Many artists, especially the young ones, experience one stage in learning to draw, when the picture seems to be somehow “off,” the face is drawn incorrectly, the proportions are not quite right, etc. This is a completely normal learning experience. When this happens, you should consider it a sign of progress and development in your perception.
But how to overcome this? To fix it, and to achieve a result that does not look “off”?
To fix the drawings, don’t focus on trying to get a result from the first time (drawn, from the top); the key is to analyze exactly why this happens (to understand what and why), and then make corrections.
You draw the thought, rather than what you see
Many of the reasons why your drawing seems “wrong” lies in the fact that beginners mostly draw what they think and see as an object, instead of copying what they see (the reference).
This happens because the human eye often perceives objects symbolically. For example: when looking at the human eye, people do not think of the eye as an oval with a curved surface and eyelid, but rather, they draw an almond shape.
Or when the nose is drawn, instead of seeing its form, the brain thinks “triangle”.
As a result, drawing from the imagination can be inaccurate and unbalanced.
The solution here is very simple: slow down. Draw the object as you see it, and not as you remember it.
Slightly incorrect proportions
Another common error is incorrect proportions. Even a little deviation in one detail from the general proportions can make the drawing feel “not quite right”.
It seems like something is wrong with the proportions: the head is slightly too big, the eyes are too small or too far apart, or perhaps the eyes are slightly off from the center.
The key thing you need to know here is the rule: if your proportions are correct, then your drawing will be “right.” But if they aren’t correct, your drawing looks “off.”
Here is what you can do to solve it: use the measuring technique.
In order for the proportions to be accurate, you have to start measuring everything. For instance, you can simply note down: “This part looks like half as big as that one, this part looks twice as big as that one”.
This skill, like most, can be developed. The more often you measure and compare sizes, the better you become at seeing what is correct and correct in the object.
You do not construct the structure of the drawing first
A common mistake for beginners is that they tend to draw all the details, such as drawing eyes first or a nose or an ear. The problem is that in the structure they don’t take a single look to check, are they in a line with each other, and then it happens that all the elements are not in the right places.
If you want to draw correctly and accurately, always start with the structure of the drawing. This means that when starting, you need to start with general forms, draw basic construction lines, then gradually fill in the details. When the form and proportions of the drawing are correct, the subsequent detailing process will take much less effort.
This is the most common reason why most drawings look “wrong.”
Line confidence
Another reason the drawing looks “off” can be a lack of confidence in the hand. If you draw the image with a weak and inaccurate hand, even with the correct proportions, it can look unattractive and uninteresting.
This is why many students find it hard to learn how to draw. Because when their hand is shaky, when they have no idea how to make a confident line with your hand, it will never look good.
To achieve confident lines, don’t hesitate to make long and straight lines. Draw with confidence and don’t be afraid that the line may not be right. The more you draw lines like this, the more your hand will get used to drawing them with more confidence.
You do not make the control during the entire drawing process
There is another common mistake. Many artists finish drawing without noticing errors, and only after they have finished all the drawing, they notice that something is wrong.
But the key to making an accurate drawing is to constantly check, and constantly control.
For instance, look at the drawing, then rotate it upside down, or even flip it over horizontally, or put it in front of a mirror. If you notice errors, then try to correct them.
If you notice problems at the beginning, it will be easier to correct them. But if you don’t realize the problem until the end of the whole drawing, then you can spend many hours correcting the drawing.
It’s the same story: to avoid these, you have to check everything during the entire drawing.
To Summarize
It’s perfectly normal to not get a “correct” drawing the first time you try it. The “wrong-looking” drawings are actually a learning experience, a valuable source of learning to you. The only important thing is for the error, which you have noticed.
The more you practice, the more your drawing will become “correct” and well-proportioned. In order for this to happen, you must learn how to draw, what you see. Not, as you remember and think, as you draw what you think.