Realistic Pencil Drawing: Introduction and Materials
Course Curriculum
Lesson Description
This lesson serves as the perfect starting point for artists who want to develop strong foundational drawing skills. This lesson introduces the essential concepts behind realistic pencil drawing while providing a clear overview of the materials needed to achieve successful results. Whether you are new to drawing or looking to strengthen your fundamentals, this class establishes the groundwork for creating convincing, realistic drawings.
What Realism in Drawing Means
The class begins by defining what realism truly means in drawing. You’ll learn that realistic drawing is less about copying every detail and more about accurately representing values, edges, and proportions. The lesson explains how artists translate three-dimensional subjects onto a two-dimensional surface, helping you understand the visual principles that make drawings appear believable.
Understanding Graphite Pencils
A major focus of this lesson is understanding graphite pencils and how they function. You’ll learn the differences between pencil grades and how each one can be used to achieve specific effects. The class explains when to use harder pencils for light values and fine details and softer pencils for darker values and rich shadows. This knowledge helps eliminate guesswork and builds confidence in material selection.
Paper and Surface Choices
Choosing the right paper is just as important as selecting the pencil. The lesson explores different paper surfaces, textures, and weights, explaining how they affect graphite application and blending. You’ll gain insight into how paper tooth influences value range and detail, helping you choose surfaces that best support realistic drawing techniques.
Additional Drawing Tools
In addition to pencils and paper, the class introduces supporting tools such as erasers, blending tools, and sharpeners. You’ll learn how each tool can be used creatively, not just for correction. Techniques for lifting highlights, softening transitions, and refining details are demonstrated, showing how these tools contribute to realism.
Developing Good Drawing Habits
This lesson also emphasizes the importance of developing effective drawing habits from the beginning. You’ll learn how to hold the pencil, apply consistent pressure, and work patiently through a drawing. These habits help maintain control, improve accuracy, and prevent common mistakes that often frustrate beginning artists.
A Strong Foundation for Future Lessons
By the end of this lesson, you’ll have a clear understanding of the tools and concepts needed for realistic drawing. This lesson provides a solid foundation that prepares you for more advanced techniques and subjects, making it an essential first step for anyone serious about improving their pencil drawing skills.
Specific Lessons
Lesson 1 - Pencils
In this lesson, we explore the different grades of graphite and different forms of graphite pencils.
Lesson 2 - Papers
In this lesson, we look at several options for paper surfaces for drawing with graphite.
Lesson 3 - Erasers and Blending
In this lesson, we take a quick look at the four main types of erasers and blending tools.
Lesson Materials
None
Lesson Resources
References
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Founder of The Virtual Instructor, artist and teacher. Matt makes learning art easy to understand and enjoyable.
Thanks, thanks, thanks!!
I am very happy with this new course!! Thanks a lot, Matt!
Best regads from Spain,
Pilar
Matt,
Very much appreciate the excellent demonstrations.
Thanks,
Ron
Checking out where to start.
I have recently subscribed to The Virtual Instructor and I am impressed with how organized and how well you present the Information to teach your students.
Buying art supplies can be a confusing thing for students as there are many brands to choose from and qualities within a brand. Trying to work with supplies that aren’t adequate is very frustrating.
Could you create a recommended list of supplies to purchase that lists the Company and the exact line of the item in particular to purchase. I think that would be a great help to beginners like myself.
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Very informative, thanks Matt.
Just joined and I am excited about the things that I will learn. I agree with the previous comments about your organization and delivery. Top notch.
Thank you
Thanks Eric!
How do you sharpen a blending stump? And properly clean it? Thank you!
All the info I’ve found online about cleaning a blending stump says cut it with a knife or scrape it on sandpaper. Neither works well for me. Cutting with a knife ends up leaving a soft spot at the top that seems impossible to eliminate and no sharp point like they have when new. Scraping on sandpaper is a disaster, it just leaves the stump as a fuzzy mess.
Any ideas on how to do this and get back the nice sharp point for detail work? thank you!
Do you think a drafting brush is necessary.?
I was looking for a smooth tooth paper similar to hot press wc paper, but less expensive for practice sketches. I ordered 100% bamboo cold press paper (JUVALE) sold on Amazon. Have you ever tried this paper? I’m able to get a full range of tones and seems to blend very well.
Just signed up for this course & I am enjoying it! I love your style of teaching.
Hello Matt,
I’ve been following your tutorials, lessons and courses for several months now and I’m starting to pick out subjects to draw in graphite. Your instruction is amazing!
Can you give me some idea how you pick out a specific paper for a subject, i.e. what type of tooth, rough to very smooth?
Thanks,
Len
Hi Leonard,
There are lots of options when it comes to paper. Your choice depends on the subject and the desired look of the finished drawing. This lesson will give you some choices…https://thevirtualinstructor.com/blog/all-about-drawing-papers-and-surfaces
Recently, I really like working on Stonehenge paper with graphite drawing. Heritage Hot Press Watercolor paper is nice as well, but a little less forgiving for erasing.
The only thing missing is close caption so I can ‘listen’ at work. ; )