Core Skills: Part 1 Get Better At Line Drawing

In the first part of a new drawing series, Timothy Von Rueden reveals some pencil line art techniques that he uses in his everyday work to create clean drawings

- Timothy Von Rueden

Creating quality line art with a pencil can be more difficult than with ink or a digital medium, so I’m going to give some tips on how to achieve work that is clean and easy to read. Since working with a pencil can have varying values, inconsistent mark making and tip widths, there’s a need for consistency and patience. You have to be aware of the pencil pressure you’re applying and how dark the result is.

Choose a pencil you feel comfortable with and take your time to keep it clean rather than feeling rushed. I work with my eraser just as much as my pencil, so I like to have both on hand to make switching between the two easier. This may take a bit of practice to get the results you desire but it has been a joy for myself to not only become comfortable with the technique but to be excited about tackling complicated designs or intricate patterns.