How do I imprve my sketching skills?

Question

Technical sketching skills that is, but still not that technical. Bascially technical sketching freehand, without equipment.

I need to be able to do rough sketches before doing full working drawings.

What are some tips, techniques or methods used? I know that sketching isn't technical or method like but are there any tips I should know?

Answer 1

"Practise makes perfect" does have some truth to it, but there is more. Everyone has to find a method that works best for them, and to compensate for their weaknesses in sketching (we all have at least one).

My problem has always been that I rush into minute details too soon, and I realized that focusing on sketching the negative space or background first allows me to block in the drawing nicely before proceeding logically to detail. You mention working- and technical drawings so I am presuming you are in architecture or interior design. Perspective and contrast are the two most important things for design/architectural drawings. Even freehand, make sure you follow a loose and basic perspective drawing technique either using vanishing points and horizon line, or use a perspective grid under your drawing until you gain more confidence.

Sketches done for architectural or interior design generally have a section or thing that require emphasis and this is where contrast comes in. The coolest thing is how you can draw attention to what you really want someone to focus on. Either add lots of detail only to that area, or render only that one part of the drawing in subtle colour.

If you don't already have some of Francis Ching's books, you might want to look into purchasing at least one or two of them.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Simply draw from life, as long and as often as you can. MAKE yourself do quick sketches by limiting the time you spend on any one subject to 30 seconds or less. It's not important how well the sketch turns out. After all, this is just practice. The skill you are learning is to train the eye to recognize what is important in capturing the subject. It may be the outline, it may be the texture, it may be the shading, or whatever.

The trick is to work fast, and quickly turn to another subject. Don't limit yourself to any one kind of subject. Try to work on people, animals, architecture, cars, planes, trees, flowers. Especially don't get stuck in a rut drawing only your favorite subjects.

An artist needs to learn, develop and continue practicing his craftmanship, which is what you mean by "technical." It is learning "technique." Even the most abstract artists kept ongoing sketchbooks. Many pages contain nothing that resembles their finished work.

Answer 3

Hi!
Sketching is always has to be practiced :)
There's a few tips I've got from my visual arts teacher:
If you sketch something with just a pen, so its a "fast sketch",
1. try to draw the outlines of the object
2. try to catch the heart of the matter, the most important curves shapes, that describes that object
3. try to sketch an object in as little time as possible.
And remember, if you sketch something you don't have to add all the details to it, and shade it photo naturally, the meaning of sketching is to get the heart of the matter as I said before.
Hope I've helped You!

Answer 4

Drawing is a delicate balance of carefully and accurately, earnestly, meticulously and perfectly, and spatially, and with correct shading, and re-checking and standing back and looking of portraying an object on a flat piece of paper against actually forcing yourself to put something on the paper.
First, attempt to copy technical drawings so you can easily realize your faults and erase and correct and reattempt.
Then, attempt to draw actual objects. Try drawing the same object many times to compare what techniques worked the best.
Then, practice theorizing and drawing things in theory.

Most important, pay attention! Sketching is an exercise of curiousity.

Answer 5

Never put a time limit on art. Look at an object and draw it until it feels real. Get to know a seasoned artist and learn a few tricks like shading techniques and negative space drawing, it really opens up a lot of possibilities,so do formal classes.

Answer 6

practice everyday or whenever you get time-when sketching, skech your drawing out "light" so you can erase any mistakes you make, as soon as you're happy with the sketch, add the darks to it. (I hope I helped you out-good luck)