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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9 votes
7 answers
51k views

How can I protect my pencil & charcoal drawings once complete?

I have now built up a small portfolio of pencil/charcoal drawings. Most of the time they are kept in my folders, but sometimes they are viewed by friends and relatives. And on the odd occasion ...
BeaglesEnd's user avatar
  • 1,338
9 votes
2 answers
3k views

Does grid drawing help with drawing from imagination?

I've taken art classes in high/middle school where I did a couple of grid drawings and I've even done a couple on my own. I also had an art class in college last semester and everyone there loved my ...
Devin's user avatar
  • 193
9 votes
6 answers
3k views

What's the term for the opposite drawing style to hyperrealism?

I'm learning how to draw, and I'm trying to find the name of my favorite style so I can find more resources about it. The style is reasonably minimalistic, using only the necessary detail to make ...
TheEnvironmentalist's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
818 views

What is the name of the drawing having free hand shapes of animals, birds, flowers combined together to form a pattern/story?

I want to study the composition techniques used in following drawings found from a Google search. What should I look for in Google to read about this drawing pattern/technique?
Aquarius_Girl's user avatar
7 votes
5 answers
4k views

How to start a pencil portrait without using an outline of features?

I enjoy drawing head portraits in pencil, but I've found that sketching an outline of the prominent features often lead me astray. For example, due to shadows my eye is sometimes approximating the ...
BeaglesEnd's user avatar
  • 1,338
7 votes
2 answers
234 views

How to draw mandala when I intend to color it with pencil colors?

Mandala drawings: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandala Color pencils are not strong enough to hide the normal pencil. Example: Orange color pencil will not hide the underlying HB graphite pencil ...
Aquarius_Girl's user avatar
16 votes
3 answers
13k views

Determining a station point for a perspective drawing

For simple perspective drawings, you don't really need to get into having a station point (or vantage point, not vanishing point) at all. As I'm looking at more complex methods, a station point ...
user avatar
12 votes
3 answers
1k views

What does it mean to "push your values"?

When I used to frequent art-critique forums, I would often hear senior artists advise people to "push values", generally with little to no explanation beyond that. I gathered that in many cases it ...
user avatar
12 votes
2 answers
1k views

How does shading & blending with carbon pencils differ from graphite pencils?

From what I've read, carbon pencils give a more matte-like texture than graphite, and are a drier media - similar to charcoal. Graphite can become reflective when photographed and scanned so I'm ...
johnp's user avatar
  • 558
15 votes
2 answers
25k views

How do I get a blur (blended) effect in pencil drawings?

When drawing pictures with a pencil, I often want to create a more or less solid darker colour in some region. It's easy to shade an area so that it appears a solid dark colour from a distance, e.g. ...
Rand al'Thor's user avatar
  • 1,996
7 votes
3 answers
11k views

How can I prevent my drawings and paper from yellowing over time?

Some paper just yellows over time, especially if left out somewhere where it sees sunlight. Acid-free paper is a partial solution, but not terribly budget-friendly. Is there something else I can do ...
user avatar
11 votes
1 answer
1k views

What eraser can I use with wax core coloured pencils

I have a paper box of Prismacolor coloured pencils. I avoid using them since I think my drawing doesn't deserve them. The odd time I do use them and make mistakes I have a hard time erasing them. ...
Matt's user avatar
  • 11k
7 votes
1 answer
823 views

What are the different kinds of erasers used in graphite drawing?

When you are drawing you inevitably make mistakes. Erasing therefore is a large part of drawing. Not just for mistakes either. They can aid in shading and detail work, like hair, and other fine ...
Matt's user avatar
  • 11k
8 votes
2 answers
25k views

What's the difference between drawing paper and regular paper?

Supply stores sell drawing paper, sketching paper, and all sorts of bound pads and books of the same. What makes this paper different than regular notebook or printer paper? How is it better suited ...
user avatar
15 votes
10 answers
8k views

What can I do to ensure I only erase the smaller details without affecting the area around it?

I don't draw much and can't even call myself an amateur yet. As a result I make a lot of mistakes and also many test strokes when drawing. For small touch ups and mistakes the eraser is my best ...
Matt's user avatar
  • 11k
25 votes
6 answers
45k views

How can I avoid smudging my pencil drawings?

I'm very new at drawing. I'm not very good at pencil types yet, but it seems like whichever pencil I use (I have a set of 12 ranging from 6B to 5H), I end up with smudges. Is there a way to reduce ...
Kareen's user avatar
  • 793
7 votes
2 answers
10k views

Is there a standard angle to use for drawing and drafting tables?

I just moved into a new place, and plan on creating a desk that can be used as a computer desk, quilting desk, and drawing/drafting table. While often it will be a flat surface parallel with the floor,...
Monza's user avatar
  • 376
31 votes
3 answers
12k views

What is the advantage of having an angled drawing desk?

I grew up using normal desks in school and drawing in art class on tables. I have drawn on tables for most of my projects, but every artists desk has a lift to it. What is the purpose of the varying ...
leigero's user avatar
  • 1,082
11 votes
2 answers
3k views

Do I need to hold the pencil in different ways for different kinds of shading methods?

There are different types of shading techniques like criss cross, straight lines, circular shading, blending, scribbling, and dot shading (drawing dots close to each other). I draw and shade ...
Aquarius_Girl's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
410 views

Which kind of paper should be selected for graphite, charcoal, and pencil colors? [closed]

Type of paper may have an effect on the medium of drawing used. Which kind of paper should be preferred for graphite, charcoal, and pencil colors, respectively? Also, please mention the standard ...
Aquarius_Girl's user avatar
9 votes
1 answer
3k views

Do I need a non-photo blue pencil for scanning drawings?

I see the non-photo blue pencils in the pencil section all the time, and I'm wondering what their purpose is for modern artists. Do I need one if I want to scan in drawings where I've sketched the ...
user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
4k views

What are the types of charcoal pencils and how do they differ from each other?

I noticed that in the following picture there are at least 3 kinds of charcoal pencils: Wooden charcoal pencil with just the word soft written on it. Paper wrapped charcoal pencil with 600-H ...
Aquarius_Girl's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
22k views

How do hard, soft, and medium charcoal pencils compare against their counterparts in graphite?

Example: For shading, I have soft charcoal pencil, and 8B graphite pencil. The charcoal pencil I have does not have a specific label except the word "soft" written on it. Both of them are known for ...
Aquarius_Girl's user avatar
3 votes
3 answers
768 views

On what factors does choosing pencil shading technique depend?

There are different types of shading techniques like criss cross, straight lines, circular shading, blending, scribbling, and dot shading (drawing dots close to each other). Of course there are not ...
Aquarius_Girl's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
119 views

What medium should I use to make an initial design on paper for paper cutting?

My question refers to this kind of design: (the example is from another question here, How to cut a tiny circle in paper?) I suppose first I will have to draw that design on paper, then I will cut it....
Aquarius_Girl's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
9k views

How to calculate the shadow direction, size, and transparency?

Suppose I want to draw a shadow of X. How do I know what should be the EXACT size of the shadow direction of the shadow transparency of the shadow. Of course, it all depends on the light source. ...
Aquarius_Girl's user avatar
16 votes
3 answers
12k views

What should I use to draw under oil paint?

I was drawing onto my primed canvas in pencil, in preparation to paint over the top in oils, but a friend told me that I shouldn't do that, since over time the graphite will rise to the surface of the ...
Tom Medley's user avatar
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