Observational drawing is a fundamental skill that every creative should embrace, whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your technique, observing whats around us builds awareness of what we are applying iur practice to, as well as technical drawing skills (obviously!).
It’s not the only a way to improve your drawing skills, but it is an essential part of building a strong sketchbook and portfolio for university applications.
Here’s why observational drawing should be at the core of your creative process, and how it can help you push your work forward.
Why Observational Drawing Matters
When you draw from life, whether it’s a person, an object, or a scene, you’re training yourself to truly observe the world around you. This practice sharpens your ability to capture proportions, light, and shadow, which are all vital aspects of realistic and expressive art. Observational drawing isn’t just about copying what you see; it’s about understanding the underlying structure and translating it into your own visual language.
Drawing out of proportion or using techniques like in some of our other videos have positive developmental sketchbook functions too, and really get you out of your comfort zone and into a learning process. Fail fast and you won’t fail when it counts.
Developing Your Sketchbook with Observational Drawing
A sketchbook is more than just a place to doodle—it’s a tool for growth and exploration. By regularly incorporating observational drawing into your sketchbook practice, you can build a visual diary that demonstrates your development as an artist. The beauty of this practice is that it helps you hone both your technical skills and your ability to interpret the world around you in unique ways.
Fill your sketchbook with quick, gestural sketches of objects or people you encounter in your day-to-day life. This not only trains your hand-eye coordination but also helps you build a collection of reference materials you can revisit later for more detailed studies. Additionally, documenting your process through observation shows your ability to think critically and work through complex visual problems, an essential skill for university-level art programs.
Using Observational Drawing for Your Portfolio
Your university portfolio is your chance to showcase your artistic growth, so it’s important to include a diverse range of work that reflects your skills and potential.
When putting together your portfolio, be sure to include a few observational drawings—whether that’s a carefully studied still life, figure drawing, or architectural sketches.see the sketchbook episodes for examples of thumbnails which are handy to use too.
These types of drawings demonstrate your attention to detail and your ability to draw from life. Additionally, showcasing a variety of observational work can highlight your versatility as an artist, making your application stand out to university admissions teams.
Practical Techniques to Improve Observational Drawing
If you’re unsure how to begin, start with simple objects around you. Set up a still life with basic shapes—such as cups, books, or fruits—and focus on capturing their proportions, angles, and light. Gradually challenge yourself with more complex subjects, like human figures or landscapes.
Once you’ve done some sketchbook examples and thumbnails, work to something larger, try some different techniques, and then finally apply your skills to a final theme and portfolio piece.
One helpful technique is to break the subject down into basic shapes—circles, squares, and triangles—before adding in more detail. This makes the drawing process less overwhelming and helps you maintain proper proportions. Another tip is to spend time focusing on the negative space (the areas around your subject) as much as the object itself. This can drastically improve your accuracy and composition.
Putting It All Together: Observational Drawing in Action
Now that you understand the importance of observational drawing for your sketchbook and portfolio, it’s time to see it in practice. Watch our upcoming video, where we’ll walk through an observational drawing session from start to finish.
In this series of videos, you’ll learn step-by-step techniques to draw objects accurately, explore different approaches to shading and texture, and get tips on how to incorporate observational work into your personal style.
No responses yet