Although many people think of sketching and drawing as a more disciplined art, there are ways to be more relaxed about it. Rather than trying to make a perfect sketch, artists can let loose by trying scribble art.
So, what is scribble art? Scribble art is a technique where the artist uses loose, broad strokes with their pencil to create their drawing. They can use loops, straight lines, or lines that zig-zag, but scribble art is generally done in a more chaotic style, creating an image out of scribbles rather than rigid, perfect outlines and shading.
Scribble art is a fun way to let loose with drawing and find the fun and inspiration in art. It can be a great way to rekindle the love of art in a long-time artist or a fun introduction into the world of art for a beginner. Let’s dive more into the world of scribble art!
What Is Scribble Art?
Scribble art is a type of drawing technique that goes by many names. It’s also referred to as gesture drawing, scribbling, or doodling.
No matter what name you choose to call it, scribble art is when you draw using loose, haphazard lines to create an image. You can use back-and-forth scribbles, loops, zig-zag lines, or other types of scribbling.
Some artists believe that scribble art must be done without lifting your pencil from the paper, while others may choose to lift their pencil so they can have a more clear and clean look to their scribble drawing.
Of course, “clean” isn’t really the best way to describe scribble art. It’s quite chaotic in its look, appearing very much as if a child took a pencil to the paper and scribbled around without purpose.
Although this may make it seem pointless to try scribble art, there are great benefits to it.
Scribble art allows an artist to let loose. Rather than stick to the rigid rules and techniques taught in art school, they can relax and let the drawing take them where it wants to go.
It’s a way to take the pressure off of making perfect art and just let the inspiration guide you.
Supplies For Scribble Art
If you’re interested in trying scribble art yourself, the good news is that it doesn’t take much! All you need is a sketchbook and some artist graphite pencils or other medium of your choosing such as charcoal.
Artists who already practice their drawing skills will likely have these supplies on hand, but new artists will need to buy them before getting started.
You can also try adding colored pencils to the mix. Although most scribble drawings are done in just the charcoal or graphite pencils used by artists, you can add color to your drawing too.
Some scribble art is done with broad, sweeping lines and loops around the paper that are intended to form abstract shapes. These shapes are then colored in, resulting in an image that resembles a mosaic.
You can create your own relaxing coloring book by sketching some scribble art throughout your sketch book, then coloring in the abstract shapes you create in each drawing.
No two pages will be the same!
How To Do Scribble Art
With your sketchbook and graphite or charcoal pencil in hand, it’s time to get started!
- Consider the type of scribble art you want to do. Do you want to create a specific subject matter using scribbles, or are you going for something more abstract? Do you want to just relax and go with the flow, or create a specific finished art piece?
- Once you’ve decided on the way you want to practice your scribble art, you’re ready to get started. Just put your pencil to the paper and start scribbling.
- If you’re working to create an actual image rather than just abstract scribbles, start with the bigger outlines and make your way down to the smaller details. Although you want to let go of the rules a bit, it doesn’t hurt to keep in mind specific art principles such as light source, highlights and shadows, proportion, etc.
- If you’re working to create an abstract scribble art, let loose and be free! Let the pencil guide your way around the paper. Don’t worry about going over the same lines again and again. Have fun with it!
- When you’re finished with your drawing, decide whether you want to add color or not. Finish the drawing by adding color or simply signing your name at the bottom.
Remember that scribble art is meant to be a more relaxed, free way of drawing. The goal is to let your pencil be the guide and give in to your natural artistic instincts.
The best part about scribble art is that there’s no right or wrong way to do it.
Even though some artists think scribble art should only be done by keeping your pencil on the paper the whole time, and some artists think it should have more technique and structure than that, both sides are equally right.
The most important thing is that you practice scribble art your own way. Try a few different ways of going about it to see what works best for your artistic style.
You can even check out the video below from Marijanel on YouTube to get more insight into some scribble art techniques.
Maybe you’ll find a new way to create scribble art that you hadn’t thought of before, or maybe you’ll realize you’d prefer to throw technique out the window and just have fun!
Easy Ways To Start Scribble Art
Some of you may be interested in trying scribble art but feel stuck on how to get started.
An easy way to get started with scribble art is to decide whether you want to be more of a go-with-the-flow artist, or if you want to try and create legible images of specific subject matter.
Go-with-the-flow artists can sometimes have an easier time with scribble art because it’s all about letting loose and being free.
For some artists, that kind of liberation can actually be limiting. If you’re an artist that thrives more on technique and constructive guides, then we recommend starting with particular subject matter.
You can choose to draw subject matter you’re already familiar with and draw often, or you can try something new.
Some easy subjects for scribble art are animals, fruits, and flowers. These types of subject matter have a lot of different shapes and images to offer, but they can also be easy to create from scribbles.
It’s best to start with a single subject matter, then work your way up to groups. This will help you become more comfortable with scribble art in general and help you understand your own scribbling style better.
Then, when you’re ready, you can try to move into group drawings. Typically, it’s easier to start a group scribble drawing by outlining the entire group, then defining each individual subject as you go.
If you want to try and create specific subject matter but aren’t sure where to start, you can try beginning with simple abstract art. Let yourself get a sense of how it feels to create the scribbles, then you can start moving towards specific subject matter.
How Hard Is Scribble Art?
Scribble art is generally considered an easier type of art, but it will depend on each artist. Some artists are naturally more inclined to this more relaxed, chaotic style of drawing, while others may find it more difficult to not create a clean, smooth image.
It all depends on your own artistic style, your training, and your natural inclinations towards a more free or structured art form. You can make it easier on yourself if you choose to let go of the notion that your art has to be perfect.
Many artists will go over the same drawing again and again with their pencils and erasers until it’s perfect. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to create something beautiful, but art should be enjoyable!
Take a deep breath and try to relax before starting on your scribble drawing. Accept that scribble art isn’t meant to be clean or pretty or perfect. They don’t have to have a clear shape or image.
Let go of all the things you think your art “should” be and just let your inner artist free. Let the pencil glide across the page. Try challenging yourself to do your whole scribble drawing without lifting the pencil from the paper.
If you keep your pencil down the whole time, you’re forcing yourself to accept any mistakes you may make and keep them in, incorporating them in the final drawing.
Don’t think too much. If you start to overthink, then your peaceful drawing session will turn into a stressful mess. Let your scribble art be the place that you allow yourself to make mistakes.
Not only will this help you create beautiful pieces of scribble art, but this will help you grow as an artist to accept and embrace your art even with the tiny imperfections.
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