These days, I’ve been having fun playing with a game on my iPad that’s pretty addictive. Looking for inspiration, I sketched one of the champions: Captain America from Marvel Contest of Champions.
MARVEL – Contest of Champions
A Common Beginner Mistake: Starting with the Easy or Biggest Element
A typical beginner mistake is starting a sketch with the easiest or biggest element of a character, picture, or anything—sometimes even randomly choosing where to begin. While there’s nothing wrong with starting casually (it’s still progress), many people never start at all, so we are ahead of them!
MARVEL – Captain America – Chung Chou-Tac
You Shouldn’t Draw the Shield First (Captain America)
With Captain America, here’s how I started my sketch:
- First, I drew the body lightly.
- Then, I sketched the shield, making sure it was accurately positioned on the arm.
- Next, I added details and texture to the uniform.
- Finally, I added shading and value to the visible parts of the body, especially the areas around the shield.
Why Does Drawing Order Matter?
If I had started with the shield, the whole sketch might have ended up awkward. Drawing elements in the right order lets you place everything accurately—like assembling a toy, piece by piece.
TIP: Start with the main structure (the body), then add accessories or extra parts on top. Don’t refine each element right away—focus first on placing everything correctly, then add details.
Drawing Is Strategic
Good drawing is about spending a little time planning: setting the best path from A to B.
This prevents frustration and saves time. Here are some beginner mistakes to avoid by following this logic:
Drawing a pot of flowers? Sketch the pot first, then the flowers.
If you want to draw a door, don’t start with the door handle—draw the door first, then add the handle.
For fashion design, start with the naked body before drawing the dress.
Drawing a glove? Start with the hand first to get correct proportions.
To draw a sneaker, start with the form of the foot.
Want to draw a printer? Start with the overall shape, not the buttons.
For a house, start with the main shape, then add windows and chimney.
These may seem obvious, but it’s important to mention because I made these mistakes myself and didn’t even realize there was something to correct! Learning this tip will help you enjoy drawing more and progress faster.
SAINT SEIYA – Andromeda
“Draw like you assemble a toy.”
Start with the body, then add the extra parts on it – piece by piece
I sketched Captain America using Sketchbook Pro with a 4H pencil.
Tell me, have you made this mistake before? Yes or No!
See you in the next TIP!
Cheers,
Chou-Tac
Learn more about super hero mindset!
meant to say Great TIP
Great time, an eye opener. 8)
Glad it helps Chris !