Contents
1. Know Your Tools
- Pencil Types
- Brushes and Ink
- Paper Choices
2. Master Basic Shapes
- Drawing Circles
- Sketching Triangles
- Creating Squares
3. Learn Perspective Drawing
- One-Point Perspective
- Two-Point Perspective
4. Shadow and Light
- Understanding Shadows
- Playing with Light
5. Experiment with Textures
- Drawing Grass Texture
- Sketching Rock Texture
- Creating Tree Bark Texture
6. Practice Drawing Hills
- Sketching Simple Hills
- Drawing Complex Hills
7. Add Details
- Drawing Trees
- Sketching Boulders
- Creating Flowers
8. Color Your Drawings
- Using Color Pencils
- Experimenting with Watercolors
9. Learn from Others
- Studying Masterpieces
- Joining Art Classes
10. Keep Practicing
- Drawing Daily
- Trying Different Styles
Creating a picturesque hill on paper isn't as daunting as it may seem. With a bit of guidance, anyone can draw a hill that brings a sense of tranquility to the viewer. It's not just about making a few strokes here and there; it's an art that combines the right tools, mastery of basic shapes, understanding of perspective, and the play of shadow and light. Learning to draw a hill also involves experimenting with textures, adding details, and coloring your drawings. Let's dive right in and start our artistic journey.
Before you set out to draw a hill, it's important to familiarize yourself with the tools of the trade. The right tools not only make the drawing process smoother but also enhance the overall look of your artwork. Let's discuss some of the primary tools that you need for drawing scenery like hills.
Pencil Types
When it comes to drawing, not all pencils are created equal. Each type of pencil, be it graphite, charcoal, or colored, offers a unique effect. For instance, a graphite pencil is perfect for sketching and shading, while a charcoal pencil helps you achieve deep blacks and a range of tones. On the other hand, colored pencils are great for adding vibrancy to your hills.
Brushes and Ink
Brushes and ink can be a fun addition to your toolkit. You can create different textures and effects with different types of brushes — for instance, a round brush is ideal for detailed work, while a flat brush can cover larger areas. Ink, especially when used with brushes, can give your hills a distinctive, bold look.
Paper Choices
Believe it or not, paper can make or break your drawing. For sketching hills, a medium-textured paper is usually a safe choice. It's suitable for both pencil and ink work. If you're planning to color your hills, consider using a heavier, more durable paper like watercolor paper.
2. Master Basic Shapes
Now that you have your tools ready, let's move on to the building blocks of any drawing — basic shapes. Understanding how to draw simple shapes like circles, triangles, and squares can significantly simplify the process of drawing complex sceneries like hills. Let's break down each of these shapes.
Drawing Circles
Getting a perfect circle might be trickier than it seems, but with a little practice, you'll get the hang of it. Start by drawing a dot for the center, then sketch a rough circle around it. Gradually refine the shape until you're satisfied with the result. Remember, when you draw a hill, the top part often resembles a half or a quarter of a circle.
Sketching Triangles
Triangles are another fundamental shape in drawing hills. A simple, symmetrical triangle can represent a distant hill, while a more complex, irregular triangle can create a sense of perspective. Start with a straight line for the base, then draw two lines meeting at a point for the sides. Play around with the angles and lengths to create diverse hill shapes.
Creating Squares
Squares might not be the first shape you think of when you want to draw a hill. However, breaking down complex forms into simpler shapes like squares and rectangles can help you understand their structure better. Start by practicing drawing perfect squares, then move on to rectangles of different proportions. Remember, these shapes are not the final image but a stepping stone to your hill drawing.
3. Learn Perspective Drawing
Now that we're comfortable with basic shapes, let's add a sense of depth to our hill drawings. Perspective drawing is a technique that makes your drawings look three-dimensional, and it's especially important when you draw a hill. Let's get started with one-point and two-point perspectives.
One-Point Perspective
One-point perspective is a drawing method that uses a single vanishing point on the horizon line. This technique is useful when you want to draw a hill from a frontal view. Start by drawing a horizon line across your page, then add a dot for the vanishing point. Next, draw lines from the vanishing point to the edges of your page. These lines will guide you in adding volume to your hill.
Two-Point Perspective
Two-point perspective uses two vanishing points on the horizon line. This method is great for giving a sense of depth and distance, especially when you're drawing a series of hills. Start just like with one-point perspective, but this time add two dots for vanishing points. Then draw lines from each point to create the sides of your hills. This technique can make your hill drawing look more realistic and dynamic.
4. Shadow and Light
What’s a hill without its shadows and highlights? This is where your hill starts to come alive. By paying attention to how light falls on your hill, you can make your drawing look more real and three-dimensional. Let’s explore how to add shadows and play with light in your drawings.
Understanding Shadows
Shadows are not just a darker version of the object but have a color of their own. When you draw a hill, observe where the light source is. The side of the hill opposite to the light source will be darker. But remember, shadows are not uniform. Use different shades to show the dips and crests of your hill. It’s these small details that give your hill drawing depth and dimension.
Playing with Light
The fun part about drawing is creating a world that's your own. And in your world, you get to decide where the light comes from. Is it a bright sunny day or a serene moonlit night? The direction and intensity of light will affect how you draw a hill. Strong light from above will create short shadows, while light from a low angle will cast long shadows. Experiment with different light scenarios to see how it changes your hill's appearance.
5. Experiment with Textures
Textures are the spice in the dish that is your hill drawing. They add interest and detail, turning a flat sketch into a tactile landscape. The secret to mastering textures? Observation and practice. Let's look at how to create three common textures you'll find when you draw a hill: grass, rocks, and tree bark.
Drawing Grass Texture
Grass is more than just a bunch of green lines. It has volume, color variations, and directionality. Pay attention to how grass blades clump together and how they seem lighter or darker in places. Also, remember that grass isn't always green. Depending on the season and the time of day, it can also be golden, brown, or even purple.
Sketching Rock Texture
Next, let's learn to sketch rock textures. Rocks have irregular surfaces with random patterns. So, let your hand move freely. Use a variety of lines - straight, curved, jagged - to create the uneven surface. The key here is randomness. No two rocks are the same, so don't worry about making your texture look a certain way. Just have fun with it.
Creating Tree Bark Texture
And finally, tree bark. Tree bark is a joy to draw because of its rich, complex texture. Start by observing different types of trees. You'll notice that each has unique bark with distinct patterns. Some have horizontal lines, others vertical. Some are smooth, others rough. Capture these characteristics in your drawing to make your hill scenery more realistic.
6. Practice Drawing Hills
The fun part begins now. It's time to put all the elements together and start drawing hills. We'll start with simple hills and, as you get more comfortable, graduate to more complex ones. Remember, practice is the key. The more you draw, the better you'll become. So, let's pick up those pencils and start sketching.
Sketching Simple Hills
Begin with a light sketch of the hill's outline. Think of it as a gentle wave. Now, use what you learned about perspective and shading to give your hill some depth. Add your textures—grass, rocks, tree bark—and see your hill come to life. Simple hills are all about getting the basics right, so take your time with this stage.
Drawing Complex Hills
Once you're confident with simple hills, it's time to level up and draw complex hills. These could include hills with multiple peaks, hills with trees and boulders, or even rolling countryside. The key here is detail. Add shadows to show the sun's direction, texture your trees and grass, and don't forget to add those small details like flowers or small animals. These are what make your hill drawings unique and interesting.
7. Add Details
Adding details to your hill sketches makes them more life-like and appealing. How about a grove of trees on the hillside, or a cluster of boulders? Maybe some flowers blooming at the foot of the hill? These elements make your hills unique and give them character.
Drawing Trees
When drawing trees, start with a basic shape (a circle or an oval), then add the trunk. Don't forget to use your shading and texture skills to give your tree depth and make it look three-dimensional. Add some shadows for realism, and voila—you've got yourself a tree on a hill!
Sketching Boulders
To draw boulders, think of them as a group of irregular shapes joined together. They're not perfect circles or squares, but a combination of both. Use your shading skills to show which side of the boulder is in the light and which side is in the shadow. Don't forget to add some texture—boulders can be smooth or rough, depending on their age and weather conditions.
Creating Flowers
Drawing flowers can seem tricky, but once you master a few simple shapes, it becomes easier. Start with a small circle for the center of the flower, then add simple shapes like ovals or hearts for the petals. Use your color pencils or watercolors to bring your flowers to life, and suddenly your hillside is blooming with color!
8. Color Your Drawings
Now that you've drawn a hill with all its exciting details, it's time to add some color! Color breathes life into your drawings and gives them a more realistic appearance. It's like adding the final touch to a masterpiece. But remember, the real trick is to understand how colors work together and how to use them to your advantage.
Using Color Pencils
Color pencils are a great way to introduce color into your drawings. They're easy to use and give you a lot of control. Start with the lighter colors first, and gradually build up to the darker colors. This technique, known as layering, creates a more realistic and vibrant color. Don't forget to consider the direction of the light source when adding color to your hill drawing.
Experimenting with Watercolors
Watercolors can give your hill drawings an entirely different look. They blend beautifully and create lovely gradients. Start with a light wash of color for your hill and add darker shades for the areas in shadow. Just remember, watercolors can be tricky to control, so don't be disheartened if your first few attempts don't turn out as expected. Keep practicing!
9. Learn from Others
Learning to draw a hill or any other scenery doesn't have to be a solitary pursuit. In fact, one of the best ways to improve your drawing skills is by learning from others. Observing the work of others can provide fresh ideas and insights, and help you to see things from a different perspective.
Studying Masterpieces
Great artists, like Bob Ross or Claude Monet, have left us with an incredible wealth of knowledge in their artwork. Studying these masterpieces can help you understand how they approached drawing hills and other natural sceneries. Pay attention to how they used colors, lights, and shadows to create depth and texture. You don't have to copy their work, but try to incorporate some of their techniques into your own drawings.
Joining Art Classes
Joining an art class is a fantastic way to learn and grow as an artist. Not only will you get guidance and feedback from a knowledgeable teacher, but you'll also be able to learn from your classmates. Plus, joining an art class in your city or state will give you a chance to connect with a local community of artists, which can be both inspiring and motivating. So why not give it a try? Who knows, you might even make a few friends while you're at it.
10. Keep Practicing
It's time to wrap things up with possibly the most important tip on our list: keep practicing. Drawing a hill, or anything for that matter, isn't something you'll master overnight. It's a skill that requires time, patience, and lots of practice. So, let's talk about some effective ways to make sure you keep improving.
Drawing Daily
As the saying goes, practice makes perfect. If you want to get good at drawing hills, it's important to draw every day. This doesn't mean you have to spend hours on end sketching and shading. Even a quick 15-minute sketch can do wonders for your skills. The key here is consistency. So, grab your go-to sketchbook and pencil, and make drawing a part of your daily routine.
Trying Different Styles
Have you ever thought about drawing a hill in a different style? Maybe a cartoonish hill, or a hyper-realistic one? Trying different styles can be a fun and effective way to push your boundaries and improve your skills. It allows you to experiment with different techniques, which can help you discover new ways to draw hills. So, the next time you draw, why not try something different? It might just lead to a breakthrough.
If you're looking to improve your scenery drawing skills, check out the workshop 'Learn How to Draw in Procreate' by Vicky Catalan. This workshop offers an in-depth exploration of different techniques for drawing realistic hills and other natural landscapes using the Procreate app. Enhance your scenery drawing skills and take your artwork to new heights!
