Back to basics. I need help

[TomSpencer]

Hey ive browsed these forums for quite a while now and there are some seriously amazing artists on here. Its very inspirational to see you all work.

However as interesting as it is to take a look into others work, i really need help improving myself. Ive never had any tuition in art, all ive ever done was art for GCSE. So im pretty much self taught, and it really shows. I draw alot but i never seem to improve at all.

So what im really asking for is if i were go back to the very begining and really take it seriously, what is it i should work on? Human figure? observational drawings? ect

As much as i enjoy art ive never taken the propper route in improving my skills. I mainly draw from my head meaning i have no knowledge what so ever on actual proportions and what not. My shading and lighting at most times is pretty random and done to how ever it just looks good.
My skills are very limited and i would really like to improve.

So how should i go abouts this? wheres the best place to start? Any help will be really appreciated.

Im sorry if this is posted in the wrong place =/

[FlameDragon]

I havent tried it yet, but from what I've been told on these forums first you should go to the store and buy the shapes like cylinder, box, sphere. Get a book on perspective and then try applying those concepts to drawing those shapes. Then try lighting from different angles and such, and drawing them. Also, study see if you can get a tutorial on how lighting works, like where the shadows would go and the components of the shadow.

Once you understand these, you can try seeing the human body in terms of these shapes and the body's construction should become easier to grasp. Also, try finding life drawing sessions to attend so that you can practice drawing the human figure, trying to employ the aforementioned concepts. Gesture drawing (a quick sketch of the basic action of the pose) in particular is something to work on.

Some helpful books would be:

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
Anatomy: Complete guide for artists by Sheppard (for seeing the bones and muscles in a variety of positions and angles)
Vilpuu drawing manual

[arttorney]

Specific answers are hard to give without seeing examples of your work.

Here's a general formula that may be of some assistance:

1. Identify your specific goal. (e.g. game design, illustration, fine art etc.)
2. With that in mind, take out a pencil and paper and make a list of the strengths you now possess and a second list of the weaknesses you now possess.
3. Rank your weaknesses in terms of severity.
4. At this point, you have your road map established. To get from where you are to where you want to be is a matter of systematically eliminating your weaknesses (probably one at a time) and reinforcing your strengths.

If you need help making your lists or deciding your goals, there are resources available on these forums, but that stuff is what somebody would want to see your works to do.

[TomSpencer]

Thanks so far guys your already helping =]

As for my work, all i have uploaded at the moment is what on my deviant art. Its prety poor but thats the whole point of this thread =D haha.

http://stupidpenguin.deviantart.com/