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How to Get Better at Drawing for Beginners

How to Get Better at Drawing for Beginners

Hi there! If you’ve landed here, I’m guessing you’re ready to dive into the magical world of drawing. First of all, welcome! Let me tell you, drawing is one of the most rewarding skills you can learn. Whether you dream of sketching breathtaking landscapes, doodling adorable characters, or designing your own comic book. The journey starts the same: picking up a pencil and beginning.

I started as someone who could barely draw a stick figure. Seriously, my art was, let’s say, unique. But over time, with a lot of practice and a little guidance, I found my groove. Today, I want to share some tips, tricks, and advice that helped me improve my drawing skills. If I can do it, so can you!

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1. Start with Simple Shapes and Guidelines

When I first began drawing, I felt overwhelmed trying to capture all the details of what I saw. Here’s a secret: most things around you can be broken down into simple shapes. For example:

  • A tree? Start with a triangle for the foliage and a rectangle for the trunk.
  • A car? Think of it as a boxy rectangle with circles for wheels.
  • A face? Ovals for the head, circles for the eyes, and so on.
  • Using guidelines is highly recommended. These lightly drawn lines help shape the object. You can also use simple lines drawn through an object to make sure it’s symmetrical. For example: a face could be a basic oval with a vertical and horizontal guideline. You then erase these as you progress with the details.
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Once you can break things down into basic shapes, you’ll see the world differently. It’s almost like the basic building blocks. It becomes much easier to add details after you’ve got the big picture sketched out.

2. Practice Every Day

I know, I know—you’ve probably heard this a million times. But it’s true! The best way to get better at drawing is to do it consistently. The good news is you don’t need to spend hours every day. Even 10-15 minutes can make a difference. Here’s what I did to make daily practice a habit:

  • Always keep a small sketchbook with you. That way, you can doodle when you’re waiting in line or taking a break.
  • Set a timer. Commit to drawing for just 10 minutes. Often, you’ll find yourself wanting to keep going!
  • Pick a theme for the day—like animals, plants, or faces—and stick to it.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Make Mistakes

One of the biggest hurdles I faced was being too hard on myself. I’d get frustrated when my drawings didn’t turn out the way I wanted. But guess what? Mistakes are part of the process. In fact, they’re how you learn what not to do!

Here’s what helped me embrace imperfection:

  • Use a cheap sketchbook or loose sheets of paper. You’ll feel less pressure to make every drawing perfect.
  • Try using a pen instead of a pencil sometimes. It forces you to commit to your lines and not worry about erasing.
  • Keep your old drawings. When you look back at them in a few months, you’ll see how far you’ve come. This will really encourage you on your artistic journey.
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4. Learn the Basics of Light and Shadow

One day, I was doodling a simple apple, and it looked… flat. At that moment I realised the importance of having a good shading technique! Learning how light interacts with objects is crucial. And will make your drawings look far more realistic.

Here’s how you can start:

  1. Find a small object (like a mug or fruit) and place it under a lamp.
  2. Observe where the light hits and where the shadows fall.
  3. Use gentle pencil strokes to shade the darker areas.
  4. Use your thumb or finger to blend the shading. This will give a really nice transition from dark to light.
Enjoy this short video explaining shading techniques and light sources.

It might feel tricky at first but keep at it. Shading adds depth and makes your drawings pop! Drawing is a sort of illusion. And within it, simple techniques like shading will make the magic happen.

5. Try Different Materials

When I first started, I used whatever pencil I could find lying around. But experimenting with different pencils opened a whole new world for me! Here are some of the basic pencil types and other tools you might want to try:

  • Pencils: Pencils are graded by the hardness of their graphite core, with the grades ranging from H (hard) to B (soft). The higher the number next to the letter, the softer or harder the pencil is. 

H (hard) Good for precision and fine lines, Lighter in colour. These pencils are good for sketching and intricate drawings. 

B (soft) 

Good for shading and covering large areas. Softer and darker the higher the number. With more graphite in the lead. HB (medium) Good for sketching and writing. 

F A special formulation to maintain a fine point.

  • Pens: Great for bold outlines or detailed work. Ballpoint, Rollerball and Gel pens are the most commonly used in drawing.
  • Charcoal: Perfect for dramatic shading. Don’t directly use charcoal on your drawing while shading. Rub it on another piece of paper and then use a blending stump or fingers for shading.
  • Coloured Pencils: Add a splash of colour to your sketches. You can get a huge range of coloured pencils. Although using colour instead of black and white can be a bit more complex. It is all part of the learning process.
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You don’t need to spend a fortune. Start small and see what feels good in your hand.

Check out this Art store Pencils for Artists, for some great deals on pencils and pens.

6. Draw What You Love

This was a game-changer for me. When I drew things, I genuinely cared about. For example, my favourite cartoon characters or my pet cat—it didn’t feel like practice. It felt fun! And the more fun you have, the more likely you are to stick with it.

Think about what makes you happy. Is it animals? Flowers? Fantasy worlds? Start there. Trust me, your passion will shine through in your art.

7. Use References

For a long time, I thought using references was cheating. Spoiler alert: it’s not! Even professional artists use references to study anatomy, poses, and proportions. Here’s how I use them:

  • Find photos online or take your own pictures.
  • Observe closely. Notice the curves, angles, and how everything connects. Take special note of the shadows. Look for the contrasts and where the light is reflecting off objects.
  • Try copying the reference, then drawing it again from memory. For beginners a reference is an absolute must. It is so helpful in understanding perspectives and artistic form.
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Over time, you’ll build a mental library of shapes and forms that you can draw without looking.

8. Watch Tutorials and Follow Artists

We live in an amazing time where you can learn almost anything online. YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok are goldmines for drawing tutorials and inspiration. Some things I’ve learned from watching others include:

  • How to draw hands (a notoriously tricky subject!).
  • Tips for drawing hair and fabric.
  • Drawing realistic eyes
  • Fun ways to create textures.
  • There are lessons for free about almost every part of the drawing process

Find artists whose styles you admire and see if they share tips. And don’t just watch—try to follow along with your own pencil and paper.

Here’s a great video: Easy Drawing for Beginners

9. Join a Community or Art Club

One of the best things I did was connect with other aspiring artists. Sharing your work and getting feedback can be incredibly motivating. You can:

  • Join online art forums or social media groups.
  • Take a local drawing class.
  • Participate in art challenges, like Inktober (31 days, 31 drawings), or Draw This in Your Style. This challenge was to copy a drawing but to do it in your own style.

It’s inspiring to see what others create, and you might make some new friends along the way!

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10. Be Patient with Yourself

Last but not least, remember that learning to draw is a journey. You won’t become a master overnight, and that’s okay. Celebrate small wins, like drawing a straight line or shading a sphere. Each step brings you closer to your goals.

Whenever you feel discouraged, remember why you started. For me, it was the pure joy of creating something from nothing. Hold onto that feeling, and you’ll go far.

So there you have it—my top tips for getting better at drawing as a beginner. I hope these ideas inspire you to pick up a pencil and start sketching. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the process. Now go create something unique and amazing— The journey begins with just one step, or sketch!

Bye for now! And if you enjoyed this article then take a look at another I created: How to Paint Realistically with Acrylics

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