1. Name : Ang Wei Yi
ID : 0317885
Module : English 1
Session : FNBE February 2014

2. Prewriting
Title: Steps to Produce An Attractive Sketch
Thesis statement:
The steps required to create an attractive sketch are preparing a sketching kit,
selecting a subject, and simple sketching.
1. Preparing a sketching kit
 allow you to make attractive sketches in minutes
 consist of a sketch pad, a water brush, watercolour paints, a paint box,
a pencil bag, pen and ink
2. Selecting a subject
 hard to think of ideas
 look around
 start with something easy
 Copy a master drawing or painting
3. Simple sketching
 do not be discouraged
 draw the same thing over and over

3. Steps to Produce An Attractive Sketch
“The best way to a good idea is to have lots of ideas”, Linus Pauling stated.
Sketching gives people the freedom to think about every wild idea without the fear of
making an error. It is a creative and generative process that can discover great ideas.
It is quite different from completed art work. It is sometimes a thought process,
sometimes just doodles, and sometimes a practice. Sketching is not a gift, but rather
a skill that can be learned. However, before you start sketching, you have to discover
the meaning of sketch. When we are talking about art, a sketch usually refers to a
quick, informal drawing, usually done from life. A sketch also captures the essentials
of the subject such as the overall form and perspective, a sense of volume,
movement and feeling; sometimes a suggestion of light and shade [1]. How to
produce an attractive sketch? Here are some easy steps on how to create an
attractive sketch. The steps required to create an attractive sketch are preparing a
sketching kit, selecting a subject, and simple sketching.
Firstly, we need to prepare a sketching kit to make a good sketch. A sketching
kit is basically the art supplies that allow you to make attractive sketches in minutes.
It can be consist of a sketch pad, a water brush, watercolour paints, a paint box, a
pencil bag, pen and ink. The sketch pad generally refers to a book or pad of papers
that can be easily taken anywhere for sketching. Thicker papers are useful if a little
paint is used. However, you may need to get a proper watercolour pad if you prefer
watercolour sketching [2]. A water brush is needed as it has a soft plastic barrel
which contains water. These are great for watercolour sketching on location,
especially when there is only enough time to make a quick sketch with no fuss [3].
Next, you can select some of the watercolour paints that you use most often. Do not
forget to bring along with a paint box to provide a great mixing palette. A pencil bag

4. which consists of an H.B, a 2B and a 4B for sketching is important as they come in
different hardness. The softer graphite gives a darker mark. Moreover, fountain line
pens are now available in waterproof inks and are more easily used to make
beautiful sketches [2]. It is probably the easiest way to produce an attractive sketch
by preparing your own sketching kit.
Secondly, selecting a subject is essential to produce an attractive sketch. As
everyone knows, sketching can be fun but sometimes it can be hard to think of ideas
for what to sketch too. One of the best ways to get your creative juice flowing is to
look around. If you want to start with something easy, set up a still-life arrangement
with objects that are basically cubes, cylinders, or spheres [4]. Sketch them rapidly
and shade them to look three-dimensional. This task will force you to address shape,
texture, depth, and proportion simultaneously and should prove a far greater
challenge than you expected [4]. Copy a master drawing or painting is another way
to help you in selecting a subject to sketch. Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring",
Leonardo da Vinci's self-portrait, one of Turner's landscapes, or any other painting or
drawing by a classical master can inspire you to strengthen your skills [4].
Lastly, it is time to begin a simple sketching. Do not be discouraged if you are
not satisfied with the results. There is nothing wrong to draw the same thing over and
over. That can result in a lot of artistic growth along the way or a beautiful series as
you change the angle you draw it from, record the changes in a rose from day to day
or try different mediums and techniques [4].
All in all, in my opinion sketching is great for rapid idea generation. A pencil or
a pen and a piece of paper invite loose exploration to create an attractive sketch. Do
remember to keep on generating ideas. On the other hand, do not copy a photo

5. exactly because copying the degree of detail and hard-edged focus on everything in
the photo is going to create a disturbing drawing [4]. Everyone should consider
bringing a sketchbook, a pen or a pencil wherever you go and take a few moments
to sketch as it only requires three easy steps to produce an attractive sketch that is,
preparing a sketching kit, selecting a subject and simple sketching.

6. References
1. Helen South's Drawing Glossary. Sketch - What Is A Sketch?. [Website]
Retrieved from: http://drawsketch.about.com/od/drawingglossary/g/sketch.htm
[Accessed: 23 March 2014].
2. Peter Wood. Complete Guide to Drawing and Sketching: Techniques,
Materials, and Examples. [Website] Retrieved from: http://painting-
drawing.knoji.com/complete-guide-to-drawing-and-sketching-techniques-
materials-and-examples/ [Accessed: 23 March 2014]
3. Russell Stutler’s Book About Sketching. Page 4. Tools and materials
(continued). [Website] Retrieved from:
http://www.stutler.cc/other/sketchbook/sketchbook_c_04.html [Accessed: 23
March 2014]
4. wikiHow. How to Think of What to Draw. [Website] Retrieved from:
http://www.wikihow.com/Think-of-What-to-Draw [Accessed: 23 March 2014]