Learning To Draw: Sketching A Cartoon Part 1 of 3

First let me say that I was going to make this just one blog but it's super long so I'm breaking it into three parts. This first part isn't really a tutorial. It's more of a "here try this" with a video that I tried. But, it does include some things you'll need for the other two parts. Ok, on with it then!

Ok, so here's the first little tutorial thingy on how to draw. When you begin to draw, I think it's best to start drawing from a reference. Drawing from your mind is a bit more complicated if you want it to look realistic, so let's do the reference for now.  Later down the road we'll talk about drawing from your mind. I chose a cartoon to draw first because I think those are the easiest to draw. I just did a quick google search for Chris Griffin so we're going to go with this pic of him playing air guitar.

We're not going to be doing his reflection as that can be way scary for beginners.  Alrighty, obviously if you're using pencil and paper you'll need to print this out. If you don't want to waste all that black ink, I quickly took the black out of it for you.

You can use this or, if you want, can use your picture to draw from.  Just follow the general steps.

What you're going to need

Pencil and paper folks:

• Sketch book
• A set of graphite pencils (#2 is fine if you don't have these)
• Kneaded eraser
• White eraser (eraser on end of pencil will work if that's all you got)
• Tracing paper (no we're not tracing anything)
• Ruler

Computer folks:

• Photoshop (or a program similar that you can draw in)
• Graphics tablet with pen
• Brush that allows you to make it look like you sketched it on paper. If you don't have one you can download mine here (comes with a couple other brushes we'll use later. There's a brush set at 9 and two set at 4. You want the second one set at 4 titled "sketch brush". Oh and these are Photoshop brushes.) 

1.  The first thing you can try is just looking at the image and draw it the best you can.  I think everyone should give this a go.  There's nothing really to teach with that though.  You just try to match key places, like how the eyes, nose and mouth line up.  Some people can do this brilliantly. Me, not so much, especially if I'm drawing a real person.  But I took a stab at it.  Here's a vid if you want to watch and enjoy some old school Green Day. (Sorry, they disabled the music)



Note: The video made my drawing look even lighter than it is so parts are hard to see on the first 2 vids. Sorry.

Remember to draw lightly as this is just a sketch.  If you have a graphite pencil set, use the lightest one. Depending on the set they range from 9H - 9B, 9H being the lightest and 9B being the darkest.  Every pencil set I've ever had went up to at least 2H so I recommend using that one.  HB is the same as a #2 pencil. If using a #2 pencil, the more you press the darker it draws. Press super lightly!

Alrighty, that's it for today. Next blog will be more fun and have actual teachings and things in it lol.

Check ya later!!