Traditional drawing is indeed harder than digital. People learn to draw faster with digital drawing. But since it is the foundation for screen design, it is best that those who want to learn how to draw digitally should first learn the traditional type of drawing.
Drawing is the most basic skill of all graphic design. Learning to solve design problems with a pencil is a training that one needs to be able to solve problems more effectively using digital approximation tools in the palettes of design applications.
Why Using a Pencil is Indispensable in Drawing Designs
- Drawing by hand is indispensable especially in the initial stage of a design. Brainstorming with a pencil is very essential. Even if some designers can do without drawing with pencils, great designers know that they must use their pencils to draw the draft of their design. It is a habit that most designers know they cannot do without.
- All the digital tools are imitation of the real tools. It is quite different to hold the pencil with your fingers than holding the mouse. You can control the pencil better with your fingers as you make drawing marks on your paper. It is difficult to control the mouse because you are using the palm of your hand to give it direction. Digital tools are approximations and not replacements.
- A designer who never draws is like a musician who does not know a scale and simply plays be ear. He may be able to make some music, but he will never reach greater achievements. Drawing with your pencil can make you a great designer than what you can be without the pencil.
- Drawing with a pencil is basic to getting best results with the least efforts. Transfer letters are expensive. But if you sharpen few good No. 2’s and grab a piece of paper then you are sure that each letter you scratch out and polish is in the right place in all respects.
- All the elements of design take their roots in drawing. It is the fundamental skill of visual artists of any type. The better you draw, the better you paint and the better you design, because drawing contains all the pitfalls and problems that every designer must overcome. If you don’t deal with the problems using your pencil, you will not fully solve your graphic design issues, using cruder tools.