During the practice of creation simple drawings for beginners It is best to use a pencil. The advantages of using such a tool are that it allows you to easily correct errors during work, and also, despite its simplicity and monochromaticity, create a full-fledged composition on a given topic.
In order for not only the result, but also the creative process itself to bring positive emotions to a person, one should draw in accordance with the basic rules and algorithms formulated by experienced artists.
Basic rules of drawing with a pencil
Simple pencil drawings for beginners must be created taking into account the basic rules:
At the initial stages of the creative process, it is recommended to use pencils marked B, 2B and 4B. They are soft enough for both drawing shadows and creating the main sketch. Pencils marked, for example, HB, despite their great popularity, can only be used when drawing a composition that does not involve shadows or color transitions.
Pencils marked B, 2B and 4B are best suited for beginners.
When copying a composition from a finished picture, you need to make sure that the source allows you to see each object from several angles. Otherwise, you won’t be able to recreate the drawing exactly, since it’s quite difficult to predict the appearance of the image from the “hidden” side, especially when it comes to transferring, for example, anime characters’ faces to paper.
First of all, when creating a drawing, you should draw the basic proportions of the sketch components and only then begin to add details to the image. This is necessary for the correct transfer of the scale of the final image.
It is not recommended to use straight lines when drawing a human face. The portrait will be less distorted if its guides and main lines are slightly blurred.
When drawing a landscape with a simple pencil, you should not draw each blade of grass separately. Professional artists advise using shaded sketches that go from light to dark.
To make objects in the surrounding world look realistic, it is best to use shaded half-shadows when creating them on paper.
Special paper sticks are used for shading.
For beginners, it is best to choose medium-hard paper for work, which is capable of accurately conveying the specified shade of the pencil and preserving the shading in its original form. To determine the type of paper, you need to buy 1 sheet and, using a pencil that you plan to use in your future work, schematically depict the simplest composition.
When creating shadows, it is recommended to use the full range of shades of a simple pencil. To minimize the risk of the shadow or half-shadow turning black, it is necessary to put a small draft under the side of the working surface. Starting to shade the shadow from the draft, the novice artist will be able to leave the darkest shade on it, bringing the desired color to the white paper.
Where to start
Simple pencil drawings for beginners, despite their simple appearance, require the artist to competently organize the creative process.
There are several ways to learn to draw:
by signing up for group lessons with a teacher in real life;
study video tutorials posted on the Internet on channels of experienced artists (for example, the YouTube channel of Anastasia Shimshilashvili);
read books containing theoretical and practical information about creating compositions on paper;
take individual lessons from a professional artist who is close in spirit (the vast majority of contacts of creative people are freely available on their official websites on the Internet).
When starting to engage in artistic creativity without outside help, a beginner should:
decide on the technology he plans to use in the future and thoroughly study its characteristic features;
purchase the necessary “working tools” (paper, pencils of varying hardness, stencils, erasers);
find your own source of inspiration (not only paintings by other artists can stimulate creative impulses. Walks in the fresh air, looking at photos of beautiful unusual places around the world, presentations of clothing collections of famous brands can also be a “muse”);
practice your skills every day, even if it’s for a minimal amount of time (you need to spend at least 60 minutes drawing);
Simple pencil drawings should start with sketches.
make sketches, regardless of the actual location (sketches of trees, lanterns, houses will not only become additional practice in drawing, but will also allow the beginning artist to be inspired to create his own composition).
The process of acquiring a new skill (drawing) should be organized by the future artist in stages. It is not recommended to create a training plan with clear rules., how to hold a pencil and how to arrange the worksheet.
This will lead to the beginner being driven into a framework that suppresses the creative flow of a particular person. When creating the first drawings, the most useful will be an algorithm with a clear description of the steps for drawing the details of the composition.
Pencil Drawings for Beginners: Flowers
Simple pencil drawings for beginners usually involve images of famous plants, such as roses, tulips, and sunflowers.
Simple pencil drawing
Algorithm for its creation
(tulip)
Draw a vertically elongated semicircle. At the base of the semicircle in the middle there should be a small notch.
Draw lines from the central part of the base. Connect them with the upper points of the semicircle drawn earlier.
Between the two halves (petals) draw another one, visually similar in shape to the others.
From the bottom point of the notch of the base of the semicircle, draw down 2 parallel lines (stem).
From the bottom point of the stem, draw 2 leaves pointing upwards.
Add strokes, shadows and secondary lines to the images.
(rose)
Draw a vertically elongated semicircle.
At the base of the blank, in the middle, draw an additional semicircle under the main line.
“Split” the main strokes (the illusion of the splendor of the future bud).
From the center of the semicircle, draw a deformed oval with a sharp top point (the inner petal of the rose).
Draw lines towards the center of the oval, the beginning of which are the ends of the main semicircle.
Finish drawing the rose petals, filling the space between the resulting triangles with strokes.
From the small semicircle depicted under the main figure, draw 2 parallels downwards (stem).
Additionally, outline the main lines. If necessary, add secondary strokes, shadows and shading to the drawing.
(sunflower)
Draw a circle, inside which draw perpendicular lines that intersect in the center of the key figure.
Take the intersection point of the lines as the center and draw a small circle that exactly repeats the main figure.
Fill the space between the inner and outer circles with elongated ovals.
From the center of the lower border of the main circle, draw 2 parallel lines (stem).
From the bottom point of the stem, draw 1-2 oval-shaped leaves.
Shade the core of the sunflower and apply shadows to the petals and stem.
For greater realism, outline the main elements again and add minor strokes to the drawing (for example, draw the veins on the leaves).
Simple anime
The easiest way to draw anime characters is with a pencil. Such drawings are characterized by large eyes of people or animals, as well as the "cartoonishness" of objects, expressed in their size and animation.
Example of anime drawing
Algorithm for its creation
Draw a circle. Draw perpendicular lines around the inside so that this area is divided into 4 equal parts.
Taking the lower point of intersection of the vertical line with the circle, draw a semicircle.
The ends of the semicircle should lie 1 cm above the intersection points of the horizontal line with the circle. Extend the semicircle, giving it the outline of a human face.
In the upper sections of the divided inner surface of the circle, draw 2 ovals with a thicker upper border (eyes). Such ovals should be at an equal distance from the border of the main figure.
On the side of the outlined semicircle (face), draw 1 elongated semicircle, no more than 3 cm long, depending on the scale of the final image (ears).
From the pointed point of the semicircle (chin), draw 2 parallel lines down (neck).
Use shadows and half-shadows to transform the previously drawn eyes.
Finish drawing the hair, using the upper border of the circle as the starting point.
Draw a circle. Draw the inner part of the circle using perpendicular lines so that it is divided into 4 equal parts.
Move the horizontal line down a little (the exact distance is determined by eye, depending on the scale of the final image).
Between the original horizontal line and the one shifted downwards, draw 2 semicircles (eyes).
Transform the inner part of the eyes for realism using an additional image of an oval, smaller in size.
Connect the side points of the horizontal line with the bottom point using smooth lines.
In the area of the side intersection points of the horizontal with the boundaries of the main figure, draw 2 small semicircles (ears).
Between the eyes, draw a small curve with 1 angle (nose).
Draw a smooth arc under the nose, curved downwards.
Finish drawing the hair and add shadows and half-shadows.
Animals
Simple pencil drawings for beginners most often involve the image of an animal.
Despite the apparent complexity of the process of creating such a picture, by following the recommended work algorithms, even a person who has never done any creative work can draw it.
Simple drawing of an animal
Algorithm for its creation
Draw an arc curved to the right.
Draw an arc curved to the left, placing it opposite the first element of the future picture.
Connect the arcs with a curve, drawing it out from the top points (the cat's ears).
Lengthen the right arc twice.
Draw a small elongated semicircle near the bottom of the elongated arc.
Stepping back from the semicircle a distance equal to the space between it and the extended arc, draw a curved line that smoothly rounds to the right.
Extend the left arc using a curve whose most prominent point is on the right.
On the right side, draw an elongated semicircle on the arc.
Having determined by eye the center of the inner surface of the main figure, draw 2 circles touching each other (eyes).
Draw a small triangle (nose) under the eyes.
From the triangle, draw semicircles in different directions (mouth).
From the area near the nose, draw several straight lines in both directions (mustache).
Connect the lower dots, thus drawing the cat's paws.
Complete the drawing by realistically transforming the animal’s eyes and drawing a tail of any shape.
Draw a circle.
Crossing the side surface of the circle on the right, draw a small rounded oval (head). Erase the line inside the smaller figure.
Transform the borders of the main circle into a zigzag shape.
At the top of the oval, draw 2 adjacent small circles (eyes). In the center of each of them, put thick dots (pupils).
From the lower border of the body, using parallel lines, draw the animal's legs.
At the top of the small oval, place semicircles (ears) “coming out” of it.
Finish drawing the nostrils.
Add realism to your drawing using shadows and half-shadows.
Pictures on the theme "autumn"
Pictures on the theme of "autumn" can be drawn with a simple pencil or immediately done in color. The chosen shade will not only increase the realism of the image, but will also allow the beginning artist to put a specific mood and idea into it.
Example of a pencil drawing
Algorithm for its creation
Draw a semicircle curved upwards.
Connect the bottom points of the semicircle with a slightly curved downward line.
From the lower border of the resulting figure (mushroom cap), draw 2 curves downwards. One of them should be curved to the right, the other to the left.
Connect the lower points of the curves with a smoothly curved line (the stem of the mushroom).
Repeat steps 1–3, drawing a similar mushroom of a smaller size to the left of the main figure of the composition.
At the base of the legs of the drawn mushrooms, depict zigzag lines connected to each other (the grass on which the mushrooms stand).
If desired, you can add leaves to the composition by drawing them near the mushroom caps in any shape and size.
Draw a vertical line.
Draw 2 additional lines from the main line in each direction.
Draw shorter lines between the main lines.
Using zigzag lines, draw the outline of the maple leaf, connecting the main straight lines (veins).
Use an eraser to erase the short secondary lines.
From the point of intersection of the lower lines with the main vertical line, draw a straight line downwards (tail).
Use a bold dot to mark the area where the cutting emerges (the core).
Trace the main lines, then add penumbra and shadows to the image, having first determined the angle of incidence of light.
When creating such a drawing, it is not recommended to use a ruler or add straightness to the lines using other methods.
After all, by their nature, maple leaves have asymmetrical contours.
Draw a semicircle curved upwards.
Connect the bottom points of the semicircle with a zigzag line (umbrella silhouette).
From the upper border of the umbrella draw a short straight line. Fill the inner part of the resulting figure with secondary lines and shadows.
Draw a small semicircle under the bottom border of the umbrella.
Connect its lower points with a smoothly curved line (human head).
From the extreme points of the lower connecting line, draw 2 short parallels downwards, then lengthen them using horizontal lines.
Draw 2 long lines down, smoothly curved in the middle part (human silhouette).
If desired, add additional details to the image, such as raindrops.
Geometric shapes
Beginners are advised to start with drawing simple drawings using a pencil, for example, three-dimensional geometric figures.
Examples of pencil drawings
Algorithm for their creation
Draw 2 parallel lines.
Connect the top points of the lines with ovals so that the points of contact of the two types of geometric figures are approximately in the middle of the rounded shape.
Draw 2 perpendiculars from the top oval.
Having determined by eye the center of the inner surface of the upper oval, draw a straight line downwards.
Repeat steps 3-4 with the bottom oval.
Re-draw the main outline of the figure.
Blend the shadows, choosing the left side for the darker shade and the right side for the white.
The shadow from the resulting geometric figure, approximately a third of the length of the cylinder, must be drawn in front.
If you need to smooth out the transitions in shading, you can use a small piece of paper.
After folding it several times, the beginner is advised to perform several rubbing movements along the entire length of the transition of shades of the color of the pencil used.
Draw a square.
Draw lines from the edges of the original geometric figure at an angle of 45 degrees.
Connect the points of the secondary lines.
Re-outline the front part of the volumetric figure, thus placing emphasis on it as the one closest to the viewer.
If desired, create shadows and half-shadows by shading the pencil used.
Girls
You can begin to depict human faces (especially female ones) only after the beginner can easily cope with creating drawings of geometric figures and animals.
Example of a pencil drawing
Algorithm for its creation
Draw an oval (the outline of the future face), making its lower part slightly pointed (chin).
From the middle part of the lower border of the oval, draw 2 lines curved towards each other (neck).
Draw 2 horizontal lines inside the oval, thus marking the location of the eyebrows and mouth.
Dividing the oval strictly in the middle, draw a vertical line intersecting the two horizontal ones.
Using smooth contours, outside the main figure, draw the girl’s hair, slightly overlapping it on the face.
Above the upper horizontal line, draw the eyebrows using 2 curved lines connected to each other.
Draw a mouth at the level of the lower horizontal line, depicting the upper lip slightly smaller than the lower one.
8. Draw the eyes under the eyebrows, having first outlined the curved lines that are the boundaries of the organs of vision.
9. Use an eraser to erase secondary lines.
10. Finish drawing the pupil and iris of the eye.
11. If you want to complement the girl’s image or make it more realistic.
Simple pencil drawings are an effective way for beginners to learn and apply the basic rules of artistic creativity in practice.
With the help of a minimal set of “working tools” and following the recommended algorithm of actions, novice artists will be able to depict not only the simplest geometric figures and objects consisting of them, but also animals, landscapes, and human faces.
