Sketch a Story

Before you begin drawing, think carefully about the narrative you want to share and the best way to present it. Sometimes it helps to work out your ideas in words before you put pencil to paper. Think about three feelings you’ve experienced, such as love, fear, joy, or anxiety. Write a few paragraphs about the events that inspired these emotions, describing how they felt. Then circle each word related to color, mood, scale, space, or character. Compile a list of these words. Next make a few thumbnail sketches that explore these expressive words. Once your idea begins to solidify, look in magazines and on the internet for photographs that could serve as references for the objects that you want to include in your composition.

Tip: Significantly transform your reference images to make sure your drawing is entirely original.

Before you begin adding color, think about the mood you want to convey. Don’t be afraid to experiment. You might work with arbitrary colors. Or you might begin with a single color and then add pops of contrasting color to emphasize part of your drawing. Once you have a plan in mind, start working with colored pencils. Press lightly at first, beginning with the shadows and highlights and working from the warm colors to the cool ones. Gradually apply more pressure, building the contours of each form. This will help your drawing look three-dimensional and realistic. Use your eraser to add dramatic highlights and a black-colored pencil to render shadows.

Tip: Use varied line qualities to create texture.