When you draw an animal from a photo, you're only seeing a two-dimensional image of it – but when you draw an animal from life, you can see it in three dimensions and observe how it moves. If you want to get better at drawing animals, you need to improve your observational skills.Īnd the best way to do that is by drawing them from real life rather than from photos. If you want to improve your animal drawings, the best thing you can do is observe them in real life and sketch them – a lot. There's something about having to physically travel somewhere to capture it on paper.

You also learn to notice the subtleties of perspective and shapes that make urban sketching so interesting to look at.Īs you draw urban scenes, you'll quickly discover that there are many different ways to depict the same thing depending on your vantage point.įinally, drawing cityscapes and architecture can simply be more enjoyable than sketching other subjects. When you practice urban sketching, you learn to see urban settings more accurately. But when you draw from life, you can choose any perspective you want and study the subject matter in detail. You'll have a better understanding of the subject. When you draw from photographs, you're limited by the angle and composition of the photo itself.When you're drawing from life, be sure to pay attention to these subtleties so that you can replicate them in your drawing. You'll learn to notice the subtleties of light and shadow. One of the things that make each object unique is the way that light and shadow fall upon it.So, the next time you're out for a walk, take your sketchbook with you and try to capture the world around you as accurately as possible. The only way to get better at this is by practice. You'll learn to describe objects more precisely. A big part of drawing is being able to communicate what you see on paper.By drawing from life, you'll train your eye to see more accurately, which will ultimately make your drawings better. When you're constantly looking at photos or drawings in magazines, it's easy to develop a distorted view of how things look in real life. Here are four reasons why you should only draw nature in your sketchbook: When it comes to practicing your drawing skills, it's important to draw from life as often as possible.Īnd what better subject matter to use than nature? Nature themes – landscapes, flowers, trees, etc. Draw with one medium in your sketchbookġ. Draw different fashions and styles you see on the street Dedicate a sketchbook to your life drawings Draw textures and patterns you observe in your sketchbook Sketch gesture drawings of people in your sketchbook

Sketchbook cover ideas