Drawing Cheatsheet
- Pencils (various lead hardnesses)
- Erasers (kneaded and gum erasers)
- Paper (sketchbook, drawing paper, or other suitable surfaces)
- Pens (e.g. ballpoint, gel, fine-liner)
- Markers (e.g. alcohol-based, water-based)
- Charcoal (vine or compressed)
- Pastels (oil or chalk)
- Brushes (for inking or watercolor)
- Drawing tablet (for digital drawing)
Techniques
- Sketching: quick, loose drawings used for capturing ideas and composition
- Shading: using light and dark values to create the illusion of depth and form
- Cross-hatching: a technique for shading using overlapping parallel lines
- Blending: using tools (e.g. blending stumps, fingers) to smooth out and blend different tones
- Layering: building up layers of color or values to create depth and texture
- Stippling: a technique for shading using dots or small marks
- Contour drawing: creating an outline of the subject, often without lifting the pencil from the paper
- Gesture drawing: quickly capturing the overall movement and shape of the subject
- Still life: drawing a group of objects arranged for artistic purposes
Terminology
- Value: The lightness or darkness of a tone
- Contrast: The difference between light and dark values in a drawing
- Composition: The arrangement of elements in a drawing, including subject placement, balance, and proportion
- Perspective: The technique for creating the illusion of depth in a drawing
- Proportion: The relationship between the sizes of different elements in a drawing
- Sketch: A quick, rough drawing used for capturing ideas and composition
- Rendering: The process of adding detail and refinement to a drawing
Tips and Tricks
- Practice regularly to improve your skills and techniques
- Experiment with different tools and materials to find what works best for you
- Observe and study the work of other artists for inspiration and techniques
- Try drawing from life to improve your observational skills
- Use reference images when needed to guide your work
Resources