Reddit reviews Sketching: The Basics

There are a lot of books out there that will help you. At OSU we're using this book for reference (required) in our sketching class: http://www.amazon.com/Sketching-The-Basics-2nd-printing/dp/9063692536/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1343289990&sr=8-1&keywords=sketching

There are a ton of other books specifically for ID type sketching if you want that I can recommend. There are also a lot of online resources and videos both that can be bought or are free. Here is one very good resource/reference.

http://www.sketch-a-day.com/

ID sketching is different from fine arts sketching. If you are not comfortable drawing/practicing using your own imagination, try imitating/copying ID sketches from professionals. You need to build a visual vocabulary before you can draw/make your own products/designs. Copying helps a lot to give you that foundation.

Edit: Learning how to draw in perspective is a key foundational skill in ID sketching. Also, rendering using things like marker, etc ... they come later and can take awhile to learn. Prioritize basic sketching using a medium you are comfortable with (honestly though, I think the majority of professionals use a simple/cheap pen [not pencil although you're welcome to use it if you're better at it]).

You need to draw through. That means drawing every side of the cube, even if you don't see that corner.

None of your lines are straight. Practice one movement of your arm that results in a perfectly straight line. it's hard to make yourself learn this but practice is important. once you have that one perfectly straight stroke just rotate your paper around and do the same motion every time.

You also need to work on your perspective.

these are some great books to start with: 1-2-3.

Books I own and still use as reference:

https://www.amazon.com/Industrial-Design-Materials-Manufacturing-Guide/dp/0470055383/ref=sr_1_35?ie=UTF8&qid=1497367939&sr=8-35&keywords=industrial+design

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https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1856697436/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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https://www.amazon.com/Sketching-Basics-printing-Roselien-Steur/dp/9063692536/ref=sr_1_32?ie=UTF8&qid=1497367910&sr=8-32&keywords=industrial+design

There are a lot of people recommending certain books and videos, but personally those suggestions never worked out for me and arent the best start since they concentrate on being too flashy or don't teach the basics. The 2 books you want to buy are

Sketching: The Basics - Koos Eissen, Roselien Steur

Sketching: Drawing Techniques for Product Designers

Both are hard cover at a price of $29 and are by far the best sketching tutorial and reference books I ever purchased.

And as a starting point to sketching, buy a batch of fine point ball point pens (I recommend the Bic Ultra Round Stic Grip Black Ink Fine purchased at Staples), a ream of paper, and just start drawing straight lines across the pages.
Draw with the pen to build confidence, draw straight lines because it's the basis of product design sketching.

Then take those 2 books I recommend, and start copying page by page while practicing straight lines every day (2-3 pages a day)

I would suggest starting with the basics.

1. Perspective: Look up two point perspective. Try doing it with a ruler a couple of times. Good. Now do it without a ruler. Many times. Use simple shapes like cubes (cubes are your friend), the move to more difficult ones like cones and spheres. Try to understand how light works on shapes.
   
   
2. Simple objects: Start with easier stuff like fruit and then move to things like glass and fabric. Feel free to look up masterworks of these subjects and try to copy them. Master copies can teach you a lot.
   
   
3. People: Break the human body down. Start with just one thing at a time, like eyes, or hands. Then move to more complicated things like heads and torsos. Then try putting it all together. (The human body is very hard. Never feel bad for struggling with it.)
   
   Those are the basics. After that draw whatever you want. You will still need practice but a strong understanding of perspective and light help a lot.
   
   This is probably not how most fine artists learn to draw, it's closer to how I learned to draw as an Industrial Designer. That being said both methods are valid but for different purposes.
   
   Artists for the most part want to create something very lifelike or emotional. This tends to involve a lot of looking at things and sketching slowly and carefully. Example
   
   Designers on the other hand tend to focus on drawing things quickly, efficiently and with just enough shading to convey an idea. This tends to be most useful when you can only see what you want to draw in your head (usually because it doesn't exist yet).
   
   Edit: Also this book is an amazing resource. You might find it at some libraries.