Drawing from a photograph is a common practice for creating realistic drawings.
By drawing from a photograph, you can sketch subjects realistically and in accurate proportions, adding specific details. The more you draw from photographs, the more you will become accustomed to checking your drawing against the photograph and using it to find errors in your drawing. This habit will improve your hand-eye coordination and ultimately your ability to create realistic art.
Instructions
1. Choose a photograph that is high resolution, relatively large, in focus, clear and detailed. Draw a loose sketch of the objects in the photograph, including an outline and basic details. Use a hard lead pencil (4H or harder) for a light line that you can easily erase or draw over later.
2. Look back and forth quickly between the photograph and the sketch. Be aware of errors and make corrections as necessary.
3. Use a softer lead pencil (2B or softer) to darken the outline and details. Draw with a mark that fluctuates between light and dark, using a lighter mark to outline more delicate or lighter parts of the drawing and a darker mark to outline darker portions of the drawing. For example, if you are drawing a portrait of a person with light skin and dark hair, use a lighter mark to outline the skin and a darker mark to outline the hair.
4. Repeat step 2. Look back and forth quickly between the photograph and the sketch and make corrections to errors as necessary.
5. Add texture and shadows to the sketch. Make the shadows lightly at first and darken them slowly. It is much harder to erase a shadow that is too dark than it is to darken a shadow that is too light. Continue to look back and forth between the drawing and the photograph to ensure that you are drawing accurately.
