Effort, time, passion and dedication. These fuel activities you love. Those you wish were your day job, because you’re eager to reserve the top of your mental and physical resources for them.
Something that lets you truly express yourself, as if you were born for it.
Because you believe in what you create and the value it brings to people.
That’s how I feel about storytelling and drawing. I get lost in the creative flow and come up, for instance, with the illustration above — made for a serious portrait of time management.
But let’s put aside fries and reindeer for a moment. Today I’m sharing with you some basic techniques, tools and ideas from my personal notes about drawing.
Because you, dear readers, are part of the journey to my dream career — and hopefully, will help it come true. OK, enough with emotion already, let’s sketch stuff!
Ghost-sketch in mid shade
…then draw over “sure lines” in a darker shade. I often outline in brown or red, and finalize with a black pencil or a pen. That way, you can adjust shapes and correct proportions without erasing any line.
Blending tools
Paper towel works best in my opinion, but you can also try: makeup or paint brush, cotton swab, paper tortillon. Smudge it, baby!
Here are examples from “One word” and other (S)weekly stories.
Proof a portrait in the mirror
…to realize mistakes and check on symmetry. Just hold a pocket mirror against the drawing, at a suitable angle that lets you see one portion on paper and the other as a reflection. Now put down the mirror and praise the beauty of unsymmetrical faces ☺
Repeat patterns
Simple illustrations make great repeat patterns. If your image alone feels mediocre, try to clone it all over the place, possibly with a little rotation. The effect will surprise you! Sadly, the same doesn’t apply to people…
Remove outlines with shading
…to create object edges. Shading gives the illusion of 3D and depth to an object represented on a flat surface. Take it as a smarter way to use contouring.
Start small…
So far I’m using just regular paper, 12 crayons and occasionally powder color (old makeup, hehe). To digitalize: advanced tools such as a phone camera with basic filters and standard Windows programs for images.
…aim big!
If Sweekly grows to more than a hobby, like I’m striving for, I’ll surely invest in better graphic tools, build a professional website, set up a Kickstarter or Patreon page. I recommend to do the same if you intend to showcase and monetize your artwork. Other interesting platforms are Behance, Society6 and Spoonflower (imagine the same illustration printed on pillows, phone cases, mugs…infinite possibilities!)
Get inspired
…by art & design portals. Watch tutorials from great ladies like Emmy Kalia, SuperRaeDizzle, 87tors.
Start drawing today! It’s easy and rewarding, I promise.
These were my go-to techniques and references for you.
Follow me on Medium and let’s see how old we get before I finally publish my first e-book on Amazon! *daydreaming*
BONUS — Don’t think like a robot (or maybe do)
Sometimes my IT background gets in the way — and tech-based creativity comes out as a result. If you’re interested in Chatbots, check this out!
