About

Cost: $ $ $ $ $

Difficulty: • • • • •

Time: 10 mins

Trace over it
Tracing paper is one of those hidden secrets no one tells you about when it comes to refining your work. Once you get an idea out on paper it’s still usually messy and very much in the process stage. Most times, I don’t do something amazing the first time at it, and it’s imperative that I keep reworking it and reworking it. Tracing paper, with its low opacity, allows me to keep refining on top of my original drawing, and my second drawing, and my third drawing, until it gets to a place that I’m happy with.
Tracing paper is my parachute. It’s my bulletproof vest. It’s my cheat sheet. It allows me to get away with anything I want. Tracing paper is my best friend while I’m working, and I want you to make friends with it, too. Buy a roll or a pad (I prefer the rolls!) at any local art store or places like Target, Walmart, or Staples. Have fun, please!

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Amanda P. added Refining Drawings to Drawing Tutorials 17 Jun 21:59
Carla B. favorited Refining Drawings 26 Oct 18:14
Murdoch Books published her project Refining Drawings 20 Oct 06:00

Step 1
Draw your item on tracing paper by memory or by looking at a picture. Google it if you need to!
Step 2
Trace over your first sketch to make the draw- ing have more character.
Step 3
Keep tracing and refining your drawing!
Step 4
Start to add more detail to your drawing.
Step 5
And even more detail!
Step 6
Finish your drawing by filling or shadowing.