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Drawing may seem like an innate skill you may or may not have. For many years, I had come to terms with the idea that I was not born, so I was reluctant to paint. But learning all that is involved and knowing that anyone can get it has definitely changed my perspective.
To learn more about the best ways to get started as a drawing novice, I spoke with two experts. Central He is Kevin Haran, a drawing professor who has taught at the University of Florida for his 25 years, and Zaida Diaz, Latino graphics his artist for PWR_GIRLZ.
Best drawing tips and supplies for beginners:
1.) Use a few good graphite or charcoal pencils instead of a huge set of pencils.
As a beginner, walking into an art supply store and seeing all the possibilities in the drawing section can be overwhelming. “I recommend keeping supplies to a minimum until you’ve mastered the basics,” Harran says. “Then you can expand your toolkit.” For beginners, pencil, paper and eraser are the basics.
We have a large selection of graphite pencils in different grades of softness and hardness. “Graphite he has more control with a pencil,” says Haran.
As tempting as it may be to reach for a pencil set, Haran says, “The downside of a pencil set is that it may contain pencil types that you probably never use.”
2.) Purchase a versatile sketch pad to cover the base.
Having a drawing pad or sketchbook will help you keep all your work in one place and ready to go when your creativity strikes. “If you just paint as a hobby and you don’t know what medium you want to focus on, or if you want to explore another medium, choose a multi-purpose sketchbook like the Canson pad,” says Diaz.
“If you want your painting to last longer, use acid-free paper,” says Haran. “All my drawings are Arche covers (100% cotton preservation paper).”
3.) Get a solid eraser and feel free to make mistakes.
The eraser is important for eliminating mistakes, but it can also be a tool for adding style and texture to your work. There are many types of picture erasers, but Haran keeps it simple.
You can find more of the best art supplies we recommend here.
4.) Start with the basics.
Once you have everything you need, you can master the basics of painting with online classes and books.
“The Natural Way to Draw”, recommended by Harran, is a great beginner’s book that offers a wealth of technical advice in addition to history, special techniques, and even drawing philosophies.
If you want to study online courses, you have many options. Domestika, a popular international online learning platform, offers a number of inexpensive courses, from techniques to beginner’s guides to unleash your creativity, to beginner’s guides to drawing,” he says.
You can find more online drawing classes for beginners that I recommend here.
5.) Focus on having fun and mastering the basics rather than on making great drawings right away.
One of the most important things in learning how to draw is the mindset. “Put aside the idea of becoming an artist and focus on the basics of learning to draw,” says Haran.
Diaz has a similar philosophy. you. “
