5 Practical Tips for Creating Stunning Creative Pencil Drawings

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 21 June 2023 6 min read

Creating stunning creative pencil drawings is easier than you might think. With the right tools, techniques, and a little bit of practice, you can elevate your art to new heights. In this blog, we'll discuss five practical tips that will help you on your journey to producing eye-catching pencil drawings. Let's get started!

1. Choose the Right Pencil

One of the first steps in creating impressive creative pencil drawings is selecting the appropriate pencil for your work. Let's explore the different types of pencils and their unique characteristics to help you make an informed decision.

Graphite vs. Charcoal

Graphite pencils are the most common type and are ideal for detailed drawings and shading. They create smooth, even lines and are easy to erase.
Charcoal pencils provide richer, darker tones and are perfect for bold, expressive drawings. However, they can be messier and more challenging to control than graphite pencils.

When starting with creative pencil drawings, graphite pencils are generally recommended due to their ease of use and versatility.

Pencil Grading System

To choose the right pencil for your drawing, you need to understand the pencil grading system:

H pencils are harder, producing lighter lines. They're great for details and fine lines.
B pencils are softer, creating darker, thicker lines. They're excellent for shading and adding depth to your drawing.

A good starting point is to have a range of pencils, such as 2H, HB, 2B, and 4B, to cover various aspects of your creative pencil drawings.

Top Pencil Brands

Investing in high-quality pencils can make a significant difference in your drawings. Some popular brands known for their quality and performance include:

Staedtler
Faber-Castell
Derwent
Prismacolor

Experiment with different brands and find the one that best suits your style and preferences.

2. Master the Art of Shading

Shading is a crucial aspect of creative pencil drawings, as it adds depth, dimension, and realism to your artwork. By mastering the art of shading, you can bring your drawings to life and make them more visually appealing. Let's explore some shading techniques, how to create texture, and how to shade with confidence.

Shading Techniques

There are several shading techniques that can help you achieve different effects in your creative pencil drawings:

Hatching: Drawing a series of parallel lines to create light and shadow.
Cross-hatching: Layering hatching lines in different directions to build up tones and textures.
Stippling: Using small dots to create varying shades and texture, with denser dots for darker areas and sparse dots for lighter areas.
Blending: Smudging pencil lines together to create smooth, seamless shading.

Experiment with these techniques and find which ones work best for your style and the subject matter of your drawings.

Creating Texture

Texture is essential for adding a sense of realism and depth to your creative pencil drawings. To create texture, consider the following tips:

Observe the texture of the object you're drawing and try to replicate it using shading techniques like hatching, cross-hatching, or stippling.
Use different pencil grades to create a variety of tones and textures.
Apply varying pressure to your pencil while drawing to create a diverse range of effects.

Remember, practice makes perfect—so don't be afraid to experiment with different textures in your drawings.

Shading with Confidence

Shading can be intimidating, but with practice and a few key tips, you can shade your creative pencil drawings with confidence:

Start with a light touch and gradually build up the darkness of your shading.
Pay attention to the direction of the light source to accurately depict shadows and highlights.
Be patient—take your time with shading to avoid rushing and making mistakes.

Remember, mastering the art of shading takes time and practice, so be patient with yourself as you develop this important skill.

3. Understand Perspective and Proportion

Perspective and proportion are vital components of creative pencil drawings that give your artwork a sense of depth and accuracy. By understanding these concepts, you can create more realistic and visually appealing drawings. Let's discuss basic perspective drawing, measuring proportions, and practicing foreshortening.

Basic Perspective Drawing

Perspective refers to how objects appear smaller the farther away they are from the viewer. To create accurate perspective in your drawings, consider the following tips:

Use a vanishing point, which is a point on the horizon where parallel lines seem to converge.
Draw objects that are closer to the viewer larger and objects that are farther away smaller.
Pay attention to the angles of lines and edges to create a sense of depth.

By practicing perspective drawing techniques, you'll enhance the realism and depth of your creative pencil drawings.

Measuring Proportions

Proportion refers to the relative size and scale of objects in your drawing. To accurately depict proportions, try these tips:

Use a pencil or your thumb to measure the size of objects in relation to each other.
Break your subject into simple shapes and compare the size of these shapes.
Adjust the size of objects as you draw, ensuring they remain proportional to the rest of the composition.

Mastering proportions will help you create more realistic and visually appealing creative pencil drawings.

Practicing Foreshortening

Foreshortening is a technique used to create the illusion of depth by depicting objects at an angle, making them appear shorter than they are. To practice foreshortening, consider the following:

Draw objects at an angle, making them appear shorter and wider.
Use overlapping shapes to create a sense of depth.
Observe real-life objects and practice drawing them with foreshortening to improve your understanding of this technique.

By understanding perspective, proportion, and foreshortening, you'll elevate the quality of your creative pencil drawings and create more visually engaging artwork.

4. Utilize Different Erasers

Erasers are essential tools for refining your creative pencil drawings. They help correct mistakes, add highlights, and create various textures. To make the most of your erasers, let's explore different eraser types, eraser techniques, and the best eraser brands.

Eraser Types

There are several types of erasers, each with unique properties that make them suitable for different tasks:

Rubber Erasers – These are the most common erasers and work well for removing graphite marks.
Kneaded Erasers – These erasers can be molded into any shape and are perfect for lifting graphite without damaging the paper.
Vinyl Erasers – These erasers are great for removing stubborn marks and are often used for detailed work.

Experiment with various eraser types to find the ones that work best for your creative pencil drawings.

Eraser Techniques

Erasers can be used for more than just correcting mistakes. They can also help you create unique effects and textures in your drawings. Here are some eraser techniques to try:

Highlighting – Use an eraser to gently lift graphite and create highlights in your drawings.
Blending – Soften the edges of your shading by using a kneaded eraser to blend the graphite gently.
Creating Texture – Press an eraser into your drawing to remove graphite in a pattern, resulting in interesting textures.

Experiment with these techniques to add depth and interest to your creative pencil drawings.

Best Eraser Brands

Not all erasers are created equal. To ensure you're using high-quality erasers that won't damage your artwork, consider trying these trusted brands:

Staedtler Mars
Faber-Castell
Prismacolor

By utilizing different erasers, mastering eraser techniques, and choosing quality brands, you'll enhance your creative pencil drawings and be able to achieve a wide range of effects.

5. Experiment with Various Paper Types

Paper is the foundation of your creative pencil drawings, and the right paper can make all the difference in the final result. By experimenting with various paper types, you can discover which ones best complement your drawing style and techniques. In this section, we'll discuss paper choices, paper textures, and recommended paper brands.

Paper Choices

There are several paper choices for pencil drawings, each with its own characteristics. Some popular options include:

Sketch Paper – Lightweight and perfect for quick sketches, but not ideal for detailed work.
Drawing Paper – Heavier than sketch paper, with a slightly textured surface that holds graphite well.
Watercolor Paper – Thick and textured, suitable for mixed media work and adding water-based techniques to your pencil drawings.

Experiment with these paper types to see which one best suits your creative pencil drawings and enhances your artwork.

Paper Textures

The texture of your paper can greatly impact the appearance of your pencil drawings. Here are some common paper textures to consider:

Smooth – Ideal for detailed work and precise shading.
Medium – Offers a balance between detail and texture, allowing for a variety of shading techniques.
Rough – Perfect for creating interesting textures and bold strokes, but may be challenging for intricate details.

By experimenting with different paper textures, you can find the perfect surface to showcase your creative pencil drawings.

Recommended Paper Brands

High-quality paper can make a significant difference in your artwork, so it's essential to choose reputable brands. Some popular paper brands for pencil drawings include:

Strathmore
Canson
Arches

By experimenting with various paper types, textures, and brands, you'll discover the perfect combination to enhance your creative pencil drawings and bring your artwork to life.

If you're inspired to take your digital art skills to the next level, don't miss the workshop 'Learn How to Draw in Procreate' by Vicky Catalan. This workshop offers valuable tips and techniques for mastering digital illustration using the popular Procreate app. Elevate your drawing skills and unlock your creative potential today!