We’ve all been there—spending hours on a drawing only to realize something looks… off. It’s frustrating, but the good news?
Most common drawing mistakes are not necessarily costly but rather fixable. If you know what to watch out for, you’ll save yourself a lot of time (and eraser shavings).
Besides, every time I’m preparing my drawing tutorials, I have to mention one or two. That’s why I thought it’s a good idea to list most of them in one place.
Here are some mistakes I’ve made—or seen others make—so you don’t have to.
1. Skipping the Sketching Phase
I get it, you want to dive right in and create something amazing. But skipping the sketching phase is like building a house without a blueprint.
You might end up with a wonky structure. A rough sketch helps you plan proportions, placement, and composition before committing to details. Even the pros sketch first!
Fix it: Start with light, loose lines to map out your drawing. You can refine it as you go.
2. Ignoring Basic Proportions
Ever drawn a face and ended up with eyes too high or a nose that somehow migrated? Yeah, me too. Getting proportions wrong can make your subject look unintentionally alien-like.
Fix it: Use simple guidelines. Divide the face into thirds or measure key points with your pencil. In figure drawing, compare body parts—like checking if the arms are actually long enough!
3. Overworking the Details Too Soon
If you start shading before your basic structure is solid, you might end up erasing more than you draw. I’ve spent way too long perfecting an eye, only to realize later that the whole head is too small.
Ouch.
Fix it: Work from general to specific. Nail down the big shapes first, then refine details once everything is in place.
4. Using the Wrong Paper (or Ignoring Paper Quality)
Ever tried blending on printer paper? It’s… not great. The wrong paper can mess with how your lines, shading, and colors look.
Fix it: Experiment with different paper types. Smooth paper works well for fine details, while textured paper is better for charcoal or expressive strokes.
5. Heavy-handed Lines That Are Hard to Erase
Pressing too hard with your pencil locks you into decisions too soon, and trying to erase those dark lines? Good luck.
Fix it: Use a lighter touch when sketching. If you need darker lines later, you can always add them—but you can’t always take them away.
6. Flat Shading Without Depth
Shading isn’t just about making something darker—it’s about creating depth. If everything has the same level of shading, your drawing can look flat.
Fix it: Observe real-life lighting. Use a full range of values (light, mid-tones, darks) to add depth. Squinting at your reference can help you see contrast better.
7. Neglecting Backgrounds
I used to finish a drawing and then suddenly realize… it’s floating in blank space. Backgrounds aren’t just an afterthought—they complete the composition.
Fix it: Plan your background from the start. Even a simple gradient or light shading can make a huge difference.
8. Relying Too Much on Outlines
Outlines are great for cartoons, but in realistic drawing, they can make things look flat. In reality, objects have soft edges, lost edges, and sharp edges—not just outlines.
Fix it: Try shading along the edges instead of using harsh lines. Let some areas blend into the background.
9. Not Taking Breaks
Ever stared at your drawing so long that everything looks wrong? That’s a sign you need a break.
Fix it: Step away for a few minutes (or hours). When you come back with fresh eyes, mistakes will be easier to spot.
10. Being Too Hard on Yourself
The worst mistake? Thinking your art isn’t “good enough.” Every artist struggles. Every artist improves. The key is to keep going.
Fix it: Allow yourself to make mistakes. Learn from them. Enjoy the process—because that’s what being an artist is all about.
Conclusion
Drawing mistakes happen to everyone, but once you know what to look out for, you can avoid them (or at least fix them faster).
This is not to say the list is exhaustive. Therefore, we’ll keep updating this article periodically. Make sure you bookmark it or save it on Pinterest so that you can always come back to it.
So, what drawing mistakes have you made? Let’s swap stories!
Remember, misery (and solutions) love company!