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How could I get better in drawing?
I am currently a senior in high school and planning to major in art in college, but most of my skills now are learned by watching tutorials online, what are some tips to get better?
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Joanne’s Answer
Hi Yili…as an art teacher one of the biggest things a student can do to improve their drawings is to improve their observation skills. I often find students draw what they think they see, rather than what they are actually seeing. Get inspiration from around you. Use your phone as a camera and take pictures of anything and everything that excites you. Often drawing what we think we should be drawing, like still life or portraiture will switch you off as an artist if it’s not a source that excites you. Observing YouTube videos can be useful and I would recommend an artist called Kirsty Partridge for tips and skills on creating more realistic looking drawings. Practice using the grid method for scale and accuracy and varying the B number of the pencils you are using when working with tone. To make a drawing pop you need contrast; dark, mid and light tones. Often drawings look flat when students keep to mid tones. Perfecting your sketching skills will also help. Use a light stroke and build upon it to create shapes before committing to the shape you’re looking for. This allows for mistakes but also less rubbing out. The main thing is to enjoy this process. Sketch everyday! Join a 30 day drawing challenge, there are a few of these online. This way you’ll be forced out of your comfort zone to take inspiration from objects you might not necessarily consider drawing initially. Hope this helps!
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
Yili
Updated
Ellen’s Answer
Hi Yili
Great that you are interested in improving your drawing. It takes practice and patience to improve your skills in drawing.
I found that many of my students liked to draw from cartoons, or scenes from photographs, or famous people from the internet, which is a good way to start. Online tutorials are also good to give you the step by step version of "how to" draw something. Drawing books, the "Draw 100 ________" series are pretty good, too. You can always learn something from these sort of tutorials.
However, there is nothing like drawing from life, that is drawing what you see in front of you. You are the one deciding what and how to draw what you see. This could be a bowl of fruit and dishes on a kitchen table, or a house, or a portrait of your best friend, or whatever you like to draw. It is challenging, but you will be drawing something from you point of view that is totally original, and you will be developing your own style. If you are thinking of applying to Art School, having original drawings from life in your portfolio would be a good choice. So, keep a small sketchbook with you, and do some drawings and sketches of people and objects and scenes around you.
For me, drawing is a way to get to know the subject I am drawing, and later painting. When you draw from life, you really have to look at what you are seeing in that moment. Use what you learned from the online tutorials and apply them to drawing objects and scenes from life. Be original!
Remember drawings do not always have to finished and framed on a wall, they can be rough sketches, or final sketches, or just a way to figure out what you want your final artwork to look like.
I strongly suggest you take a drawing class, or just take an art class in school or during the summer. Drawing on your own from the internet is fine, but you won't get the feedback from another experienced artist (the teacher). Feedback is really important, as it helps you understand what you are doing well, and what you need to work on. This helps you grow as an artist.
Best wishes. I hope this helps.
Great that you are interested in improving your drawing. It takes practice and patience to improve your skills in drawing.
I found that many of my students liked to draw from cartoons, or scenes from photographs, or famous people from the internet, which is a good way to start. Online tutorials are also good to give you the step by step version of "how to" draw something. Drawing books, the "Draw 100 ________" series are pretty good, too. You can always learn something from these sort of tutorials.
However, there is nothing like drawing from life, that is drawing what you see in front of you. You are the one deciding what and how to draw what you see. This could be a bowl of fruit and dishes on a kitchen table, or a house, or a portrait of your best friend, or whatever you like to draw. It is challenging, but you will be drawing something from you point of view that is totally original, and you will be developing your own style. If you are thinking of applying to Art School, having original drawings from life in your portfolio would be a good choice. So, keep a small sketchbook with you, and do some drawings and sketches of people and objects and scenes around you.
For me, drawing is a way to get to know the subject I am drawing, and later painting. When you draw from life, you really have to look at what you are seeing in that moment. Use what you learned from the online tutorials and apply them to drawing objects and scenes from life. Be original!
Remember drawings do not always have to finished and framed on a wall, they can be rough sketches, or final sketches, or just a way to figure out what you want your final artwork to look like.
I strongly suggest you take a drawing class, or just take an art class in school or during the summer. Drawing on your own from the internet is fine, but you won't get the feedback from another experienced artist (the teacher). Feedback is really important, as it helps you understand what you are doing well, and what you need to work on. This helps you grow as an artist.
Best wishes. I hope this helps.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this.
Yili
Updated
Briana’s Answer
Hi, Yili. I think this YouTube channel has some very good, very casual classes. This one is specifically about how to practice effectively.
https://www.youtube.com/live/nJkqeaDqXdk?feature=share
https://www.youtube.com/live/nJkqeaDqXdk?feature=share
Thank you, this is amazing! I really needed it.
Yili
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