Sketching technique

[Datameister]

Hey guys. I'm curious what your technique is like when you sketch with pencils or pens--or a Wacom tablet, for that matter. How much of it is wrist movement vs. arm movement? How light or dark are your initial sketches? What would you say are the quickest and most appealing ways of creating form on the page (or computer monitor)? Thanks a lot for your input, and I look forward to reading your replies. :)

[Dizon]

I'd say a lot of things are pretty much instinctive if you dont think about it too much. Like for example, the way you hold your pencil. There's no one definite way of holding it. Its pretty much up to you. Another example is the wrist vs arm movement you just mentioned. Again, thats not impt at all. It doesn't have to be "more arm movement than wrist" or vice-versa. It's instinctive. When it comes to long term sketching as opposed to short term, I tend to be more careful with my approach. I try to keep some of my observations in mind, and Im more careful in putting down my marks. When it's "short term", im much looser, and quicker when it comes to my thinking and movements, but, either way, I dont think about how I should hold my pencil, or how much movement is coming out of my wrist or arm.

As for tips, always sharpen your pencil to a good point. ALso, when you want broad marks, use the side of the pencil. And try to keep things simple at first.

Hope that helps.

[Prehistoric]

i usually build up tones gradually. sketching light first, then building up value with the marks.

when drawing small, i usually work slowly, drawing from the wrist.

when i work large, i work quicker, drawing from the elbow and shoulder.

[Dizon]

i usually build up tones gradually. sketching light first, then building up value with the marks.

when drawing small, i usually work slowly, drawing from the wrist.

when i work large, i work quicker, drawing from the elbow and shoulder.

yes, i think putting in light values first, then, slowly building it up is a great technique.

[figure2]

How much of it is wrist movement vs. arm movement? How light or dark are your initial sketches? What would you say are the quickest and most appealing ways of creating form on the page (or computer monitor)?I believe the rule of thumb is, if you are standing at an easel you should be using your whole arm but if you are drawing while seated with your sketchbook in your lap, chances are you will be using mostly your wrist.

Because pencil smudges so easily between closed pages of a sketchbook, I ink over all of my sketcbook drawings. I draw pretty lighly, just dark enough for me to follow the lines with my pen. If I am submitting the drawing to a client for approval I make my pencil lines a bit darker. For sketching figures quickly, I like Howard K. Forsberg's (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showpost.php?p=345741&postcount=235) method.

I don't do much drawing with my tablet but it seems to me that a good approach would be to rough-in your initial drawing on a separate layer in Photoshop or Painter, then use a new layer above to clean it up.

[Datameister]

Thanks for the advice, all of you. It sounds like your techniques are quite similar to mine; I tend to build up darker lines from extremely faint ones, using mainly wrist movement.

I'd still be very interested in hearing from more members, too. Anyone disagree with what's been said here?

[MF BASTARD]

Have you ever heard of this guy named Vilppu who is an expert at figure drawing. He has a very intuitive technique of roughing out the pose that anyone who is serious about art should look into. I think he has a book or two.

[timpaatkins]

Hey figure2:

If you have problems with smudging, you can always buy a small can of celluosa fixative, they are smaller than a coke can. Fixative is also good if you fx use gouace or other waterbased colours, to set the underlying piece, and then work over it without mixing it with underlying colour. Might also work with markers, but be more careful! I used to have the same prob! Unless you are inking for practise, then go ahead!

[Midnight]

Hmm, I don't really sketch on the computer, but with a pencil I almost always sketch small-ish, with minimal wrist movement, starting very lightly and building things up from there. I guess it's the easiest way to build sketches up, looking at some of the other replies here.


Mid.

[VirusArtist]

as for technique i agree with whats been said.. its instinctive, but thinking about it, i tend to use my wrist quite alot.

as for the sketches themselves.. i usually work very rough in the beginning, very light.... normally i just doodle to see what an effect a thrown in curved line can have etc... very chaotic..

most of the time outsiders cannot see what i'm trying to draw in that stage... after that its the usual... working out general shapes, details etc and then cleaning everything up with an erasor.

sadly the sketches always end up very dark and unclean, since i always overdo it on the pressure on my pencils, but since I ink my stuff most of the time its no real problem.

one low budget tip for sketches turning out blyrry/smudgey when in a sketchbook:
hairspray.. works wonders, doesnt take ages to dry and preserves the original pencilwork (very good for sketches with very light lineweight)

etienne

[Pixel8]

Thanks for starting this thread. This basic technique information is helpful.

I'd like to ask, if I'm not side-tracking the thread, if you usually use long decisive strokes or if you use smaller, quick strokes?

I feel like I clam up too much and start making a series of short strokes to describe an object. Should I be practicing to make more decisive lines right off the start?

[VirusArtist]

I feel like I clam up too much and start making a series of short strokes to describe an object. Should I be practicing to make more decisive lines right off the start?

Not necessarily.. I would reserve the longer, more decisive lines for the finish of the sketch... small lines usually tend to be a blessing in the rough stages, but thats just my oppinion...
try to find your own style through training both methods ;)

Cheers,
Etienne

[Pixel8]

:^^: Thanks. I guess I need to loosen up. I feel myself getting uptight when I draw - not what you're looking to do!!! So I read drawing books and they look more like geometry and science texts, so I get stressed by those too!

CAN'T WE JUST HAVE FUN??!?!?! WHY CAN'T WE ALL GET ALONG????

[NukeouT]

Usually I try to have music to relax too..

Start witha very light stick skeleton with the pose and play around iwth it, easly erasing and repositioning joins if need be. I include shoulders and hip lines stomach position, ribs/chest, head with face + position and - lines for where leg arm wrist, ect joints are finish off with aproximation of blocks for how fingers and toes will be positioned.

Then add more serious refined bones where they are needed . Over that muscle/skin/fat countour. Sometimes at this stage I earase the stick skeleton if its getting in the way. Then I lay out any clothing/armor/weapons. Followed by backround which I already sketched thumbnails of on another peice. And ink it, earase the pencil.

:confident

[JERI]

people probably told you this before, but I find flipping your image horizontally reveals a lot of things you maybe doing wrong with your stuff.

[Datameister]

That's so true, JERI. That can be used to solve so many perspective, composition, and form problems.

[princeofhappiness]

cross-hatching in different directions, and putting light and dark lines as i see fit. When drawing the face, i always start with the left or right eye, and then the nose, and so on.