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Learn to SketchThe only way to learn to sketch is by sketching. Sounds horribly circular doesn't it? And not very helpful either!. I've had this said to me and perhaps you have too. To a certain extent it is true - part of knowing what makes a good sketch comes through experience. But knowing that doesn't help when you want to start, but feel overwhelmed by the blank pages in your sketchbook. The idea and examples contained in this page should get you started, then it's up to you: take the plunge, get some lines on paper and you'll soon learn to sketch.
The difference between drawing and sketchingI don't think there is a definite dividing line between drawing and sketching. Sometimes a sketch becomes a drawing as it develops. Other times a drawing is quite sketchy in feel. An example is this sketch of the man with a beard. I was in a cafe and tried to get his profile quickly, expecting him to move. But he stayed where he was so I began adding detail to his hair and beard, giving the whole sketch a more considered look than, for example, the sketch of a man on a train. This was done very quickly and loosely, not allowing my hand to rest on the paper. This is good practice by the way and helps develop control - you can see how much my own control developed over time by comparing this sketch to the birds below which were done about six months later also keeping my hand off the paper. Simply hold the pen loosely further away from the nib and use your arm and wrist to draw as well as your hand.
Generally think of a sketch as a way of grasping what is essential about a subject. Forget detail and look for movement, contour and direction. You will soon learn to sketch and identify what you need to include to make a sketch work. For example the sketchbook pages below show how I was trying to capture the shapes made by Canada Geese as they groomed their feathers - I wasn't interested in making pictures at all - just in learning about the geese:
For these sketches I used a dip pen and ink. Then I changed to a brush pen (Japanese calligraphy pen which uses cartridges) and sketched some ducks with the same intention as before:
Of course you aren't restricted to drawing single birds or ducks - you can make a sketch of anything. The best toolsTo learn to sketch choose a pen rather than a pencil. Dip pens are great but not always practical on location as you also need a bottle of ink, water and rags. So try a technical pen - a range are available, both disposable and refillable - or a ballpoint pen: these are great sketching tools which often go overlooked. Even if you do use a pencil you won't have time to erase if your subjects are moving - and it will help you to gain confidence if you get used to the idea that your initial lines can actually enhance your sketches when you add more lines over the top.What to look forStrong shapes, movement, contour lines -around the edges and across masses - these are the aspects to focus on once you decide what you want to sketch. If your subject is moving look for direction and try to sketch the movement rather than the outline. Don't think about this too much - let your intuition guide you. At first this might seem impossible, but it will come. Just keep trying. Oh yes - never settle for one sketch! The first two or three at least are just warm up - think in terms of half a dozen or so in any sketching session. Learning to sketch is like any skill: quantity makes for quality. Plus, I find it always takes two or three sketches before I feel relaxed and involved with what I'm doing - you may find this too.Try thisA great way to learn to sketch is by sketching moving subjects. You have to be bold and you have to be quick - hesitate and your subject moves.Most towns and cities have parks with ponds and ponds mean birds, ducks and geese. So take your sketchbook and pen to the park - and maybe a folding aluminium stool (these cost only a few pounds/dollars) because park benches are never in just the right place. Spend an hour or two sketching the ducks and geese as in my sketchbook above. Fill several pages with many many sketches. Your skills will improve visibly very quickly. If you are worried about people looking over your shoulder find a spot where they cannot walk behind you. Most people will leave you alone anyway, when they see you are concentrating on sketching.
A cafe is another great place to sketch - the combination of people moving about and tables and chairs offers a range of interesting subjects. Spend a couple of hours in comfort with a cup of coffee and sketch what you see around you. Try this, tooCarry a pen and a sketchbook wherever you go. Whenever you get a few minutes - waiting for an appointment for example, sketch your surroundings or the other people waiting. This is a great way of using otherwise empty time and if you make this a regular practise you will learn to sketch in no time.Most of all - Enjoy it!
Where to now?Back to the top of the Learn to Sketch page Back to the Drawing Lessons page Back to the Home page
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