Is there hope.

#1

Hi all,
You might of seen me in a thread where I was searching for hope on how to start out in traditional painting. There was alot of helpful advice. One was to learn how to draw. So I bought a coulple of sketch books and decided to follow the advice of drawing alot and drawing what ever I see. So I did and I got alot of frustration and almost quit at some times.

This is the first page of my sketch book. Its safe to say I almost gave up right here. Note also Ive only been exposed to art for about 3 months. And the only drawing experience I have is the crappy doddles we all make as a kid.

First page of First ever Sketch book:thumbsup:

These next pages are the first page of my third sketch book. I attempted to create form and failed miserably. Though I see an improvment in these i still feel far behind where I should be in order to suceed.

First page of third sketch book:

Second page:

So I guess my question is Ive read alot that drawing and art in general is a skill and not a gift. Well its hard to say most of the people that you guys say that to are far better than me to start with. Is there still hope that Ill be good enough to make great drawings and models like you guys?

EDIT: sorry for the image sizes I would resize them but the lines are kinda light and I want you guys to be able to see it.

#2

There’s ALWAYS hope. Drawing well is something that takes years. The main thing is to focus on the basics then move on to more detailed drawing. Proportions, structure, perspective and weight are all factors you will have to go over again and again and again until they’re lodged in your brain. These principles make you a better observer and allow you to draw what you see (be it from your eyes or your mind).
I’ve been drawing for some years now, and only recently have I seen any significant level of improvement. This is because I’m drawing perhaps 10 times as often and making an effort to spend at least once a day on the principles of drawing from different disciplines. Remember that there is no one divine path to ultimate mastery.

Well, apart from patience and determination, that is.

In relation to your sketches there is a noticable improvement from sketchbook 1 to sketchbook 3, but I urge you to really look into the basics firmly and spend insane amounts of time on them, regardless of the frustration and boredom you may feel from doing it.

#3

BenDStraw,

I still think your best bet is to join in our Workshop here:

BEGINNERS’ Drawing Workshop - Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain - With Stipick_S

[left]You’re missing a great opportunity to learn along with other beginners in an informal, friendly atmosphere. These opportunities don’t come along all the time, and while we have started the Workshop a few weeks ago, we are not so far ahead that it would be impossible to catch up. :slight_smile:

Why not at least check it out? It’s perfect for you, as you are a beginner ~ and that is the targeted experience level of this Workshop. We all have to begin somewhere, and this is a great place to start. :slight_smile:

Cheers, :slight_smile:

~Rebeccak
[/left]

#4

I was just about to suggest the same thing! Hey, aren’t you supposed to be sleeping?:curious:

#5

Thanks for the advice guys. Hey about the workshop thing how do I join and dont I have to get a book in order to work. If so Ive seen this book but its cost was only shown in pounds. I would be glad to join this. Thanks for your help.

#6

BenDstraw,

All you need is the book. At the beginning of the thread you will find details about the book. It is most likely at your local library as well. Feel free to pm or email me, and I can get you started at least on the first chapter. But the library is a very safe bet, I expect ~ perhaps you could check tomorrow, if you have time? :slight_smile:

At any rate, all you have to do is post work, or questions related to the thread on the thread itself ~ you need not do anything but participate to be a part of the Workshop. You can come and go as you please, though I think it’s best to try to stay up with the lessons, as we all tend to learn best in a group setting ~ it helps to push us.

I would post any additional questions regarding the Workshop on the thread, as I am more likely to find your posts more quickly.

Give the library a try, and feel free to contact me or post questions you may have on the thread. :slight_smile:

I was just about to suggest the same thing! Hey, aren’t you supposed to be sleeping?:curious:

But Martin, I’m almost at the 4,000 post mark! How can I sleep? :slight_smile:

Cheers, :slight_smile:

~Rebeccak

#7

I find looking at things and recording down their critical details a very good exercise. I also doodled - all the time, not just when I am bored. My highschool and college notebooks are bascially sketchbooks with a little bit of words in them.

#8

Thanks alot Rebeccak Im getting the book today. Sorry yesterday was busy for me and I didnt get around to it. And you’ll see me soon I guess. Once again thanks a lot.

#9

You really should take a look at the sticky threads in this forum. We put together tutorials and links that adds up to years of free art school education. Yet for some reason I can’t fathom, most people–especially those that desperately needs it, aren’t taking advantage of the sticky threads. Just the Andrew Loomis books alone are like a treasury of some of the best art instructional material ever created, and you get to access them for FREE.

#10

Quoted for agreement. Just keep consistant at practicing.

#11

Well at least you made my day. I always thought I suck at pencil drawing but after your post I think I might have some natural talent after all. Don’t take me too serious though. It does take a lot of hard work and practise to be good at anything. Perserverance is the key element to success. :wink:

#12

i dont think you should feel too discouraged, all the great masters were novices at some stage. dont get me wrong, i know how you feel, i mean i aspire to be a great artist one day, and actually have a reputation in the art industry in Australia [perhaps even international when my dreams allow it!] the point is, there’s always a goal you would want to reach, but as artists its almost impossible to complete the journey, because you can never perfect art. it will always be a learning process, so take this as the beginning of a chapter of your learning journey.

im 17 now, and ive been practically drawing my whole life and im still in my baby stages, so its ok, you’ll be amazed on how much you can progress in a matter of a year. best of luck to you :slight_smile:

#13

BenDstraw - My quick answer is “yes”. You can still learn to draw and model well so long as:

-you practice
-you live a long, healthy life (so eat your veggies!)

You will see faster progress if, while practicing, you focus on core skills:
(1st) line (defines the shape of what you’re drawing)
(2nd) shadow (defines the depth of what you’re drawing)
perspective (shows how different things relate to each other in a drawing)

As you learn why these things are important in a drawing you’ll have much more control over your pictures. I’ve been drawing for about 30 years and for much of that time I neglected #2 and 3. Hopefully I’ll have another 30 to remedy that. :slight_smile:

BTW, I noticed that even in your earliest sketches you drew the dogs’ hind legs with all the joints where they belong. Noticing details like that is an important step in learning to draw. Good luck! :thumbsup:

#14

Download Loomis art books! You’ll find the link in one of these “Sticky threads” at the top of the main page of “Art techniques and Theories forum” (so it means right here :)).

These books are a treasury of wisdom! Also search the web by google for some drawing lessons. I’ve found one site which aimed mostly on perspective but you’ve come too late because I’ve already finished all the exercises twice so I deleted the bookmark from my favourites… :frowning:

However what I personally think is that you’ve got two options :

  • concentrate on the very basics of drawing.
  • try it with Loomis! Some might say that loomis drawing books are the very basics but not in my opinion. It’s a lot of fun with his books and that’s what counts - to have fun.

Good luck mate!
ps : there’s always hope!

#15

In your head break down the puzzel into pieces. If you take the dog for example you can divide it up into several main shapes. When you draw something search for the main parts and see how they relate to each other in position and perspective. One way to do it is to seperate your doggy into balls and cylinders. Make those shapes work together and let them flow into each other zooming into the detail at the end.

You should do just fine!

#16

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