Drawing methods for art

Several drawing techniques for beginners can be practiced for painting. An oil painting can be begun via several main drawing systems, these are: the grid method, using the enlarger, using a viewfinder, using a straight-edge or by various drawing techniques freehand.

Finding the Best Drawing System for Art

Using the Viewfinder for Drawing

Like a camera, the viewfinder can be used to look for compositions, but can also be used as a drawing aid. A piece of card with a rectangular hole cut in the middle, gridlines can be drawn over the ‘window’ and used for transferring lines onto the art surface. Hold the card to one eye and close the other.

Drawing Method by Measuring

Any straight edge such as a pencil can be used for measuring proportions in a painting. Determine the central point of the composition and the art surface. Place a thumb on one edge of the pencil and slide it up or down to measure the visual proportions of objects in front. Close one eye and keep the pencil at the same distance before taking each measurement. Transfer these proportions to the art surface. Such a technique can be used to ensure each proportion measures up with one another. More about this measuring technique can be found on another article on this site.

Techniques for Freehand Drawing

The artist has a selection of drawing methods to choose from when embarking an oil painting. If accuracy is the aim, the underdrawing is crucial to the painting. If inaccuracies lurk, the final result could be affected. This means taking the time to get the drawing right. Don’t use a ballpoint or felt tip, or these will show through the paint layer. I use a soft pencil or thinner acrylic paint from a fine sable. Also important are good visual resources such as photos. Filling in the gaps with memory could take authenticity from the painting. Lastly, take the time to get the drawing right. If necessary, allocate a separate day to do so. This will save on headaches later on.

Drawing by via a Grid

The artist may conduct the drawing via a grid. Prepare a transparent sheet bearing a grid which may be drawn on with a marker. Number each line. Lightly draw a corresponding grid on the art surface. Place the plastic sheet over the photo and plot each line according to where they fall from photo to art surface.

Using an Enlarger

The enlarger is quick and convenient (if you have one). The image is placed inside a box containing a bulb and mirror. A lens shines the image onto the art surface. The lines can then be traced from the projected image. The image can be made bigger or smaller according to the distance between the lightbox and the art surface.

The aforementioned drawing practices may feel a little prescriptive. In such cases, freehand feels more natural, and if possessing a natural flair for drawing can be liberating. But various drawing techniques can be tried to help develop the ability to draw freehand. Try the following basic tips for drawing:

With a soft pencil, start light and work darker. Similarly, start with the larger areas and work down to the small. Keep the lines loose and rounded. Don’t work into detail too early. Only do so once confident the preliminary sketch is accurate. However, no first line is accurate; drawing is all about making rough visual estimations and then working towards accuracy. Keep adjusting and amending as you go along.

Learn to Draw Freehand

Stand back and see the image as a whole rather than sit a few inches away. Turn the image upside down or view it through a mirror. Errors will become more apparent by this practice. Don’t’ work into too much detail, as the drawing will be concealed beneath the paint anyway. Practice will aid improvement.