12 Things to Practice to get Better at Drawing

Drawing is both an art and a skill. For those eager to refine their prowess, understanding the core areas to practice is crucial. This in-depth exploration offers insights into practices that can significantly transform your drawing abilities. Here are 12 things to practice to get better at drawing:
1. Foundational Techniques
Drawing is like a journey, and just like any journey, you need a map to guide you. Imagine learning to play a musical instrument – before composing melodies, you master the scales. In the world of drawing, foundational techniques are those scales. These are the fundamental building blocks that form the basis of every masterpiece you create. Think of them as the roots that keep a tree strong and standing tall.
These techniques might seem simple, but they’re the solid ground upon which you’ll build your drawing skills. From lines that give your art movement and direction, to shapes that come together like puzzle pieces to create objects – these basics are what make your art recognizable and understandable to others. As you practice and refine these techniques, you’ll find yourself gaining more confidence, enabling you to tackle more complex artistic challenges.
- Lines: Straight, curved, wavy, and zigzag.
- Shapes: Circles, squares, triangles, and ovals.
- Tools: Pencils, erasers, and paper types.
- Control: Steady hand movements.
2. Observational Drawing
Imagine looking at a flower – really looking at it, noticing every curve, petal, and hue. Observational drawing is all about this kind of careful observation. It’s like being a detective, studying the details that make up the bigger picture. The more you observe and draw from real life, the more you’ll understand how light dances on different surfaces and how shadows play hide-and-seek. It’s about capturing the essence of things, not just their appearance.
Observational drawing teaches you to see the world in a new light. Suddenly, an everyday object becomes a subject of wonder and appreciation. It’s not about making everything perfect; it’s about capturing the life and uniqueness of what you’re drawing.
- Detail hunt: Look for small details in everyday objects.
- Environment: Notice the larger scene, like crowds or park settings.
- Shadows & reflections: How light interacts with objects.
- Texture: The surface feel, like the roughness of a tree bark or smoothness of a glass.
3. Anatomy and Figure Drawing
Drawing people is like telling a story with lines and shapes. Anatomy and figure drawing take you on a journey through the human body, teaching you how to depict the intricacies of a face, the posture of a body, and the way emotions can be portrayed through a simple stroke. It’s like learning to read the silent language of human forms.
Understanding anatomy gives your drawings authenticity. You’ll learn how to depict different body types, ages, and poses accurately. As you explore the body’s structure, you’ll gain the ability to convey stories and emotions through your drawings, making them relatable and engaging.
- Body parts: Heads, torsos, limbs, and facial features.
- Postures: Standing, sitting, running, and dancing.
- Expressions: Happy, sad, angry, and more.
- Proportions: Relative sizes of different body parts.
4. Perspective Drawing
Have you ever noticed how a road seems to get narrower as it stretches into the distance? This is the magic of perspective drawing. It’s like a secret doorway that opens up your flat piece of paper into a world of depth and dimension. Perspective drawing lets you create the illusion that objects in your art have different sizes and distances, just like they would in real life.
Learning perspective is like gaining a superpower in the art world. You’ll be able to make your drawings pop off the page and pull your viewers into the scene you’re creating. Whether you’re drawing a bustling cityscape or a serene countryside, perspective gives your art a sense of reality and space.
- Vanishing points: Where parallel lines seem to meet.
- Horizon line: The eye level of the viewer.
- One-point perspective: Single vanishing point.
- Two-point perspective: Two vanishing points.
5. Shading and Lighting
Imagine a ball under a light. One side is bright, the other side is dark, and in the middle, there’s a smooth transition. This is shading and lighting in action. Understanding how light interacts with objects helps you give your drawings a realistic and three-dimensional look.
Shading adds volume and depth to your art. By carefully observing where light hits and where shadows fall, you’ll be able to create the illusion of form and texture. It’s like painting with shadows and light to make your drawings come alive. Mastering shading can take your art from flat to fantastic.
- Shadow zones: Where light doesn’t hit.
- Highlight areas: Where light is strongest.
- Mid-tones: In between shadows and highlights.
- Light direction: Where the light source comes from.
6. Composition and Arrangement
Think of your drawing as a stage, and the objects within it are your actors. Composition is how you arrange these actors to tell a captivating story. It’s like setting the scene for your artwork, deciding what goes where to create balance, harmony, and interest.
A well-composed drawing guides the viewer’s eye and keeps them engaged. By placing the main subject in the right spot, adding supporting elements, and creating a sense of movement, you’re essentially orchestrating a visual symphony that communicates your message effectively.
- Focus point: The main subject.
- Foreground & background: What’s upfront and what’s behind.
- Balance: Evenly distributing visual weight.
- Rule of thirds: Dividing the drawing into thirds for balance.
7. Mastering Textures
Imagine running your fingers over the bark of a tree, feeling its roughness, or touching a soft piece of fabric. Textures add depth and realism to your drawings, making them feel tactile and alive. Mastering textures is like adding a new dimension to your art.
Textures are everywhere – from the smoothness of glass to the coarseness of sandpaper. By learning to replicate these textures on paper, you can make your drawings more immersive. It’s like using your artistic tools to simulate the feel of different surfaces, adding richness and authenticity to your creations.
- Observe: Touch and feel different materials.
- Recreate: Try drawing those textures.
- Tools: Use different pencils or techniques.
- Experiment: Blend, smudge, or stipple.
8. Daily Sketching
Just like how athletes train regularly to improve their skills, artists practice by sketching every day. Daily sketching is like a workout for your artistic muscles. It’s not about making perfect drawings each time; it’s about progress and consistency.
Daily sketching keeps your creativity flowing. It’s a way to explore new subjects, experiment with different styles, and document your journey as an artist. Over time, you’ll notice how your sketches evolve, and you’ll gain the confidence to tackle more complex projects.
- Consistency: Draw every day.
- Variety: Different subjects each day.
- Quick sketches: Capture things in minutes.
- Review: See your progress over time.
9. Setting Challenges
Imagine someone hands you a mystery box and challenges you to create something amazing out of its contents. Setting challenges for yourself in art is similar – it encourages you to think outside the box, push your boundaries, and overcome artistic roadblocks.
Challenges keep your creativity fresh and your skills sharp. They encourage you to experiment with new techniques, subjects, and styles. Whether it’s drawing with limited time or using unconventional tools, challenges inject excitement and unpredictability into your artistic practice.
- Themes: Weekly or monthly drawing topics.
- Timed sessions: Draw in 10 minutes.
- New tools: Use charcoal or inks.
- Share: Post your challenges and get feedback.
10. Studying Art History
Every artist stands on the shoulders of those who came before. Studying art history is like exploring a vast gallery of inspiration, learning from the techniques, styles, and stories of master artists who’ve shaped the art world.
By studying art history, you’ll discover the evolution of art through different eras and cultures. You’ll gain insights into various artistic movements, from the Renaissance to Cubism and beyond. Understanding the context in which artworks were created can deepen your appreciation for art and provide a wellspring of ideas to infuse into your own creations.
- Famous artists: Da Vinci, Van Gogh, Picasso.
- Art movements: Renaissance, Impressionism, Cubism.
- Styles: How different eras approached art.
- Inspiration: Borrow techniques and blend them into your style.
11. Recreate and Redraw
Imagine finding an old photo album and recreating a cherished memory. Similarly, redrawing your earlier artwork is a powerful tool for growth. It’s like flipping through the pages of your artistic journey and seeing how far you’ve come.
Redrawing allows you to spot improvements and areas that need more work. It’s not about perfection but about progress. By revisiting your past drawings, you can identify patterns in your development, acknowledge your achievements, and inspire yourself to keep moving forward.
- Old vs. New: Compare your old drawings with new ones.
- Mistakes: Spot and correct them.
- Growth: See how techniques have improved.
- Confidence: Gain confidence seeing progress.
12. Expand Your Subject Range
Imagine you’ve been painting landscapes for years, but suddenly you try your hand at drawing animals or cityscapes. Expanding your subject range is like exploring new horizons, adding versatility to your artistic toolbox.
Diverse subjects challenge you to adapt your techniques. Drawing a serene forest requires a different approach than capturing the bustling energy of a city street. Exploring various subjects enhances your skills, opens up new creative pathways, and keeps your artistic journey exciting and unpredictable.
- People: Different ages, clothes, and postures.
- Nature: Trees, animals, rivers, mountains.
- Objects: Everyday items around you.
- Scenes: Different settings like night, rain, or a festival.
Incorporating these techniques into your artistic practice can elevate your drawing skills to new heights. Remember, drawing is a journey, and each step you take brings you closer to expressing your unique artistic voice. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist, the path to improvement is paved with curiosity, practice, and a willingness to explore.