Drawing basics are the foundations of every drawing skill: explore five ideas to improve your drawing

 

Drawing basics come in handy when you tackle something complex as drawing. It is really easy to get lost into the details and forget basic principles.

 

The reason we decided to create this page was to remember our readers that drawing and painting, like all arts, are based on simple drawing basic principles, that trained artist eyes apply without even thinking but that are often disregarded by students and beginners.

 

While creating the tutorials on this site we found ourselves more and more referring to these principles and we thought it could have been useful to give them a proper space and the importance they deserve.

 

To start with, five very drawing basics to apply to your artistic path in general, not just drawing or painting:

 

Ok, it's time to look at these principles:

 

1. Simplify

This is one of the most importand drawing basics. Whenever you can. It is always and I mean always possible to simplify even the most complex picture into basic shapes and forms.

 

Basic shapes and forms (like circles, quadrangles, triangles, ellipses etc) are easier to visualize and understand and they are easy to draw. So whenever you are looking at someone else drawing to try and studying it or if you are drawing something for yourself always simplify.

 

If you are copying an image try to reduce it to a composition of basic shapes and start reconstructing the image from them.

 

If you are creating a complex image for yourself start setting up the basic shapes that make up the picture in your mind (..you must have some sort of picture in your mind if you started drawing); lay them down and do not focus on details but try to work on the general composition of the drawing.

 

In the following picture I have created an example of the power of simplification. You can see how even the most complex image can be broken down to basic drawings that are easy to understand and reproduce.

 

Finally, simplifying will train your eye tremendously and after a bit of training you'll find you need it less frequently.

 

Do not forget, even Giotto started with a circle!

 

 

2. Step back

Step back means stop frequently while drawing to evaluate what you are doing and to check if you are happy with it. It is easy to get caught up in drawing while drawing.

 

It is so rewarding just the primordial gesture of marking that piece of paper that it's easy to get lost into it and loose the control of what you are doing.

 

Get into the habit of stopping frequently and asses how the drawing is proceeding will save you headaches later on. You are going to make mistakes. There is no escape. Even if you were the most talented on the earth.

 

Assessing frequently your work gives you control and control is everything in drawing.

 

3. Flipping

We are human beings, we are biased. We do not see reality but what we think reality is. Our drawing will look beautiful to us. It will look fantastic and that's because we are proud of what we are doing and our brain will fill that picture with pride and make it look amazing to us. Do not believe me?

 

Try to flip it horizontally.

 

There are two ways of doing it, with a scan and a computer or by holding the drawing in front of a mirror.

 

99% of the time mistakes will pop like mushrooms after a rainy day. Flipping your drawing or painting will give you a fresh, new perspective on it and allow you to readily and more thoroughly asses it. If it looks good after the flipping test, you are on your way to realize an amazing drawing.

 

 

uff, let's take a breack for a sec.... ok let's get back to drawing basics...

 

4. Get feedback

Now this is very important. I know you might be shy about your drawings (you shouldn't be, drawing is one of the most amazing things on the earth) but getting feedback is THE way of fast improving your drawing skills.

 

You might ask: who am I going to ask? Well, really anybody will do. Your mom, dad, sister/brother, friends, colleagues, spouse, grandpa, post it on a dedicated web site like this one!. It doesn't matter.

 

Even if not everyone can draw, almost anybody will be able to give some kind of judgment on your drawing from a generic "I like it/I do not like it" to more conspicuous opinions. It will help you a lot in many ways.

 

It will give you fresh perspective on your drawings and help you find mistakes and things you might want to improve. Please remember though, that taste for art is a delicate subject. Not everyone will like what you did and you know what, it is perfectly fine. Take the compliments as fuel to keep drawing and criticisms as useful feedbacks to improve your skills! Keep crunching on drawing basics!

 

5.Draw draw and draw

I know this sounds silly but unlike more abstract disciplines as mathematics or engineering, drawing is a practical art. You need to train your arm and hand performing the delicate and secure movements needed to draw and to control your drawing tools.

 

Theory is good with drawing and helps a lot but you also need to practice if you really want to improve. Draw a lot and draw the right way following these simple tips and you will see improvements in no time.

 

Happy drawing and happy drawing basics!!

 

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Go back to drawing basics or navigate to the home page

 

 

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