#sketch tutorial

1. Rough sketch

Basic shapes to outline pose - to be erased later, so don’t worry about precision or details!

My first round of sketching is ridiculously messy. I mostly try to get an idea of where I’m going re: composition and poses. Try to get proportions more or less right if you can, but don’t be afraid of getting it wrong. You can always fix it. If you’re drawing traditionally, keep this light enough so you can erase it easily. Digitally, keep it on a layer of its own so you can delete it later.

2. Slightly less rough sketch

Refine the sketch, paying more attention to shape and detail. You can erase some of the mess from the previous step.

This is where knowledge of anatomy helps, if you have it (I most certainly do not, so no worries). Make corrections, erase/delete the previous sketch when you no longer need it. The goal is to clarify your drawing a bit.

3. Even less rough sketch

Refining again! Start adding details and clean up as you go.

Same as above, you’re trying to clarify. I usually add details like clothing and facial features at this point. Don’t be afraid to try again if you aren’t satisfied! Play around with expressions and style until you find what works.

4. Least rough sketch

Final details and clean up. Focus on the most important parts of the sketch, less important parts don’t need to be as refined or detailed.

When drawing people, the focal point tends to be the face, which is why that’s what I tend to put the most effort into. Other things don’t need to be as clear; I tend to ignore hands and feet entirely.

Another example - the faces are by far the most detailed and precise. Everything else is just there to give a vague idea of what’s going on.

If I’m just sketching, this is usually where I stop. You can refine however many times you want, or leave it messy - sketching is pretty forgiving when it comes to making something look nice. 

Are there better ways of doing it? Absolutely. Have I bothered to find out what those ways might be? Not even a little bit.