10/9/2019 20 sketching tips to help you make your first marks | Creative Bloq

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20 sketching tips to help you make your rst marks

By Creative Bloq Sta July 16, 2019 Illustration  

Leading artists share their sketching tips to help you get started, then take things further.

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(Image credit: Von Reuden)

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If a lack of sketching tips are holding you back from beginning your sketching journey, then we've got you covered. We've asked
experienced artists to share their best sketching advice to help you get going with con dence. 

On the current page, there are tips for how to get started. But if you are already one step ahead you can jump to page 2 to nd ways
you can build on your existing skill set. Whether you want technical pointers or techniques for getting inspired, there will be
something to help you.

So, do you have your pencils ready? If you need some help with choosing which ones you should buy, see our post on the best
pencils – and get ready to learn all you need to know about sketching.

Click the icons in the top right of the pictures to enlarge them

01. Know your pencils

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10/9/2019 20 sketching tips to help you make your first marks | Creative Bloq

There's a big di erence between 4B and 4H

Having the right pencil for your sketch is essential. The hardness of the graphite is indicated on the side of the pencil: 'B' pencils are
softer, 'H' are harder, and 'HB' sits in the middle – there's a big di erence between a 4H and a 4B. "I recommend starting
somewhere on the H scale as a foundation and then nishing with the darker B scale," says travelling convention artist Tim Von
Rueden.

When you're learning how to draw, it's also worth considering using mechanical pencils alongside traditional ones. "Mechanical
pencils are usually better suited for precision, while traditional pencils are great for laying down large areas of texture," says Von
Rueden. "Keep in mind that most mechanical pencils come with HB pre-inserted, which gives you only the middle range to work
with."

02. Take control of your pencil

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Tripod (top) and extended tripod (bottom) grips

"If you position your hand closer to the end of the pencil, you have more control and precision, but heavier strokes (darker
markings)," says illustrator Sylwia Bomba. "Gripping further up the pencil will give you less control and precision, but lighter strokes
(lighter markings)." 

For more advice, read our article on how to hold a pencil correctly. 

03. Try di erent mark-making methods

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10/9/2019 20 sketching tips to help you make your first marks | Creative Bloq

There are many ways to create form within your sketches

There are plenty of sketching techniques to help you achieve di erent styles and e ects. Above are some examples demonstrating
di erent ways to create form and depth. "It’s important to experiment and nd what works best for you, to not only complement
but enhance your style," explains Von Rueden. "While I prefer smoother value transitions with the pencil strokes blending in against
a thin outline, you may be more partial to cross-hatching against a bold outline."

04. Vary your lines

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Shifts in the width and darkness of your lines will create interest

Use varied lines, says illustrator Rovina Cai. "Not all lines are equal. Subtle shifts in the width and darkness of your lines will create a
dynamic, visually interesting drawing. Controlling the kind of mark you put down can be tricky in the beginning, but with practice
you will be able to create a variety of marks that work together to make a cohesive image. Experiment with di erent pencil grades
(from 3H to 6B) and with holding the pencil at di erent angles."

05. Avoid smudging

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Use an extra piece of paper under your hand to avoid smudging your work

"When shading, use an extra piece of paper underneath your hand," advises artist Brun Croes. "This will minimise the amount your
hand smudges your pencil lines. If you're right-handed, start shading from left to right; if you're left-handed, start at the right and
move to the left.

"There's nothing more frustrating than trying to make a clean-looking drawing that loses its brilliance and value thanks to smudging.
Instead, use smudging to your advantage every now and then to smooth out shading. You can do this with several tools. I use a
simple piece of tissue paper to get the job done."

06. Control your edges

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Create interest by combining di erent types of edges

Von Rueden uses four di erent sketching techniques to de ne object edges: thin, hard, lost and unde ned. A thin and hard edges
give objects solid borders. Lost edges occur when the object and background values start to blend together, so the edge is implied
rather than de ned. Unde ned edges need to be deciphered by the viewer themselves. He suggests exploring all four types, and
combining them to create interest within your work.

07. Use a blending stick for smooth shading

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Create subtle shading by smudging large areas of soft charcoal

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It is possible to create smooth, blended e ects using pencils – for example, to capture a sky. "Sometimes it's preferable for your
shading to be less sketchy and more smooth and subtle," says artist Marisa Lewis. "Pencil lines don't blend perfectly unless you're
very careful." 

To avoid your initial scribbles showing through, Lewis uses a particular art technique. "Use spare paper to doodle a big swatch of
soft graphite or charcoal pencil, then use a large blending stick to pick up the soft dust to use for your image," she explains. "Keep
using the blending stick and adding more scribbles as you need more graphite." You can then build up darker areas to create
de nition.

08. Apply the 70/30 rule

Keep your main focal point within around 30 per cent of the image

Less can be more! The 70/30 rule helps you create e ective compositions. The idea is that 30 per cent of your sketch is lled with
the main focus and detail, and the remaining 70 per cent is ller. This less interesting area helps direct attention towards the main
subject of your artwork. You can see the rule in action in Von Rueden's sketch above.

09. Make it symmetrical (but not quite)

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Keep a nice contrast going between a nished look and a more of a sketchy feel

"I like symmetrical drawings, but they often look boring all too quickly," says Croes. "A good way to prevent this is to add some
subtle changes and only keep the general lines symmetrical instead of mirroring every small part. Keeping some elements
asymmetrical helps to avoid boring repetition."

10. Di erentiate di erent textures

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Consider if the material is rough or smooth, and if it absorbs or re ects light

To show di erent textures within your sketch, you need to adjust your technique. "You wouldn’t want to shade skin the same way
you shade metallics or fur. They each have unique properties and capturing that will elevate your drawings because of the accuracy
depicted," says Von Rueden. 

A good starting point is to consider if the texture is rough or smooth, and then if it absorb or re ects light. "A re ecting and smooth
texture, such as chrome, usually has higher contrasts and prominent highlights, while an absorbing and rough texture like cotton
has low contrasts and little to no highlight present," he continues.

Next page: Advanced sketching tips to take your drawings to a new level

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