Learning to draw with pencils is a great way to build strong artistic foundations. It is portable, affordable, and incredibly versatile. Whether you are sketching from life, planning a painting, or developing fine detail in a finished piece.
But like any skill, drawing takes practice. And when you are just starting out, it is easy to fall into a few common habits that can hold you back.
In this post, we are looking at five of the most common pencil drawing mistakes beginners make and how to fix them. These simple tips can help you improve your technique, get better results, and most importantly, enjoy the process.
1. Pressing Too Hard
One of the most common issues we see is beginners pressing too firmly with their pencil. This can leave harsh lines, make erasing difficult, and damage the surface of the paper.
Fix it:
- Practise drawing with a lighter touch.
- Hold your pencil further back and draw from your shoulder, not your wrist.
- Use multiple light layers to build up tone gradually rather than trying to get it all down in one pass.
2. Smudging Your Work (Without Meaning To)
Unintended smudging can ruin clean lines and subtle shading. It often happens when your hand drags across the page as you work.
Fix it:
- Try placing a clean sheet of paper under your drawing hand to act as a barrier.
- Work from left to right (or right to left if you are left-handed) to avoid dragging your hand over finished areas.
- Consider using a fixative spray once your drawing is complete to help preserve it.
3. Inconsistent Shading and Patchy Tonal Values
Shading is essential for creating form, depth, and realism — but many beginners struggle to keep their shading smooth and even.
Fix it:
- Practise making value scales (light to dark) using different grades of pencil.
- Keep your strokes consistent and blend using light layering.
- Try crosshatching or circular shading techniques if you prefer texture.
4. Not Measuring Proportions Properly
Jumping straight into a drawing without checking proportions often leads to distorted or awkward results — especially with portraits, animals, or buildings.
Fix it:
- Take a few minutes to map out basic shapes first.
- Use a pencil to measure angles and relative sizes, just like you would with a sight-size method.
- Compare relationships between features (e.g., how far the eyes are from the nose, or how tall a tree is compared to a building).
5. Skipping the Basics Too Soon
Many beginners want to jump straight into complicated drawings — but skipping the fundamentals can lead to frustration later on.
Fix it:
- Focus on mastering basic shapes, perspective, line control, and tonal values first.
- Practise simple objects like cups, boxes, leaves, and hands to build confidence.
- Do not be afraid to slow down and revisit the building blocks — they form the backbone of good drawing.
Learn with Us
If you would like structured guidance, plenty of encouragement, and tutor feedback on your drawings, take a look at our Beginners Drawing Course. It is a gentle, supportive introduction to drawing techniques for students of all levels. Explore the Beginners Drawing Course
Drawing is a journey and the best way to improve is to keep going, stay curious, and enjoy the process. Mistakes are part of learning. So grab your pencils, start sketching, and do not be afraid to make a few wobbly lines along the way.
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