Hi all!

I'm new to drawing, and I'm really enjoying it. I started with Brenda's book "Drawing for Dummies," and have finished that and looking for the best way to proceed. I'm the sort of person that does best with structured approaches to learning (lessons based; step 1, step 2, etc.).

I'm just looking for advice on the best way to proceed from here. I am unable to take classes (that would be the ideal, but it's simply not an option for me).

I'd love to hear ideas. Do you know of a really good book of lessons? Would you recommend downloading and following Brenda's lessons on here, right through from start to finish? Should I just go out and draw whatver I see, whether I'm good at it or not? Should I relax and let go my structured approaches to the things I do?

I'm very open, but since classes aren't an option for me, I'm just looking for a bit of guidance. Thanks for any and all advice you can give!

Hi there

well if you have finished Brenda's book, you could strat trying somethin, don't be afraid, its a great way to learn.
You cna also chek out the lessons here, they are great, if you don't want to do them all, do the one you think are better for you.
You can also try the weekly challenges, they are fun and a great way to learn. this week we have Ernest hosting, and every week we have a diferent host and diferente photos to draw from.you can find it here in general discusion on the pinned up section

we also have the cartoon challenges, hosted by Brian, and ocasionally by members that he invites to host, check out " snoopy 101 challenge" also on the pinned up section.
and then you have the portrait thread and the oficial critique thread is you want C&C

hope this helps

My two cents.

If you finished learning the basics from Brenda's book you should start applying what you just learned by drawing from real life simple objects that you place on a table where they can have one side facing daylight.Could be an apple, a coffee mug, a vase with flowers.
Start with a quick sketch, then a study.
Try to identify the light and shadow on your object and then draw it.
Use graphite then move on to color like Colored pencils.
Try different kinds of shading, play with light by moving your object around.
Increase the difficulty of the exercise by adding more objects and doing a still life.
Look for the cast shadows.There is a lot to learn from nature(real Life).
Organize your work in albums to see your progress.
Then you can post your work in the critique thread for comments and help.
Wishing you a real fun time drawing.

My suggestion would be to join your local art association or club who may have drawing classes from time to time that could help you. Or try a local community education centre if there is something near you.

The other options here in Drawspace would also be useful to you. Learning traditional techniques is essential, but more so is practicing those techniques to refine them and learn eye/hand coordination. Classes can be good and help you learn new ways of doing things, but they generally demonstrate the techniques with participants following along and you need to practice to keep using that technique once you are away from the class.

If you need that structured setting to help provide the support you need you can find it here through lessons and tutorials too.

Have you seen the number of advanced lessons Brenda has here on the site for free? I know I'll probably never have enough hours in my life to finish them all. You'll probably want to start in the intermediate section, do the lessons you think you might learn something from (hair, feathers, etc.) and work your way up to advanced.

If you like doing portraits, get some good pictures of friends or family (or famous people) and start drawing them for gifts or just to build up a portfolio.
Do some figure drawing from magazines. Don't be afraid to loosen up! Keep a little sketchbook for those messy, scribbly, experimental sketches that noone will ever see but you. Good luck, hope to see your gallery soon.

the best advice i could give you is to draw everything you see.
Draw round things, square things, and really difficult things that are way past your level.
Draw things in different lighting and at different angles. The more you draw the better you will become. I never learned from a book, i learned from drawing the things around me. Its taken me 5 years to learn the techniques i have today, but now i am even commissioning some of my work.
And never worry if your not good enough to draw a subject because the truth is, you never will be. And later on, you will always look back and think that you could have done a better job. But in drawing difficult and odd subjects you will learn lessons through your own steps. [albeit frustrating steps]


Granted, my learning methods may not be the best for you, but i do believe the old adage: practice practice practice! will help you greatly.

Theres so much to say about this subject, but I think the one single thing of most value to me, is-

Draw the things you are worst at and dont like drawing.

This will teach so many things like observation and control, also it will round your technique.

Kind regards

Brian