Mistakes to Avoid When Learning to Draw
When taking our first steps in drawing, we often go through several stages: the desire to learn, discovery, progress... but sometimes also discouragement. This can come from mistakes or misunderstandings that hinder your progress.
But don't worry: every artist, whether beginner or experienced, has been through this. The secret is to recognize your mistakes so you can correct them and make smoother progress in your artistic development.
Today, we're going to look at 7 common mistakes, understand why they hinder you, and most importantly, how to avoid them.
Wanting to go too fast
This is undoubtedly the most common. When we're starting out, we want to draw everything: portraits, landscapes, animals... and we would like the result to immediately meet our expectations.
But drawing is a gradual learning process. Going too fast prevents us from gaining an understanding of the important foundations: proportions, construction, light, and movement.
How to avoid this:
Take the time to practice the basics. Learn to observe, draw simple shapes, and understand perspective. The more solid your foundation is, the smoother and more natural your progress will be.
Tip: keep a sketchbook to experiment without any pressure. These pages are not meant to be perfect, but to be used for learning.
Drawing without observing
Many beginners draw "from memory" or "as they think it is." But our brain simplifies reality: we imagine that the eyes are in the middle of the face, that trees are always straight, or that shadows are black... when everything is much more subtle.
How to avoid this:
Take the time to really look at your subject. Analyze the shapes, angles, and proportions. Observational drawing is one of the best exercises for improving.
Tip: Spend a few minutes observing before even drawing the first line.
Neglecting construction
Drawing the outlines directly without a structure is tempting, but risky. Without a solid base, proportions can quickly become inconsistent: an eye that is too big, a hand that is too small, a distorted face…
How to avoid this:
Work in stages. Start with simple shapes (circles, lines, rectangles) to lay out the general structure. Then, gradually refine the volumes and details.
Tip: think of your drawing like a sculpture: you start with the block before carving the details.
Pressing too hard on the pencil
It's a common habit among beginners: drawing firm lines right from the start. Result: it's difficult to erase cleanly and the drawing is rigid. Strong lines should come at the end, not at the beginning.
How to avoid this:
Work with soft light strokes that are almost transparent. Use an HB or 2H pencil for the sketch, then a softer pencil (2B, 4B...) to emphasize the final areas. Your drawing should remain lifelike: let your initial lines breathe.
Forgetting light and shadow
A drawing without shadows lacks volume. Beginners sometimes tend to apply solid shading without considering the light source, which is essential for creating depth.
How to avoid this:
Always identify where the light is coming from before shading. Think in terms of values: light, medium, and dark areas. Vary the pressure of the pencil or use different techniques (cross-hatching, blending) to create smooth transitions.
Look at your drawing in black and white: if the volumes remain visible and realistic, your management of shadows is good.
Comparing yourself to others
With social media, it's easy to get discouraged by highly experienced artists.
But everyone progresses at their own pace, with their own style and their own journey.
How to avoid this:
Consider others as a source of inspiration, not comparison. Observe their methods, techniques, and choices... then adapt what inspires you to your own way of drawing.
Remember: you never see the hundreds of sketches behind a beautiful drawing.
Not practicing regularly
Drawing only occasionally does not lead to sustained progress. Like a musical instrument or a sport, consistency is the key.
How to avoid this:
Prioritize consistency over duration. It's better to draw for 15 minutes every day than for 3 hours once a month.
Tip: Set yourself small weekly challenges: one object per day, one portrait per week, etc.
Bonus: being afraid of making mistakes
Mistakes are an integral part of the creative process. Every "failed" drawing is an additional step towards mastery.
How to avoid this:
Accept imperfections. Analyze what is not working and learn from it. Drawing is an experience: the more you practice, the more you progress.
Keeping your old drawings is an excellent way to gauge your progress.
Mistakes are not obstacles, but focus points. They simply indicate where to concentrate your efforts in order to make progress.
Learning to recognize them is already a big step forward. And remember: drawing is not a race to perfection, but a path of discovery and enjoyment.
Take the time to explore, start over, observe... and above all, have fun.
It is with this positive attitude that your movement will become freer, more accurate, and more expressive.
Writer and illustrator: Sacha Fatticcioni