If you’re just starting out as an artist and want to learn how to draw quickly, there are some simple things that you can do to improve your drawing skills. There are a few ways to achieve this, but the most effective way is to practice regularly and immerse yourself in art. This can be done through classes, videos, or just practicing your own drawings regularly.
Straight Lines
The basic drawing skill that every good artist needs to have! This is one of the favorite exercises for building a steady hand and getting to know your artistic tools. Once you’ve mastered the art of drawing long straight lines, start to try different shapes. Squares, triangles, circles, ovals, and rectangles are all forms that you can use to create more complex art. They’re also useful when you’re trying to develop your understanding of perspective.
Perspective
This is understanding how an object’s shape changes based on its position in space. It’s a foundational skill that will help you understand how to add texture, shading, and other details later on.
Light & Shadow
This is the ability to understand how light affects the shape of objects and the way they cast shadows. It’s a fundamental skill that will help you make your drawings look realistic and beautiful.
Value Study
This is the ability to understand how to use different shades of tones to achieve the illusion of light and shadow. It’s a valuable skill for beginner artists because it helps them learn how to balance form and space when drawing.
Using Reference Images
This is the ability to use real-world images to practice your drawing techniques. This is a very useful skill for beginners as it will allow you to work from a reference image with which you can compare your drawing.
Using your imagination
This is the ability to draw without a reference. This is a very common practice for artists of all types and can be used to explore your creative side in a fun way.
Doodle
This is the ability to scribble freely with your non-dominant hand just to get the creative juices flowing. Using your imagination to sketch a monster or doodling around in your notebook can be a great way to relax and get the creative juices flowing.
Attending art classes
Taking art classes at a local museum or gallery is the best way to get a personalized experience and to meet other artists in your area. Many museums and galleries offer free art classes.
One-Line-Drawing
This is the ability to trace an entire subject with only one line. This simple exercise has been around for centuries and can be a great way to practice your drawing technique. It’s a great way to build your confidence and speed up your work. It’s easy to do, and your finished drawing will almost always look super-super-cool!