.
6. Proportions and alignment
‘Art is a space in which freedom tests its wings’ — Marty Rubin
I used to stick to particular poses, and eventually, got bored with them, so you have to explore all categories, poses, and enjoy the freedom. But without knowing how the features should align and at what proportions and angles, your sketches will look like scribbles. Check some tutorials and websites like this one and learn how it works. Theory won’t be sufficient for this segment--you’ve to perceive, experience, and practice to master this. To improve yourselves more, observe the surroundings, and you can even take pictures of yourself at different angles, lengths, and poses and try to recreate them.
7. Portraits
Do you know why I believe that humans evolved from primates?? Because when I sketch portraits, they look like apes. But when I compare the individual features, I don't find much difference. So once I tried to trace and sketch, bam, I got it. Then the next time, I took approximate measurements and drew--the portrait was neat and resembled with the original. Which means the features should be scaled down or up, and placed in the right positions, distances, and angles. Before skipping to portraits, make sure you are good at shading, proportions, and alignments. Even the slightest changes can make the portrait plain.
8. Copyright issues
Until recently, I never drew something on my own. I usually choose a sketch on the internet and recreate it--plagiarism. Recreating (even freehand drawing) any photograph or sketches comes under copyright infringement, but if you want to, you've to take the permission of the copyright owner. Just remember that copyright will automatically protect original arts, even if the owner didn't register for it. So I never posted my drawings on any platforms except on Pinterest as it has a special shelf for tries. Better not to recreate something and claim as it's your work on the internet. Please look into this link and understand copyright issues thoroughly before taking any risks.
9. Creative Art
Let's keep copyrights aside, recreating someone's work and claiming it yours comes under stealing art. That's what I did before knowing what it's called. I know nobody means to thieve because we always want some reference to learn and get inspired.
Good artists copy and great artist steal — Picasso (maybe he stole this quote from T.S.Eliot, we never know)
But in my opinion, art is all about expressing yourself and enjoying it. So work your imagination and sketch what comes into your mind. But don't stress yourself on creativity--if you are comfortable and enjoy in recreating, then go ahead and do--because it sometimes resonates with inspiration and fuels your imagination (as Jim Jarmusch, an Indie filmmaker quoted).
10. Comparing
10. Comparing
It is unhealthy to compare yourselves with others in any aspect. I used to feel inferior when I watch tutorials or sketchbook tours. No matter how good you are at your work, there will be someone in this entire world who can beat you. So, next time when you see others' work, appreciate it and get inspired, rather than feeling inferior. If you stop comparing, you won't be under stress to make yourself stand out. But you'll know your progress and where you stand in your field by comparing. So once in a while, recreate some of your old sketches, and track your progress.
Wow I never knew you were an artist, I am sure you will be the best.
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