Improving drawingskills.
By Sushicook
@Sushicook (690)
Sweden
January 4, 2008 4:11pm CST
What do you do to improve your drawing skills? Do you simply sketch a lot, or do you study anatomy/architechture? Do you use guides or books, or do you simply draw what's in front of you?
Do you have any hints for aspiring artists on what one can do to improve one's skills?
I personally practice both using tutorials and by drawing from real life and free fantasies. The tutorials help me improve my technical skills, and forces me to try new approaches.
2 people like this
9 responses
@Zelmarq (12585)
• Cebu City, Philippines
5 Jan 08
Wow thats good that you have this time for your skills. I know I am never going to be a good person who will be able to draw, its one of my dreams but im too old for that and there are still many things that I can do other than drawing. I have finally accepted the sad truth and its really not for me.
@bohoartchick (6)
• United States
1 Feb 08
You're never too old to develop drawing skills. When I was 40 I decided I wanted to draw a portrait of my son, but I had not really drawn anything since I was in jr high school. I made a commitment to draw for 15 minutes a day (I drew for longer periods than that, but 15 minutes seemed like a commitment I could stick with). Anyway, after a couple of weeks I drew that portrait, and many more. Now I can't imagine a day not creating some form of art.
ANYONE can make art - just devote a few minutes a day to doodling or doing any other creative activity.
If you really would like to learn to draw, a good book to read for inspiration is 'The Artist's Way' by Julie Cameron.
@ratyz5 (7808)
• Philippines
20 Jan 08
For me, though I don't usually draw as much as some more proficient people do, I just draw what comes in mind. If it strikes at unusual instances and the materials are readily available and possible, I draw on the spot.
I also look for tutorials from one site I'm a member of and I do read some "How to Draw..." books as well. I even just get hints from real details and from those who draw as well. ^_^
Whatever happens, you may think that your skills are just adaptations from the numerous references or tutorials that you have looked up on but you incorporate each one of them and establish a style of your own.
@youless (112100)
• Guangzhou, China
5 Jan 08
I think there is no shortcut. Practice makes perfect. Do you know Da Vinci's story? When he was a child, his teacher asked him to draw many photos of the egg. And therefore, later Da Vinci could become to one of the most painters all over the world.
@theprogamer (10534)
• United States
5 Jan 08
It takes a LOT of practice Sushicook. Its better to practice and keep going despite what you come up with in the short run. You have to practice multiple environments, multiple themes, subjects... the keyword is definitely practice. Yes you can look at books and sites about it for help, I encourage it. But in the end, you have to take pencil to paper, and let your dreams fly.
@shittlefrau (7)
• United States
8 Jan 08
Recently, I've been using www.posemaniacs.com and just doing rough figure sketches. I find that learning about the muscles and such of the human body have really helped me; other than that, I just draw draw draw :) Like another commenter I said, I pretty much have a sketchbook with me wherever I go. That's a good way to practice.
@leanneg (178)
• Canada
4 Jan 08
The key for me is keep drawing things that appeal to me. No matter how hard the objects or thing may be, I set a challenge for myself and I continue drawing it no matter how good or bad it may seem. I've done this since I started drawing and in the end it may not be what I imagined it to be but it was worth the try and I learn to love what I've drawn. I use anything from real life, still life, books, magazines, internet and I use a themes. These are just some tips on what I do, just set your mind to it and you'll do good!
@mollyrose (414)
• United States
5 Jan 08
I haven't done any sketching in a while mostly because I am 9 pregnants and finding it hard to get comfortable. However when I do draw I sometimes draw whatever is in front of me whether its a statue or a outdoor scene. Sometimes I draw from imagination. Way back when I was a teen i used to draw every single day and have portfolios full of drawings. It got to be where it would only take me a half hour to draw a complex drawing. I intend to get back into sketching but it takes alot of patience.
@MarkDG (41)
• United States
4 Jan 08
Lately, drawing has become somewhat of an obsession for me. I draw a lot! In fact, I carry some pencils and a sketchpad with me pretty much wherever I go. When I see something that catches my eye, I draw it. I think that has improved my technique more than anything else I might have done. I especially enjoy drawing some mundane object and making it look absolutely as real as possible!
