✏️ Look Harder (Sketch Faster)
How to improve your drawing skills
Learning to draw is, essentially, learning to observe.
To become better drawers we first need to become better observers. Try this little experiment:
Sketch A:
Step 1, think about an object you have at home (or wherever you are at that moment) but don’t go and pick it up just yet.
Step 2, sketch the memory of that object in no more than 30 seconds.
Sketch B:
Step 3. Now pick up and bring that object (with any luck you didn’t think of your fridge) and look at it for just 5 seconds, then hide it from your view.
Step 4, quickly sketch again that object from your recent memory.
Sketch C:
Step 5. Bring that object back and look at it for 3 minutes. Take your time paying attention to the detail, to its form, to its qualities. Move it away from sight again.
Step 6, sketch quickly from memory.
Sketch D:
Step 7, bring back the object (no need to move it away this time) and draw it. Take your time, looking at it every time you need it.
Now compare these four quick sketches. What are the differences between them? Has the drawing improved its accuracy in detail as you increased the time looking at the object? Probably yes.
To improve your drawing skills, practice consistently with the very first step of the process of sketching something: looking at this item with all your attention.
Whether this image comes from reality, from your memory, or from your imagination, learn to observe the subject you are drawing.
A couple of tips on how to improve this process:
Let go of the need to control the outcome. In other words, don’t get obsessed about how nice the sketch is going to look. I know this is a very difficult one, but try to bring back your focus to the object every time you picture your drawing in your head. If you manage to do this successfully, the process will unfold unexpected results.
Don’t just merely look - observe. That means paying close attention to the thing you are looking at. Ask yourself questions about the subject, its shape, colours, function, qualities, and details. Knowing your subject will help your brain translate this information into a drawing when you start moving your hand.
So… look harder!
Cheers and happy sketching! 💫✏️
Ana
