So you want to start drawing — amazing! Whether you’re picking up a pencil for the first time or returning to an old hobby, learning to draw is a rewarding and relaxing skill. But getting started can feel intimidating. What supplies do you really need? Should you start with still life, portraits, or cartoons?

Let’s break it down.

Start Simple:
You don’t need a fancy set of 50 pencils. A standard HB pencil, a soft 2B or 4B, and an eraser will take you far. Use basic copy paper or a small sketchpad to begin with — the goal is to draw a lot, not to be perfect.

Practice Shapes:
Almost everything you draw can be broken down into basic shapes: circles, squares, cylinders. Practice drawing these from different angles and combining them into simple forms like boxes, trees, or cups.

Don’t Skip Shading:
Shading adds dimension. Try light hatching (parallel lines), cross-hatching, and smudging with your finger or a blending stump to get a feel for depth.

Observe the World:
One of the best ways to improve is to draw from life. Sit in a cafe, at your desk, or in the park and try sketching what you see — not to impress anyone, but to train your eye.

Final Tip:
The biggest secret to learning how to draw? Keep going. Ugly sketches and off proportions are part of the process. Every great artist started with wobbly lines.