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The texture is the heart and soul of Pencil Drawing. And to retain
this Texture, We will reveal the Most Important Secret of Realism in
this tutorial today! Pencil Strokes are the most basic and an
Essen�al lesson to understand in the field of Realism. But, most of
us overlook to observe our strokes.
Let’s do an exercise! Pick up a B or HB pencil. Try out some strokes.
A�er that try to extend it from the bo�om. You may observe
something as shown in the picture shown below.

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So when we draw realis�c portraits with these strokes, the impact
of the portrait may not come out. As observed, many ar�st’s
smudge using paper bits, ear buds, co�on, fingers, cloth and many
other techniques. Smudging does not bring the feel of Pencil
Drawing. When we smudge, we destroy the texture which again
ruins realism.
So, the only and most important primary technique to learn realism
is learning the Pencil Strokes.
Here, we use only two important strokes,
Tapered Strokes
Circular Strokes

Materials Required:
• Fabriano accademia (schizzi) 120gsm
• Sharpened B Pencil

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TAPERED STROKES
How to Master this skill?
In Tapered strokes, both the ends of the stroke needs to be very
light. The advantage of mastering this that we can extend the
strokes in such a way that we don’t find any patch in the between.
The Stroke is just like an aeroplane landing to an airport and then
flying high again.

How to make Tapered strokes?

Sharpen your B pencil First. Now, Hold the pencil between your first
finger and your middle finger and balance it with your thumb. The
mo�on path of this stroke is very much like “Gliding”. The wrist
remains only at one posi�on and only the fingers only need to
move.
Pivot Point

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Have a look at the above picture. Set your pivot point on your Index
finger. Do not rotate your pencil while prac�sing strokes, once the
pivot point is set, you can prac�se in the natural circumference of
your fingers.Now, start prac�sing the stroke. Each stroke will be an
indivdual stroke. Leave space between each stroke to analyse them
by comparing them. Ini�ally, we may observe some hooks. To avoid
them, do not give a star�ng point for the stroke. It is in oval
direc�on.

The pressure of the stroke has to be in the centre. It takes �me to

master this stroke. So first analyse strokes separately and then bring
them closer.
PRACTISING THIS STROKE DAILY IS VERY IMPORTANT.
This Stroke is that 1% that brings out the rest 99% in hyper-realis�c
Pencil Art.

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Bringing Each Stroke Closer.

It takes 3-4 days on an average for anyone to learn the strokes

individually. A�er prac�sing each strokes, now we will bring each
stroke close and make such segments. Now, in this what we need to
make sure is that we leave no white space between any two strokes
and the strokes must be uniform, that is, there has to be no dark
and light areas. This prac�se will help us while rendering base layers
for our artworks.

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Key Points for Tapered Strokes

Use a B or a HB pencil to prac�se Tapered Strokes. (light grade so�

pencil)
Wrist has to always be Firm at one place. Never move your wrist
while prac�sing.

Only use your Index, Middle finger and your thumb.

There has to be a fix pivot point set at your index finger.

Free Flow of Strokes. let your strokes be Natural.

Do not apply pressure on the pencil with your fingers purposely.

Observe the start and end of each stroke. Both need to be light.

A�er mastering the Stroke and then bringing each stroke closer,
make sure that the strokes are uniform and there are no white
spaces.

Mastering this Stroke is Extremely Important. On an average it takes

5-6 days to get habitual.
So, PRACTISE, PRACTISE, PRACTISE...

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PRACTISE SHEETS
(Day 1)

(Day 2)

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PRACTISE SHEETS
(Day 3)

(Day 4)

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PRACTISE SHEETS
(Day 5)

(Day 6)

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 PRACTISE SHEETS
(Day 7)

(Day 8)

Copyright © 2018 Pencil Percep�ons. All rights reserved.

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 PRACTISE SHEETS
(Day 9)

Thankyou so Much! And, Keep Prac�sing!

Copyright © 2018 Pencil Percep�ons. All rights reserved.

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