How to Draw Faster and Improve Drawing Skill (7 Tips)

Before learning to draw faster, you should understand why you want to. After all, some people are pretty content with taking their time when they draw and enjoy the process no matter how long it takes. It is a form of relaxation for them. If you are not one of those people, learning how to draw quickly can benefit you in several ways.

How to Draw Faster?

You can draw faster by simplifying the drawings, using basic shapes, ignoring details, improving accuracy, using the right tools and techniques, and practicing regularly. It would help if you had the right mindset, had patience, and did not strive for perfection when drawing faster.

For anyone who loves to draw, there is always the desire to improve and produce sketches faster. Using a pencil is the simplest way to start drawing more quickly. To begin with, you should start with simple images or simple techniques. It would help if you avoided shortcuts like tracing and grid drawings. Instead, practice freehand drawing, saving time and elevating your confidence.

You should start practicing drawing fast, which will help you improve your artistic skills. If you can find a comfortable speed for yourself, it will be easier to focus on accuracy and details. It is an excellent way to get warmed up before starting the artwork.

It’s not about how fast you can draw, but how well you can draw fast that counts.

Following are some tips that can help you to draw faster:

Extract the Basic Shape

To draw faster, extracting the basic shape of what you are trying to illustrate is essential. This can be done by generalizing the forms and looking for the negative spaces between them. 

Once the basic shape is established, it becomes easier to draw the details quickly. Another tip is to use straight lines instead of curved lines when possible. It helps to work faster and avoid getting bogged down in unnecessary detail. 

Finally, don’t forget to omit shade when you need to speed things up. Just focus on the object’s overall shape and get that right.

Ignore the Details

Less is more when you want to draw quickly. Don’t worry about getting all the details. When starting, it’s essential to focus on the big picture. Once you think of a general idea of what you’re trying to draw, you can add the details.

Another way to speed up your drawing is to use line quality. By using line quality to create a hierarchy, you can draw much faster without sacrificing quality. For example, start with the outline when you’re drawing a figure. Once you have the fundamental shape down, you will be satisfied that you’ve captured the subject’s essence.

To repeat it, the objective here is overall form and shape, not getting bogged down in unnecessary details.

Focus on Gestural Drawing and Continuous Line Drawing

Gesture drawing will help you to make quick, loose sketches that capture the overall gesture of your subject. Don’t worry about details at this stage; get the fundamental shape down on paper. Once you have a gestural drawing, you can refine it and add details.

Another tip is to practice continuous line drawings. This means drawing a line from start to finish without lifting your pen or pencil from the paper. This exercise helps you attract more quickly and forces you to be more concise in your lines.

Finally, try timed drawings. Set a timer for 1-2 minutes and see how much of your subject you can draw in that time. This exercise will help you to focus and work quickly. 

Develop your Drawing Process

Developing your drawing process is critical to learning to draw quickly. A simple and efficient method can speed up your work and help you produce better results.

Repetition can also help improve the speed of your drawings. The more you practice, the faster you will be able to work. To get started, try to draw using a light touch. This will help you move quickly and avoid getting bogged down in details.

You can also use a smaller drawing surface to help you work faster. Another helpful tip is to look for and draw the negative space around objects. These exercises can help improve your speed and accuracy.

Finally, don’t be afraid to learn new techniques. Trying something new can often help you break out of a rut and boost your speed.

Try and Test Different Mediums

If you’re anything like me, one of the first things you want to do when you start learning how to draw is to be able to do it quickly. After all, who doesn’t want to be able to sit down and sketch out a great picture in minutes?

You can do a few things to speed up your drawing skills. One of the best ways to learn to draw quicker is to try different mediums. Pencils, pens, charcoal, and even markers can all offer different ways of achieving the same results.

The more you experiment, the more you’ll learn about which tools work best for you and your goals. Another great way to improve your speed is by studying other artists’ work and analyzing how they use different art mediums.

See how they use line work, shading, and perspective to create their art, and then try implementing those same techniques in your work.

Improve Accuracy along with Speed

Regarding drawing, speed and accuracy are often seen as opposing forces. However, it is possible to improve both at the same time. The key is to identify the areas where you need to improve your accuracy.

Once you understand the larger picture well, you can start breaking it into more minor elements. As you practice, pay attention to where you tend to make mistakes. You will gradually increase your accuracy by taking the time to learn from your mistakes.

At the same time, try to use larger brush strokes and flatten your tone to create a more simplified image. It will help you achieve a faster drawing time without sacrificing quality.

With enough time and effort, you can improve your speed and accuracy, allowing you to create beautiful drawings in less time.

Use Right Art Tools & Techniques

Any artist will tell you that one of the essential aspects of drawing quickly is having the right tools. Using the correct type of pencil, paper, and eraser can make a big difference in the quality of your drawings.

Additionally, experimenting with different drawing mediums, such as charcoal or pastels, can help you find the right tools for your needs. Of course, having suitable materials is only half the battle. Learning how to use them effectively is also crucial.

For instance, if you want to draw something quickly, start by sketching out simple shapes with several lines. Once you have the simple shape down, you can add details accordingly.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different techniques. Trying new things is the best way to find what works for you.

Practice Regularly to Improve Speed

Many artists find that they can improve their speed by practicing regularly. You can learn new techniques and develop the skills necessary to draw fast by practicing.

In addition, practicing regularly can help to prevent boredom and keep you motivated. There are several different ways to practice drawing, and you may find that one method works better for you than another.

You may also want to vary the type of drawings you create, such as using different mediums or exploring the various subject matter. Remember, the goal is to practice regularly to improve your speed without sacrificing quality.

With enough practice, you will notice a noticeable improvement in your drawing speed.

The Benefits of Drawing Faster

If you’re an artist, you know that drawing fast has many benefits. Not only does it help you speed up your workflow, but it also allows you to try different techniques and styles. In addition, drawing more quicker can help you improve your skills and learn new ones. Here are ten benefits of speed drawing:

1. You can try different techniques: When you draw quickly, you have the opportunity to experiment with different techniques and styles. Trying different techniques is also a great way to improve your skills and find new work methods.

2. You can get commissions: If you’re able to draw quickly, you may be able to get more commissions or other assignments, as clients or employers often need work done promptly.

3. You can learn new skills: Drawing quicker can help you learn new skills or hone existing ones. If you want to know how to draw negative space, a drawing exercise might be to try and draw a continuous line around an object without lifting your pencil.

4. You can make mistakes: When you’re working quickly, you’ll inevitably make mistakes. But making mistakes is the best way to learn and improve your skills. Some artists believe that the best way to learn is to make as many mistakes as possible!

5. You can work on large areas: When working on a large area, such as a wall or canvas, it’s vital to cover the surface quickly. This way, you can achieve even coverage and avoid leaving gaps.

6. You can save time: Of course, one of the main benefits is that it saves you time. This is especially beneficial if you’re working on a tight deadline.

7. You can be more spontaneous: When you’re working quickly, you must be more spontaneous and go with the flow. This can lead to fantastic results you may not have achieved if you worked more slowly.

There are many other benefits,  but these are just a few of the most notable. As you can see, speed drawing has many advantages and can be a great way to improve your skills.

Conclusion

We hope you’ve found this post on how to draw faster helpful. The benefits of being able to quickly and accurately produce drawings are many. Not only will you be able to impress others with your skill, but you’ll also have a new way of expressing yourself creatively.

We encourage you to experiment with the different techniques we’ve shared here and see which ones work best for you. With regular practice, you should start seeing an improvement in your drawing speed, and who knows, maybe one day people will call you a “speed artist.”

Related Post

Please find below a set of Related Posts in which you might be interested in the Topic of Art Education:

• Why is Art Education Important in Schools?
• What is the best age to learn drawing?
• Can you Learn to Draw without Talent? (Explained)
• How to Draw Faster and Improve Drawing Skill (7 Tips)
• Practice Makes Perfect: How to Get Better at Drawing in No Time
• How to Get Motivation to Draw? (Motivate Yourself to Draw)
• 9 Simple Tips on How to Improve your Drawing Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I improve my speed and accuracy?

   Practice regularly and use the proper techniques and tools for your medium. At first, pay less attention to the details of your drawings and focus on learning the basic shapes. Experimenting with different styles helps to find what works best for you.

2. What should I do if I can’t seem to improve my speed?

   Keep practicing. Take a class or workshop, or practice with a friend who is also trying to improve their skills. Try different techniques and mediums, and focus on accuracy and speed.

3. What are some excellent exercises to improve my drawing skills?

   Some good exercises to improve your drawing skills include gesture drawing, continuous line drawing, and developing your process. Be patient and give yourself time to practice, be sure it won’t happen overnight.

4. When improving my speed, what should I do if I feel overwhelmed or frustrated?

   Take a break. Drawing can sometimes be frustrating, but it’s important not to get discouraged. Relax, take a deep breath, and try again. Remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day; it will take time.

5. Why is it necessary to be able to draw quickly?

   One benefit of drawing quickly is capturing your ideas and thoughts on paper before you lose them. This is especially useful for artists and designers who need to sketch out their ideas quickly.