Honing drawing skills by recording images in quick sketches is an essential part of an artist's training. Jump in and get started, even if it is with a pencil and a sheet of office paper. Don't worry about the results or anyone else's opinion. Sketching skills can only be developed with practice.
Instructions
Sketch People
1. Select materials. Sketches can be done with virtually any paper or drawing implement. Most artists use a spiral-bound sketch pad and a set of drawing pencils (graphite) with pink erasers, or charcoal pencils with gray gum erasers. These supplies can be found at virtually any art supply store and even in many office supply stores and in large general stores like Wal-mart.
2. Block in the sketch. Visualize the forms in a more basic shape. For example, a face or head forms a tapering oval. Limbs can be visualized as made of tapering rectangles, and the torso and hips as polygons. Very lightly sketch in the basic shapes to set the general proportions of the figure.
3. Sketch the forms. First look for the longest line along the outside edge of the form. Work from the longest line and largest form, down to the shortest line and smallest detail. The lines along the edge of the face, limbs and torso are mostly made up of graceful arching curves. Try to closely draw out the shape of the curve. For example, you may see that the curve starts in a long shallow arc that turns and curls in a shorter, rounder arc. As you sketch the lines, press lightly so that it is easier to make corrections, or to draw a heavier line over it when you are more sure of the shape of the curve. Sketch in the smaller arcs that branch off the larger curves. When you are satisfied with your curves, erase the blocked-in shapes.
4. Lay in the shadows. Use a blunted tip to make parallel diagonal strokes in shadowed areas. Then reverse the angle of your stroke and go back over the same area to create cross-hatch effect. As the shadows transition to lighter areas, start a new row of cross-hatches with lighter pressure on the strokes. Overlap the rows slightly to make a smooth blend. Darkest areas can be shaded over a few times until they match the shadow you see. Shade with thin, soft strokes over the areas that have light colors.Watch for areas within the shadows that are back-lit. Often at the bottom edge of a form, light bouncing off from a surface below will create an area that is lighter in tone than the deepest area of shadow just above it. Use the cross-hatching more lightly in these areas or lighten the area with an eraser.
5. Erase out highlights. The points where reflected light is the brightest are called highlights. Use an eraser to lighten or remove the shading in these areas. A small highlight in the right position will bring out the roundness of a form.
6. Add some finishing touches and small details. Go over darkest edges and deepest shadows to add a bit of contrast. Remember, this is a sketch so there is no need to work a lot on detailed accuracy. But it can be used as a reference to do a more detailed drawing or painting later on. It is common practice and a good idea to sign and date your sketches. If you are just starting out, have fun and experiment with effects.
