Why Learn Sketching?

Sketching is a part of the drawing process. Sketches are freehand drawings that are typically done very quickly. Sketching is done for a number of reasons: to record observations; to save an idea; or for fun. Sketches are commonly done by artists, scientists, designers, and architects.

There are several benefits to be gained from learning how to sketch. Learning to sketch can improve your attention to detail, improve your art style, serve as a way to make extra money, and help you relax. Here, you’ll learn more about the ways that you can benefit from sketching and how it can enhance your life. Regardless of your reasons for learning how to sketch, sketching can be a valuable and impressive skill to learn.

What is Sketching?

Sketching and drawing often go hand-in-hand. Many artists will complete several sketches before starting on drawings. They’ll also use their sketches as references for their drawings. However, there are some key differences between sketches and drawings.

Sketches are usually made using graphite pens, charcoal, ink, pencil, and Conté crayons. Drawings may be made using these mediums but will also typically involve additional mediums like colored pencils or pastels. The surfaces that sketches and drawings are done on also differ. Sketches tend to be created in notepads and sketchbooks, as they don’t need to take up much space. Drawings are normally done on higher-quality surfaces that can be displayed.

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Drawing is considered more difficult than sketching, but sketching is not necessarily easy. A successful sketch demonstrates an understanding of line, proportion, scale, balance, and space. These are all essential to drawings, which is why sketching is considered a foundational skill for artists.

Benefits of Learning Sketching?

Learning how to sketch is a great way to start exploring your artistic side. It’s the first step to understanding the elements that go into not only drawings but creating other types of art as well. As you learn to sketch you need to focus on aspects like space and proportion. This will provide you with a thorough understanding of how art forms work.

Learning how to sketch can also help you understand art and art history. Sketching is understood to be a human’s first representation of their observation and/or imagination. Sketches made by some of the most influential artists in the world have been preserved. Understanding the process that went into these sketches can help you understand how the artist’s mind worked at the time of creating the sketch and the emotions that they were able to convey through their work.

Sketching can be learned as a hobby or more seriously. Regardless of why you are looking to learn sketching, it can provide you with several benefits, like improving your attention to detail, improving your art style, helping you make some money, and providing a form of relaxation.

Improve Your Attention to Detail

Learning how to sketch can help improve your attention to detail. Sketching is typically done when observing something, although it’s not required. When you sketch from observation, you need to pay close attention to the details of what you’re observing. This might include examining the details of someone’s face, the way light creates shadows around your subject, or how motion alters the perception of your subject’s proportions. Focusing closely on your object when sketching will ultimately improve your attention to detail and your brain’s ability to focus.

There are several in-person and online sketching classes that you can take to learn the fundamentals of sketching. These classes are taught by expert instructors who will walk you through the steps of starting and finishing a sketch. Classes may have you observe something before recreating it on paper, letting you work on your attention to detail in real-time.

ArtClassBklyn, located in Brooklyn, offers a classical sketching and drawing workshop for people of all skill levels. In this class, students will learn how to draw the human figure. Students will begin the basic building blocks of contour and gesture drawing as they work to recreate life-like renditions of what they observe. You’re welcome to enroll in a single or four-session class.

92nd Street Y in Manhattan hosts an in-person figure drawing class that’s also available in an online format. This class will help you develop your artistic skills as you work from a live model. Your professional instructor will teach you about proportion, gesture, movement, and perspective. At the beginning of the class, you’ll use graphite, charcoal, and ink to sketch short poses before moving to long poses for complete, finished drawings.

Improve Your Art Style

Learning how to sketch can help you develop and improve your art style. Sketching is considered a foundational art skill. Being able to quickly recreate the things you observe while still taking essentials like proportion and motion into consideration will help you when working on complete pieces like drawings and paintings. By learning how to sketch, you’ll also have a new way to explore your imagination and put it on paper, as well as develop new and exciting ideas for your art.

Sign up for the Art School of SF Bay’s class, Key Elements of Fine Art to learn the fundamentals used to draw freely from one’s imagination or real life. This San Francisco-based class takes place over 11 sessions. By the end of the course, students will be able to paint a portrait and create a composition from scratch.

For more sketching practice, enroll in the Chicago Botanic Garden’s class, Outdoor Sketching. In this class, you’ll learn the importance of being able to compose quick studies in the field. Students will practice this skill by creating sketches outdoors, complete with notes on field conditions, colors, plant measurements, and textures. In the event of inclement weather, the class will take place in the Garden’s greenhouse.

Make Money

Sketches may seem to be incomplete pieces of art used to help in the creation of a finished piece, but they can actually be complete works by themselves. Good sketches are valued by lovers of art and can even be sold. Once you feel comfortable sketching and have started creating pieces you’re satisfied with, you can consider selling your sketches. Artists sell their sketches online and there is even a market for commissioned work.

Relax

Sketching can also be taken up as a relaxing hobby. You don’t need to follow any rules when sketching; when done as a hobby, you can sketch however you’d like, using your choice of materials. Sketching can also be done at your pace, making it a low-pressure activity. Engaging in creative activities like sketching also increases your serotonin levels, reducing stress and anxiety.

Engaging in creative activities like sketching also increases your serotonin levels, reducing stress and anxiety. It can be stressful to learn art when you have no prior experience. Sketching, however, can be done without limits, as a fun activity to do in your free time.

The Evanston Art Center in Evanston, Illinois hosts an outdoor sketching and perspective class. Over the course of this six-session class, you’ll spend time outdoors learning how to draw the urban landscape as your class travels around Evanston. Learn the importance of linear perspective, observational drawing, and color in this relaxing sketching class.

How to Start Learning Sketching

There are several ways you can learn how to sketch. There are videos and tutorials online that you can use to learn the foundations of sketching and drawing. This method is popular among those who are motivated to teach themselves new things and are looking for a flexible learning schedule. Many people who decide to teach themselves will practice sketching whenever they have time. The downside to this method, however, is that you won’t have access to an instructor to answer any questions you have.

You can also learn sketching by reading instructional books found at your local library or bookstore. Books can teach you important terminology and guide you through the steps of sketching. Books can be found that focus on sketching and drawing specific subjects, like plants, animals, and people. But like online resources, this method will be difficult for those who have questions.

One of the most thorough ways to learn sketching is to take a sketching class. In-person and online classes are available to enroll in on CourseHorse. Classes are led by professionals who can answer your questions and provide you with personalized feedback.

Attending an in-person class is a great way to meet and socialize with people in your community. These classes also provide hands-on learning and in-depth demonstrations. Those who learn best in a traditional classroom setting will thrive in an in-person sketching class.

The 92nd Street Y in Manhattan offers the class, Botanical Drawing. This beginner-level class will teach participants the basics of rendering a botanical subject using a pencil. At the class’s beginning, students will sketch a plant, flower, or vegetable. This sketch will then be used to develop a finished drawing. You’ll need to bring several supplies to the first session, a list of which is available on the class webpage.

Drawing New York, also in Manhattan, hosts a weeknight figure drawing class. Artists of all skill levels are welcome to attend a 2.5-hour uninstructed figure drawing session. The first 40 minutes of class are short poses, followed by 20-minute poses, and a final 40-minute pose at the end of class. Music will be playing quietly in the background and other noises kept to a minimum so you can focus on your sketches.

Drawing with Charcoal 101, offered by Pastimes for a Lifetime in Van Nuys, California, is a beginner-level class in-person and online class. This four-session course will teach you the fundamentals of drawing with charcoal, a traditional classical medium. The curriculum covers the basics of sketching, and creating illustrations, with an emphasis on depth and tone. Your instructor will share tips and tricks to help you get started with this medium.

Online sketching classes are a flexible learning option for those who cannot attend an in-person sketching class. Classes are taught by expert instructors over an online video conferencing platform. Despite the online delivery, these classes still allow for in-depth demonstrations, questions, and socialization. These classes can be taken from any interruption-free environment with a stable internet connection.

The Art Studio NY offers a beginner-level class that’s perfect for those who are trying to overcome their fear of art and drawing. In Fear-Free Beginners Drawing, students will embrace a fear-free approach to drawing. An instructor will provide 1-on-1 customized instruction to help you learn a variety of mediums and techniques, like charcoal, pencil, shading, and expressive lines.

Pastimes for a Lifetime offers several beginner-level online sketching and drawing classes. In Online Drawing with Graphite 101, students will focus on measuring and developing their drawing skills. Graphite pencils will be used as you learn the foundations of sketching and drawing. By the end of the course, you’ll have improved your hand-eye coordination and learned about measuring proportions and producing perspective and texture on paper.

When deciding whether to take an in-person or online class, there are several things to consider. You must first determine if there are any in-person classes offered in your area. If there is not, then online classes should be available to you.

If you are deciding between in-person and online classes, you should consider your learning style. In-person classes provide a traditional-style learning experience in a classroom. Online classes can be taken from the comfort of your home or office, and don’t require you to commute.

In-person classes will provide you with all or most supplies that you need. If you have to purchase supplies beforehand, your instructor will inform you. Online classes will require you to procure all materials before your first session. These materials can be found at your local art or hobbyist store and online.

Key Takeaways

Learning how to sketch can help improve your attention to detail and your understanding of art.
It can also serve as a way to make money and help you relax.
You can learn how to sketch by teaching yourself or by taking an in-person or online sketching class.
Contact CourseHorse to find the right online, in-person, or private group training options for you.