Sketches Easy Sketches to Draw With Pencil Step by Step

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Sketching is the practice of drawing a rough outline or rough draft version of a final piece of art. Sketching can be used in preparation for a large piece of art, or to just get an idea of how something will look. Whether you're sketching for fun or for a project, learning the proper technique can make the practice much more enjoyable.

1. 1

   Get the right materials. Just like with any art form, it is difficult to sketch when using poor quality (or the wrong) materials. You can easily find all the proper sketching materials at a local arts and crafts store.^[1] Spend a few dollars and gather up all the right materials, including:

   • H pencils. H pencils are the hardest pencils, and are used for sketching thin, straight, non-blend-able lines. These are mostly used for architecture and business sketches. Get an assortment including 8H, 6H, 4H, and 2H pencils (8H is the hardest, 2H is the softest).
   • B pencils. B pencils are the softest pencils, and are used for making smudged and blurry lines and for shading your sketch. These are the favorites of many artists. Get an assortment including 8B, 6B, 4B, and 2B (8B is the softest, 2B is the hardest).
   • Fine art paper. Sketching on regular printer paper may be easy, but the paper is thin and doesn't hold the pencil as well. Use fine art paper with a bit of texture for the easiest time sketching, and for the best overall appearance.

2. 2

   Choose your subject. For beginners, it is easiest to sketch from a live model or an image, rather than by using your imagination to create an image to draw. Find an image of something you like, or look for an object or person around you to draw. Take several minutes to study the subject prior to beginning to sketch. Pay attention to these things:^[2]

   • Find the source of light. Locating the primary light source will determine where you sketch the lightest and where you sketch the darkest.
   • Look for any movement. Whether actual movement from a real-life subject or perceived movement in an image, determining movement in your subject will determine the shape/direction you make your sketch strokes.
   • Pay attention to primary shapes. All objects are made up of a combination of the basic shapes (square, circle, triangle, etc.). Look for the shapes that underlay your subject, and sketch these first.

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3. 

   3

   Don't press too heavily. A sketch is intended to be the base or draft of an image. Therefore, when you start your sketch you should use a light hand and lots of short, quick strokes. This will make it easier to test out different ways of drawing a particular object, and will allow you to erase mistakes much easier as well.

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   4

   Try doing a gesture drawing. Gesture drawing is a form of sketching where you use continuous movements and connected lines to draw your subject, without ever looking at your paper. Although it sounds difficult, it can help you to get a good idea of the basic forms in your drawing, and help to set a base for your final drawing. To do a gesture drawing, look only at your subject and move your hand accordingly on the paper. When possible, avoid lifting your pencil and use overlapping lines. Later, you can go back and erase the extra lines and perfect your sketch.^[3]

   • This is good practice for a sketch - kind of like a pre-sketch.

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1. 1

   Gather all materials listed. Make sure you have enough light. You can sketch at a table, in the park, in the middle of the city in a sketchbook, on regular paper, or even on a napkin.

   • You might want to try different versions of the same object to brainstorm and later decide which you like best.

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   2

   Practice some hand movements, before you start sketching. For example, you can draw circles or horizontal lines for five-ten minutes to warm up your hand.

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   3

   Start with an H pencil. Use light strokes with loose hands. Move your hand very quickly, using minimal pressure, almost glossing over the page without stopping. Get comfortable with the paper you are working with. At this initial stage, you should barely be able to see the strokes. Consider this to be the foundation of your sketch.^[4]

4. 

   4

   Use the darker 6B pencil for the next stage. When you achieve the perfect shape in Step 3, you can then define your strokes more precisely with this darker pencil.^[5] Keep adding details. Start adding inner shapes. Make sure they are to scale. For example, when drawing a parking ramp, you want to make sure that the entrances and parking spots are the appropriate size.

   • When you are finished using this pencil, you will notice smudges on the pages since the lead on this pencil is softer than the previous one. Remove all smudges with the eraser.
   • Make sure you use a soft eraser like the putty eraser so that your erasing does not rip off the top layer of the page. The putty eraser will lighten your lines, not completely eradicate them.

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   5

   Add further details. Perfect your lines and presentation until you are satisfied that you have captured the perfect representation.

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   Seal your work. When you have completed your sketch, apply a fixative to seal the image.

   • Use a mirror when drawing. Periodically, look at your drawing and the thing you are drawing in the mirror.
   • Leonardo DaVinci did this and recommended it.
   • It helps to see your drawing differently and note the mistakes.

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Add New Question

• Question

  What can you use to shade evenly with a pencil?

  

  Kelly Medford is an American painter based in Rome, Italy. She studied classical painting, drawing and printmaking both in the U.S. and in Italy. She works primarily en plein air on the streets of Rome, and also travels for private international collectors on commission. She founded Sketching Rome Tours in 2012 where she teaches sketchbook journaling to visitors of Rome. Kelly is a graduate of the Florence Academy of Art.

  

  Professional Artist

  Expert Answer

  You can use Prismacolor ebony pencils. They are very dark and smooth and great for shading evenly in pencil.

• Question

  What is the best way to scale a drawing?

  

  Kelly Medford is an American painter based in Rome, Italy. She studied classical painting, drawing and printmaking both in the U.S. and in Italy. She works primarily en plein air on the streets of Rome, and also travels for private international collectors on commission. She founded Sketching Rome Tours in 2012 where she teaches sketchbook journaling to visitors of Rome. Kelly is a graduate of the Florence Academy of Art.

  

  Professional Artist

  Expert Answer

  You can buy a wheel that shows the ratios to scale a drawing. Then you will not have to do the calculations.

• Question

  How do I sketch real people's faces?

  

  Usually you would want to start with basic shapes, then put in details. Do it step-by-step until you think it looks good, and then erase any unnecessary lines from your starting sketch.

• Question

  Is there a good way to sketch things digitally?

  

  Yes! There are lots of apps you can download that focus on sketching, and you can even purchase a tablet like a Surface Pro that has an ideal screen for digital sketching.

• Question

  What kind of paper is used for sketching?

  

  Fine art papers with texture are best for sketching. It holds the pencil well, preventing a whole bunch of smudging. But if you do not have access to that, blank white printer paper works just fine.

• Question

  Can I sketch with only a pencil?

  

  Yes, but you need to rub off a bit to get a light area, then for the rest of the sketch, you can use the pencil.

• Question

  Can I sketch with a charcoal pencil?

  

  Charcoal is a great medium, but be advised, it is very dark and exceptionally easy to smudge.

• Question

  I don't have a fixative, what else can I use?

  

  Fixatives aren't absolutely necessary for your sketch, but if you're dead set on using one, you can try a cheap hairspray. However, that's not recommended as it doesn't last and can yellow over time.

• Question

  Do I have to sketch from real life, or can I sketch something that I am imagining?

  

  You can absolutely sketch something that you are imagining! You can always use real life subjects and photos as references if you get stuck.

• Question

  Is fixative spray necessary? If so, what are some alternatives?

  

  If you are sketching in a sketchbook then fixative is necessary or your sketch will get smudges on the page it faces. Hairspray is an alternative, but you do not want to spray it too close to the picture or you'll soak it.

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• Have a sharp pencil. Sharp pencils are good for fine details.

• You can go over your work at the end to make some spots darker for shadow or definition.

• Practice. Try sketching lots of different things, and don't worry about whether your sketches look good, especially at first. Don't be afraid to experiment or just doodle.

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• Having a poorly lit space may cause eye strain. Make sure you have a well-lit, spacious area.

• Soft leaded pencils smudge easily. When you are not using them, keep them in a plastic container or bag for protection.

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Things You'll Need

• Clean paper
• Something to sketch
• HB pencil
• 6 B pencil
• Clean hands
• Putty eraser
• Light
• Aerosol fixative (can be found in any art supply shops)

About This Article

Article Summary X

Before you start sketching, make sure to buy all the necessary materials for best results, including H pencils, B pencils, and fine art paper. Then, practice drawing circles or straight lines for 5-10 minutes to warm up your hand. Next, choose a subject for your sketch, like a live model or an image. When you begin, identify the main source of light in your drawing and use short, light strokes with an H pencil to sketch the outline of your subject. Finish by adding more definition with your B pencil. To learn how to do gesture drawing, read on!

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