No matter where you’re at in your artistic journey, sketching can help you think more creatively, record new ideas, and learn from other artists. Though you might associate sketching with pencil and paper, sketching online offers extra flexibility — and makes sharing your sketches even easier. Here are our top tips for a successful sketching session!

1. Sketch in creative spaces

To find inspiration, head to a museum and find a statue or painting that speaks to you. Then, try to recreate the original artist or sculptor’s perspective, dimensions, and decisions on your canvas. As many museums don’t allow visitors to bring charcoals or pastels to draw with (these materials can leave behind dust), using an online sketchpad lets you draw without stress or mess.

Tip: If you don't have time to head out to a museum, import an image of your favorite work of art into Magma's floating Reference Window. You can then conveniently view the work without leaving your canvas or disrupting your drawing experience.

2. Use the right tools

When sketching online, make sure your pen pressure sensitivity is enabled to vary the width and shade of your lines. To avoid smudging, we also recommend using a drawing glove so that the pressure of your palm doesn’t leave marks on your digital artwork.  

If you miss the feeling of drawing of paper but like the convenience of drawing digitally, try adding a matte screen protector to your drawing tablet. This reduces glare and helps your stylus or pen grip the screen more comfortably.

3. Go back to basics

If you’re struggling with the proportions of your sketches, you can start by breaking down your subject into basic shapes: circles, squares, triangles, etc. Start by drawing these shapes and sketching a rough outline around them, then adding in details. You can get rid of the construction lines later, but building the right scale and proportions will make your digital sketch much easier to refine.

4. Sharpen your sketching skills

The most important thing to keep in mind when sketching is that your technique doesn’t have to be perfect – it’s more about capturing the essence of the subject than it is about drawing perfectly straight lines! Ideally, you want your drawing process to be fluid and for your lines to flow freely. 

To guide your digital sketch, try the 70/30 rule, where 30% of your drawing is dedicated to details and the remaining 70% is filler. Add darker areas to show contrast and shadows, and use lighter areas to show the parts of the subject closer to the light source.

5. Share your sketches with the world

Sharing your art can give you the motivation you need to keep developing your sketching skills! If you’re looking for a place to share your work, receive feedback, and connect with other artists, join Magma’s Discord community. There, you can also join free, live drawing events that range from educational classes to themed, collaborative art sessions. 

We hope this article inspires you to use sketching to document the world around you, develop amazing new concepts, and make art a part of your daily routine. For more information about drawing in Magma, visit our Help Center or check out these helpful tips and tricks!