One of the most important things to learn once learning to draw is realizing the process almost every artist applies to fill a blank sheet of paper with more and more lines till she completed the drawing. Though seemingly complicated this process consists of several separate and simple tasks.
Many artists pursue intuitively these individual tasks step-by-step in the right order. Unluckily when beginning to learn drawing, you lack the experience to adopt this strategy intuitively. But instead of waiting for the essential experience, you can use the following shortcut.
I created a system close to this formula most artists understand and stick with by instinct. It consists of four steps: Placement, Outlines, Shapes, Illumination. These four steps are quite simple and pursue the usual process to create a drawing. I abbreviated this formula P-O-S-I - a POSItive way to learn drawing.
So let's get going:
1. Placing the elements in your drawing
This makes up the opening move. Have a look at the whole scenery, distinguish the different elements in the scenery and try to understand the scenery. Concentrate on the different elements' placements and their location in relation to one another. Ultimately if you think your apprehension of the scenery is adequate enough, mark on your paper wherever you would like to place the different elements.
Try to be as precise as possible unless you have some experience in the art of pictorial composing. Experienced artists know how to modify the scenery for a stronger expression without hurting realism.
2. Drafting Outlines of the different elements
Now you know where to lay out the elements it's time to sketch them as simple drafts. Look cautiously at each part of the scenery and try to understand its outline and shape. Then draw its outline - only the silhouette - in a few light lines. Restrict yourself to the external lines of each element. Replicat this step for every element in the scenery. Ideally you start with elements in the background and continue to the foreground areas.
After completing the sketch of the whole scenery this way, it's time to have a concluding judging look (but not too judging although!). In this stage it's still easy to shift any element or to adjust some lines. But do not be overly critical and keep in mind: every outstanding drawing comes alive thanks to minor deviations.
3. Draw the Shape of the different elements
Now it's time to focus our attention to the elements' shapes. Start adding the inner structures of the scenery's parts with few and faint lines. Place the strokes in the proper directions to travel along and form the form of the components of every element.
For curved elements use curved lines and in plane parts use straight lines. But still limit you to only some and light lines. Just try to catch the contours properly. As there are still only thin lines on the paper you have still the opportunity to adjust a line here and there.
In the end your picture will have gained a stronger perspective and three-dimensional impression. Time to fill out the white spaces and perfect your drawing!
4. Illuminate your Drawing
Until now we only worked on laying out the scenery using light lines. Sketching the outlines and contours of all elements in the scenery we produced a line drawing that depicts the scenerys outlook faithfully.
But for producing realism something is lacking: texture, light and shadow. In this final step we'll fill in these elements that generate volume to our drawing and finally make it look realistic. So in this last step our opportunities for completing a outstanding picture are high but as well is the risk of damaging it beyond fix.
What to do? Once again look cautiously at each section of the scenery. Note how light, shadow and surfaces are forming the shapes and what the colors look like. Most crucial is the surface - because even if a surface is all one color, its structure and texture creates different tones.
The same goes to shadows. Look how the elements cast shadows on themselves and on elements around them. Add these darker areas by first sketching their countour, correcting and perfecting it and then filling it with dark shades.
While adding all the shadows and textures to your picture always try to draw from the background to the foreground. Whilst following this strategy travel from brighter tones and weak contrasts in the background to dark tones and sharp contrasts in the foreground. This creates a stronger volume and depth.
With this terminal step you completed your drawing. Go one step back and enjoy. And keep in mind: when the little critic in you awakes, store your drawing away, the more you'll love it in some months!
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