Click here to read the introduction to the course if you missed it!
Drawing is simply the process of layering shapes, lines, scribbles and values on top of each other until you get your desired result.
In this first lesson, we’re going to focus on the process of sketching. If you can make a mark on a piece of paper, you can learn how to sketch! You don’t need to be able to draw straight lines or perfect circles in order to be an artist.
Introduction to Sketching
Sketching is the process of roughly scribbling an idea on paper. It allows you to bring your ideas to life quickly so you can save time in the long run. It’s a great way to brainstorm!
So don’t be afraid to make mistakes!
This stage is meant for exploration! When I make a mistake, I find ways to use that mistake to my advantage. If I can’t, I’ll simply move on.
How to Sketch
It’s best to use free flowing lines that are loosely and lightly drawn. To do that, adjust your grip on the pencil so that your hand is relaxed instead of tense. If your hand usually gets tired after you’ve drawn for less than an hour, you’re probably gripping it too tightly.
When making an initial sketch, you’ll want to leave your perfectionism behind and focus on general shapes. Think about the size, shape, angle, etc. The last thing you want to think about is detail!
Let’s Sketch Something Together!
Since this is a sketching tutorial for beginners, I’m using my left hand (non-dominant hand) to show you that you don’t need to have good control of your hand in order to sketch well.
Step 1: Sketch a circle loosely
I sketched a circle using a bunch of loosely drawn lines. Don’t worry if your lines are going in weird directions. It’s likely that you’re not going to draw something perfect the first time around. That’s totally fine! Remember, we’re supposed to work in layers.
Step 2: Refine the shape
After your initial sketch, find areas that need improvement and sketch over it until you get closer to your desired result.
Step 3: Keep refining
Keep repeating that step until you get even closer to what you want.
Tip: You can rotate your sketch book to help your eyes look at the shape differently. You might spot some obvious areas that need fixing.
Step 4: Define the shape
Happy with how it looks overall? Use more confident lines to define the shape of your circle. You can erase the scribbly lines or let them disappear naturally as you continue to work on your drawing.
Like That Example? Here are Some More!
I got used to moving my elbow and shoulder joint to draw which gave me much smoother lines. If you look at the images in the example above, you’l notice that my lines gradually become a lot less wobbly.
I thought it would be fun to show you the difference between a sketch made with my left versus right hand:
Your Homework Assignment
Things to remember while you draw:
- Don’t be a perfectionist
- Focus on the overall shape instead of the details
- Use a gentle amount of pressure
Assignment #1:
Fill an entire page in your sketchbook, following the steps in this lesson.
Step 1: Sketch Loosely
Step 2: Refine the shape
Step 3: Refine it further
Step 4: Define the desired shape
Find objects to draw around the house, outside or from a quick google search on “random objects”. Once you fill an entire page in your sketchbook, fill another one.
My challenge to you: If you can draw 50 things in your sketchbook and submit it to the facebook page, I’ll feature your artwork down below!
Here are some ideas for you to draw:
- Fork
- Apple
- Banana
- Laptop
- Jacket
- Hat
- Your hand
- Your foot
- Your eye
- Key
- Lamp
- Cat
- Dog
- Bird
- Boat
- Tree
- Flower
- Car
- Helicopter
- Plane
- Alligator
- Person jumping
- Person sitting
- Person standing
- My avatar picture
Done the assignment?
Let me know if/how you improved and how this lesson helped you draw better!
If you’re waiting for lesson 2, sign up to my special mailing list in the footage or follow me on facebook and I’ll notify you when it’s posted.
Update: Click here for lesson 2
Have any questions? Drop them in the comment section below and I’ll get back to you shortly!
Readers Who Completed the Challenge!
Firoz Wadud <– he drew 80!!
Anahita Sharma
Ritwik Verma
Guylene Antoine
Darlene created RFA In 2013 with the goal of sharing simple yet detailed drawing tutorials with other artists on the world wide web. She is a self taught pencil portrait artist and Youtuber.
I’m trying to figure out how to send you the two photos of my sketch pages; I took them on my cell phone so need a phone to send them so I can text ’em. I’m taking your lessons on how to draw faces. Finished the first one and now I look forward to the others!
Math and art comingle in this first lesson, which gets students to think about shapes and objects from different perspectives. The information here prepares students for sketching and graphically rendering golf holes in future lessons.
Thank you so much for providing this detailed tutorials. I almost lost my passion to draw several years ago until I started seeing my daughter searching for basic sketching tutorials in youtube! We’ll start following your tutorials this summer vacation. It’s a great opportunity for the both of us to learn and to bond as well. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, talent, and passion. Kudos!! :) :) :)
Please what are the best penci and drawing tools to use as a beginner
I’m so glad I found this site. Looking forward to starting my first assignment
Thank You, mam… I got too many tips and tricks of sketching by watching your blog… This helped me to open my own blog… I would be highly obliged and thankful to you if you just have a look at my blog and kindly provide me with reviews…
Wow, the last user, Guylene Antoibe, what is he/she doing in a beginner course? His/her sketches are impressive, that’s a real talent!!! Native one!!! I couldn’t draw so perfectly not even after 30 years of practicing! Anyway, by the way, great tutorials, I love them, very useful! 😘
Hello Darlene Please check my latest blog post- 3dvkarts (dot) com/2019/03/16/amitabh-bachchan-drawing-step-by-step/
i just had to comment i really love the way you teach how to draw you really iinspire me with your super easy tutorials ….all the way from east africa kenya
A Computer Science Student here who loves to be lazy on Sunday morning but not anymore
I always wanted to draw recently I drew something and one of my friends said oh my god you are very good And I was super excited to learn more and suddenly I came across your website
I have to say, in this world, we need people like you
You are simply the best.
If you ever need my help please do not hesitate to contact me I can create you more beautiful and Professional website for FREE
It is 2019 and I am the first to comment this year. I came across this website just recently and wanted to learn to draw well. I have health issues that took away a lot of my ability to use my dominant hand, so everything I draw is still shaky.
I went to film school at an art college, and had to take classes in art, but they went with the presumption that we could already draw. I have been on many tutorial sites, and yours is the only one so far that doesn’t expect a perfect circle with perfect lines right at the beginning.
Your tutorials seem very easy to follow, I appreciate that because my learning style has to be straightforward with no other subtle instructions that would throw me off.
I am using a Wacom Bamboo pen table, it is several years old and a little scratched, but it is effective enough for what I am trying to learn. I have tried many times to draw from other tutorials and just could not seem to get it. Thank you for teaching more like an artist. And thank you for your patience to get across all the information.
Excited to start
Great classes! I always want to learn sketch but did not how to start. and fund this is an fun and easy to start classes. Awesome!
Thanks.
This lesson is seriously testing me with some of the hardest things. Drawing lightly, not worrying about details, and not being a perfectionist. I’ve always been bold with a pencil, worry too much about details, and am a perfectionist. These lessons give me high hopes. I’ve gone through college but didn’t really learn much there at all, so starting over again after four years (some personal drawing peppered throughout the months).
Thanks for posting this. Hopefully I’ll learn a lot more by following along in these lessons.
yo we made fortnite yoooo