Getting back to drawing

[oneshotwo]

I've been drawing for a long time, with pencil, mostly sketches, a few finished works. But mostly single characters, parts of scenes. But it's been a while now, many years, and I find that I'm a bit rusty...

Thing is I was never that good really, but drew because I liked it, and eventually I didn't have time for it anymore, now that I do, I want to learn it well, might as well since I enjoy it so much. So I've come up with a plan I'd like to hear inputs on.

1. Read theory.

2. Get comfortable with basic shapes and form and drawing them in all kinds of perspectives.

3. Learn basic shading/lighting.

4. Study anatomy, the human figure, get comfortable drawing figures both from reference and memory.

5. Face, hands, feet.

6. More advanced shading and lighting, planes, making forms from shading.

7. More perspective.

That's kind of my plan so far, should keep my occupied for a long time. And I'm not talking photo-realism here, my style is comic.

What do you think? Any suggestions?

[PixelFarmer]

Looks like a sound plan to me. Just make sure your plan is something you'll enjoy sticking to, keep it flexible. You want to keep the "process" as enjoyable as possible and once you feel confident enough, then start moving out of your comfort zone. I force myself to take breaks so i don't get burned out or lose focus on what my goals are.
I would suggest looking around xtrain.com they have some really great videos you can watch.
Also keep posting here if you want critiques or comments about your work. I've gotten ALOT of very useful help from the folks here.

I guess the main thing is, now that you have your plan, what is your main goal? What do you want to get out of your hard work?

[oneshotwo]

Thanks for the answer. I will take breaks and just draw what I feel like, outside of the plan, at times, to make sure it doesn't get boring.

My goal is being able to draw what I see in my minds eye, most of my inspiration comes from dreams. But so far I haven't been able to put what I want down on paper with the amount of "realism" and detail I'd like to. I'm also influenced by artists of course, books, movies, and everything else really.... But especially my dreams and artists like Escher, Dali, Giger, da Vinci. You may have noticed my "plan" revolves mostly around the human figure, but it's just the beginning though, I'm going to learn to draw nature elements and architecture too, but not with that much detail, as it'll be more in the background of my pictures and not the main focus. I have no desire of drawing for money though. Or making my own comic book or anything like that. More just because I enjoy drawing a lot and most it's really therapy too. And I'm just really glad I've gotten the time to focus on things I enjoy now, so I can get back to drawing, instead of spending all my time working to pay bills, etc.

[PixelFarmer]

For me, being able to draw what is in my mind requires that i first know how to draw what I see. My imagination isn't as detailed as what my eyes see. But being able to draw from life helps that a alot. If you want to become "good" at drawing the human figure, you're going to need to attend a live figure drawing class or have someone who can model for you. If you only use photo's you're missing out on the real depth of space that the camera can't pick up. And your work will show this, it will be flat and lifeless.
But you gotta start somewhere right? So keep at it and if the opportunity comes up to draw the human figure from life, jump on it..the opportunity, not the figure lol. Does not have to be nude figures either, unless you plan on drawing every figure you make as a nude.