Tips for stippling
- Sep 20, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Feb 23
TIPS AND MENTAL PREPS TO DRAW A STIPPLING DRAWING
Artwork by Miguel Endara - http://www.miguelendara.com
STATE OF MIND: GET INTO A ZEN MODE
Before you begin drawing, take a moment to calm your mind.
Stippling is a slow and detailed technique that requires focus and patience. Preparing yourself mentally will help you enjoy the process and create better results.
Start with a deep breath. In fact, many traditional art manuals advise artists to pause and breathe before making an important or difficult mark. Taking a slow breath can help you steady your hand and clear your thoughts.
Research published in Nature suggests that your brain activity actually changes when you inhale and exhale. In one study, researchers found that people naturally inhale right before starting a focused task. Breathing in helped activate certain brain areas and improved performance on visual tasks. In simple terms: breathing can help your brain focus.
Think of stippling as a form of meditation. Even taking a minute to sit quietly and breathe before you start can make a difference.
It’s perfectly fine to draw for 10–20 minutes at a time and then take a short break. Step away, rest your eyes and hand, and then return to your work. Don’t rush the process or force yourself to move faster. Work at your own pace.
If you hurry or push yourself too hard, you may start to feel frustrated and just want to finish as quickly as possible. That mindset won’t help you create your best work. Slow down, breathe, and let the process guide you.
Draw with references
No matter how much we think we can rely on our memory to draw something accurately, this series of illustrations by Jack Stroud shows how important it is to use references when studying a subject in detail.
In his work, he demonstrates the clear difference between drawing from memory and drawing while carefully observing reference images. The results show how using references can greatly improve accuracy, detail, and overall quality.
I highly recommend printing out your reference images if you have a printer. I usually print 4–5 images to guide a single drawing. If you don’t have a printer, that’s okay—you can use a tablet or even your phone, as long as you can clearly see the details.
Below is a helpful video that shows how to draw while using your phone as a reference.
The Importance of a Pencil Sketch
Creating a pencil sketch is an essential step in the stippling process. Think of your pencil sketch as a clean draft, and the inking process as the final copy.
Before you pick up your pen, establish your subject with a pencil sketch. The more detailed and accurate your sketch is, the easier the stippling will be later. This is especially important for complex subjects like natural forms (flowers, plants, etc.) or portraits, but it’s still useful even for simpler drawings.
Even though I believe art should be fun and stress-free, jumping straight into ink can be very challenging. Start with pencil first, then add ink over it.
I usually begin with a rough, quick draft on another sheet of paper to organize my ideas. Once I’m happy with the composition, I create a clean pencil sketch based on that rough draft.
When making your pencil sketch, keep your lines light but visible. Lines that are too dark can be difficult to erase after inking. I recommend using a kneaded eraser—it won’t damage the paper or the ink surface.
Here’s an example of my general drawing process. I created this sketch for a band’s album cover.
WHERE TO START
Before you begin stippling, decide which areas of your drawing will be the darkest and which will be the lightest.
This is the most important first step. Circle or lightly mark the areas you want to keep light. I recommend starting with the darkest areas first, because they will serve as a reference point for creating the other tones.
Work in small sections at a time. I usually start with the part of the drawing that catches my eye the most—it helps me stay motivated and focused.
COVER THE DRAWING WITH A PIECE OF PAPER (OPTIONAL)
It can be helpful to cover the parts of your drawing that you’re not currently working on with another sheet of paper.
This protects your work from smudges and the natural oils from your hands.
While it’s not absolutely necessary, covering the rest of the drawing can also help you focus on the section you’re working on, making the process more controlled and precise.
RELAX AND DON’T STIPPLE TOO FAST
DON'T tense up while stippling. Holding your pen too tightly or pressing too hard—like a jackhammer—won’t help you finish faster. It will just create rough, uneven dots.
Instead, keep a relaxed, slightly loose grip and work at a moderate pace. This will prevent your hand from tiring too quickly and will help you create clean, even dots.
TRY TO ENJOY & BREATHE
Set up your workspace comfortably and remember to breathe, especially if you start feeling stressed.
Making art should be fun! It’s easy to forget this when you worry about mistakes, but mistakes are a normal part of the process. Every line and dot you make brings you closer to your final image. If you slip up, don’t panic—most mistakes can be fixed, or they might not even be noticeable in the finished piece. Your drawings will improve over time, so focus on enjoying the journey instead of stressing over perfection.
I like to keep a cup of my favorite tea or coffee nearby and play music while I draw. The right background music can really set the mood—if I’m drawing something movie-themed, I play the soundtrack to help me get inspired. Podcasts can be too distracting sometimes, but music has always helped me focus and stay in the zone.
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