How to Copy a Drawing: A Simple and Practical Guide
Written by  Daisie Team
Published on 6 min read

Contents

1. Choose Your Drawing Tools

2. Align Your Reference Image

3. Start with Basic Shapes

4. Refine With Guidelines

5. Add Details and Shading

6. Finalize Your Drawing

Have you ever looked at a drawing and wished you could recreate it? You're in the right place. This guide will take you through a simple and practical process to learn how to copy a drawing. Let's put that pencil to the paper and start drawing!

1. Choose Your Drawing Tools

Just like a chef needs the right utensils to whip up a culinary masterpiece, you need the right tools to create your drawing masterpiece. Let's talk about pencils, paper, and erasers.

Selecting Pencils

Not all pencils are created equal when it comes to drawing. You'll need a set of drawing pencils, which come in a range of hardness levels. A 'B' pencil is soft and great for shading, while an 'H' pencil is hard and perfect for detailed lines. A regular #2 pencil, also known as an HB, is a good middle ground to start with.

Picking Paper

Next, let's talk about paper. The type of paper you choose can greatly affect the outcome of your drawing. For beginners, a standard sketchbook with medium-weight paper is a safe choice. This type of paper can handle both light sketching and heavier shading without tearing. Remember, the smoother the paper, the smoother your drawing.

Exploring Erasers

Last but not least, erasers. Yes, you're going to make mistakes, and that's okay. That's what erasers are for. A standard rubber eraser works fine for larger areas, but for small details, you might want to consider a pencil eraser or a kneaded eraser, which can be shaped to erase small specific areas. Now that we've got our tools ready, let's learn how to copy a drawing.

2. Align Your Reference Image

Copying a drawing starts with a well-aligned reference image. This is the picture you're going to copy. Getting it positioned and secured correctly can make the whole process a lot easier. Let's break it down.

Positioning the Image

First, place your reference image next to your drawing paper. If you're right-handed, put it on the right side; if you're left-handed, put it on the left. This placement allows you to easily glance at your reference without twisting your neck. Make sure the image is at a comfortable angle and distance that doesn't strain your eyes. Remember, a comfortable artist is a happy artist.

Securing the Image

Once you've positioned your image, it's time to secure it. You don't want it moving around while you're trying to copy it. Tape is a good option here, but be careful not to damage your reference image or your drawing surface. Use a soft adhesive tape, like artist's tape or washi tape, to secure the corners. Now, your reference image is set, and you're ready to start sketching. Let's see how to copy a drawing by starting with basic shapes.

3. Start with Basic Shapes

The secret to copying any drawing is to break it down into basic shapes first. This approach makes the process less intimidating and helps you understand the structure of the image. Let's explore how to identify these shapes and sketch them out.

Identifying Shapes

Look at your reference image and try to see the basic shapes within it. Can you spot circles, squares, triangles, or rectangles? Maybe an oval or two? Every object can be simplified to these core shapes. This technique is not only helpful in accurately copying a drawing, but it also enhances your observational skills over time. It's like seeing the skeleton of your drawing before adding the flesh and skin.

Sketching Shapes

Now that you've identified the basic shapes in your reference image, it's time to sketch them out on your drawing paper. Start with a light hand and don't worry about perfection at this point. The goal here is to map out the structure of your drawing. You can use a B pencil for this step — it's soft enough to sketch lightly but dark enough to see your lines. Once you've sketched out the basic shapes, you're ready to refine them. But more on that in the next section.

4. Refine With Guidelines

Once your basic shapes are in place, the next step in learning how to copy a drawing is to refine those shapes. This is where guidelines come into play. These are lines that help you maintain proportion and symmetry in your drawing. Let's dive into how to create and use these guidelines.

Drawing Guidelines

Guidelines are exactly what they sound like — guides. You'll use these to help keep your drawing symmetrical and proportional. To draw these lines, you'll want to use a ruler or a straight edge. Draw light lines through the center of your shapes both vertically and horizontally, creating crosshairs. These lines will help you see where the different elements of your drawing line up with each other.

Using Guidelines

Now that you have your guidelines, it's time to use them. Look at your reference image and see how the different elements align with the guidelines. Do the eyes of your character line up with the horizontal guideline? Does the tip of the nose touch the vertical one? As you draw, make sure to align the elements of your drawing with these lines. This will help you keep everything in the right place and maintain the proportions of your original image.

Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you draw, the better you'll get at using these guidelines. So, don't get disheartened if your first few attempts don't turn out as you expected. Keep going, and you'll see improvement over time.

5. Add Details and Shading

Now that you have your basic shapes and guidelines in place, your journey on learning how to copy a drawing gets a bit more fun. It’s time to breathe life into your art by adding details and shading. These elements will give your drawing depth and character, making it more realistic and appealing. Let's go through the process step by step.

Drawing Details

Start with the larger details first, such as eyes, mouth, or specific outlines, and then move on to the smaller ones like the texture of the skin or the strands of hair. Be patient with yourself and take your time. Remember, the devil is in the details, and it's those little things that can make a big difference in your drawing.

Applying Shading

Shading is a fantastic way to add depth and dimension to your drawing. Observe your reference image closely, paying attention to the areas of light and shadow. Use a softer pencil like a B2 or B3 to fill in the darker areas, applying more pressure for the deepest shadows. For the lighter areas, use a harder pencil like an H2 and apply less pressure. The key here is to create a gradual transition from light to dark, which will give your drawing a three-dimensional look.

Adding details and shading will no doubt elevate your drawing from a flat sketch to a lifelike representation. Once you have practiced and perfected this crucial step, you'll find that your ability to copy a drawing has significantly improved.

6. Finalize Your Drawing

Well done! You've successfully navigated your way through the bulk of the drawing process. But before you sign your name and call it a day, there are a few more steps to ensure your drawing is the best it can be. Let's take a look at how to finalize your drawing.

Erasing Guidelines

Remember those useful lines you drew at the beginning? Well, now it's time to say goodbye. Use a good quality eraser to gently remove the guidelines without disturbing the rest of your drawing. Be careful and patient — you don't want to accidentally smudge your beautiful artwork.

Checking Proportions

After erasing the guidelines, step back and take a look at your drawing from a distance. Does everything look right? If something seems off, now's the time to fix it. Maybe an eye is slightly larger, or a line is not as straight as it should be. Don't be afraid to make adjustments — even professional artists do it.

Adding Highlights

Last but not least, let's add some highlights. Highlights are the lightest parts of your drawing, where the light is hitting the object directly. You can create highlights by erasing certain areas or by using a white pencil if you're working on colored paper. This will give your drawing that final touch of realism and depth.

There you have it! You've learned how to copy a drawing from start to finish. By following these steps and practicing regularly, you'll soon be able to create stunning drawings with ease. So, what's your next project? The world of art is waiting for you.

If you're looking to take your drawing skills to the next level, check out the workshop 'Digitising Handmade Illustrations' by Jola Pictures. This workshop will teach you how to digitize your drawings, allowing you to turn your hand-drawn art into digital masterpieces. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your illustration skills!