2. Thesis statement:
a good preparation, a meticulous observation and simple sketching is the key to
producing a good sketch.
Good Performance
•Prepare the right
material
•pencils, papers and
eraser
•select a subject
•dun take too much time
•lose interest
•combination of
imagination and objecct's
feature
•use viewfinder
•a cardboard frame
•focus on the subject
•eliminate distraction
Meticolous Observation
•get proportion and
perspective right
•use grid
•hold pencil at arm's
length to estimate
•draw shape outline
•refer to the grid
•to get proportion
•note down the shadows
and light
•precaution - take photo
•features of subject may
be altered
Simple Sketching
•finalise plot
•add in details
•precaution - don't
overwork by darkens
every line
•windows and etc
•tone up
•shade and light
•manipulate pressure on
pencil
•add patterns
•start from light and top of
paper to prevent
smudging
•clean up drawing
•rub off unnecessary lines
Conclusion:
Will and enthusiasm towards sketching
Recognise mistake and practise to better
Draw whole-heartedly
Put in emotion
Sketching is about the process, not the outcome
3. 3 Steps to Making a Good Sketch
“All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows
up”, Pablo Picasso stated. A statement worthy of contemplation. Creativity is gifted
to everyone but not everyone utilised it completely. According to Picasso, each and
every one of us possess a certain extend of creativity in us but we lose it as grow
older. Rest assured as creativity can be adopted via practice. Creativity comes in
many forms and among them is sketching. When we talk about sketching, most often
than not, many show rejection saying “I can’t draw” but one do not need to possess
high level of artistic talent to simply sketch. Without a doubt, it does help but
attractive sketch can also be produced without it. Sketching does not just pique our
creativity; it can be very useful for self-expression and explanation of ideas. How to
make an attractive sketch? Here are a few easy steps toward the making of an
attractive sketch which are good preparation, meticulous observation and simple
sketching.
A good preparation wins you the race. This is true for most of the thing we do.
It is a fallacy that sketching is a spontaneous process and no preparation is needed.
The first thing to prepare is none other than material. A few graphite pencils of
various grades, an erasers and a sketchbook should suffice. (Janet Whittle, 2002) If
you can afford, spent a little more money on the quality of material will surely make
the process more enjoyable. Then, pick a subject to sketch. Do not take too much
time looking for the perfect subject to sketch as you may lose your interest by then.
The key to a good sketch is the combination of artist imagination and the subject’s
feature. (Janet Whittle, 2002) After you picked your subject, decide how you want to
place it on the paper. Place a viewfinder between you and the subject and adjust
4. accordingly till you are satisfied with it. (Jim Woods, 2002) A viewfinder is a
homemade cardboard frame that helps us to concentrate on the subject and
eliminate unnecessary distraction.
Now, observation comes into the picture. Observation is extremely important
because it defines everything you are about to sketch. Getting you’re the proportion
and perspective right is vital. Try holding your pencil at arm’s length and angle it until
it coincides with the outline of your subject to understand better the length and
angles. (Jim Woods, 2002) Fix a transparent material onto your viewfinder and rule it
into a grid. (Jim Woods, 2002) You will find it useful as a reference. Next, draw a
similiar grid and the basic outline of your subject on the paper. Then, note down the
shadows and the light source around your subject. Lightly sketch out the boundary of
shadows and tonal change. Take your time observing your subject and take a photo
of your subject as a back-up because the tone and lighting of you subject will change
over time. (Jim Woods, 2002)
After all the fundamental works, it is finally time to advance to the last part,
sketching. From the basic framework that you have lay down just now, finalise the
plotting with details such as buildings’ windows. At this stage, take care not to
overwork by darkening every single line or drawing every line you see. (Jim Woods,
2002) Leaving things as it is will make the sketch look fresher. Then, address the
pattern of light and shade into the established drawing. Closer patterns creates
darker shade, further patterns create lighter tone. Another method to introduce
different shades is tp manipulate the pressure applied on the pencil. (Jim Woods,
2002) Start from light to dark and top to bottom to prevent smudging by your own
hand. (Jim Woods, 2002) Finally, you can clean up the whole drawing by rubbing off
some of the unnecessary lines that may steal away the focus of the sketch.
5. In a nutshell, production of a good sketch depends highly on a good
preparation, a meticulous observation and some simple sketching. Sketches are
more often meant to be done rather than to showcase. Forget about the outcome
and enjoy the process. All you need is the will, the enthusiasm and the recognition
that you may make mistakes and will need to practise. Sketch whole-heartedly and
pour in whatever emotion you felt during the process into your sketch. Art is not
meant to win an award and sit in the gallery. Art is a mean to express yourself. A
good sketch is sketch that exudes emotions. A good sketch is a sketch that is drew
for none other but yourself.
6. Reference
Art Instruction Blog. (2011). Drawing Tips – Top 20 Drawing Tips For Beginners.
[Online] Available at <http://www.artinstructionblog.com/learn-how-to-draw-top-20-
drawing-tips-for-beginners>. [Accessed 30 May 2012]
Jim Woods, 2002. Draw and Sketch Buildings. Page One Publishing Ltd, 20 Kaki
Bukit View, Kaki Bukit TechPark 11, Singapore 415956: Piers Spence
Janet Whittle, 2002. Draw and Sketch Landscape. Page One Publishing Ltd, 20 Kaki
Bukit View, Kaki Bukit TechPark 11, Singapore 415956: Piers Spence
