How to Know When I Should Finish My Drawing?
The art of knowing when a drawing is finished is a crucial skill for every artist. Many creators face the dilemma of whether to continue working on a piece or declare it complete. In this article, we’ll explore the keys to recognizing the right moment to put down our pencil and conclude our creation. Are you ready to discover the secrets of drawing masters? Join us on this fascinating artistic journey!
The Importance of Knowing When to Stop: The Art of Moderation
Starting a drawing is exciting, but knowing when to finish it can be a real challenge. As artists, we’re often tempted to keep adding details, perfecting lines, or adjusting shadows. However, there’s a point where continuing to work can be counterproductive.
A wise piece of advice I received from an experienced mentor resonated deeply in my artistic practice. When I showed him a drawing for a contest, he looked at me intently and said, “Leave it alone. If you continue, you might ruin it.” Those words turned out to be pure gold, as that same drawing ended up winning First Prize.
This anecdote illustrates a fundamental truth in the art world: sometimes, less is more. The key lies in recognizing when a work has reached its optimal point, that delicate balance between what we want to express and how the viewer perceives it. Want to develop your artistic intuition? Discover how here.
Next, we’ll explore a series of crucial questions every artist should ask themselves to determine if their drawing is ready to be presented to the world.
Is Your Work Well Composed? The Power of a Solid Structure
Composition is the invisible skeleton that supports every work of art. It’s the strategic arrangement of elements that guides the viewer’s gaze and conveys the desired message. Although some exceptional drawings can emerge spontaneously, professional artists often carefully plan the structure of their works.
To evaluate the composition of your drawing, ask yourself: What geometric shapes can I identify at first glance? This skill requires a trained eye, but with practice, you’ll be able to detect underlying patterns and structures in any work.
There’s no single correct answer. Some might see an X-shaped composition, while others might distinguish a triangle with extended edges. The important thing is that you can justify your interpretation and that the chosen structure serves the purpose of your drawing.
Effective compositions are often based on simple shapes, like letters and symbols, which are easily recognizable by the human brain. These basic structures help organize visual elements in a harmonious and attractive way.
A master of composition was Frank Frazetta, famous for his heroic fantasy illustrations. Frazetta often used an upward-pointing triangular composition, as can be seen in his work “Barbarian.” In this piece, a warrior stands atop a mound of earth and bones, forming the upper vertex of the triangle.
Notice how secondary elements, such as broken spears and a female figure, follow diagonal lines that converge towards the center. The background reinforces the composition with a halo of bones and a large circle framing the upper half of the barbarian. Even the giant skulls in the background direct the viewer’s gaze towards the focal point.
Analyzing masterpieces like this can help you develop your sense of composition. Click here to explore advanced composition techniques and take your drawings to the next level.
Depth in Your Drawings: Are the Planes Distinguishable?
Another crucial aspect in determining if your drawing is complete is the management of planes. Planes help create a sense of depth and dimension in your work, transporting the viewer to a three-dimensional world within a two-dimensional medium.
When creating a drawing with a general plane, make sure to include at least two or three clearly distinguishable dimensions. This means having elements in the foreground (close to the viewer), elements in the middle ground, and elements in the background (very distant).
An excellent example of plane management can be found in Will Eisner’s comics. Observe how in this panel, Eisner uses perspective and overlapping buildings to create a rich sense of depth:
We can clearly distinguish:
- Foreground: The main building with the protagonist character.
- Middle ground: The building on the right, slightly further back.
- Background: The most distant elements, less defined.
If we stop to analyze in more detail, we could even identify several sub-planes within the background: a shadowed building, a square full of people, a train station, and more buildings in the distance.
It’s crucial to avoid having lines of elements in different planes touch each other, as this can destroy the illusion of depth. It’s always preferable to overlap one element over another to emphasize the difference in height and distance in the two-dimensional image.
Let’s look at an example where this principle is not applied correctly:
In this image, the curve of the lamppost touches the edge of the building. Although colors help differentiate the elements, it would have been better to avoid this contact. The same occurs with the vertical line of the post, which joins with the building line in the indentation. A more careful approach would have improved the sense of depth in the scene.
Color and Light: Bringing Your Creation to Life
Although not all drawings require color, when you decide to incorporate it, it becomes a crucial element in determining if your work is complete. Color not only adds visual beauty but can also convey emotions, create atmosphere, and guide the viewer’s attention.
When evaluating the use of color in your drawing, consider the following aspects:
- Color palette: Have you chosen a coherent color palette that reinforces the message or emotion of your work?
- Harmony and contrast: Is there a balance between harmonious colors and contrasts that add visual interest?
- Color temperature: Have you effectively used warm and cool colors to create depth and atmosphere?
- Saturation: Does the intensity of colors vary appropriately to direct attention and create visual hierarchy?
Light is another fundamental element that can elevate your drawing from good to exceptional. Well-executed lighting can add drama, highlight shapes and textures, and create an immersive atmosphere. Ask yourself:
- Have you clearly defined the direction and quality of the main light?
- Are shadows and reflections consistent with the light source?
- Have you incorporated secondary or ambient light effects to add depth?
Discover here how to master color and light in your illustrations and take your creations to the next level.
Details and Finishing: The Final Touch
Details can be the difference between a good drawing and an extraordinary one. However, it’s crucial to find the right balance. Too many details can overwhelm the composition, while too few can leave the work feeling incomplete.
When evaluating the details of your drawing, consider:
- Focus of attention: Are the most elaborate details concentrated in the areas of greatest importance?
- Variety of textures: Have you incorporated different textures to add visual interest and tactility to your work?
- Consistency: Is the level of detail consistent throughout the piece, or does it intentionally vary to guide the eye?
- Simplicity vs. Complexity: Have you achieved a balance between detailed areas and simpler spaces to allow the eye to rest?
The finishing of your drawing also deserves attention. This includes the cleanliness of lines, uniformity in the application of techniques, and the overall presentation of the work. Ask yourself:
- Are the lines clean and precise where they should be?
- Have you completely erased guide lines or preliminary sketches?
- If you’ve used different techniques (e.g., pencil and ink), do they integrate harmoniously?
- Is the paper or support clean and free of unintentional smudges or wrinkles?
Looking to elevate the quality of your finishes? Explore professional techniques here to give that master touch to your drawings.
The Final Test: Distance and Time
One of the best ways to evaluate if your drawing is truly finished is to take distance, both physical and temporal. Here are some effective strategies:
- The mirror test: Look at your drawing through a mirror. This inverted perspective can reveal imbalances in the composition or errors that your brain might have overlooked.
- Physical distance: Place your drawing across the room and observe it. Does it still have the desired impact from a distance?
- Temporal break: Put your drawing away for a few days or even weeks. When you return to it with fresh eyes, you’ll be better able to assess if it really needs more work.
- External opinion: Show your work to other artists or trusted individuals. Sometimes, an external perspective can provide valuable insights into aspects you could improve or confirm that the piece is complete.
Remember, the decision to finish a drawing is both a creative and technical act. Trust your artistic instinct, but back up that intuition with an objective evaluation of the elements we’ve discussed.
Conclusion: The Art of Knowing When to Stop
Throughout this article, we’ve explored the key aspects that define when a drawing is ready to be presented to the world. From composition and plane management to the use of color, light, and details, each element plays a crucial role in creating a complete and satisfying work.
Remember that first impressions are fundamental. A well-structured composition, based on simple geometric shapes, will effectively guide the viewer’s gaze. Proper management of planes will create depth and dimension, transporting the observer to your imaginary world.
Professional artists pay special attention to these aspects, although no one is exempt from making mistakes. Before finalizing your drawing, carefully review that there are no lines or edges that touch inappropriately, as this can break the illusion of depth and create a sense of discomfort in the viewer.
Remember that the creation process is as important as the final result. Each drawing is an opportunity for learning and growth. Don’t be afraid to experiment, make mistakes, and above all, trust your artistic instinct.
Ready to take your skills to the next level? Discover advanced resources here and continue your artistic journey with confidence and passion.
We hope this article has provided you with valuable tools to evaluate and perfect your drawings! Remember that constant practice and self-evaluation are key to your development as an artist. Keep drawing, exploring, and creating wonderful works!
