Struggling at drawing details? Draw them big! | Sketch from Amy | TIP 165

Hey guys,

Amy Riches | VIP Student of Sketch like the Pros

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

I’ve just received an inspiring sketch from one of my VIP student of [Sketch Like the Pros].

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! 🙂

Her name is Amy Riches and she’s 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. (Registration for 2019 reopen this NOVEMBER. You can join the Waiting list here. )

BEFORE: A camera with a slanted perspective – from Amy Riches

TIP 1- Start Drawing with a Box.

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

Never start drawing a camera with the button for example or any other detail. Start with the general shape: A camera being “rectangular”, drawing a slim box will be a good 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 subdivision to add in the elements (screen, buttons, plug, screws…).

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

Just after receiving my feedbacks, Amy applied them immediately, so I could see her improved sketches within 24 hours:

AFTER: Amy used a box to build the camera – from Amy Riches.

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. 

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

Add a “zoom in” details of the buttons, clip, nib, screw, mechanical pieces, grooves…
Amy gives us a good demo in her sketches above.

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

Take care.
Cheers,
Chou-Tac