Things You'll Need:
- Sketch diary
- No. 2 pencil
- Eraser
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Step 1
Sketch diaryTake a closer look at plants, foliage and trees when at the park during the summer or spring. Notice how leaves have all shapes and sizes. For this example, color is not used. Gather your sketch diary and a number 2 pencil; keep a pencil sharpener on hand to use when needed. The paper used is a personal choice; the paper shown is extra heavy, chipboard back for better support and a medium weight. The size of your sketch diary is also personal preference; the size used here is 9.5 by 6 inches.
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Step 2
Begin your drawingTake your sketch diary to the location of your plants or use a photograph; this is known as observational drawing. Use different pencils to give the drawing weight. The linear aspect or outline is drawn. If you can't get to a location photographs can be found online searching Google images. Begin your drawing.
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Step 3
Add detail with linesConsider that for this example I am drawing an apple tree, plants and foliage. Many shapes and types of pencil stokes are used. Short strokes, long strokes, choppy, rough spiky strokes, dotted strokes, squiggly lines and more. The image depicts horizontal lines which is to determine the ground, and vertical lines which is to depict the plants. Circles are used for the apples.
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Step 4
Detail the imageAdd the foliage closer to the front of the paper to give depth to the scene. Don't be concerned about using the eraser of changing the way your the drawing looks. Add the leaves and adjust them to your desire. Everything can be changed at this stage of drawing, including starting over completely.
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Step 5
Finish the detailComplete all the details. Add shadows and fine lines to the leaves where desired, use your finger to smudge the pencil and give shadow. Take a look at the image used to observe and check the details add them at this time.
