Hi there, budding artists! I’m so excited to share with you 5 amazing exercises that will help you improve your drawing skills as a beginner. Drawing requires some basic skills, and with proper steps, you can make beautiful artworks. Let’s get started.

1. Practice basic shapes

As a beginner, it’s essential to start with the basic shapes, which are the foundation of every drawing. Drawing basic shapes such as circles, squares, triangles, and rectangles will enhance your drawing skills. You can practice drawing them freehand or by using stencils. This exercise will help you create the structure of your drawings and help you understand how to draw proportions correctly.

A beginner practicing drawing basic shapes, with a pencil and an eraser.

2. Use light and dark tones

Using light and dark tones is a technique that all artists use in their artworks. Using different tones adds depth and dimension to the drawings and makes them look more realistic. You can practice by drawing an object and then shading it with different tones. It’s essential to use different shades of gray to create a realistic 3D effect. This exercise improves your shading skills and also gets you familiarized with different pencil tones.

A beginner practicing shading by drawing a ball and shading various tones to create a 3D effect.

3. Draw from real-life objects

Drawing from real-life objects is a fantastic exercise that will help you appreciate the beauty of the world around you. It also helps you develop your observational and drawing skills. Pick an object, set it in front of you, and draw it as accurately as possible. It’s essential to take note of the object’s details, the texture, shades, and color when you draw it.

A beginner drawing an apple sitting on the table, observing it carefully, and rendering its details in the drawing.

4. Continuous line drawing

Continuous line drawing is an excellent way to practice drawing without lifting the pen from the paper. It involves drawing a subject with one continuous line. The result is a unique, abstract image that captures the subject’s essence in a fun and playful way. This exercise is a great way to improve your hand-eye coordination and develop your creative confidence.

A beginner practicing continuous line drawing, drawing a portrait of a person with one stroke.

5. Draw every day

The most crucial exercise for improving your drawing skills is to draw every day. It may sound obvious, but practice makes perfect. Challenge yourself to draw something new every day, even if it’s just a simple sketch. Dedicate some time in your day to draw, and you’ll see how your skills improve over time.

A beginner setting up a drawing space and practicing drawing every day.

Thank you for reading, and I hope you found these exercises helpful. Remember, drawing is a skill that takes time and dedication to improve. So, keep practicing and have fun!

A child holding a drawing of a beautiful and colorful sun with a smiling face.