Before we get into the technique, I just want to say—I am completely self-taught. & also, only started my artistic journey in my late 20’s – before this I was all science & no craft.
Painting may still not be my full time job, but it surely is my full time love. Painting has brought me so much peace and joy, and I can’t get enough of it!
It’s just me, my brushes, and Alys (my little studio assistant 🐶) in my home studio, learning as I go.
What I’m trying to say is that, I don’t pretend to know everything. I’m always open to suggestions and advice—so if you have your own favourite watercolor tips, I’d love to hear them!
Now let’s get onto transitioning from tracing to free-hand drawing!
Tracing is often seen as a shortcut, but it actually has its place in learning. Many artists use it to understand proportions, train their hand-eye coordination, and analyze complex shapes. However, relying too much on tracing can limit growth because:
🖌 It doesn’t develop observational skills – The ability to see and interpret shapes, angles, and proportions is key to free-hand drawing.
📏 It removes creative decision-making – When you trace, you follow existing lines rather than making artistic choices about structure and form.
👀 It can lead to stiffness in drawings – Free-hand drawing encourages fluid, natural movement, making art look more expressive and dynamic. Moving away from that stiffness will also take you closer towards finding your own artistic style!
Transitioning to free-hand drawing builds confidence, problem-solving skills, and artistic intuition—all essential for developing your unique style.
If you’re ready to transition away from tracing, here are some exercises that helped me (and might help you too!):
1️⃣ Use the ghost drawing method
Instead of tracing, place your reference image next to your blank paper and mentally trace the lines before attempting to draw. This helps build a connection between what you see and how your hand moves.
2️⃣ Break down the image into basic shapes
Before diving into details, simplify your subject into circles, rectangles, and lines. This method is used by many professional artists to build a strong foundation before refining their work.
3️⃣ Try the grid method
If you still struggle with proportions, lightly draw a grid over your reference and another on your paper. This helps you focus on one section at a time, making free-hand drawing less overwhelming.
4️⃣ Gesture drawing for hand-eye coordination
Practice quick sketches (30–60 seconds) of subjects without worrying about precision. Gesture drawing loosens up your hand movements and improves your ability to capture form.
5️⃣ Draw from memory and imagination
After observing an object or reference, try drawing it without looking. This forces your brain to retain spatial relationships and builds confidence in your ability to construct forms rather than copy them.
Making the shift from tracing to free-hand drawing has long-term benefits that enhance your artistic growth:
✔ Stronger observational skills – Training your eyes to see proportion and shape without relying on outlines makes you a better artist overall.
✔ More expressive art – Free-hand sketches have a natural flow that tracing often lacks, leading to more dynamic and engaging pieces.
✔ Greater creative freedom – Once you master free-hand drawing, you can stylize your work and experiment with different approaches confidently.
✔ A deeper connection with your art – When every line comes from your own observation and movement, your work feels more personal and rewarding.
Historically, artists have used various techniques to train their free-hand drawing abilities. Some of the most effective methods have remained unchanged for centuries:
🎨 The renaissance approach – Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo spent years sketching from live models, focusing on anatomy and proportion before ever painting.
🖌 The bargue drawing method – A 19th-century academic method that involved copying classical drawings to train the eye and hand before moving on to independent work.
✏️ The sight-size technique – Used in traditional atelier training, this method teaches artists to compare their drawing with the subject at a one-to-one scale, improving accuracy.
Even great masters had to train their observational skills through structured exercises—proving that free-hand drawing is a skill that anyone can develop with practice.
If you’re struggling to move away from tracing, be patient with yourself! Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
💡 Don’t expect perfection right away – It’s normal for your first free-hand drawings to look “off.” That’s part of the process!
👀 Draw daily, even for just 5 minutes – Consistency is more important than long, irregular practice sessions.
🖼 Study artists who inspire you – Look at sketches and unfinished drawings from professional artists to see their process.
✏️ Mix it up – Experiment with different tools (charcoal, ink, digital) to improve your overall drawing flexibility.
Most importantly, enjoy the journey! The transition from tracing to free-hand drawing is a sign of artistic growth, and every step forward is an achievement.
Now that you’re working on transitioning from tracing to free-hand drawing, challenge yourself to try one of the techniques mentioned in this post! Whether it’s gesture drawing, the grid method, or something else, pick one and set aside time to sketch daily.
If you’re interested in learning even more about building strong drawing skills, consider exploring books on figure drawing, composition, and shading techniques. If you’re interested in drawing faces free-hand, check out my article on the loomis method – the best kept secret when out comes to drawing faces! Keep an eye on the blog for more posts covering step-by-step tutorials and deep dives into art history techniques to strengthen your artistic foundations.
Most importantly—keep drawing and have fun with it! 😊🎨
If you like, you can head over to amazon and buy the same sketchbook I use every single day! I love my strathmore sketchbook and I have definitely noticed a significant improvement in my artistic skills since I started using it consistently.
☼ Bargue, C., & Gérôme, J. L. (2003). Drawing course. Dover Publications.
☼ Loomis, A. (1943). Fun with a pencil: How everybody can easily learn to draw. Viking Press.
☼ Nicolaïdes, K. (1941). The natural way to draw: A working plan for art study. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
☼ Richter, J. P. (1970). The notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci. Dover Publications.
☼ Why should I transition from tracing to free-hand drawing?
☼ What exercises can help me improve my free-hand drawing skills?
☼ How do artists break down complex subjects into simple shapes?
☼ What are some historical techniques artists used to train their drawing skills?
☼ How can I build confidence when sketching free-hand?
☼ What are the long-term benefits of drawing without tracing?
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hi, i’m sarah, an australian artist head-over-heels for watercolour & creative practice- it truely is good for your soul.
& this ↑, is my girl alys.
i am completely self-taught in all the mediums i use & i am here to share everything i know with you!
i write about all things creativity, watercolour, gouache, hand-made ceramics, collecting art, & my own artistic process. I have degrees in human psychology & veterinary medicine- so you might find some sporadic related facts in my writing.
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