How to Sketch: Step by Step

Supplies: Tracing paper, graphite pencil, fascinating subject to sketch.

1. Study the subject to become familiar with it. Turn it slowly, looking for its best, most typical aspect. No oddball dramatic angles. This is not fine art done for arts sake…this is learning how to draw accurately by sketching what you see. Decide if this is truly the subjects best ‘side.’ Position at eye level.

2. Begin a light, sketchy, line drawing on translucent tracing paper. This extra step allows you to keep a record (the tracing paper original) of your initial drawing should any copy write issues arise for your heirs prior to auction of your body of work. On a more immediate note, [read: Reality Check!], maintaining the tracing allows you to re-work the drawing over and over again in varied wet or dry mediums.

3. Sketch lightly, hesitantly....lines should be broken and unconnected. Your goal is to block-in the entire subject. You are not spending time putting in details in any one particular area. Constantly check accuracy of the negative spaces, that is the unrecognizable spaces around the subject.

4. Draw to scale when possible so plan carefully that you do not run off of the paper. Or worse, distort the accuracy of the subject to fit your paper. Work the entire page, slowly adding more detail.

5. Stand back and critique your work. Flip the tracing paper over and look at the sketch from the back, often mistakes become obvious only when seen in reverse. Bit by bit, as segments of the sketch become accurate, go over the soft broken sketchy lines with darker strokes.

You have traveled far but have miles to go in your journey to learn how to draw and paint accurately. This is only the sketch.

-Cynthia Padilla

Cynthia Padilla-Come along as we learn and improve drawing skills through direct observation.  Explore the traditional dry media applications of graphite pencil, colored pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, and pastels.  I am a national instructor of drawing and sketching through the traditions of Plein Air Field Sketching, the Botanical Arts and Naturalist Illustration.