ACMonis

Drawing “hard,” detailed drawings aren’t easy, but they are definitely fun to create. I have compiled a list of tips and simple rules to help you draw things as if it were a picture!

⬆️Cabin Photo Reference from Courtney Affrunti (Golden Boys & Me)⬆️

1) Draw a 1×1 Inch Grid

Drawing a 1×1 inch grid makes drawing so much easier. Drawing the outlines becomes much easier because instead of proportioning everything without the lines, the grid will help you trace the outlines one grid box at a time.

2) Get Your Reference Photo and Change the Filter to Black and White

Whether your reference photo is on your phone or computer, download your reference and change it to look black and white. You can do this on your computer in the Photos app for Apple Computers, or you can do this on your phone’s camera app.

The black and white filter will help you make the outlines of your drawings and help you shade in the light and dark parts.

3) Outline Everything Lightly So You Know Where Everything Is

Drawing a 1×1 grid is crucial as it will help you outline everything, and once you do so, your drawing process will go smoothly. Drawing the outlines will help you layer in the shadows. Just remember to outline lightly as not to make your drawing look less realistic.

4) Sort Your Pencils From Darkest to Lightest

Drawings have dark and light areas, and there are pencils with different shades for sketching. Sort your pencils from darkest to lightest to make your drawing experience more convenient when shading.

5) Have a Kneadable Eraser

Kneadable erasers are much more convenient to use than big, dull erasers. When you use a regular eraser, it’s hard to erase something because it has no sharp edges(unless it’s new). Using a kneadable eraser makes drawings easier because you can erase small details or lighten up an area of your portrait.

6) Shade Lightly and Shade in Layers

Shading gently is the key to building up the shadows/dark areas of your drawing. It will make your drawing more smooth and more cohesive. Shade in layers to avoid uneven spots on your art.

7) Use a Q-tip to Blend in Your Shades

Q-tips are the best tool to blend your drawings with because using your finger gets messy and doesn’t do a good job. A Q-tip evens your illustration and harmonizes everything to look smooth and even. Blend with a Q-tip the same way one would use a beauty blender.

8) Add Your Final Details

Adding your final details after blending in all your shadows makes drawing so much easier because if you shade after, the details don’t get smudged away with the Q-tip.

9) Use Your Eraser to Add to Your Final Details

Erasing can also add to the small, essential details of your drawing. Use your eraser to make tiny adjustments to make your drawing pop even more.

I hope this post was useful, and it helps you create the best drawing your sketchbook has yet seen.