How did you learn to draw well?

Question

Did you start out trying to draw by yourself or did you take lessons first?

when you taught yourself, did you originally follow a book or did you just try anything and then maybe when you tried that for a while later turned to books or looked online?

Answer 1

I started out on my own, and am on my own.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

One must be very gifted to draw without any tuition. I have books, but they are difficult to use in a practical situation : if you got two minutes -or less- to draw a sketch you can't go to your book and check how to do it!
So I have a partner that takes pose for maximum 2 minutes, after that time I can complete the drawing without the model.
I also go from time to time to an art academy where they have living models. It's not expensive (5 euros for 2 hours) and yesterday for example I made about 10 sketches with a "sanguine" stick.
But the secret recipee is: draw, draw, draw again and again. If a drawing is not good, re-try the same subject, don't think "I cannot do that" and switch to semething else.
Good luck. It's a real pleasure to be able to make good drawings ... and you cannot paint if you can't draw.

Answer 4

Hey lulu, great website!

In my case, my family has a long history of aristic talent and artists. As a result, I was exposed to drawing techniques and strategies since grade school. The thing I really wanted to mention, though, is my ability to see the object on paper before drawing. Maybe other ppl experience this as well. It ends up being faster and easier this way because I end up simply tracing. The only trouble I run into is trying to pick up where I left off on a previous drawing and seeing things totally different the second time around. That's when I get all messed up in multiple alterations! Uugh!

Answer 5

Hi.I started drawing at a young age by myself.
At first I copied eveything in exact detail.
Lessons do help,but it depends who you go to.
I went to lessons with a man who's more of an illustrator than an artist in the strict sense.
But,with these lessons,I felt something was missing.
I then found a weekly course with a real fine artist,& he has become my mentor.He taught me to draw what I see,not in strict technical terms,but with sensitivity to my emotions.
It felt I broke thru into something divine.
The sad thing of it is,if you want to survive as an artist,you need to do these things on your own,to paint & draw to satisfy yourself only.Nowdays,modern art isn't concerned with beauty of form,& the subtleties of colour-it's more into making a statement,an ironic declaration of modernlife.
Focus on the beauty of the visual world,& you will open up a very intimate understanding of objects,people,compositions.
Movement is also very important in a painting.
Also,follow in the footsteps of the masters,only then will you
experience what they experienced,& find your own individual
view of the world around you.
I hope that helps you.

Answer 6

I started drawing very very young and never stopped. The best way to start is to draw things you love. I started with the obvious children's stuff when I was young and then progressed to Rock stars when I was a teenager when I really learned how to draw. Drawing everyday just for 20 minutes helps. It's like meditation. Take one beginning drawing class in college will improve your skills a thousand fold, trust me.

Answer 7

i personally just started drawing ... alot, that's the key practice you can't be taught to draw but you can learn techniques, take a sketch book with you every where, draw people in the street, houses, anything.
Don't let your own personal criticism get in your way, just practise and draw whenever you can, you'll find that you learn a lot just by viewing the world from a different perspective.

Answer 8

I think I was born with a pencil in my hand. I've been drawing for as long as I can remember. My father was a professional artist too. If you are interested in seeing my work, visit www.realistartinoz.blogspot.com , pastel, pen and pencil sketches.
If you are really interested in drawing/painting etc., practice with all sorts of mediums and you'll 'hit' on one or two (or three) that will really interest you.
Lessons can help if you are unsure how to use a medium or compose your pictures. But ultimately, develop your own style. You'll get more pleasure out of 'creating' then.
Good luck

Answer 9

I have always been able to draw what I see well.
So well in fact I taught drawing to anyone who wanted to learn.

Drawing on the right side of the brain is a book by Betty white.

I recommend reading this book even if you draw well.

Answer 10

Didn't learn,it was sort of an acquired gift. My daughter has it too. I never was taught either I helped the art teacher. I will give you advice though, draw only for yourself first, things you like, your own thoughts, use your imagination. Before you ever take lessons try your hardest to do the above. NEVER SCRIBBLE ANYTHING OUT CHANGE IT TO SOMETHING ELSE. I don't ever scribble anything out and hardly erase unless I have to.

Answer 11

Like others said, practice, practice, practice. The more you draw, the better you'll get at it. I mostly taught myself the basics by getting accustomed to the shape of things like people and animals by tracing them, then sketching them as references, then drawing from imagination alone. For the more complex stuff, try online guides and tutorial. You can find them at DeviantArt and places like that.