
Just as you would add shading to create depth and shadows to your sketch, you can also create highlights. You can also blend simply by angling your pencil to utilise the wider edge, creating thicker lines that create the appearance of shadows and shading. This can be done in a number of ways, including using your finger or a rolled-up piece of paper to blend in hatching or cross-hatching This will give your sketch a smoother appearance. To add a cleaner shading element to your drawing, you can try smooth shading. For this approach, a duller pencil works best. Instead, move the pencil around in a circular motion when adding pressure. It’s important to note that you shouldn’t make small circles with perceptible lines. To create smooth transitions you can make small circular strokes that give you a more blended appearance. Using random movements across the paper will result in a somewhat deconstructed image, and the more irregular lines created closer together, the darker it will appear.Ĭontrol the tone your pencil produces by simply adjusting the amount of pressure you place on it. The characteristics of a scribbled sketch can be identified by the erratic, uneven and definitely not straight lines within the piece. But scribbling is actually a drawing technique that can be very effective. To ensure that your dots show up and make a better impact, it’s best to use softer graphite for this effect, as it comes out darker.Įveryone has created idle scribbles on a piece of paper when waiting on hold during a telephone call. The closer the dots, the deeper the effect. Stippling is the art of adding dots to add shading and depth, similar to hatching or cross-hatching. The closer these lines, the darker the shading in your drawing will be.
Pencil drawing ideas series#
Cross-hatching is a series of lines used in the same way, but where they intersect. Hatching is essentially a series of lines drawn along the main line of your drawing to create shadow and depth. When it comes to well-known pencil drawing styles that can level up your sketches, hatching & cross-hatching is at the top of the list of skills you should learn. These methods are very common and effective ways to add depth to your sketches through shading. For most effective work, having a few pencil options in your sketching tool kit is essential. Generally, softer graphite pencils will allow a darker, softer tone, while harder graphite will offer a harder line and a more pointed end. Without proper knowledge of your equipment, you could be limiting yourself significantly. The shades, textures and shadows you are able to create on the page are not entirely limited by your breadth of techniques. Here, we share a variety of pencil sketching techniques to try in your next creation. Read on to discover our top sketching tips and techniques. Learning a variety of different sketching techniques can take your pencil drawings to a whole new level, bringing greater depth and refinement to the artwork you create. There are many styles in which you can sketch with a pencil, all ranging from simplistic lines to complex drawings and sketches. With just a few tools you can create an incredibly detailed and beautiful work of art. Sketching with a pencil is versatile, portable, and requires only a few basic art supplies.

Pencil sketching has long been a popular art form, and it’s no wonder why.
