6 Comments

Struggling at drawing details? Draw them big! | Sketch from Amy Riches (UK)| TIP 165

Hey guys,

Amy Riches - Student Sketch like the pros

Amy Riches | VIP Student of Sketch like the Pros

If your perspective on your sketches looks awkward, or they seem lacking in details, these today 2 sketching TIPS might help you.

I’ve just received an inspiring sketch from one of my VIP students of [Sketch Like the Pros], Amy Riches from the UK.

At first, she sketched a camera that was pretty ok – however, the perspective was a bit weak.

I shared with her 2 simple tips, and the day after only, I received a good quality sketch! 🙂

Amy is highly motivated to progress.
Let me share with you the 2 recommendations I gave to her.

Amy’s story and testimonial about Sketch like the Pros course.
(You can join the Waiting list for the Design Sketching course here.)

Camera product design life drawing Low construction.png

BEFORE: Amy draws a camera with a slanted perspective

TIP 1- Start Drawing with a Box.

It’s essential to start drawing in a certain order.

  • Never start drawing a camera with detail like the button for example or any other function. Start with the general shape.
  • A camera being “rectangular”, drawing a slim box will be the best start.
  • The box set up the proportion of the camera and the perspective scene in no time.
  • As soon as you have your box, you can make subdivisions to add in the elements (screen, buttons, plug, screws…).

Try to spot in the picture above, Amy’s construction lines (box, contour lines, subdivisions made with light pen pressure).

Just after receiving my feedbacks, Amy applied the sketching tips immediately. So I could see her improved sketches within 24 hours only:

Camera product design life drawing Good perspective construction.png

AFTER: Amy used a box with a proper 2-point perspective to build the camera

TIP 2- Draw Details BIG!

As a beginner, we often have this “bad habit”: drawing small – and we draw small details even smaller!

When you draw small, 1 mm wrong can easily make your sketch look awkward. Drawing tiny stuff makes us feel so frustrated! We can’t achieve any good detail, and we have no clue on how to improve them. It’s like the pen nib is too thick…

The solution is simple.
Draw the details big!
Like if you have a magnifying glass. 

Amy told me the benefits of it:
“Had a go at pulling out some details and making bigger – found it easier to think about the geometry with more perspective and construction lines :)”

Learn how to observe things closely,
practice drawing BIG and your sketch will rise in definition and quality. 

Sketch like the pros - the design sketchbook - product design student - Amy Riches.png

‘Life drawing’ of cool products and details. – from Amy Riches

Add beside a “zoom in” details of the buttons, clip, nib, screw, mechanical pieces, grooves…

Hope it helps!
If you know anybody to whom these sketching tips can be helpful, feel free to share!

Take care.
Cheers,
Chou-Tac

About The Author

Chou-Tac

Hello! My name is Chou-Tac. I am a Product Designer from France. If the sketching methods I’ve acquired aid me in my life and in my industrial design career, I believe that they can also help you reach your design goal as a student or professional. My aim to help you all along with your design projects and journey. Anytime, feel free to leave a comment in the blog or send me an email at choutac@thedesignsketchbook.com : )

6 Comments

  • Bitya

    Reply Reply March 28, 2016

    Bonjour Chou-Tac,

    Merci beaucoup d’avoir partagé c’est très intéressant et d’une grande aide!

    • Chou-Tac

      Reply Reply March 28, 2016

      Ravi que ca te soit utile Bitya.

      Chouette. 🙂

  • Josh

    Reply Reply March 28, 2016

    Hi Chou,

    Yes please! Could you let me know when you think the class will open up and how much it would cost?

    Email: silentjosh847@gmail.com

    Thank you!

    • Chou-Tac

      Reply Reply March 28, 2016

      Hello Josh,

      I haven’t decided yet about when it’s going to reopen. Should be within the coming months though.

      Have you subscribed to the newsletter? It’s the best way to keep in touch with you about the blog and the course as well. 🙂

      Is there anything else I can help you?

      Cheers,

      Chou-Tac

  • Josh

    Reply Reply March 28, 2016

    So what is [sketch like the pros]? Is it some sort of online course? How can one sign up? I bet it costs a bit of money, but it’d be worth it to receive feedback directly from a great and enthusiastic teacher like you!

    Great site by the way!

    • Chou-Tac

      Reply Reply March 28, 2016

      Hello Josh,

      Thanks for the kind word :).

      Yes, Sketch like the Pros is an online course where I can give you 1-to-1 feedbacks on your sketches if you want to.

      The course is now ongoing with the students. So the registration are now closed. I can update you on when the course reopen again though!

      Have a nice day!
      Cheers,
      Chou-Tac

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