8 answers
Mimi
Student
Arlington, Virginia
1
Question
Asked
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How do I make my drawings look good?
How do I make my drawings look good without a lot of fancy supplies
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8 answers
Karen Dempsey
Art Instructor
4
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Improvement in any skill, including drawing, comes with practice. Make the most of the supplies you have at hand and strive to master them. As you acquire more materials, you can gradually expand your collection. Personally, I still create many of my drawings using a simple pencil or a ballpoint pen. To add some variety, consider setting up your own still life compositions for drawing practice. Alternatively, you could check out drawing books from your local library for inspiration. Remember, consistency is key. Keep practicing and you'll soon notice a marked improvement in your drawings.
Luana Hintz
Illustrator/Concept Artist
1
Answer
Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Updated
Luana’s Answer
"It isn't the plane, it's the pilot" as it is said on Top Gun Maverick (great movie btw).
Fancy supplies don't matter when you know what you are doing. The best thing you can do it is to study. Study a lot. Study the basics, the principles of drawing. Learn anatomy, perspective, light & shadow,... Whatever you want to focus on. But you need to work hard so you can start seeing the results, just like it takes a while for you to see the results of going to the gym and working out everyday.
It's a cliche but, yes, practice. Practice.
Fancy supplies don't matter when you know what you are doing. The best thing you can do it is to study. Study a lot. Study the basics, the principles of drawing. Learn anatomy, perspective, light & shadow,... Whatever you want to focus on. But you need to work hard so you can start seeing the results, just like it takes a while for you to see the results of going to the gym and working out everyday.
It's a cliche but, yes, practice. Practice.
Isabel Christopher
Graphic Design
4
Answers
Clarkston, Michigan
Updated
Isabel’s Answer
Persistence is key! You might not notice a significant change initially, but trust me, you're improving with each day you put your skills to use.
Starting with the basics of drawing and incorporating them into your work is a fantastic first move. All you need to get started is a simple pencil and paper. As you progress, you can explore the internet and local stores for quality supplies that fit within your budget.
There's a vast amount of tutorials on platforms like YouTube and social media, where you can learn by following along. This approach lets you experiment with new techniques, mediums, and discover some fun new subjects to draw.
Starting with the basics of drawing and incorporating them into your work is a fantastic first move. All you need to get started is a simple pencil and paper. As you progress, you can explore the internet and local stores for quality supplies that fit within your budget.
There's a vast amount of tutorials on platforms like YouTube and social media, where you can learn by following along. This approach lets you experiment with new techniques, mediums, and discover some fun new subjects to draw.
Makana Wrightington
Freelancer
7
Answers
Fall River, Massachusetts
Updated
Makana’s Answer
Study art and design concepts! You don't need fancy materials to make your art look good. A good grasp of design and the basic art concepts (shape, shades, space ect) will do the trick.
Also, what you're lacking in supplies you can definitely make up for in technique! It's amazing what you can do with just a graphite pencil!
Study design concepts
Study techniques for the medium you are using
Get Creative
Also, what you're lacking in supplies you can definitely make up for in technique! It's amazing what you can do with just a graphite pencil!
Makana recommends the following next steps:
Elizabeth Feltz
Graphic Design
4
Answers
Elgin, Illinois
Updated
Elizabeth’s Answer
I always have a pen with me and try to carry a small notepad too. Although I have drawn on many napkins and paper towels too. Never stop drawing. What everyone has said it true. It is your talent, not the tools that make your art great and that takes tons of practice. The key to keep at it. Observe what your looking at carefully. How the light hits an object. It’s reflection. The shadow it creates. I never stop learning and becoming a better artist. I babysat and mowed lawns for money for paper and pens or clay. When I turned 15 I got a part time job to buy art supplies sonI could try different things to see if I liked it. I also made do with what I had. Popsicle sticks and paper towel tubes became sculptures. Getting creative with what you find can be very fulfilling and it stretches your creativity. There are people making a living off of beer bottle cap art. You got this!
Jacob Taylor
Production Manager
523
Answers
Stafford, Virginia
Updated
Jacob’s Answer
Creating visually appealing drawings doesn't necessarily require fancy art supplies. Here are some tips to help you make your drawings look good with basic materials:
1. **Practice Regularly:** Improvement comes with practice. Dedicate time to drawing regularly, even if it's just a few minutes each day. Consistency is key.
2. **Start with Simple Subjects:** Begin with simple subjects and gradually work your way up to more complex ones. Practice basic shapes, objects, and scenes to build your skills.
3. **Focus on Fundamentals:**
- **Line Quality:** Pay attention to the quality of your lines. Experiment with line weight (varying the thickness of lines) to add depth and dimension to your drawings.
- **Proportion:** Work on getting proportions right. Use basic measurements or comparisons to ensure your drawings are accurate.
- **Value:** Create depth by shading. You don't need fancy shading tools; a regular pencil can be used for light and dark shading. Practice hatching and cross-hatching techniques for different textures and tones.
- **Contrast:** Pay attention to contrast. Dark areas should contrast with light areas to make your drawings pop.
4. **Use References:** Drawing from life or using reference images can help you understand details, shadows, and proportions better. Observational drawing can significantly improve your skills.
5. **Experiment:** Don't be afraid to try new techniques and styles. Experiment with different textures, strokes, and methods to discover what works best for you.
6. **Simplify:** Sometimes, less is more. Simplify complex scenes or subjects into basic shapes and forms. This can make your drawings more visually appealing and less overwhelming.
7. **Pay Attention to Composition:** Think about the arrangement of elements in your drawings. Use principles like the rule of thirds, leading lines, and balance to create visually pleasing compositions.
8. **Use High-Quality Paper:** While you don't need fancy art supplies, investing in good-quality paper can make a difference. Paper designed for drawing or sketching can handle different media and techniques better.
9. **Practice Perspective:** Understanding perspective can add depth to your drawings. Learn the basics of one-point and two-point perspective to create the illusion of space and dimension.
10. **Critique Your Work:** After finishing a drawing, take a step back and assess it objectively. Identify areas for improvement and learn from your mistakes.
11. **Learn from Others:** Study the work of artists you admire. Analyze their techniques, styles, and approaches. Learning from others can inspire your own creativity.
12. **Patience and Persistence:** Be patient with yourself. Improvement takes time. Don't get discouraged by mistakes or perceived failures. Keep going, and you'll see progress.
Remember that art is a personal journey, and your style and skills will develop over time. Embrace the learning process, be open to feedback, and enjoy the creative journey. With dedication and practice, your drawings will continue to improve and look better with each attempt.
1. **Practice Regularly:** Improvement comes with practice. Dedicate time to drawing regularly, even if it's just a few minutes each day. Consistency is key.
2. **Start with Simple Subjects:** Begin with simple subjects and gradually work your way up to more complex ones. Practice basic shapes, objects, and scenes to build your skills.
3. **Focus on Fundamentals:**
- **Line Quality:** Pay attention to the quality of your lines. Experiment with line weight (varying the thickness of lines) to add depth and dimension to your drawings.
- **Proportion:** Work on getting proportions right. Use basic measurements or comparisons to ensure your drawings are accurate.
- **Value:** Create depth by shading. You don't need fancy shading tools; a regular pencil can be used for light and dark shading. Practice hatching and cross-hatching techniques for different textures and tones.
- **Contrast:** Pay attention to contrast. Dark areas should contrast with light areas to make your drawings pop.
4. **Use References:** Drawing from life or using reference images can help you understand details, shadows, and proportions better. Observational drawing can significantly improve your skills.
5. **Experiment:** Don't be afraid to try new techniques and styles. Experiment with different textures, strokes, and methods to discover what works best for you.
6. **Simplify:** Sometimes, less is more. Simplify complex scenes or subjects into basic shapes and forms. This can make your drawings more visually appealing and less overwhelming.
7. **Pay Attention to Composition:** Think about the arrangement of elements in your drawings. Use principles like the rule of thirds, leading lines, and balance to create visually pleasing compositions.
8. **Use High-Quality Paper:** While you don't need fancy art supplies, investing in good-quality paper can make a difference. Paper designed for drawing or sketching can handle different media and techniques better.
9. **Practice Perspective:** Understanding perspective can add depth to your drawings. Learn the basics of one-point and two-point perspective to create the illusion of space and dimension.
10. **Critique Your Work:** After finishing a drawing, take a step back and assess it objectively. Identify areas for improvement and learn from your mistakes.
11. **Learn from Others:** Study the work of artists you admire. Analyze their techniques, styles, and approaches. Learning from others can inspire your own creativity.
12. **Patience and Persistence:** Be patient with yourself. Improvement takes time. Don't get discouraged by mistakes or perceived failures. Keep going, and you'll see progress.
Remember that art is a personal journey, and your style and skills will develop over time. Embrace the learning process, be open to feedback, and enjoy the creative journey. With dedication and practice, your drawings will continue to improve and look better with each attempt.
Ranee Leider
Ux/UI Design
3
Answers
Fort Worth, Texas
Updated
Ranee’s Answer
These are all very true and very good answers.
I am not a studio artist personally but I study art. And one thing I've noticed is that truly amazing art can be made with any medium and on any medium.
You must keep drawing, painting, creating, and most of all looking. They say to develop an "artists eye" (in my case a "designers eye") and it is completely true. The more you do your craft, read, go to see pieces of art in a show, museum or gallery, talk about art with other artists, and just dip your entire life into it, the more you *see* it.
And the more you see it, the more realize you don't need "fancy supplies" at all. You will see many great mediums to create art all around you.
I am not a studio artist personally but I study art. And one thing I've noticed is that truly amazing art can be made with any medium and on any medium.
You must keep drawing, painting, creating, and most of all looking. They say to develop an "artists eye" (in my case a "designers eye") and it is completely true. The more you do your craft, read, go to see pieces of art in a show, museum or gallery, talk about art with other artists, and just dip your entire life into it, the more you *see* it.
And the more you see it, the more realize you don't need "fancy supplies" at all. You will see many great mediums to create art all around you.
Ellen Rosenthal
Retired Art Teacher
239
Answers
Woodbridge, Virginia
Updated
Ellen’s Answer
Hi Mimi
The good news is that you don't need a lot of fancy art materials to make "good" drawings. (By good drawings, I think you mean realistic drawings?) Good drawings can be made just from a #2 pencil, or from fine line pens, or from ball point pens, or with using a mouse on a computer. Creating good drawings is really about skill and vision. Improving your skills takes practice, effort, and patience, just like any other activity such as sports, dance, or music. It also helps to draw a lot, so keep a small sketchbook with you and draw when you can (but not during classes!); just draw what you see or just have fun doodling.
For young artists it is hard to know what exactly to do to improve, and that is why having an experienced art teacher, who is an artist, look at your drawings and make suggestions. I suggest you get together some of your best drawings and show them to an art teacher at your school. Listen to what they say, and do your best to follow their advice. If you are not taking art classes, I suggest you do, or at least join an art club, if your school has one.
Best wishes!
The good news is that you don't need a lot of fancy art materials to make "good" drawings. (By good drawings, I think you mean realistic drawings?) Good drawings can be made just from a #2 pencil, or from fine line pens, or from ball point pens, or with using a mouse on a computer. Creating good drawings is really about skill and vision. Improving your skills takes practice, effort, and patience, just like any other activity such as sports, dance, or music. It also helps to draw a lot, so keep a small sketchbook with you and draw when you can (but not during classes!); just draw what you see or just have fun doodling.
For young artists it is hard to know what exactly to do to improve, and that is why having an experienced art teacher, who is an artist, look at your drawings and make suggestions. I suggest you get together some of your best drawings and show them to an art teacher at your school. Listen to what they say, and do your best to follow their advice. If you are not taking art classes, I suggest you do, or at least join an art club, if your school has one.
Best wishes!