Home ›› Drawing Tutorials ›› How To Practice Drawing To Quickly Improve

How To Practice Drawing To Quickly Improve

Do you want to get better at drawing this year? Practicing drawing is the secret.

I make time every day to draw, and it’s a game-changer. Trust me, you’ll love it too.

Drawing is fantastic because you don’t need much to start. Grab some pencils, paper, and an eraser; you can draw anywhere.

Are you ready to dive into how to practice drawing? Let’s go.

a hand holding a pencil and sketch pad, practicing drawing a subject.

Why Practicing Drawing Matters

You might think some artists just magically know how to draw amazing stuff overnight. It seems like that in movies, right?

But that’s different from how it works. Every great artist got there by practicing a lot.

Here’s the deal: practice leads to improvement. Do you want your drawings to go from okay to wow? You’ve got to put in the time.

Make Time for Drawing

Here’s my advice: draw every day. It doesn’t have to be long –20 minutes to an hour is perfect. It helps you get better at the basics and builds a good habit.

Drawing before bedtime is great for both kids and adults. Imagine winding down with your family, drawing together. It’s a chill way to end the day.

A person sitting with crossed legs and a sketch book on her lap and pencil in hand preparing to practice drawing.

If a set drawing time doesn’t fit your schedule, carry a sketchbook with you. That way, you can draw whenever you have a moment, like on the bus or while waiting for dinner.

Find Inspiration

Are you looking for drawing ideas? Start with everyday things around your house.

Getting into the habit of drawing can feel a bit overwhelming at first. You might wonder what to draw or worry about picking something too hard or easy.

The key is to think about why you’re practicing. Are you trying to improve shading or maybe drawing with short lines? Pick something that excites you.

a shaded pencil drawing of worn boots.

I love drawing shoes because of their shapes and textures. Or a pair of jeans on the floor; those folds are great for practicing shadows.

Remember the Joy

Drawing should make you happy. It’s okay if your drawings don’t turn out exactly how you imagined. Be kind to yourself; it’s all part of learning.

Even art school grads need to practice. It’s essential for any artist.

Easy Drawing Exercises

Here are some exercises to kickstart your drawing practice:

Still Life with a Twist

A shaded drawing of a pine cone, drawn 3 times from different angles.

Draw the same object in different ways. Change the angle or the light. It helps you see the object more clearly.

Quick Sketches

hand with pencil drawing basic shapes on a pad.

Spend 5-10 minutes drawing quick sketches. This could be parallel or zig-zag lines, simple shapes like rectangles or triangles, or simple objects. It’s a great warm-up.

Once you get into the habit, you’ll start finding inspiration everywhere.

Draw Yourself

A sketched contour drawing of a hand.

Did you know many famous artists practiced by drawing themselves? Try drawing your hand or your reflection in the mirror. It’s a great way to practice anytime, anywhere.

Figure Drawing

Starting with photo references can help when you’re drawing complex things like the human body.

If you don’t have a real-life model, use anatomical forms. It is a great exercise to help develop my own work at any time inspiration strikes.

Begin with the basics before moving on to details.

Follow Drawing Tutorials

A step by step graphic of how to draw an owl with dotted lines marking each step.

We’ve got great tutorials, like how to draw a mushroom or an owl. Try them out, then try drawing the same thing without the steps to train your eye to see the shapes.

Tips for Better Drawing Practice

  • Draw What You See: Focus on drawing what’s in front of you, not what you think you see.
  • Observe Shapes: Everything can be broken down into simple shapes. This helps with proportions and overall structure.
  • Take Care of Yourself: Drawing can be intense, so remember to look after your well-being too.

Just Start

The hardest part is starting. Don’t overthink it —just begin.

Remember, every artist started somewhere. With just a few tools, you can begin creating art right away.

The key to learning how to draw? Practice. Even a little bit every day adds up.

If you’re keen on furthering your artistic development, check out how to discover your drawing style.

Don’t forget to Pin it for later!

a hand sketching with a pencil. Various shapes and textures sketches onto paper.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *