Reference Images For Lips

Like all my tutorials, I like to start with research. This step is crucial if you aren't familiar with lips because lips can be confusing to draw, especially when they open with the mouth. To understand this facial feature better, I like to turn to Pinterest to find reference photos. You can also use yourself as a model and use a mirror or phone to view your lips. You can also use my inspiration board at the link below!

Tools Needed

This tutorial is pretty simple, and you can follow these instructions using pencil and paper. But I know a lot of you artists like digital art. With that in mind, I created this tutorial in Procreate. If you don't have Procreate, you can still follow this lesson with any drawing software. 

Warm-Up Sketches

Once you have all your reference images sorted out. I recommend doing a warm-up sketch session for at least 10 minutes; this will help loosen up your hand. You can either draw random lips or anything thing you want. The idea is to warm up the small muscles in your hands. Think like a bodybuilder, and stretch your hands out!

Step 1: Draw Basic Shapes of Lips

The first step is to draw a center curve followed by a curve on the bottom and a curve on the top. The top line is smaller than the bottom.

Digital users, you can either sketch in blue or any other color you like. I like using blue for all my sketch layouts. For pencil and paper users, press down very lightly for your sketch.

Step 2: Tear Drop Shapes for Lips

Next, we want to draw in some guides to shape the overall look of our lips. I like using teardrops and oval shapes for this step. The top lip will need a notch called a cupid's bow. Use the diagram below as a guide. Notice how I use my sketch to create the negative and positive shapes for the upper lip. 

Step 3: Drop Layer Opacity to Lips

For digital users, drop the layer opacity of your sketch layer to 30%. Pencil and paper users, make sure you are keeping your lines faint. 

Step 4: Refine Sketch Drawing of Lips

Create a second layer and place it on top of your sketch layer. Use this layer to refine the details of your sketch. For this step, I like to switch to black. 

Traditional users, press firmer on your pencil to refine your detail. Use your eraser to remove any unwanted markings. 

Step 5: Add Shadows to Lips

The last step is the fun part, and that's to add shadows to our lips! A helpful tip on shading the lips is that the top part is darker than the bottom. Also, keep in mind that the center crease in the middle is the darkest. The corners of the lips are also bold. Notice how they have a slight roundness to them.

If you are a digital user, your layer panel should look something like this. 

Lip Drawing Complete

If you made it this far, you have completed drawing some lips! Do they look kissable and full? I hope they do; and that you learned something from this lesson because that's how you draw lips. 

Did you like this tutorial? Leave a comment below. Feel free to share this lesson with your friends and family, and don't forget to follow me on social media too @howtodrawdojo and @dreampigment. If you have any questions about this tutorial, contact me directly. Lastly, I hope you have fun drawing!

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For this lesson, I want to focus on the mermaid's tail. Like all my previous lessons, I like to look up photos or illustrations of the subject. Below is a link to my Pinterest inspiration board. Check out all the cool mermaids!

Once you are inspired, you can either follow this lesson digitally or with pencil and paper. I've kept this lesson very simple, and you should be able to follow these steps with any drawing software. For this tutorial, I've used Procreate for each step. You can follow along with me by using my brush set at the link below.

Before we draw anything, I want you to sketch out mermaid tails for at least 10 minutes. This exercise is to warm up your hand and build confidence. Don't worry too much about the quality. Keep your sketches loose and messy. Once you are warmed up, we can start this lesson!

Step 1: Overall Tail Shape

The first step is to draw a circle followed by a couple of curves that connect to a tip. I like to use blue for my layout sketches. If you are drawing with pencil and paper, keep your marks very light.

Step 2: Draw Fins and Contour Line

Next, sketch the fins and hips of the mermaid. Then draw a contour line that follows the mermaid tail.

Step 3: Draw Mermaid Scales

Using the contour line as your guide, draw in the mermaid scales. The pattern of the mermaid's scales resembles "U" like shapes. I would highly encourage you to watch my quick video on my drawing process.

Step 4: Drop Layer Opacity

Digital users, drop the opacity of your sketch layer to 30%. People who are following using pencil and paper, keep your sketch marks light.

Step 5: Refine Detail of Mermaid's Tail

If you are following this tutorial using digital software, switch the color from blue to black. Next, create a second layer and place it on top of your sketch layer. On this layer, refine the detail of your drawing.

For pencil and paper users, make sure you add more pressure to your drawing marks.

Step 6: Add Shadows

Now here comes the fun part! For digital users, create a third layer and place it at the very top of all of your layers. On this layer, you can add all your shadows.

Mermaid Tail Complete

If you made it this far, you have successfully drawn a mermaid's tail! Give yourself a high-five and celebrate! Below is a diagram on how your layers should look like.

More Mermaid Tutorials!

As stated earlier, I also have a tutorial on "How To Draw An Easy Mermaid" check out that lesson too. Wait?! Are you looking for more of a challenge? Check out my old "How To Draw a Mermaid Step By Step" article. This lesson is for more advanced artists.

If you like this tutorial, you can show your support by leaving a comment. You can also follow me on Instagram @howtodrawdojo or @dreampigment!

If you have any questions about this lesson, feel free to contact me! Lastly, I hope you have fun with this tutorial!

The post How To Draw A Mermaid Tail Step By Step appeared first on How To Draw Dojo.

Research on Noses

Before we start drawing, we must first conduct some research on noses! Because noses come in different shapes and sizes. Some noses are small, and some are big and pointy. Seeing real-life photos can help you understand some of these shapes. For the sake of this tutorial, I will keep the design of the nose simple and basic. The link below will take you to my Pinterest board. I hope it inspires you!

Tools for Drawing a Nose

The tools you will need for drawing a nose are all up to you. Even though I created this tutorial digitally, each step resembles the texture of a graphite pencil. In short, you can follow this lesson either digitally or with pencil and paper. If you want to follow along with me digitally, I used Procreate 5 for this tutorial. Below is a link to my Procreate digital brushes. 

Warm-Up Sketches of Noses

Now that you are familiar with noses, I want you to create warm-up sketches of noses. Practice drawing for a bit and get comfortable first with the tool you are using. This exercise is to help build confidence in yourself. Remember, drawing is also a state of mind. I want your mind to be ready and confident for this tutorial.  

Step 1: Draw Circles for Nose Tip

Draw a large circle with two little circles next to it, one small circle to the right and one circle to the left. These circles will be the base for the nose tip. Make sure you keep your sketch marks light. 

If you are drawing in Procreate or any other drawing app, use a blue color swatch for your layout drawing. I like using the "Sketch Brush" for this stage. 

Step 2: Two Long Curves

Next, draw two long curves above your large circle. These curves will form the nasal passage of your nose. The size is up to your discretion. 

Step 3: Connect All Shapes

In step three, we want to connect all of our shapes. For the bottom of the nose, make that line resemble handlebars from a bike. Do not link the top portion of the nose. 

Step 4: Drop The Opacity of Your Sketch Layer

This step is for digital users. Once you complete your layout drawing, take that layer and drop the opacity to 30%. 

Pencil and paper users, make sure to keep your layout drawing very light. If you have trouble sketching light, I would recommend using an H2 grade lead. This lead is hard compared to an HB pencil. 

Step 5: Refine The Line Art of Your Nose

Digital users, change the color of your swatch from blue to black. Next, create a second layer on top of your sketch drawing. Use this layer to refine the details of your nose drawing. We do not want to render all of our lines. We only want to darken a few features of the nose. The nostrils, nose wings, and the bottom of the nose are the lines of focus.

For pencil and paper users, apply more pressure to your sketch drawing.

Step 6: Add Shadow

The last step for digital users is to create a third layer and place it at the top of your layer panel. Use this layer to add shadows to your nose. The bottom of the nose will have the darkest shadows.

As for pencil and paper users, vary the pressure of your pencil marks. Use my image as a reference. 

Drawing Complete 

If you have made it this far, you should have a completed drawing of a nose. Congratulations! Now that wasn't too hard? And that's how you draw a nose step by step. I hope you enjoy this tutorial. 

Did you like this tutorial? If you will like to see more free content like this, leave a comment below or contact me here! You can also show your support by following my Instagram accounts @howtodrawdojo and @dreampigment. Check out my contact page for more information on how to reach me!

Lastly, feel free to share and repost this tutorial. Also, don't forget to have fun when you draw!

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Step 1: Desire to Draw

Learning how to draw is not just a physical action but a mental state of mind. You will first need to have the desire to draw or create art. This passion will help you progress as an artist. If you lack the desire to create art, you will have trouble learning how to draw. Be true to yourself because learning how to draw is a labor of love. It takes time and dedication. Remember, you need to want this as much as you want to watch a TV show or play a video game. Learning how to draw is a desire that rests inside you. And only you can bring it out to fruition. No matter what skill level you are, you will need to find joy when creating art. When you discover this passion, the sky is the limit!

Step 2: Doodles and Sketches

When I first started learning how to draw as a kid, I remember I loved creating random doodles and sketches of everything. I didn't care about the quality of these doodles. I was just happy with the idea of creating something that resembled everyday life or things that I was interested in at the time. This next step is creating random doodles and sketches in your notebook or tablet. I would recommend a traditional sketchbook, but this is entirely up to you. If you use a sketchbook, use any medium you want, a ballpoint pen, pencil, or crayon. Next is to start drawing things that you like. Draw either your favorite fruit, fast food meal, or pop culture character. Don't worry about the quality of these doodles. The thing I want you to focus on is to have fun.  

Step 3: Draw Every Day

To get better at drawing, you will need to draw every day. Practice as long as you want, and sketch out the things that make you happy. Fill your sketchbook or drawing tablet with random doodles. You can always find time for a little 10-minute doodle session. Instead of binge-watching a TV show on Netflix, how about you use that time to have fun doodling. Here is an idea of what you can doodle. Sketch out your favorite TV show characters and create a four-panel comic. The story is entirely up to you, this is your world, and you are the creator!

 Step 4: Draw Everywhere!

Don't feel that you are limited to drawing only at your home. Take your tablet or sketchbook and draw everywhere! Walk to your local park and sit down and sketch out what you see. Draw the people, trees, and playground. You can also doodle whatever comes to your mind. The blank piece of paper or digital canvas is your world. You can fill it with whatever you want. And if you travel on bus or train, use your commute to squeeze in a doodle session. You can always have time to draw anywhere and everywhere! Next time you grab yourself a cup of coffee, sit down and draw something quick.

Step 5: Find Your Drawing Inspiration

When you start creating art, you will need to find your drawing inspiration. Finding inspiration can come in all different shapes and sizes, and it isn't always visual. You can find ideas through everyday life. Sketch out something that has happened recently in your life. Did you get a new pet? Or did you travel to some exotic location? Life can always be an excellent source of inspiration. Of course, you can always look at other people's artwork to drive your motivation when creating something new. One of my favorite things to do while I draw is to listen to music. This action puts my mind in a happy place, especially if I am designing for a long time. When you find your inspiration, do not hesitate to doodle and sketch what's on your mind! 

Step 6: Be Happy With Your Progress

As you progress in your journey to learn how to draw, you will need to be happy with whatever progress you have achieved. Because if you want to improve your drawing skill, you will need to build your self-confidence first. Be proud of your work and progress as an artist. Because the moment you start doubting yourself, it becomes a challenge to continue to learn how to draw. I know it is easier said than done, but I've been there before. And if you have difficulty drawing something for the day, stop and breathe, put your sketchbook or tablet away. Sometimes the best solution is to walk away and do something else that makes you happy. You can always sketch something new tomorrow. 

Step 7: Share Your Work

Once you have a nice collection of doodles, you can share your work with friends and family. Getting some feedback from the people you love is a great way to boost your self-confidence as an artist. However, do not overstep your boundaries with your friends and family. Ask them only a few times, or show your work if they are curious. If you receive any negative feedback, do not be offended. Remember, you are learning how to draw, and it's okay to have mistakes. Nobody draws perfect in their first year of learning how to draw. It takes a lot of time and patients to get better at art. 

On the subject of sharing your work with others, beware of posting your drawings on social media. People will be honest about their opinions and sometimes will not have a filter with their comments. A few online users will insult you, even if your work is good. To avoid this from happening to you. Be nice and friendly with the online community. If you do this simple action, you'll receive more positive feedback than negative. Just be careful not to offend anybody. Because sharing your work online is a great way to gain recognition. Post with caution, and have fun!

Step 8: Don't Stop Learning

The most important tip on how to draw for beginners is to keep learning! Do not get comfortable with what you have learned so far. Learn how to draw everything around you and be a better observer of the world. This habit will help you improve your art, but it will take time. Don't be afraid to learn how to draw with different mediums. There is beauty in all different types of art. Try and experiment with watercolor, acrylic, oil paint, ink, and charcoal. You'll never know if you'll like these mediums if you don't try. And if you love digital art, try and experiment with different software and applications. Be familiar with digital painting, pixel art, and vector. There is so much to learn. Remember, don't overwhelm yourself, and try to have fun when you draw! Art is not a race to the finish line; take your time, and learn at your own pace.

Free Drawing Tutorials for Beginners

Now that you are familiar with my tips on how to draw for beginners. Check out some of my FREE drawing tutorials below! Each tutorial has step by step instructions on how to illustrate various objects. You can follow these lessons using pencil and paper or with any digital drawing software. I will continue to add more of these instructional exercises on this site! If you want to learn more, I recommend you bookmark this blog page!

Lastly, feel free to share this article with people who need help or guidance on "How to Draw." If you need more help, feel free to contact me or comment this post!

The post Tips on How to draw for Beginners appeared first on How To Draw Dojo.

What you will need for this tutorial

What you will need for this tutorial is a sheet of paper and a pencil. And that is it, but you can also follow these instructions using your favorite drawing app. Which is the method I used in creating this lesson. I created this tutorial using Procreate 5, using a standard textured brush. Don't worry if you don't have Procreate 5; you can follow these instructions with any other drawing app you like. If you are a Procreate 5 user, you can download my brush set at the link below.

Research on Apples

Before we draw our first line on our piece of paper or blank digital canvas, we need to conduct a little research on apples! And did you know they are about 7,500 different types of apples in the world? Wow, that is a lot of apples we can look up! And thanks to the internet, we have a sea of information at the power of our fingertips! My favorite way to gather reach images is with Pinterest. Using Pinterest, you can create an inspiration board easily and pin all of your favorite photos in one spot. The link below will take you to my inspiration board. Check it out and get inspired!

Warm-Up Sketches

After we finish conducting our research, it is good practice to warm-up your drawing hand with some quick sketches. And since the basic shape of an apple is a circle. Loosely sketch out some circles on a scratch sheet of paper or digital canvas. This exercise is to help build your self-confidence. Do this until you feel confident enough to draw an apple with detail. 

Step 1: Sketch Out Apple's Shape

Loosely sketch out a circle for the apple's overall shape. If you are drawing digitally, use blue for all your rough sketch lines. And if you are using a pencil, keep the pressure on your pencil very light! 

Step 2: Sketch Apple Stem

For the stem of the apple, sketch out a thick curve and leaf. 

Step 3: Tapper Circle Sketch

Tapper down your circle and sketch out three bumps at the bottom. Think about a "red delicious apple" when adding the curves at the bottom. And the overall shape of your apple. The apple is thicker at the top and narrow at the bottom.

Step 4: Drop Layer Opacity

If you are following using a digital application such as Procreate 5. Drop the layer opacity of your rough sketch to about 30%. 

People using pencil and paper should have their sketch drawn out very light.

Step 5: Refine Sketch Drawing

For digital users, create a second layer and place it at the top of your sketch layer. Change the color of your brush from blue to black and trace your rough sketch with refined lines. You can also add extra detail to the apple's leaf in this stage.

If you are using pencil and paper, add more pressure to your pencil marks. When you add more force to your pencil, this helps create more contrast. 

Step 6: Add Shadows and Details

App users, create a third layer and place it at the very top of all your layers. Use this layer for your shadows and extra details. 

For pencil and paper users, erase any unwanted rough sketch markings. Then shade in your apple. Remember to vary the pressure of your hand while shading.  

You Have Drawn and Apple!

You should now have a completed drawing of an apple! If you want to challenge yourself, draw more apples together! You can even overlap them or place them in a basket. The possibilities are endless! 

Below is an example of what your layers panel should look like; this is the order.

I hope you enjoyed this lesson on how to draw an apple, and like always, feel free to share this tutorial with your friends or family! And also, don't forget to follow me on social media. If you need more help, feel free to contact me! 

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Research Snowmen Images

Before we start drawing, we need to look up some reference images of snowmen and get some inspiration. We can look at photos of snowmen that people build out of real snow as well as seasonal winter decor. Below is a button to my inspiration. Note, you can always create your source of inspiration on Pinterest too. 

Warm-up Sketches

Once you have a general idea of what a snowman is, the next thing to do is warm up with some quick sketch studies. Warm-up sketches on paper or tablet help a lot in figuring out the design and composition of your snowman. I would recommend a 10-minute session of this. Keep as loose as possible; do not worry too much about detail. And if you need more time to explore, take however much more time to build your confidence.

What Tools to Use for Drawing a Snowman

In this tutorial, you can follow these steps either using any drawing app or with a pencil and paper. And if you want to follow along with me, I am using Procreate 5 with a pencil-like brush called "Sketch Brush." You can download my set for FREE at the link below.

Step 1:

For the first step, sketch two circles for the snowman's body and head. Have a small circle for its head and a large circle for the body. 

I would recommend sketching out in blue color when drawing digitally. And for pencil and paper, keep your makes very light!

Step 2:

Next, loosely draw out the snowman's top hat with an ellipse and rectangle. It is okay to overlap your shapes. Keep in mind that this is your rough layout sketch.

Step 3:

In step three, sketch out all the small details of the snowman, such as the eyes, nose, and arms.

Step 4:

If you are drawing your snowman digitally, take your rough sketch layer and drop the opacity to 30%. And if you are following with a pencil and paper, keep your sketch very light!

Step 5:

Create a second layer and place it on top of the rough sketch of your snowman. Next, pick a dark color such as black to refine the detail of your drawing. 

As for pencil and paper users, you can press firmer on your pencil for darker lines. And use your eraser to remove any unwanted sketch marks.

Step 6:

For digital users, create a third layer and place it at the very top of your layers. Use this layer to add shadow.

If you are drawing your snowman on paper, you can add in your shading and detail. 

Procreate and other drawing app users, the following image should be the order of your layers. I hope this helps!

Snowman Completed

Now you should have a completed drawing of a snowman! Pat yourself on your back and feel proud. And congratulations to you! I hope you learned something from this tutorial and how to draw a snowman. But most importantly, I hope you had fun!

Share this tutorial 

Do you want to share this tutorial with your friends and family? Do not hesitate to share on social media! 

Lastly, don't forget to hit like, follow, and subscribe to all my social media networks. And if you need help with this tutorial, leave a comment below or contact me. I would love to hear from you!

The post How to Draw A Snowman Step By Step appeared first on How To Draw Dojo.

Because, in this tutorial, I want to show you how to illustrate the classic orange pumpkin that graces through October and November. Nothing says "fall" like an assortment of these gorgeous autumn squashes. 

What tools to use?

In this tutorial, I am using Procreate 5 on an iPad7 with a first-gen apple pencil. And if you don't have Procreate. You can follow this tutorial with any other drawing app that has layers. 

Lastly, let us not forgot a pencil and paper. And this is my recommendation for any new artist because I think drawing apps can be a little confusing at times. Besides, trying to learn how to draw on a drawing software is double the work! My philosophy is to keep things simple for new artists. That's why I recommend a pencil and paper.

Pumpkin Photo Reference

Before we start drawing, let us get familiar with pumpkins and look up some photo references. As simple as this fruit may be, do not underestimate the power of photo references to spark some inspiration. Looking at photos can help you visualize the various shapes, colors, and surface textures of a pumpkin. Even the stems and leaves can add an extra level of detail to your drawing. The button below will take you to my Pinterest inspiration board.

Quick Warm-up Sketches

Are you inspired yet? Once you have a basic understanding of the pumpkin. I would recommend warming up with some quick sketches of pumpkins in various shapes and sizes. This exercise is to help warm up your hand and build confidence in yourself because nothing is more frightening to a new artist than a blank page. 

Step 1

The first step in drawing your pumpkin is to sketch out an oval and a rectangle shape for the stem. Procreate users, select the "Sketch Brush," and pick a blue color for the rough sketch. I like this tool because it replicates a real pencil very well. You can download my Procreate brush set at the link below.

Pencil and paper users, remember to keep your sketch drawing very light. I sometimes like using an H2 pencil lead for my layout sketch.

Step 2

The next step is to sketch out the details of the pumpkin. Draw out some curves on the oval portion of the pumpkin. These lines will represent the bumpy grooves. 

Step 3

Step three is for Procreate users only. Once your rough sketch is complete, take that layer and drop the opacity to 30%. Then create a second layer on top of your rough sketch. 

Step 4

In Procreate, select the color black and refine the lines of your pumpkin. For people following with pencil and paper. Go over your sketch layout with more pressure and give contrast to the details you desire. Remember, you don't have to draw out everything on your rough sketch. 

Step 5

Create a third layer on top of your refined pumpkin drawing. This layer is for any details like shadows or textures. For pencil and paper users, erase unwanted sketch marks, and then add details like shadows and textures. 

Your layers panel should look something like this image below.

Pumpkin Complete

If you have gotten this far in this tutorial, you should have a complete drawing of a pumpkin! Don't feel like you have to stop at this stage. You can add more pumpkins to your illustration and make a scene. You can also transform your pumpkins into Jack O'Lanterns! Let me know in the comments below if you would like to see a tutorial on how to draw a Jack O'Lantern.

I hope you've learned something from this tutorial. My goal is to help you understand how to draw a pumpkin and make it as easy as possible for you. And if you liked this lesson, feel free to share this article with your friends and family. Don't forget to follow me on social media too! I hope you have fun with this lesson.

To learn more about howtodrawdojo.com, feel free to contact me!

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