How to Draw Simple Sketches

Last Updated: July 1, 2021

Lack the time to make elaborate, perfectly shaded drawings? If you are just bored and have nothing to do, or like to draw but do not like to make fancy, you should sketch. Sketching is a wonderful way to express your feelings, or create a quick doodle. This WikiHow isn't a full in-depth guide to drawing because there is definitely no rules to drawing/sketching at all. These are merely tips to make your sketching experience fast, least painful, and fun. I hope you enjoy my guide, and find it useful.

Steps

1
To start off, think of your planned sketch. Visualize it in your mind and if you can, rotate it in your brain, to better understand what you'll be drawing.
2
Look for shapes such as circles, squares, triangles, etc. to relate to. This will aid in the shading process, and even help you sketch look better if you understand the basic shape of what you are about to draw.

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3
Position yourself comfortably. If you are uncomfortable, your drawing will look worse than what it should, so get a nice chair, fix the lighting and put on some favorite music.
4
Good hands: How does that help? If your hands are all sticky, wet or cold, your hand will not perform as well as it should.
5
Position your paper: This goes along with being comfortable, so put your paper at an angle that you feel comfortable with. There's no set way.
6
If your item is small, place it in front of you where you can effectively sketch it. If it is something large, such as a car or tree, then get a clip board, sit down by it, and start sketching.
7
Begin Drawing.
8
Start from one side of the object, quickly and lightly take your pencil back and forth on the paper to make soft, light strokes. If you make a mistake, then you can easily erase the light lines.
9
Be sure to constantly look up at your subject and compare the two. Do not do a blind contour (staring at your subject while trying to draw), although this is good for practice drawing, it can deform your drawing terribly.
10
Don't be afraid to use the eraser. If you think you sketched lines too close or too far apart, erase them. Too many sketch lines on a drawing makes it look like your drawing is twisting. Going over the same line many times can make it dark and hard to erase if you decide it's wrong.
11
Apply Finishing touches: When you're done, take your eraser and remove the sketchy lines if you wish. To add value, on the darker, shaded parts of the object you're drawing, shade them on your sketch. Go from a very dark, and lighten it gradually to a very light shade.
12
Add more interest, add a poorly sketched (but still alright looking) background. It'll make your drawing look better, and add some theme to it.
13
Add Your signature! Traditionally, after a sketch, artists lightly add their signature (Yes, in cursive) to the bottom right corner of their drawing. You can also add something like '13 to it, too if you'd like.

Community Q&A

Question

What if my drawing still looks bad and I'm too afraid to sketch it again?

Community Answer

What's there to be afraid of? You'll never get better if you don't practice. Keep trying until you get it right!
Question

What is the meaning of basic sketching

Community Answer

It means only using basic shapes. For example, use a circle for the head, then another for the neck, a rectangle for the top of the body, and four others for the legs and arms.
Question

Can I use one pencil to do all my sketches?

Community Answer

Yes, there shouldn't be any problem with using the same pencil, as long as the pencil is good quality.

Warnings

Always remember: It is easier to add lines than to take them away. Be light on your pencil so you don't ruin your artwork because of a dark line not wanting to erase correctly.

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Things You'll Need

Inspiration: Watch TV, look at photos, take a walk. As soon as you think of an idea, sketch it!
Pencil: Any size of mechanical/non mechanical pencil will work.
Paper: Any paper (copier, ripped up) will do, but if you want to keep your sketches, use Acid Free (any pound), as normal paper will turn yellow in time.
Time: Even sketches can take time, so be sure to have at least 10 - 60 minutes (Depending on your sketch's detail.