Pencil sketch of a horse running, a quick sketch

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 and patience and did not strive for perfection when drawing faster.

Quick sketch of a fashion drawing using pen and ink
How to Draw 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. Focusing on accuracy and details will be easier if you can find a comfortable speed. 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.

Here are some techniques to enhance your drawing speed:

Extract the Basic Shape

To draw more quickly, it’s important to begin by extracting the basic shape of the subject you’re trying to depict. 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 to speed things up. Just focus on the object’s overall shape and get that right.

Ignore the Details

Rough sketch of a main done using line drawing
Ignore the Details to draw fast.

When sketching quickly, it is advisable to keep it simple and avoid unnecessary complications.. Don’t worry about getting all the details. When starting, it’s essential to focus on the big picture. Once you have solidified the overall theme of your drawing, it’s time to focus on the finer details and incorporate them.

An effective technique for accelerating your drawing process involves utilizing line quality.. Using line quality to create a hierarchy allows you to 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.

The objective 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. After completing a gestural drawing, you can enhance it by adding more details and refining it.

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 concisely 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. Here’s an exercise that can assist you in improving your focus and productivity by enabling you to work swiftly.

Develop your Drawing Process

Employing a simple yet efficient method can boost your artistic productivity and result in superior outcomes.

Incorporating repetition into your drawing process can aid in enhancing your speed. By practicing more frequently, you can increase your speed and efficiency in completing tasks.. To get started, try to draw using a light touch. This will help you move quickly and avoid getting bogged down in details.

To boost productivity, consider utilizing a smaller drawing surface. 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

An artist doing a watercolor painting on a drawing
Try and Test Different Mediums to Draw Fast

When beginning to learn how to draw, many individuals, including myself, aspire to quickly master the skill. After all, who doesn’t want to be able to sit down and sketch out a great picture in minutes?

If you’re looking to enhance your drawing abilities at a rapid pace, there are a few strategies you can experiment with.. One effective method is to explore different drawing materials. By experimenting with pencils, pens, charcoal, and markers, you can discover new techniques and achieve similar results in unique ways.

As you continue to experiment, you’ll discover the tools that work best for achieving your goals and personal style. Keep exploring!. 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 career.

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.It is important to pinpoint the specific areas where improving your accuracy is necessary.

Once you understand the larger picture well, you can break it into more minor elements. As you practice, pay attention to where you tend to make 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, creating beautiful drawings in less time.

Use the 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 your Speed

Many artists find that they can improve their speed by practicing regularly. Improving your speed in drawing can be achieved through practice, where you can acquire new techniques and develop the necessary skills.

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 one method that works better for you.

You may also want to vary the type of drawings you create, such as using different mediums or exploring various subjects. Always keep in mind that the objective is to consistently practice in order to enhance your speed while maintaining an unwavering focus on 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 stylesMoreover, it is imperative to practice rapid sketching to improve your skills and acquire new ones. Here are ten benefits of speed drawing:

  1. You can try different techniques: When you draw quickly, you can experiment with other 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 can draw quickly, you may 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 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: You’ll inevitably make mistakes when working quickly. Making mistakes can be a valuable tool for learning and improving one’s skills. Some artists believe 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. One of the significant advantages is that it enables time-saving. This benefit is particularly helpful if you have a strict deadline to meet.

7. To enhance your productivity, try being more spontaneous. Trust your intuition when working on tasks requiring quick decisions 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. Speed drawing offers numerous benefits and is an excellent method for enhancing your abilities.

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 our shared techniques and see which works best. 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.”

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 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 gestures, continuous lines, 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 must sketch their ideas quickly.

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