• ABOUT ME,  graphite,  great finds,  sketch

    Pencil sketch of baby shoes and tips on getting your own sketchbook

    So how you sketch a pair of  shoes?

    First thing you need, of course, is a pair of shoes. Then go find a piece or paper, simili paper if you don’t have a sketchbook. But I suggest you make it a habit sketching in a sketchbook. Then you need a pencil and eraser. Then you need to sit still and observe the shoes. Draw out the shapes first, then you work on the details. Later you get to the shading part. This apply to other subjects as well, hehe.

    What kind of sketchbook is suitable? If you just want to sketch by pencil, you can make a sketchbook out of white A4-sized papers. You may fold/cut into two and have them stapled together at the side. Cover the stapled area with a strip of tape. If you need a ready made one, try looking at your nearest stationery shop. Any sketchbook is good for a starter. But find a small one, easy for you to carry in your bag.

    Sketchbooks I use (small ones, easy to fit in my bag):
    1, Moleskine Sketchbook (9 cm x 14cm Rm89) – suitable for coloring as well, colorpencils, thin watercolor or tempera.
    2. PaperLuxe Sketchbook (14.85cm x 21cm – A5 RM43.80) – suitable for watercolor.
    3. Earth Care Sketchbook (8″ x 8″ RM 11.oo) – suitable for thin watercolor or colorpencils.

    You can get Moleskine from CzipLee, Bangsar and Page One @ Kinokuniya, KLCC and you can get Paperluxe and Earthcare at Kinokuniya KLCC as well as Popular Bookshop. Not sure about other bookshops.

    Pencils. What kind of pencil I use? I use mechanical pencil with 2B 0.5 lead. 0.5 is the most common lead, 0.75 is quite hard to find. Why mechanical pencil? I hate to sharpen my pencil all the time. That’s why you see my sketches are all so clean.

    Tips.
    1. Keep a cotton bud in hand if you like to blend your shadings. Normally I would use my fingers to blend but for small areas, cotton bud is quite handy.
    2. If you don’t like to blend, make sure your pencil strokes are all in the same direction Click to enlarge my sketch above to see what I am talking about.

    Paperluxe Etcetra A5 Cloth Bound Cover with Perfect Bound Interior RM43.80