Artistic expression comes in many forms, but one of the foundations of many types of artwork is drawing. Using a photograph as a reference for your drawing can be a powerful tool to create stunning and lifelike artwork and is often much more convenient than drawing on location. In this blog post, I'll explore the art of drawing from a photograph, providing you with tips, techniques, and insights to help you turn a simple image into a work of art.
Selecting the Right Photograph
The first step in creating a drawing from a photograph is choosing the right image. Here are some key considerations:
Clarity: Make sure the photograph is clear and high-resolution. The more details you can see, the easier it will be to create a realistic drawing. For ideas on how to download free-to-use high-resolution images, don't forget to read my blog post here.
Composition: Look for a photograph with an interesting composition and subject matter. A well-composed image can make your drawing more engaging but you don’t always need to stay exactly true to the composition of the photograph.
To read a good account of basic composition in art please see this guide to composition from drawpaintacademy.com.
Lighting: Pay attention to the lighting in the photograph. Good lighting can help you capture depth and form in your drawing.
Personal Connection: Choose a photograph that resonates with you emotionally or inspires you in some way. You'll be more motivated to create a compelling drawing if you have a personal connection to the subject.
Prepare the photograph
Getting your chosen photo ready to draw from is an important step and with modern technology, there are many options available. Here are some ways to prepare your image:
Edit or adjust your image: If your photo is digital, then you can adjust or edit the image in photo-editing software. Many different software packages and apps are available to do this, ranging from basic to extremely complex. Even simple apps on a smartphone can alter the colours and contrast of the image. More complex software can allow you to remove elements of the photo and move parts of the image around. This gives you great flexibility to play around with the composition of the image before you commit to drawing it.
I use Affinity Photo for my photo editing on my computer and the photo editor that came on my Samsung phone for quick adjustments to colour balance and cropping on the go.
Add gridlines (optional): Adding a grid to your photo and a corresponding grid on your paper, can help you to draw an image more accurately. There are several apps that can be downloaded to your phone, tablet or computer that will add a simple grid to your chosen image. You can then trace or transfer your drawing onto another piece of paper or canvas so there'll be no grid on your final artwork.
I use a grid for images that I want to draw very accurately and sometimes add one using Affinity Photo on my computer but often use a smartphone app called Drawing Grid, which is available on Google Play. Sometimes the grid can be distracting, so I always have another copy of the photo with no grid for reference. If you want to add a grid to a printed photograph, you can draw a grid on a sheet of acetate to make a grid overlay.
Choose how you’ll view it: You could print out your photo or have it printed by a photo printing service. If you do this, make sure the photo is adjusted to your liking before you print it out. You could also choose to view it on a screen. I often have the reference photo that I’m using uploaded to Google photos, so I can download it on my phone, tablet and computer and view it on whatever’s most convenient when I’m drawing.
Start with the Basics
Begin your drawing by blocking in the basic shapes and proportions. You can use techniques like measuring and comparing to ensure accuracy if no grid is being used. Pay close attention to the relationships between different elements in the photograph. This stage usually takes the longest, as if you get this bit right, you save a lot of adjustment time later.
Develop the Details
Once you have the basic shapes in place, start adding details. This is where your drawing will come to life. Work methodically, focusing on one section at a time, and don't rush the process. Patience is key in creating a realistic drawing.
Pay Attention to Values and Use Shading Techniques
Values refer to the range of lightness and darkness in your drawing. Study the photograph to identify the various values present and replicate them in your drawing. This will help create dimension and depth in your artwork.
Shading is crucial to capture the texture and depth of the subject. Techniques like hatching, cross-hatching, and blending can all be employed to achieve different effects and to suit different mediums.
Add Your Personal Touch
While drawing from a photograph can result in highly realistic artwork, don't be afraid to add your unique style and interpretation to the piece. This is where your artistic voice can shine through. It’s ok to make decisions as you go and change your mind if you think something doesn’t look right.
The thing that most improved my art, was realising that it’s ok to leave things out or change the artwork so it doesn’t look exactly like the image. Unless you have to make the drawing a true representation of the subject then follow your instincts and draw things your way. That’s what makes the resulting artwork really special!
Practice Makes Perfect
Drawing from photographs is a skill that improves with practice. Don't get discouraged if your first attempts don't meet your expectations. Keep practicing, learning from your mistakes, and refining your technique. Also, keep going if you reach a stage when you dislike the artwork you’re creating. This often happens to me and by continuing and working through that stage, I usually find the artwork becomes something I like again.
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