Learning How to Draw

[Micro]

I hope there's not a thread like this already o_x I didn't see one. forgive me if I am blind and missed it...xD although I guess this is a cross between something personal and a general discussion.

aaaaanyway.....

for all you artists out there, how did you learn how to draw? were you self-taught or did you take classes? what helped you with drawing more than anything? do you think you have to be a technical person in order to be a good artist? (I've heard that you should learn to draw with shapes and sometimes math can be involved, proportions/anatomy etc etc)

as someone who writes a lot of stories, I always imagine these cool characters or scenes in my head and feel annoyed when I can't actually create them visually. I've tried several times to start really learning how to draw, but I'm just not good at it lol. I genuinely think [most] people just have things they are innately better at--or if not most people, then definitely me!

then again, when I say "learning how to draw" I mean just plain trying to...draw whatever I think about. I've used references and bases before, but I just HATE reading/watching tutorials and getting too darn technical. I could say I'm very creative or very lazy--take your pick--but I really just like to sit down and create what is in my mind without really thinking about it too hard. you know what I mean?

so I'm curious what worked best for you guys and gals who have been drawing for a while, or even those who have just started to draw.

what are your opinions on using bases during the learning phase? also, some of my artist friends tell me that tracing can help a newbie learn how to draw--is that true?

Bonus Question: How long have you been drawing?

I have more questions, but I'll save them for when some people actually respond... :D

 

[Iron Croc]

I'd been drawing since I was a child, but drawing never came easily to me. What I know, I've had to struggle and fight to learn.
I personally advise against using bases; it's better in my opinion to use construction lines, however. They're a valuable tool that can help in many ways.
I also personally advise against tracing. IMO You're literally doing none of the work.
My 2 cents.

 

[Micro]

I also personally advise against tracing. IMO You're literally doing none of the work.

I definitely agree with this. if you just want to blatantly copy someone else like that, what is the point at all? haha. as for bases, I HAVE seen some pretty impressive works done--cant even tell they used a base tbh. but unfortunately, most are just thrown together.

What are construction lines? and is there a reason you advise against bases, or is it just simple personal preference?

I think bases can be good for a newbie who is not 100% yet serious about becoming "pro" at drawing--and by pro I mean, being a really good and respected artist. My best friend, for example, used bases back when I met her in 2010.

now, she no longer uses bases and has become a really good artist. she recommended that I try bases as well, since I could focus on stuff like clothes, hair, eyes, coloring etc since I'm a total noob. lol. (this was way back when I tried to learn how to draw several years ago. I might try again...maybe... but like I said, I already know it is not my thing)

so for me, drawing would never be something that I strive to be pro at, because I know it just isn't in the cards for me lol. it would be more of something fun to do to satisfy my need for a visual to go along with my story (or just something random that I felt like doing)... my approach towards creative hobbies (heck, my personality...) in general tends to be more laid-back and casual, though I just had a natural knack for writing, I guess.

still, it's awesome that you never gave up and kept struggling. I really respect and admire that!

 

[Iron Croc]

It's just a personal thing for me; it was actually harder to work with bases. Plus, you still have to go and give credit to the base maker! :P

Construction lines... Here is one of countless examples:

Spoiler: Construction lines!

Spoiler: And here's an example of my drawing work...

 

[sage]

I've been drawing for ages, self taught. Mostly, I just drew. I drew and drew and drew. If you want to get good fast, you need to draw every day.
I tried doing sketches every day last year, and it helped me greatly improve my anatomy and style and whatnot. I'd definitely recommend doing that, once you feel confident enough to.

I found tracing things is not helpful. Bases are good for practicing clothing and hair because you don't have to draw the body every time, but it's better to work on your anatomy too and draw your own base. You should be less focused on making something pretty, and more on improving.

Watching/working along videos was really helpful for me when I started getting semi-serious.
I'd recommend Mark Crilley's youtube channel to beginners. He makes a ton of how to draw videos (mostly in manga/anime styles).
He doesn't get too technical, so you should definitely check out some of his more-beginner oriented videos, such as how to draw eyes and hair and such.

Always try to use a reference image for poses/clothes/etc., and don't use a drawing as one. Use a photograph.

Don't stop drawing if you get art block.

Push your comfort zones and try new things.

 

[Iron Croc]

@sage that's probably the best advice I've ever seen. "Don't stop drawing when you have art block and keep pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone."
Far too many people I know don't do this and they wonder why they never improve.

 

[Amysaurus]

I've been drawing for pretty much my entire life. I'm self-taught, and to be honest every class I've had to take in uni usually has me producing lower quality work than I'd like. (My professors were strict about how you even hold a drawing utensil, and oftentimes it was an unnatural position for me).

I've never used a base besides a few I've created myself (to make sure I was keeping the height of a few characters right). Same thing with tracing. I've not really fond of either, so I can't say for sure how well they help.

As far as learning goes, it's like I tell the students I tutor at my university: the best thing you can do is just draw. Draw what pops in your head, draw what you see in nature, draw who you see walking in the street. If you're consistent in practicing, you'll begin to see an improvement sooner than you think. Especially with human anatomy, I tell people to start with simple shapes, then add more complexity as they go - Croc's picture for construction lines is a great example of that.

What's also important is just experimenting! Try all sorts of medias. For a long time I really didn't go beyond using pencil as my standard tool, and now it's something I rarely use (it turns out using pen, permanent marker and brushes with ink are my favorites). I always suggest getting used to traditional medias before you get into anything digital.


The image quality is not 100% great, but here's a bit of my traditional work, lol:

Spoiler: SHIELD YOUR EYES

Hellenistic Sculpture Study: Pencil on mid-grey paper

Skeleton with Caribou Still-Life: Permanent marker on white paper.

 

[Roccstar1oh1]

These are all some great tips, I am a self tought artist myself, have been using youtube vids for my learning. Only been at it for a little over a year, and I have been using shapes and lines for all of my work, i start with a stickman skeleton and gradually add shape to it. Has been working ok for me thus far. I have been drawing figures and learning to shade, although that seems to be the only thing i can sort of draw. Haven't done anything traditional, I started my art journey with digital medium. I like the comment about drawing out of your comfort zone, have not tried that myself, granted i only draw like once a month haha
A sample of my work, not gonna lie, this took me 8 hours, and i just dont have that kind of patience to be doing it every day lol

Spoiler

 

[Micro]

Really interesting discussion guys! Thanks for your replies~

Do you think a person can learn to draw if they only do it digitally?

 

[Amysaurus]

It's definitely possible - I've just always found it easier to do something digitally if I know the same type of pencil/brush works when it's in my hand.

 

[Nio Kasgami]

how to became good in art in 4 step :

step 1 : take a pen
step 2 : suffer for many years
step 3 : drop your pen and see you are kinda "proud of your art"
step 5 : take again your pen for a another 10 years of suffering and tear
Optional step : scream you want to see your mother while you are suffering
primordial step : suffer , suffer , suffer , suffer

did I mentionned you will suffer?