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Sketching with color pencil is intentionally left out because I feel strongly that the basics in learning how to sketch and draw must start with a simple black and white medium. Pencil is very special because the traditional sketching techniques often go way beyond the tool itself and into the mind and body of the artist. To me, this is the. The purpose of sketching is not to enhance any one single effort, but rather your most elemental ability to think with a pencil. Not a camera. The Secret Desire Over the past several years I’ve become even more specific in trying to tailor my basic sketching techniques &.

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Traditional drawing is certainly way harder than digital and it is true that people are able to progress much faster digitally, but one should learn the traditional type of drawing and painting before starting digital drawing, since it often lays out the foundation for screen design.

This article contains a mixture of traditional drawing tutorials, drawing techniques and some methods for transforming and preparing your creations for screen design. Some are intermediate level and some are advanced tutorials that include general theory, useful tips, comic inspired art, sketch a pencil drawing, coloring processing, character sketching, doodles, shapes, proportional, perspective and much more. We hope that drawing tutorials and techniques in this post will be a great help to you.

Further Reading on SmashingMag:

Traditional Drawing Tutorials

Marilyn Portrait TutorialA truly fantastic drawing tutorial to learn how to draw a portrait of Marilyn Monroe with pencil. Each step of the portrait is perfectly well explained and commented. This tutorial is very detailed, and requires a lot of patience.

Portrait tutorialThis is a step by step tutorial on how to draw a realistic portrait. The artist assumes that you have a basic understanding of drawing and shading before attempting to draw a serious portrait. For this lesson he is drawing on 11”x14” Fabriano Hotpressed Watercolor Paper. He is using Derwent Graphic Pencils ranging from 2H to 7B. For more information on any of the drawing tools that he mention in this tutorial, visit the drawing materials page.

How to draw lipsIn this tutorial artist will explain how to draw the structure of the human lips.

How to Draw a CarFor this tutorial the artist will show the different steps he takes in drawing a realistic looking car. He chose to draw an american classic, the Corvette. This tutorial will apply to any car though because for the most part, they are all the same. The key to drawing a car that will pop off the page is having a good balance of lights, midtones, and darks along with clean, sharp edges. He is using Derwent Graphic Pencils and Fabriano Artistico Bright White Watercolor Paper, he is also using mechanical pencils for small details.

How to Draw Optimus Prime From TransformersIn this tutorial you will be learning how to draw one of the most popular of the Autobots, Optimus Prime. This drawing tutorial will show you in detail how to sketch, draw, and shade in this character that is popular around the world

Pet PortraitA very good tutorial about how to draw pet portraits with colored pencils. Basic process and tips. Medium : Prismacolor Colored Pencils.

How to Draw a NinjaThis tutorial will show you how to draw a ninja step by step. This tutorial has easy to follow directions and steps making it that much more possible for anybody to tackle

Portrait tutorialArtist is going to show several step photos along the way on this one. Artist chose this photo because of it’s RICH content, and it’s HIGH amount of TONAL VALUES, CONTRAST as well as it being a high resolution file, Finding just the right photo is half the battle to a good drawing. NEVER EVER work with a low quality photo.

Hair drawing tutorialDrawing hair is definitely one of the trickiest part of almost every portrait. However, you will definitely like it if you acquire technique and skill in it. Therefore Artist introduce some easy and effective ways to draw wavy or straight hair or hair blowing in the wind. No matter how much chaotic the hair is, you’ll be able to draw it.This tutorial explains two techniques of drawing hair on four portraits.

Eye-drawing tutorial by SarahA great and very detailed tutorial, to learn how to draw an eye in 30 steps

How to Draw a Realistic EyeArtist made this tutorial to show the different steps that he take in drawing a realistic eye.

How to Draw a mouth and teethArtist made this tutorial to show the different steps that he take in drawing a realistic mouth, lips, and teeth.

TRADITIONAL SKETCH RENDERINGAt most design schools they teach you how to use a single wooden pencil to create an entire rendering, sometimes referred to as a “Prisma-rendering” due to the type of pencil usually used (Prismacolor wood pencils). These are fast and very pretty looking techniques, and they are fairly easy to master. This will be more of a walkthrough then a tutorial in the sense that artist won’t describe every pen stroke, more the basic steps and thoughts behind. Ok, let’s go!

Drawing Hands and FeetSome useful explainations and tips about how to draw hands and feet.

Drawing a RoseAn excellent tutorial offered by Rachel, to learn how to draw a pink rose.

A Pseudo-Sugar Skull: From Start to Finish.Create a highly detailed sugar skull illustration by following this expert tutorial, with details on the process from sketch to final digital design.

Hair Amanda TappingA step by step drawing showing amazing hair on a portrait of actress Amanda Tapping. The result is impressive realism. A must see!

From Sketch to Vector IllustrationCreate inspiring digital creations from hand drawn sketch using these helpful tips.

Manga Making TutorialIn this tutorial artist will show you the process of creating a complete Manga comic strip using traditional tools.

How to draw a fashion figureIn this video tutorial you will learn how to use existing reference photo to trace a fashion inspired sketch.

How to Draw Dragons: Step-by-Step Instructions from Tooth to TailDragons aren’t real, but if we want them to look like something living in our reality, their design must obey certain rules. Dragon draw tutorial - Game of Thrones, the Hobbit or Harry Potter series.

Leather WingsIn this tutorial you can get ideas and techniques for drawing realistic wings stracture, Artist focuses at drawing wings.

Pencil Sketching by Max MaxBert Bertuzzivery comprehensive theoritical tutorial, this article will increase knowledge and power of your drawing skill

Drawing Hair in PencilSome very useful tips for you on how to create extremely inspiring and realistic drawing hair in pencil work

Drawing HandsFollow these simple and easy tips to avoid the difficulty of recreation of hands in pencil drawing and to learn some great tips and techniques of drawing hands.

Clothing TutorialAn excellent roundup with plenty of tips and clothing tutorials. So, dress your characters in the best way by practicing these tips.

Comic Story Step by StepIf you are looking for a comic story guideline, here is a perfect step by step guide for you that will guide you starting with sketching and moving on through the inking and digital processes.

How to draw Marlon Brando step by stepIt is now time to show you “how to draw Marlon Brando step by step” All the steps and instructions are laid out in the simplest format possible to help make this tutorial a breeze.

Face drawing: the heroic maleIn this tutorial we’ll draw a character face of a hero-like character. In the process we’ll review an optimal placement of the facial features and the best ways to emphasize the features of the face that will make our character look manly and heroic.

Evil skull drawingLooking for a terrifying evil skull drawing tutorial? Just follow the steps and you should be able to walk away with a scary skull to use in your scary projects (whatever they might be).Let’s start with the evil skull drawing tutorial!

Lone Wolf Pencil DrawingHere is a new miniature speed pencil drawing. Artist wanted to make this one different from my other ones. He combined two drawings in one to make a single image. The sunset and the single wolf. It gives the final image a different look and feeling.

How I making manga part 2A step by step comprehensive and detailed tutorial about making manga.

Graphite PortraitThis tutorial explains all steps to create a portrait of Zinedine Zidane in graphite pencil. Time to complete: 10 hours.

Dance of Spring TutorialA step by step detailed tutorial that will help you with your Colored pencil.

Traditional Drawing Tips & Techniques

How to Draw what you See: Techniques and Tips to Improve your Drawing SkillsThis article contains step-by-step images of the process Artist uses to create realistic looking drawings, as well as tips he have picked up over the years which anyone can use to improve their drawing skills.

Drawing Lessons Pdf

Shading and BlendingThis brilliant tutorial is all about shading and blendng, so let start and get lot of tips and amazing techniques.

Tips for drawing handsIn this tutorial Artist will include many tips about drawing hands he has picked up which are useful for getting better at drawing hands, including foreshortening, nails, and finger shapes.

Circulism TechniqueCirculism is a very interesting technique to create skin texture with pencil. With this great tutorial, learn how to acheive a realistic skin texture with circulism.

3 Dimensional Drawing TechniquesTo learn the basics of shape, perspective and shading in order to create depth in your work.

9 Steps to Creating Better CompositionsGreat compositions don’t just happen by accident. They take planning, patience, and a knowledge of all the visual elements at your disposal. The great thing is, no matter how much or how little talent you have, you’ll always be able to improve your art by sketching out a good composition before you begin.

Drawing clothes techniquesA less general point that the portrait seems to pose few problems is the representation of clothing. In this tutorial, clothing can be summarized in two points: the folds and textures.

Editing DrawingsEditing Drawings by Cataclysm-X offers valuable tips for bringing out the best in your traditional drawings after they have lost their depth and luster due to scanning.I am sure this technique will help many traditional artists in the presentation of their work.

Detailed HairThis article contains high quality tutorials that will guide you how to create highly realistic and inspiring hair on your subjects.

Portraiture lessonTo study draw a portrait using the ‘inside-out’ method.

ProportionsProportions in any drawing assignment hold great value; therefore we have come up with these five most helpful techniques that will help you getting grips with proportions in your drawings.

How to Draw Caricatures: The 5 ShapesThis is a great collection of tips and techniques you can use to draw caricatures and learn the basic theory and 5 shapes of caricature design.

How to Draw Caricatures: Head ShapesHead shape is the most important part of a caricature and in this tutorial you will learn great techniques about it.

These pencil drawing techniques from top artists will help you take your drawing skills to the next level, whether you're using graphite pencil or coloured pencils.

For many artists, pencil drawing is the skill that introduced them to the art world, and even if you've moved on to a different medium, understanding how to draw with a pencil can help you improve your skills elsewhere. These pencil drawing techniques cover everything from the basics of mark-making to advanced processes to push you out of your comfort zone.

We'll also offer advice on the tools and materials you need to know, such as blending stumps, paper options, and different erasers. If you're a total beginner, or just want to upgrade your kit, take a look at our guide to the best pencils.

Short on time? The video above, from character designer Bobby Chiu, runs through some pencil drawing techniques in action. For more in-depth advice on composition to how to capture light and shadow, take a look at our art techniques article. Or, for inspiration, take a look at this roundup of unbelievably realistic pencil drawings.

01. Use the right grip

The first step is to master how to hold a pencil correctly. Chiu recommends holding the pencil like you could a piece of charcoal, and using the side of the lead to draw, rather than the point. This helps keep the pencil sharper for longer.

'When covering large areas, I shade with my pencil perpendicular to the line I'm drawing to get wide, soft lines,' he adds. 'For details, I hold my pencil parallel to my lines to get sharp, narrow marks. The only time I use the point is when I'm working on intricate details.'

02. Use a stump for soft blending

How you blend your work can have a big impact on the final result. For a soft blended effect, try a blending stump.

'After each light layer, I very gently blend the coloured pencils with the stump,' says US-based artist Jennifer Healy. 'Don’t push too hard or the colour will stick, making it more difficult to softly blend. I repeat this process as often as I need. After many layers it produces a very soft and delicate look.'

This technique requires a little trial and error, though. Healy warns that if you blend too softly, the stump can pick up colour that you've already layered on the paper.

03. Mix up shading techniques

There are lots of different pencil drawing techniques relating to shading. Chiu uses two main approaches. The first is with all the lines going in the same direction. 'This makes my shading appear more cohesive, and helps my details pop out from the lines I'm using for shading,' he explains.

The second method involves working in patches of shading, to help define shape. 'Patches of lines go around the form, which help keep things in perspective,' he says. This technique is also great for backgrounds and creating texture.

04. Try different approaches to outlines

The next drawing technique concerns line weight. As well as demarcating different objects, lines can help emphasise shadows. 'Thicker lines can fade and disappear into the shadows, which can help convey the 3D form,' explains Chiu.

Beyond that, different artists have different approaches to lines – you need to find the style that's right for you. 'I prefer to use a distinct outline in my artwork, whether it’s using thin outlines or bold outlines,' says Healy. 'It can help pinpoint the viewer’s eye to a certain area. It also gives a stylised look, if that’s what you are hoping to achieve.'

Chiu, however, prefers a different approach. 'I try to avoid outlining my drawings because this tends to make things look flat and deadens the 3D effect. Breaks and spaces in my lines show form in the lights and shadows.'

05. Master blending

Healy has a specific process for blending her coloured pencil work. She starts with an outline, to check the form is correct before committing to coloured pencil (it's much harder to erase coloured-in areas than an outline). It also helps her plan where the highlights and shadows will fall.

She then builds up colour using subtle layers. 'I like to start out with soft gentle layers to gain a better idea of lighting placement, shadows and the colour palette,' she says. After each layer she blends gently using the blending stump.

Once she has reached a stage she's happy with, she moves on to the final step: adding an outline. For this final layer, Healy uses coloured pencils alone, and does not blend with a stump.

06. Find the right paper texture

The surface texture you're working on will make a big difference to the effects you can create. This is referred to as the grain or 'tooth' of the paper. A rough tooth is more visible, and the ridges will grip the colour from your pencils.

With a smooth tooth, the ridges are very fine, and there's less grip. Healy finds this kind of paper provides an easier surface for blending coloured pencils, although she warns that it's also easy to run the colour off the surface.

07. Start lightly and build from there

'When I start drawing, I plan and explore using loose lines, and avoid committing too early with hard, dark lines,' says Chiu. 'As I progress my lines will change, so checking and rechecking my work is vital. I darken my lines and add details at the end. I don't focus on one area for too long to prevent overdrawing.'

08. Begin with an underdrawing

Artist Tim von Reuden likes to start with a digital underdrawing that he he prints at one per cent Opacity. Above, you can see the underdrawing of his sketch of a woman holding a staff. He explains, 'I like to keep it light so that it acts as a foundation rather than a final image.'

Von Reuden continues: 'I strongly believe in letting intuition take over in the creation process so I work with the underdrawing more as a guideline.' This means the final result varies.

09. Use the right eraser

There are a few different types of eraser, and each is suited to different things. You'll definitely need a kneaded eraser. This has a putty-like consistency (it's sometimes called a putty eraser), and you knead it before and after use.

'A kneaded eraser is best for lightly picking up the coloured pencil binding off the paper. This works wonders when correcting mistakes, or if you’re deliberately lifting colour from an area such as the eyes,' says Healy.

A gum eraser has a more solid consistency, and is better if you're trying to fully erase a coloured-in area.

10. Unify your colours

Having a uniform approach to colour will help bring cohesiveness to your work. 'It’s a good idea to make sure that your artwork has unifying colours,' says Healy. 'This consists of a particular colour palette, mood and a way of spreading these across the entire art piece.'

She also suggests creating a harmonious base by using tinted paper or adding a background wash of colour (in paint). 'This will show through whatever you lay down on top of it, thus giving it an appearance of cohesion. When I use coloured pencils, I’m fond of using tinted paper produced by Kraft.'

11. Check and recheck

Before you move on to stronger lines and detail work, it's essential to make sure you have the correct form down. Chiu's advice is to check and check again. 'I have to nail down my drawing's underpinnings before I can add details. I really avoid guessing at the details; I want to make sure things are symmetrical and look right before putting down stronger and harder lines.'

Portrait Sketching Techniques Pdf

He also suggests looking at your work in a mirror or through a camera. Considering different vantage points is a great way to highlight if anything is off. 'I constantly ask myself, does this feel right? If anything seems off – even if I can't immediately put my finger on what it is – I trust my gut and troubleshoot my drawing before continuing.'

12. Draw on your own experiences

'Dip into your experiences to add a special layer of authenticity to your piece,' suggests Healy. 'This means using something like a memory, feeling or scent when creating your work. For example, the special feeling you experienced when sitting down with a friend at a coffee shop, or a memory of a childhood experience. You can be abstract or use hyperrealism. Whatever you choose makes the piece unique to you. I’ve found that people resonate with these pieces the most.'

13. Protect your paper

This is a valuable pencil drawing technique for beginners: put a piece of paper under my hand to avoid smudging your drawing while you're working. It seems obvious, but it can be the downfall of a great piece of work!

Basic Pencil Sketching Techniques Pdf

Healy also prefers to mount her paper on a board, attaching it using a layer of matte medium. This helps keep things neat, and provides a solid surface to work on.

Curve Sketching Techniques Pdf

14. Know when to stop

The majority of artists have a tendency to tinker with their work – even after they've signed their name. 'I can always find something to change if I look hard enough, so it can be difficult to tell when a piece is truly finished,' says Chiu.

However, be wary of overworking your piece. 'Eventually, I make a conscious decision to put my drawing away and start something new,' he continues. 'That's when I consider my drawing done. Well, maybe...'

15. Use contrasting concepts

One drawing technique Healy uses in her work is to use contrasting concepts within a piece of work, for example, juxtaposing beauty and ugliness. 'I’ll use the beauty of colours, flowers, the softness of skin or hair, and the female form. I’ll also tend to use something that’s the opposite to all of that, such as bones, insects, sharp teeth, or anything that may provide discomfort to the viewer,' she elaborates. 'Somehow this provides an interesting concept to a piece. Especially when the ‘ugly’ parts are harder to spot at first. To me this is a very stark representation of what life is like.'

16. Try combining pencils with watercolour

While pencils on their own can be used to create a wealth of different effects, it can be interesting to combine them with other media. For example, in her work, Healy likes to combine watercolour and coloured pencils. It's important to start with watercolour and then layer coloured pencils on top, she explains, because pencils can create a waxy surface that repels liquid, and prevents the watercolour from soaking into the paper.

'This is a fun technique to test out,' she says. 'Both mediums have unique qualities and textures. Combining the two elements creates a medium all of its own.'

17. Break out of your comfort zone

While these pencil drawing techniques should help you understand the essentials of the medium, sometimes you need to throw the rules out of the window and find what works for you. 'There’s nothing wrong with stepping outside of the box if it means achieving the effect you want,' says Healy. 'Trial and error will occur when you step outside of that box. But don’t be intimidated! The process is entirely fun.'

18. Create fabric

Fabric can range from sleek and shiny to matte and dull. How you shade it will help sell the idea of the fabric you’re trying to depict. For this sketch, von Reuden is trying to capture the golden folds of material found in the original image. He began by outlining the shapes and blocking out areas of shadow.

19. Categorise your fabric

Von Reuden explains how you can add value and shading to create further layers of depth and weight. He says, 'when drawing and recreating fabric, the types of wrinkles created can all be placed under three separate categories: hanging/relaxed, stretched/tension, and scrunched/compressed.'

'Hanging fabric tends to be loose and have a flowing appearance. Stretched fabric creates long lines, usually with a point of support. Compressed fabrics bunch into each other, creating scrunched-looking areas.'

This advice comes from ImagineFX, the world's best-selling magazine for digital artists. Subscribe here.

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