How to Draw a Creek
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For this drawing I used HB graphite for sketching and light shading, B graphite for details and general shading, and 6B graphite for rough/dark shading. I also used HB and 6B woodless graphite to expedite my shading.
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Start off by sectioning off the major horizontal sections of the scene. Four sections will do for this drawing. I used HB woodless graphite for this stage of sketching.
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Roughly sketch in the rearmost sections of the drawing. Sketch basic rounded shapes for the background foliage and a few lines for the waterfall and small cliff.
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Move down and forward by sketching in the rocks in front of the water fall. Sketch in basic shapes for foliage around the corners of the drawing.
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Now sketch in the foreground rocks. Remember to keep it simple; don't sweat the details just yet.
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Using an HB pencil add more features to the drawing from back to forward, top to bottom. Erase any extra guidelines. Remember to sketch very lightly.
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Add some details to the middle rocks. Remember to worry more about outlines than shading for now.
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Define the rest of the drawing. Try to erase any stray/unneeded lines.
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This step is completely optional. I find that adding a rough, even layer of shading makes the drawing look a bit more natural in the long. Here I used HB woodless graphite to lightly shade over the whole drawing.
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Time to start adding shading. Move from the background to the foreground staring with the foliage behind the waterfall. I used 6B woodless graphite here to roughly shading in the tree and bushes.
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Using a B pencil refine you shading. If you sketch shade lightly enough you'll be able to use the paper's texture to your advantage and create some natural looking "leaf" textures. Use a 6B pencil as well to define the shadowy areas and add even more
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Using 6B graphite add rough shading to the cliff face and the waterfall.
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Refine your shading with a B pencil. Try to smooth out your waterfall with a blending stump.
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Use a B pencil to refine the outlines of the rocks in front of and to the left of the waterfall. Add a bit of rough shading to denote shadows on the rocks.
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Using a B pencil shade in the left section of rocks. All you have to do to create natural looking texture is shade lightly and add layer after layer of shading to make your shading darker. Refine the outlines of the rocks with the HB pencil as well.
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Using a B pencil refine the rocks on the right side.
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Use an HB pencil to refine the right side rocks. Lightly shade the small bit of water rolling through the rocks.
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Using 6B graphite, roughly define the foliage around the corners. Just keep your forms natural looking and don't about adding too much detail to the leaves.
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Use B and 6B pencil to define the foliage. Sketching lightly with a 6B pencil is a nice way to create the illusion of detailed leaves. If you zoom in on this step you'll see just how basic my shading is here.
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Move into the foreground of the drawing. Use a B pencil to define and roughly shade the rockes and water on the left side.
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Use an HB pencil to define you shading again. Don't worry about the water in the foreground just yet.
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Use a B pencil once more to define/roughly shade the rocks on the right side.
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Finish up your foreground shading with an HB pencil. Clean up the shading on all of your rocks before moving beyond this step.
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Here I used HB woodless graphite to roughly shade in the rater in the foreground of the drawing. Make sure to account for the foam that the falling water creates .
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Smooth out all of the water in the drawing with a blending stump. Erase in any highlights that are needed. After adding some final details you can call this drawing done! I hope you all enjoyed this tutorial. Check out my other nature tutorials if yo
