Starting a Drawing

[Tan-Sau]

Okay, quick question: How do you guys start a drawing? Are there any things I should consider before drawing an object, like proportions and the like? I often find myself confused and uncertain whenever I start drawing.

[Kamber Parrk]

I start by taking a good long look at the object I'm going to draw. Then, I do a 5 to 10 second gesture drawing of the entire object; work out proportions by mapping major large shapes; work out construction problems based on the "shape mapping;" restate and correct the construction as needed; then, finally layer on the more complex contours and details. And, again, constantly restate and correct, as needed, at any given stage.

(though, for a lot of quick watercolor stuff, I'll jump to a free-hand visual contour drawing without any preliminary stuff.)

At least that's what I'm trying to do.

[Arshes Nei]

You start...well by starting.

The first mark is going to be the mark you may end up correcting later, you decide to do something else so may as well start instead of overthinking it.

I always think of starting drawings (plural) because it's best to come up with a series of ideas anyways, and your first one isn't always your best one.

[Elwell]

Stick 'em with the pointy end.

[arenhaus]

I start either with an action line, or with marking down the extent of the subject on the page. Sometimes I start with the horizon.

[[email protected]]

I usually start with a series of thumbnails, to explore design and composition. From there, it is usually a quick gesture, basic construction and then, finally, comes the actual drawing...

[vineris]

I dunno. I just do stuff. Sometimes I start with a circle and sometimes with random lines and sometimes I just draw a penis. It all seems to turn into a drawing by the end of it.

[Psychotime]

Uhh...draw.

[Star Eater]

I lick my intuos all over to get the juices flowing.

Guess where I stick my stylus?

( Click to show/hide )

In yo' MAMA!

[Chronos]

A quick gestural sketch defining the dimensions of the object. Even if its barely legible, its still better than the crippling white of paper.
If its from imagination, I'll just close my eyes and let my thoughts through until something clicks.

[Sanadayukimura]

Depends on what you want to draw. If it is a kind of scenery, would be more difficult. Firstly, it is better to define the focals which will clearly express what you are trying to tell. If it is about a person, bearing the impression and every detail in mind is essential.
personal perspective

[cro-magnon]

scaffolding.

[Reutte]

Planning out stuff like where the horizon is and proportions and stuff isn't a bad idea. It's pretty annoying to work on a drawing and realize that you're going to end up off the edge of the paper. Or that you've drawn one part too big and another part too small.

[Arshes Nei]

Planning out stuff like where the horizon is and proportions and stuff isn't a bad idea. It's pretty annoying to work on a drawing and realize that you're going to end up off the edge of the paper. Or that you've drawn one part too big and another part too small.

I'm not exactly sure how you "plan it out" before drawing. You're gonna sketch down the idea and keep it in mind, but plan it out? How is this done exactly?

You do preliminary sketches, see what needs to be corrected. So you pretty much start drawing.

[Chronos]

I used to 'plan' out my perspective drawings by starting pretty rigid in terms of defining horizon line, vps, etc.
I've found that a loose approach while keeping perspective in mind helps with being more creative with the approach. But thats just me

[Reutte]

I'm not exactly sure how you "plan it out" before drawing. You're gonna sketch down the idea and keep it in mind, but plan it out? How is this done exactly?

You do preliminary sketches, see what needs to be corrected. So you pretty much start drawing.

Oh I was thinking of life drawings where basically what I see is the final image. I wasn't thinking of an image that has prelim sketches. For example, I was drawing the counter at work. But I placed the horizon far to high and drew one of the screens too big. If I'd taken the time to place the horizon in the right place and check my scale of the screen to the rest of the stuff on the counter, it would have been a lot better. But instead I eventually scrapped it because everything was off.