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PMucks — Basic Graphite Realism Tutorial
Published: 2012-06-12 05:36:39 +0000 UTC; Views: 17115; Favourites: 502; Downloads: 382
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Description
Mainly for beginners, but contains tips and tricks that can also benefit more advanced artists.Contains detailed information on:
Materials
Choosing a reference photo
Creating an initial sketch
The grid method
Shading
Finishing touches
Protecting and presenting your art
UPDATE: In the tutorial I recommended getting a good brand of pencils and I specifically named Derwent pencils. I no longer recommend Derwent. I now use Staedtler Mars Lumograph pencils. I also said using a scanner is ideal. I take that back. Scanners (at least mine) make the drawing look harsh and grainy. The part about taking a photo in bright sunshine, I meant to say take the photo on a sunny day, but don't let the sun hit the drawing directly. You can also take the picture indoors if you have a very bright room. Also, I no longer use a grid, but I still think it's a good way to get the proportions right.
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Comments: 82
Nice job bud. Look into purchasing an electric eraser. The highlights you can achieve using that are great. It costs about $8 but worth it. The refills are relatively cheap, about $1.50 for 30 I think. It is a great tool for precise highlights and cleaning up edges and what not.
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Thanks for the tip! I'll look for it next time I'm at the art store.
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I never would've thought of using the kneaded eraser for highlights. 
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You're welcome! I'm glad you found it helpful.
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This is a whole lot of help in a small space. Thank you!
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You're welcome! Glad I could help.
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We use almost identical materials! I do prefer the Vellum Bristol board however. 
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I still like Vellum, especially for colored pencil work. Lately I've been experimenting with other kinds of paper. I bought a pad of Strathmore Mixed Media paper just because it was the right size that I wanted and it turns out I really like the texture.
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I like to mix it up sometimes, but I'm really not a fan of the straight smooth Bristol board; I definitely prefer something with a little tooth to it! Lately I've been really into just doodling illustrations with watercolor and ink on some really toothy watercolor paper. It's been great!
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You're welcome. Glad I could help.
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You're welcome. I'm glad you found it useful.
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this is really helpful! i'm about to look at your gallery, but do you have any tips on drawing realistic white/blonde hair?
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I draw light and dark hair the same way. The only difference is in the amount of light areas compared to dark areas. Blonde hair still has a few black shadows, but more light and medium light areas. Dark hair will have large areas of dark shadows, and a few wisps of highlights.
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Thank you, i'll bear this in mind next time i do a drawing.
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you're welcome! glad I could help
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You're welcome. I hope you find it useful.
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You're welcome. Glad I could help.
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Fantastic tutorial, very helpful thank you
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this is good, but I feel using a grid makes a drawing too mechanical, too sterile
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Thank you. I can see how that might happen if you rely on it to plot every detail, but it can be very helpful if you just use it to get the general proportions right, then freehand the rest. I no longer use a grid, but when I first started drawing it really helped.
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I've seen artists use such a minute grid that their reproductions of photos are almost like the photos themselves. Very talented, but...doesn't make me feel it.
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this is so useful!! thank you so much!
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Thank you soo much!!
One time I accidentally bought a 9H pencil and I was thinking "WHY IS THIS PENCIL RIPPING UP THE PAPER???" then I actually looked at the label lol 
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I would also like to add that you can use the lighter pencils instead of using blending tools to get the very fine gradiants.
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