Questions tagged [drawing]

For questions about the use of pens, pencils, chalk, etc. to create images or patterns on a 2-D surface.

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Help buying good pen for connect-the-dot art

I got a connect-the-dot book as a gift. I tried multiple pens on it, but all are unsatisfactory. They all have issues like ink running dry often (including in the middle of drawing a line), uneven/...
Greater Knowledge's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
88 views

How to have clean lines inside the edges doing crosshatching?

I've started drawing in crosshatching style, but I find it difficult to keep the lines inside the edges. I´m going to attached and example of what I mean. Any tips or techinique that I can apply? I´...
wamro's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
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How do artists develop their style on drawing line art? [closed]

I want to know about how artists develop their style on line art, everyone has a different line art style based on their preferences and they draw irregular lines with irregular width and length in ...
Amber Alvia's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
89 views

How can I adopt a specific style in illustration?

Basically I used to doodle a lot when I was younger and decided to get back into it. I managed to find a comic and game artist that EXACTLY matches what I want my drawings to look like, and my goal is ...
Yezen's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
337 views

How is this style called and how is it done?

I am wondering, what is the historical origin, technique and name of the following drawing/painting style, done by means of little dots and nets. Or is it perhaps the effect of the drawing support or ...
Whimusical's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
88 views

Do you always have to guess the first line when drawing in perspective?

If I want to draw a grid on the ground in one point perspective, do I always have to guess the placement of the second horizontal line? I know I can make future lines proportionate with the previous ...
stackers's user avatar
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1 answer
163 views

Difference in proportionality of a large body frame character vs small body frame character

As follow-up to my previous question, How do I exaggerate without losing believability?, I'm trying to draw a large, bulky character that has an exaggerated, but still believable, physique. I'm trying ...
Eggplant Mann's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
275 views

How do I exaggerate without losing believability?

I want to make a bulky and wide character with the help of exaggeration. The problem is that it loses believably. How do I make a character resemble the upper portion of the gallery rather than the ...
Eggplant Mann's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
305 views

What is this art style called?

Source: art_iusupov Can you help me to identify this type of art style?
Avinash Nair's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
170 views

What is the difference between sketching and gesture drawing?

In the two videos linked below, John Muir Laws says that when drawing anything you should start by gesture sketching. What does he mean by gesture sketching: is it the normal sketching that we do when ...
Sarah's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
115 views

What should I do to the background pallet when focussing in on a character who is distressed?

When drawing a western style graphic novel:- I have several panels in which a character is giving expository dialog. The frames are drawn with a wide viewing angle and from a distance so that several ...
Aaargh Zombies's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
992 views

How do I trace a visible shape from paper to black illustration board?

Above is a miniature example of my problem. For an arts and crafts project, I need to trace a shape on a paper (which in this case is a triangle), on to a black illustration board, and the shape on ...
spaceamoeba1010's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
160 views

Does drawing on a transparent sheet what you can see behind it have a name?

There is a picture frame which has a transparent sheet fixed within it. This is placed on an easel, and the artist can physically see the target image through the transparent sheet. All they need to ...
JMP's user avatar
  • 153
2 votes
2 answers
627 views

In drawing, how is a "painterly" style different from a "linear" style?

In the book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain", the author shows two profile drawings of the same woman by two different authors. The author does this to make a point about artistic ...
Branko B's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
127 views

What is distortion?

Linear perspective tutorials like drawabox often mention distortion, but never define it. Wikipedia defines distortion for photography and optics and they seem related, but I want a definition ...
d_iv's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
826 views

What am I supposed to do with these reference images?

I'm drawing from the book Julien's studies of heads: selected from paintings of eminent artists, or drawn from nature (link). When a page shows two drawings: one being a rough outline with a cross ...
Foxy's user avatar
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5 votes
3 answers
181 views

What do the terms "lineist" and "colorist" mean in reference to painting styles?

An art student said, "I didn't use to like Picasso because I thought he's just a lineist." The pronunciation was LIN-ee-ist, in contrast with "colorist." I do not find "...
Jacob Wegelin's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
385 views

When drawing what is the name of these textures and patterns?

Is there a name for drawing/painting by texture and pattern naming? For example naming that goes along with these patterns and expands further? I would ask for a specific book but I believe that is ...
William's user avatar
  • 131
2 votes
1 answer
230 views

How to create 3/4 face angle on a cartoon character?

It's me. I want some advice on how to create a side angle easily. If you have the front face ready. I created a character recently and was only able to create his front face, I am having trouble in ...
Pro Co's user avatar
  • 123
4 votes
1 answer
438 views

How do I draw an evenly spaced spiral around a long cylinder?

I want to make a set of giant sized candy cane decorations for my driveway next Christmas consisting of a white downpipe with a red strip painted around it, and a hanger on it for a lantern. Like you ...
Aaargh Zombies's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
127 views

Definition of mixed media in painting

Consider an aquarelle painting mostly done with watercolour and little touches of gouache. May it be considered as mixed media because it includes more than one medium, or does it still qualify as ...
iris's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
596 views

Plastic sheet for drawing to prevent smudging

I've seen countless graphite/pencil artists use a transparent plastic sheet that they place their hand on to prevent smudging of the picture they draw. Exactly what is this called, and can you buy ...
snek programmer's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
1k views

How do I draw a very short human without making them look like a child?

I don't have an extremely realistic artstyle, so I fear that whenever I try to draw my very short character, they'll just look like a toddler in comparison to the others. What can I do to prevent this?...
FelisMiscellaneous's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
1k views

Do oil pastel pencils exist?

I'm new to oil pastels. I was wondering if there was such a thing as oil pastel pencils. I thought I saw them during a Google search. But now all I can find are hard pastels.
Leda's user avatar
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0 votes
2 answers
101 views

Is sketching a drawing skill? And can I use drawing exercises to develop my sketching skill?

I want to know if sketching is a drawing skill, and if can I use drawing exercises to develop my sketching skill.
user's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
200 views

Is there a known method to track perspective without guidelines, other than experience?

I'm aware of the Brewer method for starters, but other information would be helpful.
user98242's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
96 views

Are there any pros and cons of using more than 5-6 grades of pencils for a single drawing especially a portrait?

Earlier, for past 3 years I used to use at least 7 Staedtler pencils (6H, 4H, HB, 2B, 3B, 4B, 6B, 9B) for a single portrait drawing. In last 1 year, I reduced it to around 5 pencils (2H, HB, 4B, 6B, ...
Vikas's user avatar
  • 363
4 votes
1 answer
108 views

Does creating lighter shades from darker pencils actually increase the chances of it getting smudged and smeared?

Suppose you have 6B pencil from some reputed brand. You can create various degrees of shades using it. For example, if you use less pressure and hold it at a very low angle (slanted), it will give ...
Vikas's user avatar
  • 363
2 votes
2 answers
1k views

How do I mix charcoal and graphite correctly?

Using graphite is somewhat risky. I've seen that when I use graphite it ends up very shiny, am I doing anything wrong? If im correct, the process is: apply the charcoal then the graphite, but how can ...
Isaac750's user avatar
  • 701
4 votes
1 answer
216 views

How are sketches like this drawn?

Are these sketches simply drawn by hand with a lot of effort or is there a trick to them? Credit: Naruto, Vol. 1: Uzumaki Naruto (9781569319000) (Version with higher resolution)
Elliot's user avatar
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1 vote
0 answers
127 views

Getting rid of old artwork and sketchbooks? [closed]

My folks died a couple of years ago and we had to empty the house and do all that sad stuff. I had 40 years of artwork in their attic and I brought it all to my studio to "sort out". Three ...
spring's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
353 views

Vine charcoal and Willow charcoal

I'm about to buy a new set of charcoal, but I found vine and willow charcoal sticks, which I've never seen before. Before I buy this charcoal set I need to know the difference. I'd like to ask people ...
Isaac750's user avatar
  • 701
1 vote
0 answers
101 views

I have a problem drawing slanted, would grid paper help? [closed]

Or make the problem worse cause I would be relying on the grid to make my drawings straight? I'm not talking about the grid method, just free-drawing on a dot grid or something. Even when I draw ...
BL BLOB's user avatar
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6 votes
6 answers
2k views

How should a child first learn to draw?

I am wondering what are some good ways for children to learn to draw. Is it best for them to start by trying to copy things they see in front of them, like simple things such as cups or windows, ...
kiwani's user avatar
  • 161
2 votes
1 answer
88 views

Is there an objective level of quality that one must achieve in order to create manga/begin cartooning?

I'm pretty young and learning to do art and have aspirations to try and draw out a story (or at least some pretty pictures) and obviously have many more years to go, but I was always wondering, is ...
Howie Frizzell's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
70 views

Storing large format art in the smallest space possible

I've been storing my life drawings in an old portfolio bag but I'm running out of space in it. What are some other ways that I can store 100+ 21x27" unmounted drawings? Also my studio space is ...
empty's user avatar
  • 442
3 votes
2 answers
107 views

Drawing from a photograph that is too bright

I'm drawing a cat. Cats have lots of hair going everywhere. Here's the photo I'm using: My problem is his body, it's too white, and I won't be able to do anything there, because there's no variation ...
Isaac750's user avatar
  • 701
5 votes
3 answers
961 views

What do I use to outline a sketch when I want to apply watercolour afterwards?

What is the best thing to outline a sketch with when you're going to use watercolour afterwards? Pencil Sharpie thick point Sharpie fine point Regular black pen Black colour pencil
Carley's user avatar
  • 51
4 votes
2 answers
125 views

Maintaining/improving drawing skills without having the time to draw

I'm at school, and my days are busy, I can't draw and do homework at the same time, and my greatest fear is that I lose my drawing skills since I'm looking for scholarships. I mainly work with ...
Isaac750's user avatar
  • 701
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

How do I blend charcoal enough to make it look like a skin surface? [duplicate]

I've been drawing Wonder Woman for quite a long time. Since she has a lot of bare skin, it's kinda hard to draw it without pencils, using only charcoal. Here's the reference image I'm using: Artwork ...
Isaac750's user avatar
  • 701
2 votes
1 answer
164 views

Drawing damaged leather using charcoal

I'm currently drawing Wonder Woman with charcoal. While drawing I noticed that the armor has scratches: Artwork by Shierly Lin. Click for larger version Since it's a charcoal drawing, I'm having ...
Isaac750's user avatar
  • 701
4 votes
1 answer
122 views

Can I draw dog fur with pencil and then go over it with colored pencils?

I'm a amateur child artist trying to draw this. At the end of the video, the artist uses his pencil to make fur-like textures. However, I want to do this with color. After doing the whole tutorial, ...
Alexandrang's user avatar
7 votes
7 answers
2k views

What's the finest readily-available way to write on paper?

I'm trying to make the smallest legible lettering I can - miniature writing on normal paper or something thinner. This is in the context of craft with kids, so I'd like something affordable, also not ...
Chris H's user avatar
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9 votes
1 answer
559 views

What aspects of drawing should I focus on as a beginning artist?

The UK is going into a second lockdown and I've decided to try drawing as a hobby to get away from my every day job of been a programmer. I did art at school and that was the last time I did anything ...
John Cogan's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
2k views

Plastic eraser vs Rubber eraser

This is a plastic eraser and this is a rubber eraser. What are the differences between the two and which one should be preferred for which kind of drawing? Why is there such a huge price difference ...
Aquarius_Girl's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
126 views

Charcoal hatching

I want to add hatching to my charcoal drawings. But vine or charcoal pencils are very soft so the hatching lines become way too thick. What do artists use to create beautiful charcoal hatching? Is it ...
Rye bread's user avatar
  • 191
5 votes
2 answers
2k views

What is the name of my drawing style? Black and white?

I'm looking for a term for my art drawings. I'm going to post a gig on Fiverr and I don't know what to call it (black and white art/drawing?). There has to be a name for it. I have been drawing using ...
Abrahem haj hle's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
982 views

What are the benefits of using an overhand grip?

There seem to be two prominent grips for drawing that I have seen - tripod and overhand. I've used a basic tripod grip all my life for writing but have only recently come across overhand. From what I'...
Roqux's user avatar
  • 278
7 votes
3 answers
2k views

Is the starting point in sketching important?

This question came up to me when I was watching drawing / sketching tutorials on youtube. Let's say you have to draw a cat, they would start with the legs and then complete the rest of the drawing, ...
Goob99's user avatar
  • 73
7 votes
3 answers
2k views

Masking tape tears paper off!

Well, I thought masking tape is used for painting on paper because it can come off easily. I simply put masking tape on a drawing sheet and just to see whether it comes off easily or not, I started ...
Aquarius_Girl's user avatar