Sketching is typically a fundamental skill that lies at the heart of
all master painters and artists. Your ability to sketch and draw is
paramount to your ability to create other works of art, although
sketches and drawings can be beautiful works of art all by themselves.
The skills that an artist develops while sketching or drawing can be
permanent and without measure, which is one reason that artists should
have both adequate and appropriate sketching and drawing supplies on
hand.
Always start small if you are just beginning to hone your sketching and
drawing skills. More complex sketches will come as you develop
fundamental skills and become more confident in your abilities. Don’t
keep a constant watch on the image that you are sketching or drawing,
but keep an image in your mind’s eye. Many beginning sketch artists
become discouraged when the image before them is very unlike what they
have sketched on their sketch pad. When you are new to sketching, be
certain to reflect every month or so on your previous drawings and
sketches as well as your most recent ones – with practice you are sure
to see improvements that will add to the belief that you are building
in yourself as an artist.
