How to Improve Drawing Skills

Sketches are an important part of the design and development process. Sketches help to convey ideas, demonstrate functionality, visualize user flow, and illustrate anything that requires human interaction. Sketching ideas are the first steps in the design process and something every designer should do. Sketching is not just limited to designers, it occurs in many careers that require something to get built. The beauty of sketching is that you are not required to be an artist to produce them. Sketching is only to help explore and explain design concepts.

Sketches can be easily created using pen and paper or a whiteboard. Using something permanent like a pen or marker is best. The idea is to keep your sketches fast, rough and dirty. This helps you worry less on design aesthetics and focus more on rapid formulation of ideas. So without drawing skill it’s not possible to survive in art and design industry. So we are sharing a few tips which will help you improve your drawing skills.

1.Go draw something. Repeat.

Practice leads to improvement. You won’t get any better unless you engage in the attempt. The more you draw the more confident you’ll become.

2. Look at drawings.

Whether simple line drawings or meticulously detailed renderings, you can learn a lot from looking at the work of others. How did they use line and shape? How did they shade?

3. Draw from drawings.

This may sound peculiar, but what can you learn by copying a Da Vinci or Michaelangelo sketch? Tons. Learn from the masters by copying them. Really. They won’t mind.

4. Draw from photographs.

For most people, it’s easier to reproduce an image that’s already two-dimensional than reproduce an actual object, person or environment. When you’re working from photos, look at edges, shapes and angles. Don’t trace. Draw.

5. Draw from life.

If you’re just starting out, pick simple objects and work your way up to complex ones. Go ahead and try your and at drawing people and your pets. Draw your furniture and your living spaces. Do you enjoy coffee? Draw your coffee cup. Here’s a challenge: draw your hand. Hands and feet are the most complex parts of your anatomy and are readily available subject matter. If you can master these, you’ll pretty much be able to draw anything.

 6. Take a class.

A class will keep you accountable. A teacher will correct your weaknesses. Watching others draw is immensely beneficial for building your own observational skills. Where do you find a class? Check your local university extension, community adult school, YMCA or community college. Another source is your local art supply store, where artists post notices of drawing meet-ups, uninstructed sessions with models, or private instruction.

7. Keep a sketchbook. Meaning, keep it with you, open it up and work at filling it. It will serve as a reminder to grab your pencil or pen and do some drawing. Join the ranks of Moleskine or Field Notes afficiandos, or simply pick up a sketchbook at your office or art supply store.

When you draw, you’re taking time to look at something, to analyze it and reproduce it.

 8. Be intentional

 This is the hardest thing, because if you want to improve at anything, you must decide to do it. You need to make a commitment and even schedule regular time in your week or your day to pursue drawing. In order to become better at it you need to make a habit of it.