How to start Sketching - Part 1

Sketch or sketching , normally is referred to a rough drawing which artists draw to remember their preliminary ideas, which later on are worked with more precision and detail.

Seeing those pencil drawings with shading , makes us wonder how to do all these , how can pencils be used to make such beautiful artworks , replicas from life around us ? It's at time confusing how to start learning and mastering the art of pencil sketching . There is no right and wrong way of learning , each one to their own way ,and I have tried to chart a way of learning pencil sketching my way. Hope  this helps people out there , who wants to start practicing sketching.

So the first thing I will like to start with the tools needed to start with pencil sketching . Though  a regular HB pencil is good enough to start , but to have a set of B and H pencils makes it work better and to top it up using paper meant for sketching improves the quality of work.

The pencils used for sketching ; 10B, 9B, 8B, 7B, 6B, 5B, 4B, 3B, 2B, B, HB ,H , 2H, 3H, 4H, 5H, 6H, 7H, 8H, 9H..... there are other pencils also available , depending on your progress one can include them in your tool box.

The letter H in H pencils means the lead is hard, which keeps the shading/sketching very light. 

The letter B means bold . The lead used in these pencils is soft and hence the effect of shading with these pencils is dark .

Along with these pencils , you need a good eraser , a kneading eraser which easily lifts the graphite from the paper as compared to regular ersaer. A good sharpener , a blade (if you prefer using it ) for sharpening your pencils.

Tortillons or Blending stumps are used to blend or merge the shading. The technique to do so we'll learn in upcoming lessons on the blog and my you tube videos. 

All these tools are easily available at any art store online or offline. You can choose as per your choice of brands . To mention a few brands for pencils, Camlin, Faber Castell, Bianyo, Pindia, Derwent, MonteMarte, etc etc....and so the list goes on. 

One also need a fixative spray to settle the loose pigments in your sketching once you complete your work , to protect it from getting messed up....

Coming up in the next lesson the basic techniques of sketching..........