Adult Class 3 of 5 - Sketching

What you need:

Pencil (if you don't have a sketching pencil, a mechanical pencil works pretty well)

Good eraser, not what's on the back of your mechanical pencil. I prefer kneaded erasers which you can find in the art section of stores

Sketching Paper

You should be able to find all of these at your local walmart or the sort

Pencil sharpener

Intro:

Learning how to sketch is the very basics for learning to do anything else. Even with my acrylic paintings, I sketch out what I am planning to paint first. If you can get sketching down than you will have a strong basis to begin with. Learning to sketch is something anyone can do, no matter your skill level. Techniques on how to sketch better and more easily is what I'm hoping to share with you. I have a few classes and took art as an elective in school but for the most part what I have picked up is from other artist friends and my own personal experience. It really does make a difference the kind of materials you use so I really would suggest investing a little extra to buy proper tools for this class. If you used a regular pencil, eraser and notebook or printing paper...you will struggle a lot.

Getting started:

Make sure to clear out a space for your work. For this class, I would use a table and somewhere with good light. I have started using a lamp to shine down on my work, too many shadows can make it very difficult to see what you are doing. Minimal shadows is the best. Have all of your tools ready. Be sure to sharpen your pencil and then you're ready to go.

Jumping in:

Attached with this email is a picture that you will be using for a reference. We will always start with basic outlines. The largest outlines of the body will be what you begin tracing. There are a few different ways to sketch but I'll be showing you my own technique. While I'm sketching I really like to draw lightly and in smaller segments. It makes it easier to erase if you need to which you likely will have to especially as a beginner. This is why I suggested a really good eraser. A bad eraser will leave eraser residue and smear in pencil marks. A bad pencil will still leave a faint mark on the paper and will end up making your sketches look really messy. After creating the main outline, you will begin working in the finer details, layer by layer. Don't be afraid to use the picture for a reference as much as you need to. Remember it will not look exactly the same, the point is that your own sketches proportions look right when looking at it by itself. We aren't worrying about shading right now as that will be addressed in the next class. Use my video for help with techniques and the process of completing the sketch.