Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
► Reference photo is available for *free* here: patreon.com/posts/improving-still-156535657
In today’s lesson, I guide you through a full still life drawing exercise packed with must-know techniques and practical tips to help you improve your visual measuring and freehand sketching skills faster.
We’ll work through everything step-by-step, from setting yourself up for success, to the initial block-in, refining your outline drawing, and finishing with a straightforward, efficient shading process using three different pencil grades.
This is a fantastic practice session if you’d like to build more confidence drawing accurately by eye and develop a stronger sense of proportion, form, and depth.
Hope you enjoy this one and find it super helpful. 💛
► Access my Drawing Mini-Course for the Total Beginner for Free here:
erikalancasterartist.kit.com/2a06aa492f
► Recommended Resources:
Form + Perspective Drawing Exercise: Espresso Cup youtu.be/W2tlZ4rzDPE
Essential Drawing Supplies Beginner Series youtu.be/LcVh24bibi8
Drawing Set-Up Tips + Pencil Grips Beginner Series youtu.be/kSXbjjnw35M
Shading with Graphite Pencils (My Method) Beginner Series youtu.be/eQ2fv8zIWvo
How to Simplify Complex Scenes for Drawings or Paintings youtu.be/BNCm0q2Hawk
My 6 Favorite Exercises to Improve Your Shading youtu.be/jKSbhbZ_-VQ
Drawing from Direct Observation: How to Start + Best Tips youtu.be/EgO3PzM53ag
Block-In Basics: How to Start Your Drawings the Right Way youtu.be/DPaLL_M_X7U
► Supplies:
-Strathmore 9x12” Spiral Bound Sketchbook amzn.to/3zHTclc
-Faber-Castell 9000 Drawing Pencil Set of 6 (HB was in this tutorial) amzn.to/3VYYpMY
-General’s Eraser Set amzn.to/3OZSec0
-Mr. Pen Kneaded Eraser amzn.to/4cWkcfP
-Integra Aluminum Sharpener amzn.to/3WmYY4D
► Gear + Art Business Tools:
-Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR Camera
amzn.to/4caJ99g
-Manfrotto 196B-2 143BKT 2-Section Single Articulated Arm with Camera Bracket (Black) amzn.to/2l7HJ8j
-Yeti Microphone amzn.to/3PtzE9G
-LED Desk Light with Arm Mount amzn.to/4kft2cK
-MacBook Pro 16 inch amzn.to/3sFavQe
*Disclaimer: This channel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. It is also a participant of Share-a-Sale, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for content creators to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Shareasale.com partner companies.
#sketchingforbeginners #drawingtutorialsforbeginners
00:00 Introduction
01:07 Set-Up + Tips for Success
05:15 Phase 1: Block-In
08:12 Phase 2: Smaller shapes + Refinements
12:24 Phase 3: Shading Lighter Values
16:21 Phase 4: Shading Midtones
22:27 Phase 5: Shading Darks
► Reference photo is available for *free* here: patreon.com/posts/improving-still-156535657
In today’s lesson, I guide you through a full still life drawing exercise packed with must-know techniques and practical tips to help you improve your visual measuring and freehand sketching skills faster.
We’ll work through everything step-by-step, from setting yourself up for success, to the initial block-in, refining your outline drawing, and finishing with a straightforward, efficient shading process using three different pencil grades.
This is a fantastic practice session if you’d like to build more confidence drawing accurately by eye and develop a stronger sense of proportion, form, and depth.
Hope you enjoy this one and find it super helpful. 💛
► Access my Drawing Mini-Course for the Total Beginner for Free here:
erikalancasterartist.kit.com/2a06aa492f
► Recommended Resources:
Form + Perspective Drawing Exercise: Espresso Cup youtu.be/W2tlZ4rzDPE
Essential Drawing Supplies Beginner Series youtu.be/LcVh24bibi8
Drawing Set-Up Tips + Pencil Grips Beginner Series youtu.be/kSXbjjnw35M
Shading with Graphite Pencils (My Method) Beginner Series youtu.be/eQ2fv8zIWvo
How to Simplify Complex Scenes for Drawings or Paintings youtu.be/BNCm0q2Hawk
My 6 Favorite Exercises to Improve Your Shading youtu.be/jKSbhbZ_-VQ
Drawing from Direct Observation: How to Start + Best Tips youtu.be/EgO3PzM53ag
Block-In Basics: How to Start Your Drawings the Right Way youtu.be/DPaLL_M_X7U
► Supplies:
-Strathmore 9x12” Spiral Bound Sketchbook amzn.to/3zHTclc
-Faber-Castell 9000 Drawing Pencil Set of 6 (HB was in this tutorial) amzn.to/3VYYpMY
-General’s Eraser Set amzn.to/3OZSec0
-Mr. Pen Kneaded Eraser amzn.to/4cWkcfP
-Integra Aluminum Sharpener amzn.to/3WmYY4D
► Gear + Art Business Tools:
-Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR Camera
amzn.to/4caJ99g
-Manfrotto 196B-2 143BKT 2-Section Single Articulated Arm with Camera Bracket (Black) amzn.to/2l7HJ8j
-Yeti Microphone amzn.to/3PtzE9G
-LED Desk Light with Arm Mount amzn.to/4kft2cK
-MacBook Pro 16 inch amzn.to/3sFavQe
*Disclaimer: This channel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. It is also a participant of Share-a-Sale, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for content creators to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Shareasale.com partner companies.
#sketchingforbeginners #drawingtutorialsforbeginners
00:00 Introduction
01:07 Set-Up + Tips for Success
05:15 Phase 1: Block-In
08:12 Phase 2: Smaller shapes + Refinements
12:24 Phase 3: Shading Lighter Values
16:21 Phase 4: Shading Midtones
22:27 Phase 5: Shading Darks
