what can i do to improve my drawing skills. i am 13 years old and an okay drawer but want to become better?

Question

book recommendations, websites please

Answer 1

Books can help some. Webs sites maybe, but there is only one way to really learn and improve your skills as an artist.
Get out there with a pencil (I prefer a number 2 lead) or pencils (of various numbers but not color that comes later), an eraser (kneaded one is best I think, as it can handle details like that little point of light on an eyeball) and something with a better point than your finger to smear with,a pad of paper and start drawing.
Draw everything. Draw trees, clouds, bark on trees, people, cloths, tables chairs. Look at stuff when you aren't drawing. I mean really LOOK at them. What is it that your eye is really seeing? How can or could you best represent that two dimensionally? Does this fold of fabric overlay that one? or is it the other way around? How, exactly, is the proportion of the head related to the rest of the body? Yeah, that last you can find out in a book. They can tell you the perfect proportion, whitch is great if your drawing a superhero or such but if you want to represent real people....grab your pencils, paper and other tools and get out there and start drawing.
Then, keep at it. keep trying to make what you draw look better and better.
Just remember it's a long journey that will never be finished.
Good luck and, most important, Enjoy!

Answer 2

What kind of things do you like to draw? There are a lot of good resources out there, so narrowing it down a little will help.

First & formost: the best way to become a better drawer is to DRAW. The more you do it, the better you become.

Second, find a kind of pencil you really like. It can be an expensive artist pencil or something you can get in a 20 pack at walmart, it just has to work for you.

Third, for if you like to draw people. Get a mirror, or even better, a digital camera. Pose how you want the person to look (body arrangement, facial expression, etc.), then look in the mirror or take a picture. Use this as a referance for your drawing.

Fourth, start an "idea folder". Add pictures, magazine cuttings, anything you find that inspires you or would be a good source in the future.

Answer 3

http://wannalearn.com/Fine_Arts/Visual_Art/Drawing_and_Sketching/ has some pretty good links

As far as books go:
New Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain - Betty Edwards
Color - Betty Edwards (good for learning to see & use color)
Anatomy for the Artist - Daniel Carter

But the single best thing you can do is practice, practice, practice! Draw your cat. Draw your mom. Draw your desk. Draw a tree in the park. Draw a vase with a flower in it. Just DRAW.

Answer 4

John or Jon Gnagy had a course that you can find in art stores on how to do shading, perspective, application of light, etc. (it is the light that makes the pictures come to life) There are also TV shows that have artists who show you how to draw or paint scenery.

Your best bet, is to read and study, and to draw draw draw. Find a style that you like and look at what the artists have done, and see if you can duplicate their techniques. However, the best artists I have known all have their own personal styles.

Answer 5

Begin with pencil and paper. Start bydrawing the most basic forms and shapes. These are: the sphere (circle), the box (square), the cylinder, and the cone. All forms in life consist of at least one of these shapes and in many cases, several combinations of each.

Line is the most basic element in drawing. Use your pencil to draw the lines that make up all of the shapes I have mentioned above. Once you have masterred this, begin to look for the shapes above in the objects you have around your house. Example: if searching for speres, look to a bunch of apples and fill them into a bowl. Begin drawing the apples with the form and contour that make the apple slightly different from a perfect sphere. You can do this with almost anything. Use a cofee mug to practice drawing a cone, or an ice cream cone for a cone. As you begin to practice all of these shapes, you will be enhancing your ability to draw. Once you master this, move outdoors and do trees (cylinder shape), buildings (box), etc. Then, once you are good at that, move onto the human form. Begin drawing people. This is the most complex element of drawing and should be saved for last until you have masterred the basics. Use the tip of your pencil for thin lines the side of your pencil for shade. Learn the various textures that you can obtain with different hardness of pencils, and by hatching and cross-hatching lines. Also learn to stipple and erase shadow for making highlights. This is the most basic stuff to get you going:however here are a few books you may want to obtain to learn more:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781567315370&itm=2

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780874774245&itm=5

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780823039913&itm=5

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780486450025&itm=10

I hope this helps.

Answer 6

Check out the book "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" by Betty Edwards. It's a great book and has lots of fun exercises to try. Many libraries have it. Try to find the NEW edition which says right on the cover "The NEW Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" You'll love it! Good for any age too! Have fun!

Answer 7

Try to draw more realisticly. Start trying your hands on lesser details objects like house hold items. Then start putting them in a group and strat observing prospectives. Try to be true to your self and dont hurry. LIVE moments and DRAW them.

Answer 8

The best website for anybody that is just starting or just wants to learn more is www.drawspace.com It has drawing lessons, drawing contests, friendly people and staff, and it is awesome. My screen name is JTF so if you register (registering is free) I will help you with whatever I can!

Answer 9

Just keep practicing is all I can really say. Try to copy, not trace, anything you can as much as you can. Also, try to draw or doodle anything that pops in your head. Practice makes perfect ; )

Answer 10

draw everyday ..use different mediums... pencils pens,, colors,,, i like to look at an object.,.. and draw it without looking down.. also look at other ppls work.. it can free you up... good luck ~PREE