Sketching refers to the stage of drawing outlines or sketches in painting creation. Sketching can be a preliminary preparation for formal creation, or it can be used to present the general appearance of an object. Whether you plan to draw for fun or prepare to formally create a work, you can learn some sketching techniques appropriately to make the whole painting process more interesting.

Getting Started with Sketching

Get your sketching supplies ready. No matter what kind of art you do, if the materials are not up to standard or the materials are used improperly, it will be difficult to complete decent work, and the same is true for sketching. You can buy the sketching supplies you need at your local arts and crafts store. The supplies to be purchased are as follows:

• H pencil. H pencils have a hardcore and are suitable for drawing thin, straight, and clear lines. H pencils are commonly used for architectural and business drawings. You need to buy a set of H pencils, including 8H, 6H, 4H, and 2H pencils (8H is the hardest and 2H is the softest).
• B pencil. The B pencil has a soft core and is suitable for drawing blurry thick lines and shadows. B pencils are popular among art professionals. You need to buy a set of B pencils, including 8B, 6B, 4B, and 2B (8B is the softest and 2B is the hardest).
• Professional sketch paper. You can also use ordinary printing paper to draw sketches, but ordinary printing paper is thin and difficult to fully display the brushstrokes. It is best to use professional sketch paper. Professional sketch paper has a certain texture, makes it easier to draw, and the overall effect of the work is better.

Determine the sketch object. For beginners, it is much easier to sketch or copy a real person than to paint from your imagination. You can find something you like, or an object or person around you to sketch. Before you start writing, take a few minutes to observe the subject carefully. Note the following points:

• Determine the light source. Find the light source and determine the light and dark parts of the picture.
• Confirm move. Whether it is the movement of real objects or the dynamics of patterns, you must be good at capturing it so that you can determine the shape or direction of the brushstrokes.
• Determine the overall morphological structure. The overall shape structure of an object is usually composed of basic shapes such as squares, circles, triangles, etc. Observe the rough shape of the sketch object and first shape it on the drawing paper.

Don’t paint too darkly yet. Sketching is often used for basting or sketching. So when you first start sketching, you should pay attention to writing softly and making short lines. Explore various ways of using the brush while drawing. Even if you make a mistake, it will not take much effort to erase.

Try dynamic sketching. Dynamic sketching is a sketching method that uses continuous and coherent lines to outline the shape of an object without looking at the picture. This method sounds difficult, but in fact it not only helps us master the basic shape of the object, but also lays a solid foundation for the final work. In the process of practicing dynamic sketching, the eyes are only responsible for observing the object, while the hands draw on the paper. If possible, try to keep the pen on the paper, make the lines coherent and non-repetitive, and finish the work in one go. After you finish drawing, go back and erase the excess lines to further modify the entire picture.

• Dynamic sketching is somewhat similar to sketching and is very helpful for sketching.

Sketching Exercises

Have the above supplies ready. Make sure there is enough light. You can draw at your desk, in a park or downtown, in a sketchbook or on plain paper, or even on a napkin.

• For the same sketch object, try drawing several versions and decide which one you like best.

Before you start sketching, let your hands do some preparatory activities. For example, you can spend 5 to 10 minutes practicing drawing circles or straight lines to fully activate your hands.

First use an H pencil to draw, making sure the strokes are light and the lines are light. Put down the pen quickly and lightly, and keep tracing on the paper. Get yourself used to the paper. At this point, the lines should be drawn so lightly that they are almost invisible. This is the stage that lays the foundation for the entire sketching process.

Then use a dark 6B pencil. After drawing the shape according to step three, use a dark pencil to deepen the lines. Continuously add details to the picture. Increase the inner shape of the picture. Note that the proportions cannot be out of balance. If you are drawing a parking ramp, make sure the entrance and parking spaces are appropriately sized.

• After drawing with a 6B pencil, the picture will look a little dirty because the lead of the 6B pencil is softer than the lead of the previous H pencil. You can use an eraser to clean it.
• Use a softer eraser, such as a plastic eraser, so it won’t scratch the paper. The plastic eraser can fade the lines rather than completely erasing them.

Continue to add details to the picture. Perfect the lines and the entire image until you’re satisfied.

After the sketch is completed, spray fixative fluid to protect the painting.

• Use a mirror when sketching. Look at your sketch and the subject in the mirror from time to time.
• Leonardo da Vinci often did this and recommended it.
• This will help you look at your drawing in different ways and spot mistakes.

Tips

• Keep the pencil as sharp as possible. The thin tip of the pen makes it easier to draw fine lines.
• Before the work is completed, check the overall effect of the picture and darken local areas to enhance the contrast or clarity of the picture.
• Practice frequently. When you first start learning sketching, you should draw more various objects and don’t be afraid of not being able to draw well. Pick up a pen and draw boldly, even if it’s just scribbling.
• Try using a light pencil to add fine lines to your work.
• Small stains can be easily erased with a plastic eraser.
• If you want to save your work to your computer, you need to scan it.
• Even if you’re not drawing a real object, re-outlining the whole thing with a dark marker or pencil can make it appear more realistic. It’s best to darken with a fine-core black marker or a regular black marker.
• Place the object where it’s easier for your eyes to draw, so it’s less strenuous to draw.
• You can also draw based on your imagination. If you find it difficult, then draw the real thing first!
• Poor lighting in the venue can easily hurt your eyes, so be sure to ensure that the sketching venue is well-lit and open.
• Soft-core pencils stain easily. When not in use, it is best to put it in a plastic box or pencil case.