Drawing and Sketching for Beginners

Many people will simply say they can~t draw. They
never could and they never will. Drawing is talent
you are either born with or you aren~t. However,
more and more people are realizing that with a few
basic techniques anyone can be drawing amazing
pictures that they never thought possible. Whether
you~re in elementary school, middle-aged, or
retired, learning how to draw and sketch is a great
way to spend some free time.

The first thing you need before you learn how to
draw is some drawing and sketching supplies. For
your first few drawings you can use some old scrap
paper and any pencil you have lying around at
home. However, proper supplies are a must if you
are going to improve. You will need a number 2
pencil, several other quality grade pencils, an eraser,
and a drawing pad. A number 2 pencil is especially
important since it is the best choice for shading and
other pencils may not be dark enough. These
supplies can be found at any art supply store.

Drawing lessons are a great way to get started and
learn a few basic techniques. Most community
centers offer courses as short as one day, but the
longer you can take the better. These classes are
typically taught by a drawing and sketching artist
who is able to explain concepts clearly and help you
learn quickly. Your pictures will start to take shape
and you won~t believe the drawings you can
produce in a few short classes.

Finding subjects for your drawings may seem
difficult when you are first beginning to learn how
to draw. Don~t use live subjects since you~ll need
plenty of time to get your dimensions right and you
don~t want to feel rushed. Also stay away from
flash photography pictures. These pictures lack
depth and can seem very flat which makes it very
difficult to draw a realistic picture. If you can~t
seem to find any good pictures check at your local
library for a drawing and sketching book since most
will have some samples for you to use.

If you have questions about drawing or sketching,
or would like to speak with other beginners, try
joining a chat room or message board. There are
many groups on the Internet that are passionate
about learning how to draw and sketch. Many
boards also have resident experts who can answer
any questions that you may have. There are also
websites that offer free newsletters full of helpful
tips and tricks.

Anyone can learn how to draw and sketch, no
matter what your age is. It will take some time, so
be patient, but you~ll be surprised at how quickly
your skills will improve. Even those of us who
have sworn we could never draw more than a stick
man can be drawing realistic pictures that we are
pleased to show our friends and family.

Lawrence Edmonson is a destinguished artist and the owner
of Exact Drawing,
which is one of the premier drawing resources on the
Internet. To read more great drawing articles and tips,
visit us at: http://www.exactdrawing.com