How to draw good quality lines

Hello,

I have been drawing for quite long time. It is mostly copying. I always wanted to learn drawing formally.

I recently joined the Drawing Academy course and when I try to practice drawing, I observe that my lines are really pathetic. I get weak, wavy lines that do not look very confident.

Is there any way I can improve the line quality? I am using HB drawing pencil.

Regards
Muruli

Hi Muruli,

Many thanks for your question.

Don’t be so hard on yourself. Drawing good quality lines only comes with practice. There is no a magic trick that can turn a beginner into a professional artist overnight.

Here’s how to practice:

1. Get a drawing board (any large and smooth hard board would do). Position the board with paper almost vertically in front of you at the arm length so it is about at your shoulder level.

2. Hold a pencil with the “candle” grip described in this video:
//drawingacademy.com/help-i-cant-draw

HB pencil is good; make sure you sharpen it well with a pencil knife, not a children’s pencil sharpener.

3. Draw straight lines in various directions moving your entire arm from the shoulder, not just the hand. Look where your line should end up, not where it currently is.

Speed is not important – it is a sub-product of mastery.

You might get some temporary pain in your shoulder after a while, because your muscles aren’t accustomed to the movement quite yet. There’s nothing to worry about. With time, you will get comfortable to draw for a long time holding your arm up.

4. Draw curved lines, draw circles and other shapes. Strive for precision.

5. Draw lines with varied pressure. You can start with a bolder line and gradually reduce it, so line fades out.

6. Practice pencil hatching – do layers upon layers of shorter pencil strokes, this time moving your forearm and hand (rather than the whole arm).

Set up a routine. Spend at least 90 hours practicing – this is 3 months if you do it 1 hour per day.

To learn professional drawing techniques,