How to make an awesome pencil sketch of any photograph

Step 9 Prepare your work area and prepare your source materials.

As far as work area goes, I like a nice adjustable drafting lamp clamped to the table I am drawing at. Or I like to go to a picnic table with my sketch board in my neighborhood park. Take your pick. Make your work area comfortable and convenient.

Try to do your entire drawing in one sitting. In order to do this, gather everything you think you may need for the next several hours and place it within arms reach.

I like to have the following at my side when I am sketching:

- Cooler with soda and ice
- My cell phone
- My ipod and stereo
- Trash can
- all my art supplies
- some food or snacks for brain energy, you'll need it

As far as source material goes, here is what I suggest you gather:

- The photograph master you originally chose
- A second b&w PDF poster that has been cut and taped with all the tape on the back side, and no gaps between the seems, so you have a clear full-scale master to refer to as you draw.

If you have a video camera, it is also a cool thing to set it up as you draw so you can end up with a cool video of you drawing whatever it is you are drawing. Edit it in your editing program and speed it up and whoever you give your drawing to will be fascinated to see the work you spent on it.

So, once everything is assembled and you are calm and relaxed, it is time to start sketching. FINALLY! Just let me say that because you have spent all this time doing all this prep work, the final sketch will be fun, quick, and satisfying because your results will not only impress those around you, but you will probably amaze yourself as well.

Ready to start sketching? So am I, lets do it!