Instructor Hank McLaughlin on sketching
Hank McLaughlin‘s Tips on Sketching
1. Why is it important to develop the habit of sketching?
John Singer Sargent once said, “Sketch your hand once a day and you will become an artist.” Use your non-drawing hand as a model – fingers spread out, making a fist, etc. This improves your hand-eye coordination. Nearly anything we observe in nature will make a model for a sketch…a tree, rock, apple, etc. It is not what you sketch, draw or paint, but how well it is sketched, drawn or painted. Developing a habit to sketch spontaneously and often will improve all other aspects of your art. Your finished drawings will improve and so will your paintings. It has been said that Rembrandt sketched and drew as he breathed.
2. What are the different uses of sketches?
A sketch may be of a detail that can be added to a painting…such as an animal or human figure. A sketch can be a wonderful way to design a painting’s patterns in a simple way, with or without color, before actually painting. Sketching is also a great way to study the natural world’s beauty whether or not it ever leads to a painting. Begin sketching simple subjects at first: an apple on a table, a leaf, rock, etc. Beginners often attempt to sketch too complex subjects at first and as a result lose interest in the valuable and exciting practice of sketching.
3. What are the best materials to use?
Soft 2B-6B pencils and a sketch pad are the basics, but pastels, oil pastels, watercolor, felt tipped pens, colored pencils and even acrylic and oil paints can be used for sketching in color. Color sketches are not necessary, but worth a try. The sketching itself, regardless of medium, is most necessary.
4. How often should I sketch?
Once you begin and see its value over time, you will want to sketch every day.
5. What size sketchbook should I use?
It’s a matter of personal choice. Many artists carry a sketchbook that will fit into a pocket for quick sketches of people or any subject that attracts you while traveling. Some use a large pad, 20”x 24” or larger, on an easel or propped against a chair for sketching in a life class on cheap newsprint paper. They use something soft like vine charcoal to make many quick sketches to study the human form in various positions. Use sketchpads or sketchbooks of any size in between to fit the situation.
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