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Scumbling involves layering light, circular pencil marks to build up tone and texture. Employ this technique for a loose, airy quality, often in background elements.

Stippling involves using small dots to simulate varying degrees of solidity or shading. Use in areas where you want a softer texture or when dealing with delicate subjects.

Cross-Hatching is similar to hatching but involves drawing intersecting sets of parallel lines to build up darkness and texture. Use this to create more dynamic tonal effects or indicate curvature.

Sfumato is a technique used to blend colors and tones so subtly that there's no perceptible transition. Leonardo da Vinci used this for the Mona Lisa's enigmatic smile. Apply it to create hazy or smoky effects.

Chiaroscuro is a technique that employs strong contrasts between light and dark to create the illusion of volume in modeling three-dimensional objects and figures. Use it to bring out dramatic effects in compositions.

Blending is a technique to create smooth transitions between shades by smudging the medium. Use blending for areas that require subtle shifts in tone, like skin or sky.

Contour Drawing is the practice of sketching the outline of a subject to capture its form. Use this technique to train your eye to see and capture outlines and boundaries.

Hatching is a drawing technique using closely spaced parallel lines to create tonal effects. Use this technique to add shading and depth without using stipples.

Sgraffito involves scratching through a layer of pigment to reveal another layer beneath. This technique is useful for adding highlights or textual effects.

Gesture Drawing captures the essence, movement, and posture of a subject, often through quick, loose sketches. Use it in the initial stages of figure drawing to lay down the overall flow.

Line Quality refers to the thickness, texture, and darkness of lines that contribute to the look and feel of a drawing. Vary line quality intentionally to add interest and emphasis.

Ink Wash is similar to watercolor painting but uses black ink diluted with water to create monochromatic shades. Use this for a painting effect with a controlled value range.

Blocking In is an approach to drawing where the artist sketches out the major shapes and structures before adding details. Use it as a foundation for complex subjects to understand the overall picture.

Thumbnail Sketching involves drawing small, quick sketches to map out composition, framing, and value before detailed work. Use it during the planning phase of any artwork.

Gridding involves creating a grid over the reference image and the drawing surface, then copying each square individually. Use this technique to maintain proportion and scale.

Contrast refers to the arrangement of opposite elements and effects in a piece to highlight differences. It can be used to draw attention to focal points and organize compositions.

Foreshortening is a technique used to depict an object or figure in perspective in such a way that it seems to recede into space. Use it to create realistic representations of a subject in three-dimensional space.

Erasures are not just for correcting mistakes but can also be used creatively to lighten areas, create highlights, or draw by removing pigment. Use kneaded or vinyl erasers for precise control.

Perspective Drawing is a technique that creates the illusion of depth and volume on a flat surface. Employ one-point, two-point, or three-point perspective to construct realistic scenes.

Shading is the technique of darkening areas of a drawing to create the illusion of form and depth. Use varied shading techniques like cross-hatching, blending, or stippling depending on the desired texture.

Graphite is a common medium used in pencils for sketching and shading. Use different grades of graphite for creating a range of lights and darks within a drawing.

Highlighting is the technique of adding bright areas to a drawing to represent the spots where the light source hits the subject directly. Use it to make your subjects look three-dimensional.

Lost and Found Edges play with the presence and absence of line or boundary around a shape to suggest form. Use it to create focal points and draw the viewer's eye through the composition.

Dry Brush is a technique where a brush is nearly dry but holds enough paint to create a scratchy, textured line. Use it in watercolor and ink drawings to create a variety of textures.