A contour drawing is, at its core, about using the fewest lines possible for the maximum effect. Yet there are different types of contour drawing, so what do they mean? A contour drawing is a technique that is used to study the shape and volume of an object and calculate …
Graphite has a major drawback, it reflects light, giving your drawing an unwelcome sheen. It can ruin an otherwise perfectly good drawing. All is not lost however, there are ways to reduce the problem and even stop pencil shine from happening in the first place. Pencil shine can be stopped …
There are a number of reasons why artists change style, sometimes a style just evolves, while at other times it’s a conscious effort to change tack. Artists change their style as they grow, when they try out new things, and experiment with new materials and techniques. They also change their …
Can you draw on canvas or is it only for painting? Beginners are nervous about doing the ‘wrong’ things. So I decided to answer the question. You can definitely draw on canvas! Most artists will sketch an outline prior to painting a picture with a pencil or charcoal stick and …
I’ve heard it said many times, ‘I can paint but I can’t draw’ does that make painting easier? Is drawing harder than painting? I’m not so sure. Both mediums have their own set of challenges and both are difficult to master. It’s harder to paint realistically than it is to …
To stand out from the crowd you must develop your own unique signature style. Your art is your brand and in that sense, it should be instantly recognizable. That process starts with the basics of drawing and in this post, I’ll show you how to find your drawing style. And …
The purpose of this post is to list drawing ideas for adults in particular. That’s not to exclude anyone else, but I had three aims. That’s why certain subjects are missing. I haven’t included portraits because that’s not beginner material. No one starts with drawing portraits, or if they do, …
Have you ever wondered what pencil numbers mean and how to decide which pencil grades to use? This quick guide explains it all. Drawing pencils are graded on a scale from hard to soft using a combination of numbers and letters. The letters H are the hardest and lightest pencils …
So many people find drawing a forest intimidating but as we will see it’s far easier than you think. If you want to learn how to draw a forest background, this post will show you how to make your forest drawing look convincing. Draw forest backgrounds in the far distance …
There is no golden rule for the best angle for drawing but there is good advice that will help you to avoid some elementary mistakes. This is a question worth asking and one that is often overlooked., In general, you should draw at the same angle to your subject. If …
I remember an art teacher telling me to soften my edges, fine but you have to know where the boundaries are first. So do you need to outline drawings? Certainly You should outline drawings to get the correct proportions and overall shape. An outline is a scaffold for your finished …
Have you ever had a drawing ruined because it was not properly protected? It is heartbreaking to see your hard work lost, and you don’t want to risk that happening again. There are a number of things you can do to store your drawings at home, and just as importantly, …
Over time most art mediums will change and some art fades. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent art from fading and keep your artwork looking new for years to come. Graphite and Charcoal drawings do not fade, Indian ink and black pigment inks are permanent too. Some pigments used in …
Can anyone learn to draw? What makes a good artist? Can drawing be taught or is it a talent you’re born with? Is practice enough? Plus, how long does it take to become good at drawing? So many questions and this post tries to answer them honestly. Anyone can learn …
I follow quite a few artists on Instagram and almost without exception, the initial outline has been traced. The work is fantastic but is tracing art cheating? When, if ever, is it acceptable to trace your art? Tracing images is cheating only if you set out to deceive. For most …
Onlookers are often surprised to see me draw with mechanical pencils, yet I use them all the time. Mechanical pencils are good for drawing, in fact, they are my pencils of choice. Mechanical pencils are excellent for drawing. The lines erase well, are lightfast, great for precision lines, and perfect …
Accidents happen. We’ve all been there, coffee splashes, tears, and buckles, they can all feel like a total disaster. Well, all is not lost. It’s possible to rescue your art from all kinds of mishaps. I will teach you how to repair drawing paper – most of the time. Paper …
Time is precious and sometimes you need a quick and easy way to scale up a drawing. This post will guide you through 4 practical ways to enlarge (or reduce) your image. No fluff, let’s jump right in. How to Scale Up Your Drawing Using a Grid The idea is …
I’m a professional artist and yet, like 1 in 12 of the male population I am colorblind. So how have I managed to find a way of making a living as a colorblind artist? Colorblind artists learn to know color without being able to reliably see color. They use color …
There are many people who abhor the very idea of drawing from reference photos. They see it as a betrayal of real art. Others greatly admire the skill, patience, and dedication involved in copying faithfully and long to do the same thing. Who’s right? Drawing from reference photos is bad …