Create a pencil sketch from photo

We're all artists, right? That gives us the right and the license to be creative with our works. Otherwise, why even bother to create a pencil sketch out of a photo in the first place?

But having that right means having the responsibility to exercise sound judgement when it comes to pencil sketching from a photo. What do I mean? Let me explain.

If we're going to create a pencil drawing from a photo, as artists, we have the right to pick and choose what we want to include in the drawing and how we want to draw them.

For instance, you may want to draw a face as a caricature, or you may want to leave some parts of the photo out so as not to distract the audience.

It takes a few tries to get it right. With experience, you'll be more efficient with this. But in general, it's always a good idea to test stuff out first.

You can do so by separating all the different elements in a photo and drawing them out as rough shapes on separate sheets of paper.

Then try to move them around and see what you can come out with. Once you're happy with the composition of the drawing, you may then proceed.

Also, it's important that when you sketch from a photo, always draw instead of trace. Keep moving your pencil fluidly around the surface of the drawing and don't worry too much about mistakes. You can always go back to correct them. The key here is to keep your pencil strokes natural.

If you can keep the above in mind, I'm sure you can draw some great pencil sketches from your photos. Have fun with the activity!

Darren Chow is the founder and developer of MyArtPassion.com, an online website that offers free drawing lessons, home study courses, and other drawing related resources.
For more free resources like the one you've just read, please visit MyArtPassion.com for free online drawing lessons.