Where to start?

[Littlegator]

Sorry if this topic is breaking some rule somewhere. I checked for any guidelines on posting this topic, and couldn't find anything for a good 10 minutes. =\ Anyways, onto the actual message.

I'm basically new to drawing. I don't know anything about art. The highest degree of education I have in art is 8th grade art class. Needless to say, since then, I've forgotten what [little] I learned from it.

Recently, I managed to get a new-in-box 4x6 graphire4 from a rummage sale for $5. I plugged it in and installed the latest drivers, and messing around with it in photoshop has inspired me. I'd forgotten of the days I spent in middle/high school doodling on the empty pages of my notebooks. I want to tap my inner artist.

So basically, I tried sketching for the past few hours. Nothing came out of it. I only saved 1 image, and that's because my friend thought it was funny or something. >_> The image I saved can be found here: http://i34.tinypic.com/30keek3.png . Note that this is the only picture I drew that actually had something recognizable when one would look at it. I'm surprised that I got an image where you could tell what I was at least trying to draw.

Anyways, the sketching basically proved that I need a method to start. First of all, I need help with thinking of something to draw. I'd sit there for 20 minutes at a time thinking of what to draw, and nothing came to mind. Second, I need to learn pen control. My lines aren't straight, my circles can hardly be described as elliptical, and my sketches obviously suffer.

Anything after that I'm not sure what to do, and I'm not going to try and come up with stuff that I need to learn. That's why I'm making this topic. I basically needs somewhere to start and things to do after I get started. Thanks in advance to anyone who helps, and I once again apologize if violated some procedures in making this topic.

[Elwell]

http://www.amazon.com/New-Drawing-Right-Side-Brain/dp/0874774241

[Littlegator]

http://www.amazon.com/New-Drawing-Right-Side-Brain/dp/0874774241

Ehh, I've gone above and beyond my budget for this week. I'm trying not to spend anything until next Friday. Is there anything I can start with until I can order that book? Oh, and before I order it, can anyone else confirm that I should use that book?

[Quixotic]

That is a VERY reputable book (and I think Elwell knows a thing or two about art lol :mod:), you would be well off to get it, the only other thing I can say is start small, try and draw a pencil or a banana, don't immediately jump to trying to draw Master Chief blasting the Covenant, you won't learn near as much...

[Littlegator]

That is a VERY reputable book (and I think Elwell knows a thing or two about art lol :mod:), you would be well off to get it, the only other thing I can say is start small, try and draw a pencil or a banana, don't immediately jump to trying to draw Master Chief blasting the Covenant, you won't learn near as much...

Oh, I definitely respect Elwell's opinion and all. I'm just very stingy with my money, and I'm not going to run off and buy a book after the first reply to my topic (even if it is only $12).

[rapxic]

http://www.amazon.com/New-Drawing-Right-Side-Brain/dp/0874774241

thanks for this man , and thats real cheap for a good book like that , will definately try to order this next week

[Max Challie]

There's nothing wrong with buying the book later. Elwell is posting knowledge, rather than opinion, and the fact that Elwell recommended it pretty much confirms that you should get it. Because: He. Is. Elwell.

You can start off with some of these free-to-download Andrew Loomis books (http://acid.noobgrinder.com/Loomis/). Start a sketchbook here (http://conceptart.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=41) to record your journey. It will keep you motivated and help you to learn a lot.
Another thing you can do is life drawing, which is perhaps the most helpful activity you can participate in. Grab any household items you think would be fun/interesting to draw, put them on a the dining room table, and draw them. It might be hard at first, just remember 3 things:
1. Look at the object more than you draw; 80% observation, 20% sketching
2. Draw the objects as they are, not how you see them (i.e. observe the objects and draw what is there, not how you believe they would look)
3. Have fun! If it ain't fun, don't do it

I hope I haven't been too bossy, best of luck! :lineart:

[tensai]

I personally find 'Keys to drawing' by Dodson a better (more practical, less talk) beginner book than DOTRSOTB but other than that, check this (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=94571) thread. Literally hundreds of free art books.

[Littlegator]

There's nothing wrong with buying the book later. Elwell is posting knowledge, rather than opinion, and the fact that Elwell recommended it pretty much confirms that you should get it. Because: He. Is. Elwell.

You can start off with some of these free-to-download Andrew Loomis books (http://acid.noobgrinder.com/Loomis/). Start a sketchbook here (http://conceptart.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=41) to record your journey. It will keep you motivated and help you to learn a lot.
Another thing you can do is life drawing, which is perhaps the most helpful activity you can participate in. Grab any household items you think would be fun/interesting to draw, put them on a the dining room table, and draw them. It might be hard at first, just remember 3 things:
1. Look at the object more than you draw; 80% observation, 20% sketching
2. Draw the objects as they are, not how you see them (i.e. observe the objects and draw what is there, not how you believe they would look)
3. Have fun! If it ain't fun, don't do it

I hope I haven't been too bossy, best of luck! :lineart:

I wish I could do this, but my pen control is so terrible it's almost impossible to tell what I was drawing. Are there any "exercises" or anything that can help me with pen control?

[Elwell]

Any public library system in the US will have copies of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.
Everybody should have a library card. Sometimes I think you shouldn't be able to register to vote or get a driver's license without one.

[Littlegator]

Any public library system in the US will have copies of Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain.
Everybody should have a library card. Sometimes I think you shouldn't be able to register to vote or get a driver's license without one.

Oh, I have a library card. I just forget the library exists every now and then with the internet and all. >_>

In fact, any idea if there's an ebook released for the book?

[Zaxser]

Do what this guy (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=870) is doing.

[Elwell]

Most library systems have on-line catalogs and book reserves. Find yours, do a search for "drawing technique" or the like and see what it turns up.

[Elwell]

Do what this guy (http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=870) is doing.
Yes.
Go to the first page. Then go to the last page. Then go back to the first and look at all of them, in order.
That should keep you occupied for a while.

[Littlegator]

Most library systems have on-line catalogs and book reserves. Find yours, do a search for "drawing technique" or the like and see what it turns up.

Yup, I had managed to find the book before I even posted that last post. Unfortunately, my library isn't exactly a pioneer with e-book technology. If there isn't an e-book released, I'll just go and pick the book up tomorrow. Thanks though. :D

Thanks everyone. You guys have given me more than enough info to get on the way. You guys should hopefully be seeing a new sketchbook in the near future. :p

[Max Challie]

I wish I could do this, but my pen control is so terrible it's almost impossible to tell what I was drawing. Are there any "exercises" or anything that can help me with pen control?

I only know of blind contours, which will improve line work (clean lines over messy, sketchy ones), and teach you to observe the object more. You have to look only at the object, and draw slowly, with only one line. The results will almost always turn out like messy rubbish, but it doesn't matter because what matters, is the process. If you don't enjoy the process, you will never succeed. Stop thinking about how bad the results are and just have fun! :lineart:

[Samari]

Like another poster said, visit the library and rent a few books and do some research. Afterwords start practicing every single day if you want to get better.