1. Check that you have the correct pencils for the project you are working on. It is very easy to just use any pencil that you have found, but it does have a huge impact on the drawing itself.

 

2. If you are interested in portraiture, ensure that you have got the proportions of the model right. This is a really common mistake, but it is easily rectified. Babies and children tend to be out of proportion anyway as they go through their growing stages of development but adults are fully developed to so take extra time and care.

 

3. Make sure features are at the right level if their face is tilted. The features should be softened and curved in the same way their face is titled. Take time to observe this before drawing.

 

4. If you are taking a photo of someone, then ensure you are on the same level as them, so that the photo does not depict them looking up at you.

 

5. Make sure you have the right paper for the job. This can make a big difference to the outcome.

 

6. Be careful when drawing hair, there are thousands of individual strands, and you cannot draw them all, and you do not wish the hair to look like an uncontrolled mess (unless that is your aim of course)

 

7. If you are drawing foliage, take time out to do it properly and to create layers thus providing depth to the drawing. Do not scribble because it does not provide a positive message to the painting.

 

8. Don’t just start drawing and hope for the best, always plan what you are going to draw and consider what you are hoping to achieve.

 

9. Draw freehand so that your drawing appears natural and not stilted.

 

10. Make sure your drawing has some shading in it as this will show your awareness of light and depth and make the drawing more interesting.