Sketching dates back to ancient times to 30,000 to 10,000 BC. Drawings and sketches have been found on walls of caves in France and Spain.

In the past, sketching was done through charcoal. With passing time pencils, pens and inks replaced charcoal. In modern times, we can see people sketching through computer too but it cannot substitute for the beauty of handmade sketches.

f you have always wanted to try your hand on sketching, but a lack of confidence is keeping you from beginning your sketching journey, you have got nothing to worry about. We have got you covered.

People sketch in different ways. Some people sketch based on thier imagination while some sketch a scenery or object in front of them. Sketches take practice, but since sketching is all about capturing things in the spur of the moment, make sketchbook your friend and always keep it near you so you don’t miss the perfect moment.

Know Your Pencils
The first step to sketching is to know your pencils. It is essential to have the right pencil for your sketch. ‘B’ pencils are soft, ‘H’ pencils are harder whereas ‘HB’ are in the middle of both.

Tim Von Rueden, a traditional convention artist, says working with a mechanical pencil alongside the traditional pencil is worth considering. Mechanical pencils are better suited for precision whereas traditional pencils are great for texturing large areas.

Know How to Handle Your Pencil
You need to take control of your pencil. If you hold the pencil closer to the end you will have more precision and control, but will have heavier and darker strokes. Whereas if you hold the pencil further up you will not have that much precision or control over your pencil but you will be able to get lighter strokes.

Explore Different Techniques
Try to find out what works best for you. Explore different sketching techniques so you can make different styles and effects. It is important to experiment to not only complement but enhance your style. There are many helpful resources on the internet and TV to aid you in your journey as well.

Diversify Your Lines
To create that perfect sketch, vary between lines. Subtle shifts in width and darkness of your lines will create a vibrant and visually stimulating drawing. It could be hard at first but with practice, you can learn the art of varying between lines. To set your hand on this try with different pencil grades and hold the pencil at different angles.

Smudges Are Lethal For the Sketch
Smudging looks good, but you have to be careful. You can do this by using an extra piece of small paper under your hand while shading. This will ensure that your hand does not smudge lines. If you are right-handed, start shading from left to right and if you are a lefty, start shading from right to left.

You can also use smudging to your advantage by smoothing out your shading every once in a while. You can try smudging with your hand, a tissue paper or even a cloth.

Edges Should Stay In Bounds
Control the edges of your sketches to give more depth and make them stand out. Undefined edges need to be decrypted by the viewer themselves. Lost edges should be made when you are trying to imply the edge rather than define it.

A thin and hard edge is used to give objects solid borders. Working on these itsy bitsy small details can bring out a perfect piece of art. It is better if you explore all four types of edges and combine them wherever you want to.

Start Simple
The key to sketching is that you should start with simplified large shapes and keep details for the future. When we start sketching we want to get into the details right away only to realize that our sketch looks off in the end. It is important to visualize the subject whether it is still life or a human figure or landscape. Tune out the smaller details and objects until you achieve the proportion and placement of elements.

Detailed Observation
Practice on your observation skills and hand-eye coordination through references. To progress with your sketching journey it is essential to draw from both photographic and real-life references.

Using references will help you develop your hand-eye coordination since it is impossible for us to hold onto every visual detail. To start off your sketching, try your hand on sketching by looking at photographs first since it is much easier.

Try Different Materials
Once you are comfortable with sketching with a pencil, try sketching with ink. Sketching with a brush and ink gives the drawing a lively and bold look. Since ink cannot be erased, your strokes need to be daring and somewhat messy. For this, you will have to be brave and create an impression of flow.

Move On To Colors
Till now, we have only talked about sketching that denotes only lightness, darkness and form. Now try adding color to sketches. Working with colors opens up a whole new world of opportunities for you.

Even though this sounds appealing but it is far more complex. You need to ask yourself first that why do you want to use colors in your sketch. Maybe you want to quickly capture the colors in a scene the same way pencil or ink captures them.

In the staring working with watercolors will work best for you. Try to concentrate on the different gradients of color in an image rather than its precise form. Another way to work with colors is to build on your line drawings and turn them into fully colored, detailed pictures.

Symmetry Is Crucial
Make symmetrical sketches but not quite. Symmetrical sketches look good but they often become boring all too quickly. Make subtle changes and only keep the general line symmetrical instead of reflecting every small part. Keeping some elements asymmetrical drives out the boredom from your sketch and make them unique and interesting.

Try Different Textures
Learn to differentiate between textures. You would not want to shade the skin the same way you shade a metallic object. You need to adjust your technique. A good way is to observe if the texture is smooth or rough. Once you’ve done that, observe whether they absorb light or not. This plays an important role.

In Conclusion
Art has its own way of inspiring people. Some pieces of art tell in-depth stories while some are filled with magnificent strokes to mesmerize you. Using these tips and tricks, you will be able to improve on your sketches and hopefully, one day you will stand along the professionals. For further help, you can watch online tutorials. However, make sure you subscribe to a good internet connection like one you can get from CenturyLink bundles for a hassle-free learning experience.