Why you should study drawing foundations?

If you are an art enthusiast like myself, then I am sure that at some stage in your artistic journey, you have hit the void of inspiration and creativity. This usually happens when you have reached saturation of your skill capacity, or when you have an idea for a project but it feels out of your reach and capabilities. In order to push through this creative block, you either have to let the idea go or level up. This tutorial is all about why you should study drawing foundations and how in doing so you will achieve results in your art beyond your expectations.
why you should study drawing foundations?

There are many components that go into making a successful set of drawings. Most of which will give you the impression that you are back in primary school.

The reason for this is that we have all, at some stage in our lives, learned the basics of mark-making. Then for the majority of us, over time we set aside these simple infant-like drawing techniques in exchange for more complicated ones.

Without ever really grasping the foundations necessary to develop our drawings in a more mature way. We find ourselves in constant frustration and despair.

Left: Drawing of a 7-year-old. Middle: basic stick figure Right: Gesture and action poses.

Let’s take for example a stick figure drawn by a 7-year-old and compare it to a gesture drawing showing a specific action or a pose. There are many similarities in the way these 2 examples are drawn. They definitely give us enough information to understand the nature of the subject. Why is it then, that as we get older, we lose this primal skill and intuitive approach to drawing?

Why you should study drawing fundamentals

Simple drawing foundations are great for sketching and idea generation.

Simple drawing foundations serve as the cornerstone of any artistic endeavor. They provide a solid base for sketching and idea generation, allowing for a clear expression of concepts. With a strong foundation in place, the artist can then build upon it, gradually adding details according to the desired level of completion.

However, as adults, we often tend to gravitate toward complex ideas and methods, which can hinder our ability to capture the true essence of our subject. This can lead to frustration and the mistaken belief that we lack talent or that art is beyond our grasp.

Consider, for instance, the intricacies of a golf swing. To accurately depict such a complex movement, it is imperative to first comprehend the underlying mechanics of the swing and how the body dynamically interacts with this action. This foundational understanding provides the artist with the necessary insight to represent the motion with accuracy and authenticity.

In essence, the beauty of art lies not solely in its complexity, but in the mastery of its foundational elements. Embracing simplicity allows us to build a strong artistic vocabulary, enabling us to convey our ideas with clarity and precision. This approach fosters a deeper connection with our creative potential and reaffirms that art is indeed a realm open to all who are willing to explore and learn.

Let’s take a look at this gesture of a golfer in action.

Why you should study drawing foundations?

To attempt to capture such a broad movement and rotation with all the details of this person would simply be impossible without some sort of structural guideline.

To help us understand these movements, the stick figure is a perfect solution.

Here are 4 examples of why you should learn about drawing foundations.

Learn how to draw cartoon with books

One

The fundamental principles of drawing will teach you how to work with layers of detail.

When you strip back all the layers of a complex shape you are left with a skeletal structure. It captures the essence of form, the underlying rhythm that defines its presence. The fundamental principles of drawing serve as a guide to understanding and working with these layers of detail.

Imagine tackling a complex subject, like a grand old oak tree. At first glance, its sprawling branches, gnarled bark, and countless leaves may seem overwhelming. However, if you approach it with the principles in mind, you learn to break it down. You start with the basic gesture – the trunk’s graceful curve, the primary branches extending outwards. This provides the tree with its character and presence.

Next, you layer on additional details. The bark’s texture, the intricate interplay of light and shadow, and the individual leaves that flutter in the breeze – each of these elements contributes to the tree’s overall complexity. By addressing these details incrementally, you gradually build up a comprehensive representation that maintains the integrity of the original subject.

This layering approach is not limited to nature alone. Consider a portrait, for instance. Initially, you focus on capturing the subject’s fundamental proportions – the angle of the head, and the placement of facial features. This forms the structural framework. From there, you delve deeper, refining the contours, shading, and nuances that give life to the face.

The beauty of working with layers of detail is that it allows for a methodical and manageable approach to even the most intricate subjects. It’s a process that encourages patience and precision, ensuring that every aspect of the drawing is considered and carefully rendered.

Ultimately, the mastery of these fundamental principles grants artists the ability to imbue their work with a sense of depth, realism, and soul. It is through this meticulous layering that the true essence of a subject is revealed, making the drawing not just a representation, but a vivid and captivating reflection of the world around us.

Why you should study drawing fundamentals

Rather than focusing on the complex details of your subject. Instead, try to analyze what you are seeing in a practical way that will help you set up a successful drawing.

Two

Understanding the fundamental principles of drawing will give you faster results with less effort.

Sure! there are times when you will want to spend multiple hours rendering, painting, etching, and inking your wonderful piece of art. But what happens when you jusChatGPT

t want to quickly capture a moment, an idea, or a fleeting image that has sparked your creativity? This is where the power of understanding the fundamental principles of drawing truly shines.

Imagine you’re strolling through a park, and suddenly you’re struck by the play of light filtering through the leaves, casting intricate patterns on the ground. With a grasp of the basics, you can swiftly capture this moment with just a few well-placed lines. You understand the interplay of light and shadow, the way forms interact in space. This allows you to convey the essence of the scene with remarkable efficiency.

Furthermore, when you have a solid understanding of these principles, you can approach any subject with confidence. Whether it’s a bustling street scene, a serene landscape, or a lively figure, you have a toolkit of techniques at your disposal. You know how to establish proportions, create depth, and convey textures.

This efficiency doesn’t compromise the quality of your work. Rather, it allows you to distill the essence of a subject into a powerful visual statement. It’s about capturing the soul of a moment, the core of an idea, without getting bogged down in unnecessary details.

Of course, there will always be projects that demand hours of meticulous work. But with a solid foundation in drawing principles, you have the flexibility to choose when to invest that level of effort. This understanding empowers you to work smarter, not just harder, in your artistic pursuits.

So, whether you’re sketching in a notebook, working on a digital canvas, or experimenting with other mediums, knowing the fundamentals of drawing streamlines your process. It allows you to swiftly translate your creative vision into tangible form, ensuring that no inspiration is lost in the rush of the moment.

Gesture line for drawing fundamentals

By using a simple mannequin figure to draw out your idea. It is easier to map out the movements and gestures in a composition without having to labor over all the details.

Action drawing fundamentals

This is how it would translate from a stick figure to a more defined human shape.

Three

Using specific techniques in the right context will help you level up in drawing much faster.

the use of specific techniques in the right context can significantly accelerate your progress in drawing. It’s like having a toolbox filled with the right tools for each job, allowing you to work more efficiently and effectively. Here’s how this concept can be expanded upon:

  1. Tailored Approach: Understanding and applying techniques that are appropriate for a given subject or style is crucial. For instance, if you’re drawing a detailed portrait, techniques like cross-hatching for shading or stippling for texture can be highly effective. On the other hand, for a more abstract or impressionistic piece, looser and freer techniques might be more suitable. Knowing when and how to use these techniques enhances your artistic adaptability.
  2. Speed and Precision: Specific techniques can help you achieve the right balance between speed and precision. When you’re working on a quick sketch, knowing how to use techniques like gesture drawing to capture the essence of a pose in a matter of seconds can be invaluable. Conversely, in highly detailed works, techniques such as stippling or pointillism can provide the level of precision needed.
  3. Depth and Dimension: Techniques also play a crucial role in creating depth and dimension in your drawings. Techniques like linear perspective, atmospheric perspective, and chiaroscuro (the use of light and shadow) can be employed to give the illusion of three-dimensionality, making your drawings more realistic and engaging.
  4. Medium Mastery: Specific techniques are often closely tied to the medium you’re working with. For example, in watercolor painting, techniques like wet-on-wet and dry brush can achieve different effects. In digital art, using layer masks or blending modes can make a world of difference. By mastering these medium-specific techniques, you can fully unlock the potential of your chosen tools.
  5. Style Development: Exploring and honing specific techniques allows you to develop a unique artistic style. For example, the pointillism technique is strongly associated with Georges Seurat, and his distinctive style emerged from his mastery of this technique. By experimenting with various techniques, you can find what resonates with your creative vision and helps you stand out as an artist.
  6. Efficiency: When you know which techniques work best for specific tasks, you can work more efficiently. There’s less trial and error, and you can achieve your desired results more quickly. This efficiency is especially valuable if you’re working on a project with time constraints.
  7. Continuous Learning: The journey of learning specific techniques never ends. As you master one, there’s always another waiting for you to explore. This continuous learning process keeps your artistic journey exciting and rewarding, pushing you to level up as an artist.

In summary, by embracing specific techniques in the appropriate contexts, you can make great strides in your artistic development. These techniques provide you with a structured and effective path to mastery, enhance your creative expression, and help you become a more versatile and skilled artist.

If you initially take the time to realize why you should study drawing foundations! and research the information that is available and accessible, there is no doubt that your artwork will look and feel more established and professional.

What do I mean by this?

Too often artists will settle on predetermined reference photos to create their art. Leaving little to no room for variation, and development. The main reason for this is due to a lack of understanding of how to properly construct a drawing.

When you construct a drawing rather than copy an image, what you are essentially doing is breathing life into your work.

Giving your drawings a more dynamic look and feel.

Why you should study drawing fundamentals

Four

Knowing all about the rules of drawing gives you the freedom to bend them in a more intentional way.

Understanding the rules of drawing is akin to having a solid foundation in any discipline. It provides you with a framework from which you can venture out and explore, pushing the boundaries of creativity. Here’s an expansion on how knowing the rules empowers you to bend them intentionally:

  1. A Foundation of Knowledge: Before you can effectively bend or break rules, you first need to understand them thoroughly. Knowing the principles of anatomy, perspective, composition, and shading, for example, allows you to create drawings that are anatomically accurate, spatially coherent, and visually compelling.
  2. Creative License: Armed with a deep understanding of the rules, you gain the confidence to deviate from them purposefully. You recognize that art is not confined to strict adherence to guidelines, but rather a dynamic and evolving expression of creativity. This gives you the license to experiment and innovate in your artistic endeavors.
  3. Expressive Freedom: Knowing the rules of drawing liberates you to express your ideas with greater clarity and depth. You can intentionally exaggerate proportions, distort perspectives, or manipulate light and shadow to convey a specific mood or message. This intentional bending of rules amplifies the emotional impact of your work.
  4. Personal Style Development: The ability to bend rules in a deliberate manner is often a hallmark of a distinctive artistic style. Many renowned artists, from Picasso to Dali, are celebrated for their unique interpretations and manipulations of traditional artistic conventions. This personal touch sets their work apart and gives it a signature flair.
  5. Breaking New Ground: Innovation often arises from a willingness to challenge established norms. By understanding the rules deeply, you can identify areas where traditional approaches can be expanded, reimagined, or even discarded altogether. This paves the way for groundbreaking artistic discoveries and contributions to the broader artistic community.
  6. Cultural and Historical Context: Recognizing the rules also means being aware of their cultural and historical significance. This awareness allows you to engage with and respond to artistic traditions in a meaningful way. You can draw inspiration from the past while infusing your work with contemporary relevance.
  7. Purposeful Subversion: There are times when bending or breaking rules serves a specific narrative or conceptual purpose. For instance, in surrealism, reality is intentionally distorted to create dreamlike or uncanny effects. This subversion of reality is a deliberate choice aimed at evoking specific emotions or thoughts in the viewer.
  8. Maintaining Balance: Knowing the rules helps you strike a balance between convention and experimentation. It ensures that your intentional bending of rules does not result in a chaotic or incoherent piece, but rather a harmonious fusion of tradition and innovation.

In summary, understanding the rules of drawing equips you with the knowledge and confidence to intentionally bend, break, and innovate within the realm of visual expression. This balance between convention and creativity allows you to create art that is not only technically proficient but also uniquely reflective of your artistic vision and voice.

Easier said than done. However, once you have grasped the notion of drawing. Manipulating shapes, lines, textures, proportions, and perspective, will open up new doors for creative opportunities. Doors that will allow you to discover your real creative potential.

And that is why you should study drawing foundations!

If you are up for the challenge and serious about learning how to draw then I really do recommend spending some time either revisiting or learning the fundamentals of drawing from the start. You will not be disappointed if you stick it out till the end.

I have provided a link below to my introduction to drawing foundations if you wish to have a look and get started right away.

Tutorial link Learn how to draw anything

Inspiration link 50 random things you can draw

Until next time

Art enthusiast David Lagesse. local artist in Mauritius

5 Comments

  1. This is my first time pay a quick visit at here and i am truly happy to read all at alone
    place.

  2. Hello colleagues, how is all, and what you would
    like to say concerning this article, in my view its truly amazing designed for me.

  3. Greetings from Los angeles! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your
    site on my iphone during lunch break. I love the information you present here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
    I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my phone ..
    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, good blog!

Comments are closed.