A Guide to Pencil Sketching Techniques

Pencil sketching has long been a popular art form, and it’s no wonder why. Sketching with a
pencil is versatile, portable, and requires only a few basic art supplies. With just a few tools you can
create an incredibly detailed and beautiful work of art.

There are many styles in which you can sketch with a pencil, all ranging from simplistic lines to
complex drawings and sketches. Learning a variety of different sketching techniques can take your pencil
drawings to a whole new level, bringing greater depth and refinement to the artwork you create. Here, we
share a variety of pencil sketching techniques to try in your next creation. Read on to discover our top
sketching tips and techniques.

Hatching & Cross-Hatching

These methods are very common and effective ways to add depth to your sketches through
shading. When it comes to well-known pencil drawing styles that can level up your sketches, hatching &
cross-hatching is at the top of the list of skills you should learn. Hatching is essentially a series of lines
drawn along the main line of your drawing to create shadow and depth. These lines shouldn’t touch.
Cross hatching is a series of lines used in the same way, but where they intersect. The closer these lines,
the darker the shading in your drawing will be.

Stippling

Stippling is the art of adding dots to add shading and depth, similar to hatching or cross hatching.
The closer the dots, the deeper the effect. To ensure that your dots show up and make a better impact, it’s
best to use softer graphite for this effect, as it comes out darker.

Scribbling

Everyone has created idle scribbles on a piece of paper when waiting on hold during a telephone
call. But scribbling is actually a drawing technique that can be very effective. The characteristics of a
scribbled sketch can be identified by the erratic, uneven and definitely not straight lines within the piece.
Using random movements across the paper will result in a somewhat deconstructed image, and the more
irregular lines created closer together, the darker it will appear.

Circling

Control the tone your pencil produces by simply adjusting the amount of pressure you place on it.
To create smooth transitions you can make small circular strokes that give you a more blended
appearance. It’s important to note that you shouldn’t make small circles with perceptible lines. Instead,
move the pencil around in a circular motion when adding pressure. For this approach a duller pencil
works best.

Smooth Shading & Blending

To add a cleaner shading element to your drawing, you can try smooth shading. This can be done
in a number of ways, including using your finger or a rolled up piece of paper to blend in hatching or
cross hatching. This will give your sketch a smoother appearance. You can also blend simply by angling
your pencil to utilize the wider edge, creating thicker lines that create the appearance of shadows and
shading.

Creating Highlights

Just as you would add shading to create depth and shadows to your sketch, you can also create
highlights. Highlights can help indicate where your light source is coming from and add extra detail,
showing reflective surfaces. One great way to create this effect is by using an eraser to remove some of
the pigment or shading to create lighter areas to indicate the absence of darkness.

Rendering

The practice of rendering takes the above technique to the next level. Rendering is essentially an
approach to pencil sketching where you apply graphite to your paper, and then remove some with your
eraser to add the highlighting effect. It’s an ongoing process of applying and removing the graphite, and
results in a very soft, almost blurred effect.

Pencil drawing techniques: Pro tips to sharpen your skills

Sharpen your skills with these pencil drawing techniques, for both graphite and colored pencils.

These pencil drawing techniques from top artists will help you take your drawing skills to the
next level, whether you're using graphite pencil or colored pencils.

For many artists, pencil drawing is the skill that introduced them to the art world, and even if
you've moved on to a different medium, understanding how to draw with a pencil can help you improve
your skills elsewhere. These pencil drawing techniques cover everything from the basics of mark-making
to advanced processes to push you out of your comfort zone.

We'll also offer advice on the tools and materials you need to know, such as blending stumps,
paper options, and different erasers. For some extra inspiration, check out the most unbelievably realistic
pencil drawings we've ever seen.

01. Use the right grip

Think of the pencil as charcoal in a wooden sheath

The first step is to master how to hold a pencil correctly. Chiu recommends holding the pencil
like you could a piece of charcoal, and using the side of the lead to draw, rather than the point. This helps
keep the pencil sharper for longer.

"When covering large areas, I shade with my pencil perpendicular to the line I'm drawing to get
wide, soft lines," he adds. "For details, I hold my pencil parallel to my lines to get sharp, narrow marks.
The only time I use the point is when I'm working on intricate details."

"It is important to consider where you are making your mark from – fingers, wrist or shoulder," adds
artist Jake Spicer.

02. Consider your lines

Your line style will affect the look and feel of your drawing

The kind of marks you're making will shape the feel and look of your pencil drawing. Things like
how fast you draw a line and the weight you put into a stroke will change the look of the line. "A heavy
line is dark and definite; a lightly drawn line is pale and exploratory," says Spicer. "When you are starting
out, try to avoid uncertain, feathery marks."

03. Start with an under drawing

The under drawing should be a guide, but use your intuition

Many artists prefer to start their pencil drawing by laying out the scene with a rough, light under
drawing – this can be especially useful if the end game is a precise line drawing. "Having a more fluid
foundation helps you see the end result without the intimidating commitment of getting everything
perfect," says artist Timothy von Reuden.

For a pencil under drawing, make sure you use a hard lead (around 2H) to ensure the lines are
light and easy to erase. Alternatively, you could use a digital under drawing, printed at 1 per cent Opacity.
Either way, make sure this acts as a foundation rather than a strict guide. "I strongly believe in letting
intuition take over in the creation process, so I work with the under drawing more as a guideline,"
continues Von Reuden.

04. Work left-to-right

Pencils are prone to smudging, and the softer they are, the more difficult it is to keep things clean.
However, planning which area of the composition you work on first can help. Essentially you don't want
to be resting your hand on areas you've already drawn, which means that unless you have an unusual
pencil grip, you want to be working top to bottom. Then right-handers should work left to right, and
lefties move right to left.

05. Try a blind contour drawing

One common exercise to start out with is blind contour drawing. "Set up a subject in front of you
and fix your eye on the top of it, placing your pencil on your paper. Without looking down at the paper,
trace your eye around your subject, following its edges and contours, and as you do so, let your pencil
follow the same journey on the paper," explains Spicer. "Draw in a single, unbroken line and don’t look
back at the drawing until you are finished."

The result will look odd and incorrect, but that's not a problem. The aim of this is to help you
draw confidently and unselfconsciously, and it's a great way to overcome a fear of staring at a blank page.
"Repeat the exercise regularly as a warm up to get your hand working together with your eye," suggests
Spicer.

You can adapt the exercise by flicking your eye down to the page at regular intervals, and trying
to adjust your line style and weight to accurately describe what you see (you're still using one, unbroken
line). "Don’t aim for precisely accurate proportion, instead aim for an honest process of looking and mark
making, without overthinking the drawing," he concludes.
06. Vary line thickness

Varied line thickness can help add depth to a drawing

Varying the thickness of the line you use help guide your viewer through your drawing, explains
Von Reuden. Thicker lines can help indicate importance, or tell the viewer that something is in the
foreground of the scene. They can also be used to distinguish between two separate, overlapping objects –
a thicker line on the outside of an object an help differentiate the outside lines of the subject matter from
the lines that represent the details within.

07. Mix up shading techniques

Pencil shading techniques - lines all the same way in one portrait versus lines in groups in another

Shading with unified lines versus shading in patches produces a different feel

There are lots of different pencils drawing techniques relating to shading. Chiu uses two main
approaches. The first is with all the lines going in the same direction. "This makes my shading appear
more cohesive, and helps my details pop out from the lines I'm using for shading," he explains.

The second method involves working in patches of shading, to help define shape. "Patches of
lines go around the form, which help keep things in perspective," he says. This technique is also great for
backgrounds and creating texture.

08. With detail work, control your lines

Step back regularly to check the overall effect

If you're working on a detailed area, be wary of your pencil line. "When it comes to creating
cleaner and tighter line work, staying consistent is key," says Von Reuden. "Not only should you be
aware of the look of your line but also the pressure you’re applying to the pencil and on the paper. Be
actively aware at this stage and don’t rush it." He suggests regularly stepping back to check the overall
effect of your work, and ensure you're keeping your line steady throughout.

09. Master blending

Start with an outline, and then build up color

US-based artist Jennifer Healy has a specific process for blending her colored pencil work. She
starts with an outline, to check the form is correct before committing to colored pencil (it's much harder to
erase colored-in areas than an outline). It also helps her plan where the highlights and shadows will fall.

She then builds up color using subtle layers. "I like to start out with soft gentle layers to gain a
better idea of lighting placement, shadows and the color palette," she says. After each layer she blends
gently using the blending stump.

Once she has reached a stage she's happy with, she moves on to the final step: adding an outline.
For this final layer, Healy uses colored pencils alone, and does not blend with a stump.
10. Start lightly and build from there

Use light lines to explore and dark lines to commit

"When I start drawing, I plan and explore using loose lines, and avoid committing too early with
hard, dark lines," says Chiu. "As I progress my lines will change, so checking and rechecking my work is
vital. I darken my lines and add details at the end. I don't focus on one area for too long to prevent
overdrawing."

11. Clean up after yourself

Clean up your work as you go along

Your eraser can be just as important as the pencil itself. There are a few different types (see the
Tools section for more on this), but whichever you choose you want to make sure it's close to hand
whenever you're working. "Whenever a line gets too thick, I either erase the entire line or try to line up
the eraser edge to slim down the existing line," says Von Reuden. "I like to clean up during the entire
process and at the end do a final sweep to make sure I didn’t miss an area before calling it done."

12. Check and recheck

Listen if your gut is telling you something is off

Before you move on to stronger lines and detail work, it's essential to make sure you have the
correct form down. Chiu's advice is to check and check again. "I have to nail down my drawing's
underpinnings before I can add details. I really avoid guessing at the details; I want to make sure things
are symmetrical and look right before putting down stronger and harder lines."

He also suggests looking at your work in a mirror or through a camera. Considering different
vantage points is a great way to highlight if anything is off. "I constantly ask myself, does this feel right?
If anything seems off – even if I can't immediately put my finger on what it is – I trust my gut and
troubleshoot my drawing before continuing."

13. Know when to stop

Is this finished? Maybe…

The majority of artists have a tendency to tinker with their work – even after they've signed their
name. "I can always find something to change if I look hard enough, so it can be difficult to tell when a
piece is truly finished," says Chiu.

However, be wary of overworking your piece. "Eventually, I make a conscious decision to put
my drawing away and start something new," he continues. "That's when I consider my drawing done.
Well, maybe..."

USE THE RIGHT TOOLS

14. Pick the right pencil

Choose between traditional and mechanical pencils

The pencil you choose will have a big impact on both the techniques you can use and the look of
your find artwork. Different pencil types are better for different styles of artwork, and you also need to
consider the hardness of your lead.

Traditional graphite pencils are available in a scale of hardness from 9H (hard, pale) to 9B (soft,
dark), with HB and F sitting the middle of the range. "Typically, the H grades are suited to technical
drawing, while B grades are ideal sketching pencils," explains Spicer. He suggests a 2B or 3B pencil is a
good place to start with general pencil drawings.

Then you need to pick the type of pencil. Traditional graphite pencils tend to round out quickly,
and so need regular sharpening to produce a consistent-sized tip. The softer your pencil, the more
sharpening you'll need to do. Traditional pencils are great for shading, especially larger areas.

The other main option is a mechanical pencil. These offer clean, crisp edges, and are better at
maintaining a consistent line. You don't need to sharpen them, either. If you're creating a large artwork,
bear in mind that a mechanical pencil can slow the drawing process. For a more in-depth look at your
options, take a look at our guide to the best pencils.

15. Sharpen correctly

"Some drawings require a fine, sharp point for pinning down a crisp line, others a broad, flat side
to the pencil led for blocking in tone. Sometimes, a blunt point can serve your purposes," says Spicer.
"Whatever your preference, ensure you always have a sharpener on hand." Again, there are a few options
here. Choose between a regular handheld sharpener (portable, easy to use), a desk-mounted helical
sharpener (typically longer-lasting, and will grind the pencil to a longer point) or a craft knife (get the
point you want, but there's some danger of slicing your fingers off).

16. Protect your paper

Provide a solid basis by mounting your paper on a board

This is a valuable pencil drawing technique for beginners: put a piece of paper under my hand to
avoid smudging your drawing while you're working. It seems obvious, but it can be the downfall of a
great piece of work!

Healy also prefers to mount her paper on a board, attaching it using a layer of matte medium.
This helps keep things neat, and provides a solid surface to work on.

17. Explore different paper textures

A rough tooth will grip the pigment

The surface texture you're working on will make a big difference to the effects you can create.
This is referred to as the grain or 'tooth' of the paper. A rough tooth is more visible, and the ridges will
grip the color from your pencils.
 With a smooth tooth, the ridges are very fine, and there's less grip. Healy finds this kind of paper
provides an easier surface for blending colored pencils, although she warns that it's also easy to run the
color off the surface.

18. Invest in a putty eraser

There are a few different types of eraser, and each is suited to different things. Many pencils have
a small eraser head, which is ideal for thinning out lines that get too thick. However, don't rely on this
alone: you'll also want to invest in a kneaded eraser. This has a putty-like consistency (it's sometimes
called a putty eraser), and you knead it before and after use.

"A kneaded eraser is best for lightly picking up the colored pencil binding off the paper. This
works wonders when correcting mistakes, or if you’re deliberately lifting color from an area such as the
eyes," says Healy. A gum eraser has a more solid consistency, and is better if you're trying to fully erase a
colored-in area.

19. Try a stump for soft blending

Using a stump between layers of color will create a blended effect

How you blend your work can have a big impact on the final result. For a soft blended effect, try
a blending stump.

"After each light layer, I very gently blend the colored pencils with the stump," says Healy.
"Don’t push too hard or the color will stick, making it more difficult to softly blend. I repeat this process
as often as I need. After many layers it produces a very soft and delicate look."

This technique requires a little trial and error, though. Healy warns that if you blend too softly,
the stump can pick up color that you've already layered on the paper.

ADVANCED TIPS

20. Unify your colors

Having a uniform approach to color will help bring cohesiveness to your work. "It’s a good idea
to make sure that your artwork has unifying colors," says Healy. "This consists of a particular color
palette, mood and a way of spreading these across the entire art piece."

She also suggests creating a harmonious base by using tinted paper or adding a background wash
of color (in paint). "This will show through whatever you lay down on top of it, thus giving it an
appearance of cohesion. When I use colored pencils, I’m fond of using tinted paper produced by Kraft."

21. Try different approaches to outlines

Healy prefers dark, defined outlines

The next drawing technique concerns line weight. As well as demarcating different objects, lines
can help emphasize shadows. "Thicker lines can fade and disappear into the shadows, which can help
convey the 3D form," explains Chiu.
 Beyond that, different artists have different approaches to lines – you need to find the style that's
right for you. "I prefer to use a distinct outline in my artwork, whether it’s using thin outlines or bold
outlines," says Healy. "It can help pinpoint the viewer’s eye to a certain area. It also gives a stylized look,
if that’s what you are hoping to achieve."

Chiu, however, prefers a different approach. "I try to avoid outlining my drawings because this
tends to make things look flat and deadens the 3D effect. Breaks and spaces in my lines show form in the
lights and shadows."

22. Draw on your own experiences

"Dip into your experiences to add a special layer of authenticity to your piece," suggests Healy.
"This means using something like a memory, feeling or scent when creating your work. For example, the
special feeling you experienced when sitting down with a friend at a coffee shop, or a memory of a
childhood experience. You can be abstract or use hyperrealism. Whatever you choose makes the piece
unique to you. I’ve found that people resonate with these pieces the most."

23. Use contrasting concepts

One drawing technique Healy uses in her work is to use contrasting concepts within a piece of
work, for example, juxtaposing beauty and ugliness. "I’ll use the beauty of colors, flowers, the softness of
skin or hair, and the female form. I’ll also tend to use something that’s the opposite to all of that, such as
bones, insects, sharp teeth, or anything that may provide discomfort to the viewer," she elaborates.
"Somehow this provides an interesting concept to a piece. Especially when the ‘ugly’ parts are harder to
spot at first. To me this is a very stark representation of what life is like."

24. Try combining pencils with watercolor

While pencils on their own can be used to create a wealth of different effects, it can be interesting
to combine them with other media. For example, in her work, Healy likes to combine watercolor and
colored pencils. It's important to start with watercolor and then layer colored pencils on top, she explains,
because pencils can create a waxy surface that repels liquid, and prevents the watercolor from soaking
into the paper.

"This is a fun technique to test out," she says. "Both mediums have unique qualities and textures.
Combining the two elements creates a medium all of its own."

25. Break out of your comfort zone

While these pencil drawing techniques should help you understand the essentials of the medium,
sometimes you need to throw the rules out of the window and find what works for you. "There’s nothing
wrong with stepping outside of the box if it means achieving the effect you want," says Healy. "Trial and
error will occur when you step outside of that box. But don’t be intimidated! The process is entirely fun."

26. Create fabric

 Fabric can range from sleek and shiny to matte and dull. How you shade it will help sell the idea
of the fabric you’re trying to depict. For this sketch, von Reuden is trying to capture the golden folds of
material found in the original image. He began by outlining the shapes and blocking out areas of shadow.

27. Categorize your fabric

Von Reuden explains how you can add value and shading to create further layers of depth and
weight. He says, "when drawing and recreating fabric, the types of wrinkles created can all be placed
under three separate categories: hanging/relaxed, stretched/tension, and scrunched/compressed."

"Hanging fabric tends to be loose and have a flowing appearance. Stretched fabric creates long lines,
usually with a point of support. Compressed fabrics bunch into each other, creating scrunched-looking
areas."

How to Choose the Perfect Subject Matter for Drawing

Though for some people, it seems easy to figure out what to draw- for others, it can be hard. This
is particularly true for many students, just getting into free drawing after a period of instruction. When in
classes and being directed as to what to sketch- it’s a little easier than free drawing. Though I have always
been able to pick up a pencil and just begin sketching, my partner, Holly, often goes through extended
blocks where she has trouble. I have seen this with her, and other artists enough to believe that it’s not an
indication of talent, but rather, sometimes, an overwhelming perfectionism.

How to Choose the Perfect Subject Matter for Drawing

Any number of things can make it a little difficult to decide what it is you’re going to draw.
However, there are a few things that you can do that can help this.

If you’re still a student, it’s a good idea to look around for subjects nearby. Remember when
you’re doing this that you’re trying to help yourself to develop your skills as an artist. So, working with
still life composition is a good first step. While you’ve probably seen countless bowls of fruit, try instead,
drawing a bowl filled with textured items. Nuts, different types of balls, rolls of fabric, those are all great
variations on the common theme. Another way to challenge yourself will be a good way to practice.

Additionally, you can draw people you know. Though most people find it easier to draw from
photos, drawing from live models can be a challenge that proves to be a fantastic learning experience.

As you do grow in your talents, then, you can begin to tailor things more to your personal tastes.
This helps you to develop your own personal style in your artwork, and it can also be where you bring
your voice to it. Religious beliefs, political statements, social attitudes and other things can be brought
effectively into your charcoal sketches. As you develop, you learn to do so in a subtle way that lends itself
to an effective form of self-expression and statement.

How to Draw: Pencil Sharpening

"Drawing is hard enough. Let's get our tools as ready as possible." - Justin BUA
Here's a tip for anyone drawing with pencils: make sure you have a good sharpener. Not only that, make
sure you have a good pencil and know how to properly sharpen it for the kind of art you're drawing.
Learning how sharp to make your pencil is crucial if you're new to drawing.

When drawing, your pencil is your weapon to convey your art.

Just like you wouldn't want to go to battle with a dull sword, you don't want to go drawing with a
dull pencil. You want to get your weapon in the best of shape before you the battle. It's the same for
learning how to draw - you want to go in as prepared as possible. Dull pencils are no good because you
can’t draw fine lines with them. The easiest way to sharpen a pencil is with an electric pencil sharpener.
They come out really nicely edged and sharpened which enables you to draw sharp lines and a decent
wedge shape. You'll get a very fine line using an electrically sharpened pencil. Another thing you can use
is a small, portable, manual sharpener. It has two holes: one for a small pencil and the other for a larger
one. It gives the same effect as the electric pencil sharpener and actually has some advantages because it's
more easily traveled and it does not create interruptions using it in a class or studio.

The final method which is used especially to sharpen charcoal pencils is with an X-Acto knife.
The charcoal is so soft that it gets damaged by electric sharpeners and eventually, the charcoal gets stuck
in the sharpener and will ruins the sharpener too.

Here’s how you sharpen a pencil with a knife:

- Grab the knife in your dominant hand and hold it between your thumb and index finger.
- Grab the pencil with the other.
- With the edge of the knife facing the charcoal tip of the pencil, place your non-dominant hand’s
thumb on the non-sharp edge.
- Push the knife out with your thumb while pressing down with the thumb holding the knife (BUA
suggests putting garbage can between the legs in front of you).
- The lower/harder you press the more charcoal that is exposed. Adjust so that the right amount of
graphite is exposed. Not too much but not so little that it’s still dull.

Warning: Drop it and the charcoal will break. Don’t drop it.

- Once you have exposed the right enough of charcoal, take the knife to the charcoal area of the
pencil and sharpen it to your desired level. Carve it until it’s like a dagger.
- Once you’re done, take a sand pad and rub/roll the charcoal back and forth on the sand surface so
that the charcoal is polished. If it is well-polished, there should no indentations in the line when
you try to draw a straight line.
- Keep the powdered charcoal from the sand pad to block in shading for later.
- Keep in mind, there are whole classes in art schools devoted just to how to sharpen pencils. Don’t
be frustrated if you keep breaking the charcoal or have any difficulty with the knife. Just give it
some time while practicing BUA's tips and you'll be fine!